Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 9/13/2008

Question
Hi Bruce, we are adding onto a 24w by 40' 1989 redmon mobile home. we are adding onto the gable end. we are currently on a floating slab and the addition will be on a basment. we have that part figured out the step away method.but how do we attach the new addition onto the old and what parts of the existing mobile home shouldn't be removed? the new roof will be taller than the existing. we currently have a 3/12 cathedral and we are going to a 5/12 regular bottom truss. please help us with this
thank you

Answer
Hi renee, basically you can remove up to the bottom of the existing mobile's roof truss/ceiling joist.  You may need an engineer to determine if the gable end truss will have to be supported somehow with the removal of all or part of that end wall.  Obviously you will need a section of floor system to connect the two buildings and walls to join the two buildings and then a roof over that walkway or passageway.   If you are using a truss system on the new addition then you can have some small trusses made to match the lower roof pitch of the mobile so that the connection between the two buildings will match rooflines with the mobile.  Even if the passageway between the mobile and the addition may be narrower than the mobile, you can still match its roof line for ease in construction and esthetics.  I hope this information helps feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson..bejohnsonconsulting.com