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Old 12-13-2022, 07:26 AM   #1
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Roof structure 2018 Micro Minnie 2108DS

I have a 2018 micro Minnie, 2108 ds. Will be adding solar panels in spring. I can make out the cross member rafters approximately 4 feet apart. I'm thinking this is where plywood sub roof is attached. There must be other rafters otherwise how could this roof be walkable, how could it take a snow load on a 3/8" plywood roof? Are they spaced 2 feet apart or 16"? Any solid info or links appreciated!
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Old 12-13-2022, 07:42 AM   #2
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Ok, watched a YouTube video on roof replacement. Now I'm really worried! The plywood is glued to styrofoam. I'm not sure if I am looking at where rafers are or just the edges of the plywood.
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Old 12-13-2022, 03:06 PM   #3
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Yes, there are no trusses and there is no real structure.

In general, people do one of two things to attach solar panels.

1. A screw down and glue method - you put silicone sealant/adhesive under your panel mounts and screw short fat wood screws into the Luan plywood through the adhesive. Then cover the top of the mount and screws with silicone caulking to divert any water. This is how the factory does it... and it's how I did mine. There are no reports of this not working that I've ever seen.

2. Clean and Tape method -- Tape down the mounts with VHB tape (very high bond) making sure to thoroughly clean the roof under the tape before application. This seems to work pretty well and again, there are not a lot of stories of these pulling up.

Personally, I've had some issues with VHB tape giving out on other things but I admit I never prepped the area before taping. For instance I taped a small soap dish to a basement compartment in my motorhome with VHB tape to hold a small bottle of hand cleaner. After a couple of years it just fell off of the wall I taped it to. Does that mean it's not reliable? I don't know. But it makes me worry.

I have talked to some that use a strong outdoor "boat" style adhesive like Sikaflex under the panel's mounts and didn't bother with any screws and felt that worked just as good. Some used Liquid Nails!

Your TT is not a house and it does not have "studs" or trusses or any conventional structure in the walls on any kind on a standardized basis - nothing "on center" like a stick built home.
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Old 12-13-2022, 07:21 PM   #4
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Are Winnebago trailers constructed like the motorhomes? I've never seen anything about how the trailers are built....
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Old 12-14-2022, 08:46 AM   #5
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I’ve not seen Winnebago TT being built, but I have toured the Arctic Fox factory and seen YouTube videos of others.

They start with the frame for the chassis - some frames are made in-house and some are purchased from suppliers. They drop in tanks and heating ducts. Usually they then put down plywood underlayment and one big sheet of vinyl flooring. Unlike motorhomes they start building the inside furnishings before any walls are added. Depending on the type of TT walls might be built with wood framing or aluminum framing.

At Arctic Fox they did both when I toured ten years ago. All 5th Wheels there got walls made pre-fab on a big table. Aluminum framing, wiring, foam insulation, etc laid out then Filon sheeting was glued down and the whole wall was bagged and vacuum sealed to pressurize the wall. This was flown into place on the partially built up TT.

The wood built TTs were built like houses built out of 1x2 framing and the exterior was applied after all the plumbing, electrical and insulation were put in place.

Roofs were added last and the interiors were finish. But there wasn’t the same automation you see at motorhome factories. Everything was more manual process and built up from the floor upward.
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Old 12-14-2022, 02:35 PM   #6
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I don't know if this helps but here is the roof layout for a 2108FBS model. I don't think much has changed from your model year to a 2021 model year.
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Old 12-18-2022, 05:10 PM   #7
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I love the tape, but would never use it on solar panels. If you stand them off properly with a bracket (they do not like to be mounted flat! They need air circulation beneath), you've got way too much potential for wind shear at speed. I made "L" brackets 2.5"x2.5" and drilled two mounting points on each side (small for panel hardware and large for the roof mount). Then I used 1/4" "wellnuts" which are heavy walled rubber and collapse as the nut is drawn up by the bolt. Just run a bead of marine grade polyurethane caulk (3M 4200, etc) around the hole before inserting the wellnut, and bolt the brackets in place.
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Old 12-18-2022, 05:15 PM   #8
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I found a picture which shows the brackets:
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Old 12-18-2022, 09:56 PM   #9
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Thanks everyone! Putting a plan together, buying a few things ahead. Looking at inverters, liking Vevor. They seem reliable. I'm going very simple with a morningstar PWM. I had one for 5 years, no problems. Happy trails!
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