189 Roof question

Jimw606 · 10-30-2013, 04:41 AM

We sold our fifth wheel and TV and are now looking at a 189FB or FBS.
One seller I talked with, said they took out the roof air an installed a F/Fan.
They said the A/C had caused the roof to sag and leak.
They did not need the A/C so they removed, and also said the roof was very minimal in construction, to hold up the A/C.
My question is what about the roof in a 2008 vintage Fun Finder.

Thanks so much for any opinions. Jim

webslave · 10-30-2013, 10:06 AM

I would approach that trailer (purchasing) very carefully. That roof was designed to hold up that A/C unit, and, having owned an '08 210WBS, the roof is very sound and capable of being walked on. If the roof "couldn't support the A/C unit...", then the roof had probably leaked around the A/C unit and has caused some rot of the rafters...a leaking roof, obviously, is not a good thing.

gsxrdeputy · 10-30-2013, 01:41 PM

I have a 2007 189FBR that gets used frequently. To look at the TT inside and out you can't see that there is any sag around the A/C unit. When the TT is leveled for a rainy camping trip some water does collect around the A/C unit. I know this because when I unlevel to attach to my truck water rolls off of the roof. So any sag is fairly minimal but enough to collect some water. It has never caused me any leaks but is something that I keep a close eye on so I can catch a leak quickly if it does occur. Plus i have never noticed any of it worsening. During storage between camping trips I store my TT high in the front so that water runs off into the gutters and off the back and doesn't collect anywhere. Just a little of my experiences.

Webslave, I don't think the roofs on the 189's can be walked on. I've seen info concerning that before and after many inspections of my roof I don't think it feels stout enough to walk on. And my roof is in very good shape. But I agree that noticeable sag around the A/C should definitely be steered away from cause its probably evidence of roof rot.

Jim if sag is noticeable and if you can apply minimal up force on the roof and see it move or if it feels spongy then definitely steer clear of that one. And of course you should be able to see several other signs of past leaks. Speaking from experience a small amount of sag around the A/C on the 189's is normal and shouldn't cause you any problems, as long as all the other signs of leaks aren't there.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Jeff B.

Jimw606 · 10-30-2013, 04:51 PM

Thanks everyone. I have already passed on that one, but have another in my sights. I have looked at it and came within a few dollars of making a deal.
Decals were starting to crack and tires were original 2008's.
I did not look at the roof. If I go back, I'll take my ladder.
Thanks again. Jim

looking4fun · 10-30-2013, 07:23 PM

Figure I would just chime in. I actually replaced my in entire roof on my 2003 189fbd. What I found was there was paneling put down, the perimeter was 2 pieces of 1/2" plywood from the edge to about a foot in, the space in the middle filled with foam (no rafters of any kind going across trailer) another piece of paneling, then all covered with the rubber roof. All the vents had a plywood frame to support the vent area. That's all that held the a/c up. I was very surprised when I took it down. But on a side note there wasnt anyleak around my a/c unit.

wolfgheist · 10-30-2013, 09:15 PM

So in other words, if you walked up there, you would just fall through?

Jimw606 · 10-31-2013, 11:22 AM

Thanks for the education Looking4fun.
That should be a nice strong light weight roof.

Thanks

looking4fun · 11-03-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfgheist

So in other words, if you walked up there, you would just fall through?

I was able to lay on it (I'm 250lbs) but I wouldn't have tried to walk on it. to risky.

TCP · 11-05-2013, 08:47 AM

my 2010 189FDS's roof is arched so rain runs to the sides and i regularly walk all over it to check the seals. Don't know what year they started with the arched roof.