[gregbradley]

I built a roll off roof at my property about 9 years ago or more.

The roll off setup never worked well but well enough that I have put it off.

Now the timber roll off structure has weathered and is warping and the roof is hard to get past a certain point.

I originally had 100mm C purlins in longish lengths counter sunk and screwed into the timber frame.

The roof itself rests on a pair of 100 x 50 x 3mm steel section.

I drilled holes in the side of the steel and installed wheels with 10mm bolts as axles. These were too weak and would eventually get bent from hitting things and would need the wheels replaced every 2 years or so.

So for sure the wheels need to be bolted to the underside of the steel beams not on the side of the beams.

As far as a track goes I have seen for gates etc a ribbed track a bit like a train track that the gates slide over. Perhaps that is the go. My observatory is in a wind shadow so it never seems to get hit by hard winds but I would still need to construct a bracket that would prevent the roof from lifting off the track.

Ideally I would install a motorised roof retractor. Panel lift garage door openers seem to be popular.

Any suggestions?

Greg.