Hi,
I have a 24 ft. wide ranch with a 5/12 gable roof and basement. I am planning on removing a wall between the kitchen and living room. The wall in question is parallel with the peak. Wall is at one end of the house. It is 15 ft. from the front exterior wall and 9 ft. from the back. It is 10Ft. Long then there is a 5ft. Opening with no visible header (in attic there is a bunch of boards nailed to these trusses and a makeshift double 2x4 header nailed to the top of the bottom board of the truss(24 oc.)).

So now to the question. If I remove said wall what size header would I need? The total opening would be approx. 15'5".

Would I remove the drywall in the area where the header goes? Or do I put the header up against the drywall on the ceiling?

The double 2X4 is a strongback. If these are indeed trusses, you may not need a header since they should load back to the outside parallel walls. However, typical headers are 2X10 or 12, doubled with a 1/2 ply spacer. If you use a header, you can set it against the existing ceiling and run screws through the trusses to the header. Another alternative is to screw a 2X4 to the trusses(in the attic) and add a 2X6 to make an ell, an extended strongback. How are you planning to support the header? The family room in my 24ft wide log home uses a 7/12 scissor truss and no interior wall.

I was planning on triple 2x4's with placement above double floor joist. But the idea of no header is appealing I will have to look at my trusses. Not exactly I am properly picturing the extended strongback. Do I screw the 2x4 to the trusses parallel to the ridge like what is currently there then screw the 2x6 into the side of the 2X4 also parallel to the ridge?
Thanks for the response.

From your description, it sounds like a true truss construction. You can see that they are trusses, yes? Tieplates etc? In that case you would screw a face down 2X4 to the truss. I use 3" drywall screws. Then place the 2X6 upright against the 2X4 and screw into the 2X4 and also into the truss on an angle. 24' is a fairlyy typical span and you will not have any floor loading so this should be fine. Plus, you have a free span ceiling that looks a lot better than a header. Good luck and let us know how it works out, Brian

Thanks. I will keep you posted.