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Old 03-05-2013, 10:09 AM   #1
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Question Snow LOAD on roof

I have a Columbus 320RSand live in Minnesota, we have had an awful lot of snow this winter and am starting to get concerned about the amount of snow building up on top of the roof. Does anyone know how much snow can pileup without have any problems?
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Old 03-05-2013, 10:48 AM   #2
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Do you think the dealers shovel snow off the units on their lots? Probably not. If you're that concerned you can try to carefully remove it with something like a roof rake. Be very careful of any roof vents, the antenna, AC unit, fridge vent, skylites, etc. I wouldn't even try to get it all off, wouldn't want the roof rake to damage the roof. And be careful while doing it so you don't fall.
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Old 03-05-2013, 11:27 AM   #3
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Opinions differ on this one, Rod, but my take it to just leave the snow. I think you would cause more damage trying to get it off. The roof should be able to handle it and I've never ever heard of a camper roof caving in from snow. I'm sure its happened, but I've not heard of it being a problem.

What I have heard of is people knocking off vents and cracking covers with their rake (as Wiscampsin said). I have also heard about people falling off as they try to climb onto a snowy roof in the middle of winter and have heard about people causing leaks as they walked around up there. Remember, everything is brittle and the seals might not hold as well.
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Old 03-05-2013, 11:55 AM   #4
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water hose ??

Mountainman here
far far from any serious snow
but
just wondering
if a person shoots water from a water hose up there
will not most of the snow just melt off ??

or maybe the water will just turn to ice ??

coming from a so calif guy
so be easy on me

MM
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Old 03-05-2013, 11:59 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by Mountainmanbob View Post
Mountainman here
far far from any serious snow
but
just wondering
if a person shoots water from a water hose up there
will not most of the snow just melt off ??

or maybe the water will just turn to ice ??

coming from a so calif guy
so be easy on me

MM
Yeah waters not a good idea!
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Old 03-05-2013, 12:25 PM   #6
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MM,
Most of us winterize our outside spigots so water might not be available.

If it was, though, I'd imagine the cold water wouldn't have too much effect on melting the snow unless you used a lot. Probably turn to a sheet of ice.
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Old 03-05-2013, 12:49 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Triguy View Post
MM,
Most of us winterize our outside spigots so water might not be available.

If it was, though, I'd imagine the cold water wouldn't have too much effect on melting the snow unless you used a lot. Probably turn to a sheet of ice.

I think the outside air temperature would determine if the water would turn to ice.

If the oat is above freezing, then water would probably wash/melt the snow away.

However if the oat drops to below freezing and you still have water on the roof flat spots, then you will probably have ice left.
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Old 03-05-2013, 01:18 PM   #8
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We got about 8" of snow in our last storm, I went out afterward and used a leave blower to get the snow off of my RV's roof worked better good.
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Old 03-05-2013, 01:54 PM   #9
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Leave it be.
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Old 03-05-2013, 01:56 PM   #10
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I crank my trailer up in the front as far as i can go .So when it's start to melt it run off. Are snow don't last that long any more in pa
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Old 03-15-2013, 04:09 AM   #11
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I don't know. I live in Michigan. The folks up at the top of the mitten and in the upper peninsula shovel their home roofs....logic tells me that RV roofs are even more vulnerable. I think it depends on accumulation. If we're talking feet, I would personally try and carefully remove some....conditioned to think that way.
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Old 03-15-2013, 06:39 AM   #12
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That's because the Yoopers get 200-400 inches of snow every year.
This is the infamous snow ruler by Copper Habor, MI
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Old 03-15-2013, 07:10 AM   #13
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Kewl picture.
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Old 03-18-2013, 12:01 PM   #14
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I use a snow rake with the long extension from the ground to get some of the weight off the roof. Sometimes I will use a folding ladder along side the trailer with a plastic shovel and snow rake to remove the majority of the snow. Like stated in the other posts, you have to be aware of your vent, covers etc
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