snow on roof

[biker2]

Is there any harm in allowing snow to accumulate on an RV roof?

[Cabinfever97]

I live in lake effect country and have never had a issue with snow. Last year during Christmas week we received 80 inches of snow.

[kenandterry]

My roof has a natural curve to help eliminate water when the snow melts.

A ton of snow would not be good. If it’s not overly excessive don’t worry. Besides if you’re worried about the weight of snow on the roof, you could only remove what you can from a ladder....you don’t want to add your weight to the roof.

[Kimber45]

I saw a thread last winder about a totaled camper with caved roof. believe the guy was from Canada and there were multiple feet of snow involved. Average load with low water content I would say you are fine. Id rather let mine sit then trying to get up there to shovel off and do more damage.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by biker2

Is there any harm in allowing snow to accumulate on an RV roof?

depends on how much . 3' of snow is apox 60lbs psf . ice would be more of a worry as it will weigh much more

[A32Deuce]

I like to head south before the snow! But when I didn't, I tried to keep it off the roof due the solar on the roof.

[upflying]

I imagine you should remove snow from on top of the slide before you close it.
Due to a manmade blizzard you could cause, it is illegal in some states to drive with snow on a vehicle.

[dbledan]

Just a different prospective that I think applies to your question.

I had a friend that stored his trailer in his driveway. It leaned to one side so when water (or melted snow) got past the seals it leaked. Not sure about snow weight because we dont get more than a foot at a time. It is the thaw you worry about here. Not sure if that applies to you in your location.

[WFD]

Originally Posted by biker2

Is there any harm in allowing snow to accumulate on an RV roof?

We do it in Manitoba every winter.

[5picker]

Snow has accumulated on the roofs of every R/V that sits out at a manufacturer, dealer, storage lot, campground or owners lot.

Why do you believe it is an issue?

[TitanMike]

It's never an issue until a roof collapses. When snow first falls it's usually light in weight. Problem occurs when it gets rained on, freezes, gets more snow, rain, and so on. Weight can build quite fast, especially in wetter areas like around here in the Pacific Northwest. Here, rather than just a natural melt in the spring, our snow is melted by warmer rain.

I figured that it was better to shovel the 18" or accumulated snow off the roof than just wait and see what happened.

Another factor is whether or not the roof was designed to be walked on. If so it probably will withstand more snow load than the older units that weren't.

On my 25' trailer, using a ladder and plastic snow shovel, it took me less than an hour to remove the snow. Working from the ladder I slipped the snow shovel under the snow then pulled the scoop back and let gravity take over to empty. I could reach to the center of the roof from the side so when one side was clear I went to the other side and finished. Figured this method was safer than risking a slip and fall or stepping through a roof vent.

[biker2]

Thanks to everyone for your input. We had less than 6 inches of snow which is now melted. I didn't think it necessary to shovel it off.

[Mch5jdm]

Originally Posted by biker2

Thanks to everyone for your input. We had less than 6 inches of snow which is now melted. I didn't think it necessary to shovel it off.

Your fine. I helped my father in law this weekend. Different story in Northern Michigan.

[GerryK]

My worry trying to remove snow on the roof would be the risk of damaging the roof.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by GerryK

My worry trying to remove snow on the roof would be the risk of damaging the roof.

Plastic snow shovel shpuldnt damage roof. Just make sure it doesn't have any gouges with sharp snags on the edge. If so dull with sandpaper or file first.

Also, you don't have to shovel the roof bare. You can merely shovel down to within an inch or two of the roof material.

[TheWolfPaq82]

I've had snow on my roof since my early 20's I've only shoveled my TT once when it had over 3' sitting on it. No damage, just didn't want to take the chance.

[cavie]

I have better things to worry about then how much snow is on the roof 1500 miles away.

[joshuajim]

Snow weighs between 12 and 20 lbs per cubic foot. So if there is a foot of snow on your 30’ trailer that could be 4,800 lbs. Can your suspension and tires handle that additional load?

It could be that when you make that first trip in the spring and blow a tire, it might not be a defective tire!

[A32Deuce]

That's why I get out there during a storm with a step ladder and a push broom. Doesn't take much time or effort to clear most of the roof. Solar panels are clear when the sun comes out and no worry about loads or water intrusion. That was before I went south for a couple of months.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by joshuajim

Snow weighs between 12 and 20 lbs per cubic foot. So if there is a foot of snow on your 30’ trailer that could be 4,800 lbs. Can your suspension and tires handle that additional load?

It could be that when you make that first trip in the spring and blow a tire, it might not be a defective tire!

Tires and suspensions will withstand far more static load than dynamic (load moving down highway) as it lacks the heat component. I believe the rv's structure will fail before damaging tires and springs.

Still a good idea to shed as much snow as possible, especially before it's rained on and its weight per cu/ ft skyrockets.