Snow Covered Slides

KathyB1214 · 02-07-2019, 12:09 PM

Have you had experience with snow on your slides? Here, in Portland, OR, we don't have enough snow to be informed! And we are newbies!
Weatherman is telling us that we are going to get 2-3" this weekend. RV is sitting in our driveway with his slides extended.
Should I button him up? He is a nice 65* inside, but it is mid 20* today.

Thank you in advance! I love reading all your responses to posts!

RV is Cedar Creek CK36TS

WTP2 · 02-07-2019, 12:11 PM

I would close it up just to keep any snow melt from sneaking in.

**ependydad** · 02-07-2019, 12:16 PM

If you aren't using the rig, there's no reason not to pull the slides in.

kenandterry · 02-07-2019, 12:19 PM

Some slides have toppers.....some don’t.
I suggest no one should leave the slides out WITH TOPPERS. The weight of the snow, or the cold temps and increased winds with a cold fabric/vinyl material is just a recipe for disaster.

Slides without toppers.....your choice. The seal around the rig with slides extended is not as water tight as when they’re closed. If you’re not inside, why do they need to be open?

Kimber45 · 02-07-2019, 12:33 PM

a "Pure Michigan" fall camping trip. 50 degrees Friday night. Weather man was talking about lake effect snow, thought he was crazy. Woke up Saturday morning to about a foot and a half of snow. Packing up the following day sucked. I had to shovel off slide to pull in and still had to put towels down to soak up water once it melted.

bring it in if not using, and why are you heating your trailer if not using?

Dirt Sifter · 02-07-2019, 04:15 PM

Eastern OR neighbor here. Sweep off the top of the slide to get rid of the debris build up and pull it in. Looks cool to have it out for the neighbors to appreciate, but we only extend it when we need to in the off season. Good luck and hope you can stay off the roads with those Willamette Valley drivers in snow.

kho6658 · 02-07-2019, 04:35 PM

Pull the slide in so you are not this guy. [emoji3]

Click image for larger version

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Otegoans · 02-08-2019, 09:01 PM

I'm with everyone else, pull the slides in, the slide seals will thank-you. Our 29RE stays slides in all winter long and uncovered; Never had a leak. Your climate is probably better than ours as far as winters go. We winterize in mid November and de-winterize some time in April. God Bless, we'll see you on the road.

BLOODYBILL · 02-09-2019, 12:19 AM

hello & welcome

JohnD10 · 02-09-2019, 12:31 AM

2-3 inches of snow...I wouldn't bother putting the slides in.

There is absolutely nothing that will damage your RV with that.

2-3 feet of snow...yes, I would put the slides in.

TitanMike · 02-09-2019, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

2-3 inches of snow...I wouldn't bother putting the slides in.

There is absolutely nothing that will damage your RV with that.

2-3 feet of snow...yes, I would put the slides in.

Agreed. My slide is out and the topper is doing a great job of keeping snow off the seals. I thought about retracting it but since the temp has been so low I decided to just leave it out and not put any unneeded stress on frozen seals.

Trailer is heated and it's kind of nice to see how well the roof is insulated. Snow is not melting any faster than on the roof of my house which is really well insulated (upgraded last spring).

If no toppers it goes without saying you need to clear ALL the snow and ice off the slide before retracting or be prepared for puddles inside.

bubbles · 02-09-2019, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kho6658

Pull the slide in so you are not this guy. [emoji3]
Attachment 196348

If this guy had slide toppers he wouldn't be this guy.

Dirt Sifter · 02-09-2019, 02:18 PM

Yup, bubbles, but like most of us recreational RV'ers, he (we) do not. ;-)

TitanMike · 02-09-2019, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirt Sifter

Yup, bubbles, but like most of us recreational RV'ers, he (we) do not. ;-)

I'm actually seeing more and more toppers on slides, especially on new units unlike older trailers. That said I did have to add one to my 10' slide. Dealer had just about every other possible option on the unit I bought off his lot ---- except the topper.

I put it on because I like to camp in NF campgrounds and the topper sure cuts down on all the pine cones and needles that could get carried into the trailer when retracting a slide.

JohnD10 · 02-09-2019, 04:04 PM

I would brush the snow off of a slide if it was deep...like more than 5-inches or more or frozen ice.

Under that I just let the slide seals sweep the snow off as the slide comes in.

Never once had a mess on the floor from any melt off once the slis was in.

However, my slides have a little trough on both sides on the floor that run to the outside edge of the slide opening to allow the water to run out.

I live in southern Arizona now, so I'm not too worried about this anymore.

nomad297 · 02-10-2019, 08:17 AM

My only concern would be ice dams that could develop on the roof of the slide during changes of temperature. An ice dam could develop and any melting snow or ice trapped between the dam and the camper would (not could) collect and flow through the seals. If I was on site, I would just clear the snow from the slide roof as often as is necessary, but if I was planning on being off site for a while and there was a possibility of snowfall during that period, I would bring the slide in.

Of course, excessive weight on the slide is something to consider, but that wouldn’t be a problem if the the same preventative procedures for ice dams are implemented.

Bruce

TitanMike · 02-10-2019, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomad297

My only concern would be ice dams that could develop on the roof of the slide during changes of temperature. An ice dam could develop and any melting snow or ice trapped between the dam and the camper would (not could) collect and flow through the seals. If I was on site, I would just clear the snow from the slide roof as often as is necessary, but if I was planning on being off site for a while and there was a possibility of snowfall during that period, I would bring the slide in.

Of course, excessive weight on the slide is something to consider, but that wouldn’t be a problem if the the same preventative procedures for ice dams are implemented.

Bruce

Ice dams on roofs develop on the overhanging eaves where there is no heat underneath. Snow melts farther up the roof and re-freezes at these cold areas.

I am watching the snow on the roof and slide of my trailer. Roof is shedding melt down the sides of the trailer making some humongous icicles. If I didn't have a topper on my slide all of the snow in it would do likewise. Snow at the ends of the topper melt to a point during sunshine and temps closer to freezing. The water flows to the center of the topper as it's sagged down to the topper roof and due to the heat underneath it (from contact with the roof) it merely drips off each end.

Chuck_S · 02-10-2019, 03:00 PM

I had a slide "topper" put on my slide within the first month of ownership. That was 13 years ago. Without a topper all the leaves, rain, and bird poop end up inside the trailer when the slide comes in. Out of sight is not out of mind!

Unexpected spring (May) snowfall a few years ago required brooming the snow off the topper as it wouldn't roll up on its own.

-- Chuck

Dirt Sifter · 02-10-2019, 03:30 PM

TitanMike now you know why those of us in snow country said to pull it in. The extra weight of wet snow, the water build up, uneven drainage, and mother nature being a great teacher all lead to taking the course of least resistance for both the water and hopefully the owner.Takes a couple minutes and can save so much time in the long run. Not going to argue, just sayin;.

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