Update--Removing Ice and Snow from roof? - Montana Owners Club

Lee F. · 02-27-2011, 03:19 AM

We are supposed to leave for Florida next Monday and the roof of the Monty has about 16" of ice and snow on it. Normally this would be gone by now but the weather this year hasn't cooperated. I tried to get it off but it's too hard to break up and I'm really concerned about damaging the rubber roof. I'm thinking that heating the unit for a couple of days might soften it up. Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks

capn chris · 02-27-2011, 03:35 AM

Do like the big rigs, Lee. Drive south and let the wind and sun take care of it.

camper4 · 02-27-2011, 03:46 AM

It is illegal to travel in NY state with snow and ice on the roof. I have heated the 5er for two days and then walked around CAREFULLY on the roof and used a soft push broom to push the snow off. I think some of it depends on just how cold it is. It is tricky but it has worked for me before.
Good luck with it.

DarMar · 02-27-2011, 03:53 AM

I have a very small plastic snow shovel(collapsible) that I use when the snow gets crusty on me. I know the soft plastic will not hurt the roof and once I get the crust off I finish with a soft push broom. Go slow, sometimes its very hard to find those roof vents and I would think heating the unit beforehand would certainly help.

8e3k0 · 02-27-2011, 03:54 AM

We deal with that each time we leave for the south. If you can't pull or push it off with a broom; leave it there. It will also take a long time to melt with heat in the unit as that roof ahs good insulation with airspace in the area. Trying to get that ice and snow off with a shovel of any type will only cut or rip that roof no matter how careful one is!! Furthermore, not a good idea to walk up there when the weather is cold both for the sake of your safety and the possibility of cracking that rubber skin. It will come off slowly as the weather warms and when your travelling. Happy travels and all the best in your southern travels.

Jolu · 02-27-2011, 04:15 AM

Along the lines of what camper4 posted. I had a cousin in MO almost killed from snow and ice on the roof of a semi.
She met up with a semi on a curve and the snow and ice on the roof of the semi trailer let go and came through her suv windshield.
Sheets of ice flying through the air at 50 to 60mph can be deadly to others.
After seeing what she went through I have a whole new attitude about traveling with ice and snow on the roof of the rig.
About the only thing you can do is sweep the snow off as best as you can and if there is any ice sometimes it will melt some and let go with a little travel.
Just be careful about traveling with deep snow and ice on the roof for the safety of others.
Joe

Ozz · 02-27-2011, 04:34 AM

DON'T get up on the roof! Just too dangerous.
I don't have the answer, I just know how dangerous it is to try. Even climbing the icy ladder and going from the ladder to the roof would be a very risky deal.
Maybe a portable power washing service, they have water heaters on their rigs, I just don't have any solid advice.

H. John Kohl · 02-27-2011, 05:13 AM

I would heat the unit for a couple of days and use a water hose to wash it off then let the unit heat one more day before closing up and moving south.
Good luck and let us know what you do?

pineranch · 02-27-2011, 05:37 AM

Agree with all who warned against getting on the roof. Leave that to the young guys that bounce when they hit the ground. Pressure washer and broom sound doable.
Mike

Lee F. · 02-27-2011, 07:23 AM

I have the heater on now and I've removed all the snow I could with a small push broom. Next two days are supposed to be 38 to 40 degrees with some rain. I'm hoping that combined with the heated interior will loosen up some of the ice. I'm trying to locate a truck wash nearby. If I can get it to one I should be able to wash the ice off. I won't drive it very far with the ice on the roof. It's both dangerous and illegal.

**Rondo** · 02-27-2011, 07:40 AM

Lee-- Watch that they don't use to much pressure on the roof or the sides of the Monte. The pressure they use at those truck washs are really some high pressure units. Besides possible damage to the roof, it could also blow off or loosen your decals! I'd also warn them not to use the pressure directly at the slide opening! I've seen where water can be blown in past the gaskets on the slides if not careful!

Let us know how things turn out!

Lee F. · 02-27-2011, 08:22 AM

Rondo,

Thanks for the info. I only plan on having them try to remove the ice from the roof. I'll discuss the pressure issue with them before they do anything.

jimcol · 02-27-2011, 09:47 AM

Lee, If it is going to get in the mid to high 30's I would think it would come off with a garden hose. Should drip dry before it has a chance to refreeze. Jim

bullroc3 · 02-27-2011, 12:39 PM

Just a reminder to everyone passing through Pennsylvania. If ice or snow falls off a vehicle in Pennsylvania and it causes damage or injury, you are responsible.

Lee - if you are traveling down Interstate 81(and it looks as if you are where you live) toot as you pass exit 217 in Pennsylvania!!!!

RCN.Stoker · 02-28-2011, 11:24 AM

A garden hose connected to your laundry-room tap with the water just warm NOT HOT. Start at the edge and once you get the water under the ice edge it it will start to peel of in slabs. We use this system for cleaning off the tops of construction trailers prior to towing them to sites. Do not tug on any pieces that are stuck on.

Lee F. · 03-05-2011, 11:48 AM

Update: The roof is clear. The heater and some cooperation from the weather melted about half of the ice and snow and softened the rest enough that it was pretty easy to remove without damaging anything. NO, I didn't go up there. The 23 year old son of one of my neighbors did it for me. Oh to be young again! We are expecting 5" to 8" of snow tomorrow but that will come off easy with the above freezing temp's predicted for Monday and Tuesday. We were going to leave on Monday, but have decided to wait until Wednesday. Our reservation at Beverly Beach campground is from March 12th thru April 12th so we still have four days for a leisurely trip. We'll just skip a couple of the side trips we were going to make.
Florida here we come!!!!

mhs4771 · 03-05-2011, 02:21 PM

Lee, we took a ride to Beverly Beach earlier this week. Just didn't like the $130/nite during Bike Week price. We stayed there years ago when we still had a Pop-up. Still a great view looking at the Ocean, would sure look pretty from the back window of the Monty. Have a safe trip down, we came down in early Feb just between the storms, took the inland route, 81 to 77 to 26 then 95. Was a pleasant trip with minimal traffic and clear roads all the way.

Ozz · 03-06-2011, 12:05 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Lee F.

Update: The roof is clear. The heater and some cooperation from the weather melted about half of the ice and snow and softened the rest enough that it was pretty easy to remove without damaging anything. NO, I didn't go up there. The 23 year old son of one of my neighbors did it for me. Oh to be young again! We are expecting 5" to 8" of snow tomorrow but that will come off easy with the above freezing temp's predicted for Monday and Tuesday. We were going to leave on Monday, but have decided to wait until Wednesday. Our reservation at Beverly Beach campground is from March 12th thru April 12th so we still have four days for a leisurely trip. We'll just skip a couple of the side trips we were going to make.
Florida here we come!!!!

Have a safe trip buddy.

Lee F. · 03-06-2011, 03:11 AM

Thanks Ozz.

Michelle,
That is the route we normally take. JoAnn likes to stop at Hollywood Casino the first night to try to pay for the trip. Yea right! Actually Wednesday is her birthday and we stop there to celebrate.
We scheduled our stay at Beverly Beach to include the last weekend of bike week. We get the discounted rate for a full month stay, which is not all that bad. My sister and my brother both live in Palm Coast which is just over the bridge so this is our annual visit.

Pete Hanson · 03-07-2011, 04:29 AM

This is an important topic. A good friend of ours was severely injured last week when big pieces of ice came off a truck (heading in the opposite direction mind you) and came through his windshield and broke many facial bones. He had to be airlifted to a trauma center. He will be fine at some point but he faces some surgery in the near future to repair his face. He was very lucky that there was no brain damage. This happened in NH and all he was doing was commuting to work. The trucking company and the driver will be held responsible.

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