Clearing Roof of Snow

[TYR]

Okay here's one for those of you in snowy climes . . .

Dave typically gets up on the roof and clears the snow after it stops snowing. Today/tonight is a little different.

It has been snowing since 8 AM and there's about 1-2" new snow on the ground and, hence, on the roof of the Montana.

It is forecast to snow through the evening and then overnight turn to sleet/ice. Total snowfall may get up to 8" per forecast.

Thing is, if he gets up there later to clear off the snow and then there's a covering of mostly ice . . . well, we're more concerned about a layer of ice directly on the roof versus snow and then ice on top.

Then again, don't want to end up with 8" of snow on the roof . . . not sure how much is "too much" snow on the roof.

Tomorrow's forecast is high of 37 and partly sunny.

Base question then is letting the snow pile up and then ice coating on top versus having an ice coating directly on the roof.

Thoughts? Icehouse? What do you do/suggest?

Thanks!

[JandC]

I can't answer that exact. But I just came in from clearing my slides because we just got 6" of very wet snow and it suppose to get into the teens for the next 48 hours. We are pulling out Monday and will be putting slides in, otherwise I probably would not have cleared them. I also cleared all the snow around my Travler dish up there but I just wanted to make sure it stowed for towing later. I really wasn't concerned about the weight. Maybe I should have been though.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

I have heard that legally towing with snow on the roof, is well, illegal. Sorta glad I heard that AFTER we towed with over 10 inches up there, cause it was 4 below when we left. SIGH

Ice is gonnna be a LOT harder to get off than ice on top of some snow.

This is a really tough call, but, I would consider, leaving well enough alone till that temp goes to 37, then try hard to get it off, without going over the edge, eh??

Good luck.

[K0LCB]

I sure hope I never have that problem. Snow gets under my toes and my flip flops

[bethandkevin]

[quote]Originally posted by Mrs. CountryGuy

[size=3][font=Comic Sans MS]I have heard that legally towing with snow on the roof, is well, illegal. Sorta glad I heard that AFTER we towed with over 10 inches up there, cause it was 4 below when we left. SIGH



I'm skeptical, I can't imagine a driver clearing the top of a 53' box trailer, let alone having a way to get up there.

[bncinwv]

If the roof will support people, air conditioners, satellite systems, etc. etc. I don't think snow would be a big factor. Ours sits at a mini-storage lot all winter and gathers ice and snow sometimes in substantial amounts (more than a couple feet). I have never cleared it off and have never had a problem. It actually could prove beneficial since it adds a little more insulation to the top of the rig. Not a recommendation, just telling our experience and the results.
Bingo

[mainer]

We live in Maine and have never cleared the roof. You would be surprised how quickly the snow melts. I would think if you are living in it, the heat from the 5th wheel would also help with the melting.

[TYR]

So Dave did clear off what was up there, which was about 2". We've had another 3-4" of snow pile up after that. Now it's sleet/freezing rain. At least it will be above freezing tomorrow (sort of) and then Monday looks good with some sun and definitely above freezing.

Thanks for the input. It's been a crazy, snowy, beautiful evening here in Jersey!

Betty

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Google search, "is it illegal to drive with snow on your vehicle"?

I found this.

I agree, how a 18-wheeler can do this is a bit unclear, and, I am not sure this article is correct either, and they keep saying "your car". I did find other references to it being illegal. Some of those references appeared to be from the UK (United Kingdom).

I do so love google searches! LOL

Carry on - - -

[steves]

If you are staying in place I wold not worry about snow on the roof. Me on the other hand, will be leaving 12/28 for FL., Snow has to come off - It is illegal in NJ to tow with a large amount of snow/ice on the roof.

[Pete Hanson]

We have a close friend who was very nearly killed by a chunk of ice that came off an eighteen wheeler going in the oposite direction. The chunk of ice came through his windshield and caused a lot of head trauma. Needless to say the police hunted down the truck driver, who didn't even realize this happened, and the company he drives for is paying a very hefty price for the driver not clearing his roof. This just gives us something to think about. btw....our friend is healing well after a long long recovery and not being able to work.

[DQDick]

Before we went full time we kept ours next to the house in Kansas so it had many inches of snow, lots of ice storms, extreme heat and cold with high winds and didn't do anything about clearing the roof. So far so good. It doesn't seem to have bothered it. If I had had the slides out and wanted to move soon I would have done something about the slide roofs. Bringing in some ice to then melt in the rig would not be a good thing and that's the least that could go wrong. Binding the slide or tearing the seals could also be an expected result.

[Drifty1]

Last winter we had 21" in one storm and everything turner out fine with my trailer. My thought is I am sure if it was sitting in the dealers lot they would not be out there removing snow off their trailers every time it snows.

[Bigboomer]

Betty,

We are up in the Catskills and had 10" plus....I am figuring not to go up and clear the snow. I am treating it like a big blanket on top.

Have fun down there in NJ!

Les and Sue

[bullroc3]

Just came across this article about the snow and ice on top of vehicles.

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...235793291.html

If you are traveling south, PLEASE remove the snow and ice before traveling.

Thanks.