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02-13-2017, 01:38 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
Ramara
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 220
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How much snow is too much snow?
I have not been removing the snow from the roof this winter as I had a greater fear of damaging something on the roof than I did of the snow weight. Now, I'm getting worried about the snow load on the trailer especially around the skylight.
Has anyone ever had airstream damage due to snow loading? How much snow is too much?
In the following pictures there is at least 2 and maybe 3 feet of snow and ice on the roof. Yikes!
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02-13-2017, 01:42 PM
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#2
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Journeyman
2016 25' International
Amherst
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 956
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Same question here...
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02-13-2017, 01:52 PM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
2017 25' Flying Cloud
Gold Country
, California
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 334
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Snow weight can fluctuate SO much based on temperature. In Northern California we get "Sierra Cement", something I was completely unprepared for being from MN. We can get snow at 36*.
That being said, I've had almost that much "Sierra Cement" on our 16' sport, but it did not have the large skylight. Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.
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02-13-2017, 01:59 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Montgomery
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 385
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Saw a lady on facebook the other day using a leaf blower to clean snow off her car. Maybe a good way to clear it / get most of it? I'm in southeast Texas, which tells you everything you need to know about my snow experience...
Dave
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02-13-2017, 02:12 PM
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#5
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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Snow is heavy. I was pretty worried myself as we had a ton of snow in Idaho this year.
Mine looked like yours and I started knocking it off. I'd suggest you do the same just to be safe.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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02-13-2017, 02:28 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1984 27' Airstream 270
Scotia
, New York
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,082
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I dont know if this dent in the cab roof on mine was from snow, ice or a moron on the roof? The PO had it parked next to a steep peaked barn roof in Vermont. I did not even see the dent until I got it home, I have been living with it ever since.
Right now I have over 14" of medium weight snow on top of it and my worry is the 4 small feet that supports each solar panels are taking on a huge force, so I try to at least keep the snow load off of the panels.
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02-13-2017, 02:44 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1986 25' Sovereign
2008 F350, 6.4L diesel
, Oak Harbor, WA
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 605
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I guess you could figure it out. How much weight is allowed per square foot? Saturated snow weighs 20 pounds per cubic foot.
For a home the rule of thumb is you can have up to two feet on the roof (40lb/sqft). Snow doesn't fall saturated but if it gets rain on it might become that way.
Did you block up your axles so they don't take a set? I think I would be more concerned about those then the roof snow weight load. But a rough calculation of 2' of saturated snow on a 25' trailer would be around 6720lbs. Sounds kinda heavy when you look at it that way.
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02-13-2017, 03:03 PM
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#8
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,836
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Roof Rake
I would get the snow off the roof. You can check out this roof rake at Canadian Tire. Plastic scoop, so it won't damage the roof and you can pull the snow off from the ground.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ya...-0596961p.html
__________________
Ray B.
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02-13-2017, 04:29 PM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
Ramara
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 220
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
I would get the snow off the roof. You can check out this roof rake at Canadian Tire. Plastic scoop, so it won't damage the roof and you can pull the snow off from the ground.
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I should have done something about the snow earlier Ray. Now it's a combination of ice, hard snow and polished/drifting powder from last weeks freezing rain and last nights wind storm. I can only work from the one side of the AS as the hedge on the far side is too close for me to work from the ground. It's almost too late to move the snow off now.
However, looking at the skylight, there appears to be some small gaps opening up between the inside trim and the aluminum. I may have to try to move some of the snow from at least that area of the roof.
When I was shopping for an airstream there was an eBay or autoTRADER ad for one that had been crushed by Muskoka snow-loads... normally snow-loads in Muskoka are significantly higher than here but this year the snow here has been really bad.
Kevin
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02-13-2017, 04:54 PM
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#10
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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It must take a lot of snow and ice. The Airstream has an arch frame, which is one of the best geometric shapes for carrying loads. This is why the Romans & Greeks used them so much. Hopefully you'll be fine.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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02-13-2017, 07:03 PM
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#11
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,836
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Hi Kevin,
Would it be possible to run the furnace and warm it up so the ice will slide off? (supposed to warm up next week)
__________________
Ray B.
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02-13-2017, 07:05 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,570
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Seen an enclosed car trailer with a flat roof, snow load crushed it....I would get what I could off..
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02-13-2017, 07:22 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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WayneG
Look for my thread on how I removed a similar dent on my Argosy. No interior access needed. Just an inner tube large enough to encircle the dent a piece of plywood and a shop vac.
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02-13-2017, 07:43 PM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
2020 30’ Globetrotter
Ramara
, Ontario
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 220
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
Would it be possible to run the furnace and warm it up so the ice will slide off? (supposed to warm up next week)
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Ray, I had considered this as an option. I have had power to the AS all winter so it's just a matter of firing up the furnace. Pretty sure it will take a LOT of propane to make any real difference though. Perhaps if I put the heat to it on Friday when the temp is supposed to go above freezing it will help to melt some of it off. I have 2 full tanks of propane so I may as well give it a shot.
Kevin
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02-14-2017, 04:58 AM
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#15
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.-. -...
2017 25' International
Niagara-on-the-Lake
, ON Canada
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,836
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KSA63
Ray, I had considered this as an option. I have had power to the AS all winter so it's just a matter of firing up the furnace. Pretty sure it will take a LOT of propane to make any real difference though. Perhaps if I put the heat to it on Friday when the temp is supposed to go above freezing it will help to melt some of it off. I have 2 full tanks of propane so I may as well give it a shot.
Kevin
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It probably won't melt it off, but it might melt the boundary layer enough so that with a little persuasion you could get it to slide off.
__________________
Ray B.
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02-14-2017, 06:39 AM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2005 30' Safari
Montgomery
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 385
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Don't let it take an awning with it!
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02-14-2017, 11:04 AM
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#17
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4 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
North/East
, New Jersey
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 367
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KSA63.... I've had a load of snow on my 2007 25' FB roof and have never been concerned about damage unless I had to get the trailer on the road and had to remove the snow to comply with NJ law requiring that all snow be removed from a vehicle's roof while on the road. If your concerned, I would recommend that you contact Airstream who should be able to let you know the load limits on the roof.
__________________
2007 Safari 25' FBSE LS
2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD Duramax
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02-14-2017, 11:37 AM
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#18
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E Pluribus Aluminus
2008 34' Classic S/O
1967 22' Safari
2005 30' Classic
Land Of Enchantment
, New Mexico
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,300
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adventure.AS
Hi Kevin,
Would it be possible to run the furnace and warm it up so the ice will slide off? (supposed to warm up next week)
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.
Sounds like a good idea - might help some of the snow off with a broom to lessen the weight over the skylights. Probably have to use the furnace, though!
.
__________________
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Jaxon
WBCCI 7005 * AIR 9218
The trouble with trouble is it always starts out as fun...
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02-14-2017, 12:13 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2015 25' Flying Cloud
2016 30' Flying Cloud
Blenheim Ontario
, Ontario
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,263
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How much snow is too much????
When your snow blower wants to 'tunnel' instead of throw; that's too much!😂
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02-14-2017, 12:13 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Garden Valley
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,631
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At 2 feet, I use a push broom and get off as much as I can. They also make a plastic/nylon rake but I still prefer the broom.
__________________
2008 F-250 4X4 Lariat V-10
2002 Airstream Classic 30' w/SO #2074
2007 Kubota 900 RTV
1996 Ford Bronco
2007 Lincoln LT
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