How much snow is too much snow?

[KSA63]

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!

[thiel]

Same question here...

[NorCal Matt]

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.

[DaveMc]

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

[BoldAdventure]

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.

[WayneG]

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.

[sgschwend]

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.

[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.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/ya...-0596961p.html

[KSA63]

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.

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

[BoldAdventure]

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.

[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)

[tjdonahoe]

Seen an enclosed car trailer with a flat roof, snow load crushed it....I would get what I could off..

[TG Twinkie]

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.

[KSA63]

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)

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

[Adventure.AS]

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

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.

[DaveMc]

Don't let it take an awning with it!

[2dabeach]

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.

[Jaxon]

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)

.
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!
.

[MelGoddard]

How much snow is too much????
When your snow blower wants to 'tunnel' instead of throw; that's too much!😂

[pappy19]

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.