How much is too much?

[Sbb]

I am in NJ, at what point do I clear the snow off the roof of the Bambi? What do large dealers in snowy areas do? Go and clear roofs off every time it snows? i have about 20" in middle of roof because I cant reach it the way I parked for the winter. Ideas anyone?

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, turn the furnace on.

[Sbb]

I tried that, but after snow we had a couple ice storms so it is really thick ice up there. On the plus side inside was very toasty warm, not very attractive with all cabinets open and little dryer sheets all over in efforts to deter any possible mice.

[idroba]

The roof will hold up a lot more snow than you have now. You can do more damage trying to remove it than leaving it alone. No need to do anything.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

[QUOTE=Sbb;1577834]I tried that, but after snow we had a couple ice storms so it is really thick ice up there. On the plus side inside was very toasty warm, not very attractive with all cabinets open and little dryer sheets all over in efforts to deter any possible mice.[/QUOTE]


Hi, Fill or block off the front frame rails; I put stainless steel wool in mine and filled it with expanding foam. I use the dryer sheets too, but if really concerned, I would set some traps.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Sbb

I am in NJ, at what point do I clear the snow off the roof of the Bambi? What do large dealers in snowy areas do? Go and clear roofs off every time it snows? i have about 20" in middle of roof because I cant reach it the way I parked for the winter. Ideas anyone?

Too dangerous for us....it's slippery enough on dry aluminum.
Plus how to get it off?, push it, sweep it, blow it or let it melt.
I choose let it melt.


Twelve years of WNY Winters no damage, no problems.

Nov, 17-21 2014 80".

Bob

[AnnArborBob]

I would not worry about the weight of any snow on the roof, remember that a 200 lbs person can stand on the roof with all the weight on what amounts to less than two square feet (note, this observation does not imply that you can have 100 lbs per SF over the entire roof and still be OK, but getting a snow load that weighs more than a few pounds per square foot of roof area would be quite a feat.) But, you should be concerned about where all the water will go when it starts to melt. One obvious point of vulnerability would be the roof vent for the fridge, another would be the AC unit(s.) You'll want to make sure that the snow melt has an easy way to get off the roof and to the ground as quickly as possible without getting diverted into an area that isn't intended to be flooded such as the two previous examples.

[oldfulltimer]

Holed up here in central Vermont, there is presently about 18" of snow on my 34' Airstream. However, I have 300 watts of solar panels on the roof and use a snow rake to keep them cleared off so the batteries remained charged. The snow rake with one extension works perfectly for pulling the snow off the panels and I've never had a problem leaving the remainder covered with snow.

On occasion, we've pulled out in the winter time meaning that the entire roof has to be cleared so I get on top and carefully shovel the snow off except for a couple of inches which then gets brushed off with a broom. Roof has to be cleared when towing so snow won't hit other vehicles while going down the road.

[jgerardi]

As always, I agree strongly with Bob Cross. Getting that stuff off would be a dangerous project. As an orthopedic surgeon, I see lots of people who fall off ladders, even in dry conditions. Any damage to the airstream would be minor / cheap compared to fall, fracture, ER, surgery, rehab etc.
Of course, I am a little biased. No one comes to the surgeon and says "I climbed a ladder yesterday, cleaned the snow off my airstream, and didn't fall off".

[Minno]

However, if your trailer currently doesn't have interior walls, I would be careful how much snow I let build up. Wasaga Chris found that out the hard way last year when his trailer collapsed in the center....

Kay

[Panama Red]

We miss all the fun down here in the south! Dang it! I think snow piled up on top of The LoveStream (tm) would kind of freak me out too... I'd have to get that stuff off. Then, I could pay a visit to an orthopedic surgeon... I'm surprised he's not encouraging this more.

-Red, suffering in the upper 60's...

[mefly2]

Extension pole on a broom head ... around here, the snow gets very heavy.

[EarlM]

snow rake and a step ladder

[NavyCorpsman]

Taxi it to the nearest airport and let them de- Ice it for you. Seat backs and tray tables in the upright position please.......
If you are concerned that damage will occur prior to the next thaw, You could use a 50/50 methanol / water mix (exact same stuff used for windshield washer fluid) and with a garden sprayer get the snow to melt enough to where a snow rake would work.

[thesignlady]

Awe...your snow pictures are making me jealous, send some my way :-)

[Msmoto]

If you who love snow have not seen this......well, this was in 2010, Laramie, WY.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/fantin...s/15329969509/

[paiceman]

I have a pickup truck to tow our AS. The AS is outside, when snow gets too deep and covers the solar panels I take the truck to the storage lot, park next to the AS and using a expandable squeegee I bought at an RV dealership to clean and dry the front window on large motorhomes I simply gently pull the snow towards me or away from me, takes about five minutes for a 30'. No ladders, I merely stand in the bed of the truck, my wife pulls forward when I ask her to, slowly I hope and we are done. Solar panels then work and no snow on the rest of the roof.