Snow Load

[Ernie2007]

"There have never been any reports of any "snow pile up" damage to any Airstream trailer.

Keep in mind the the trailer is semi-monocouqe construction.

It by leaps and bounds will take more snow weight than any SOB."

Andy is right. I live in Lake Tahoe; and there is an AS that has been sitting for several years here and has seen many heavy and deep snows (2-4') with no apparant damage. My '86 Limited 34'er has had up to a foot on it with no damage. We often camp in temps below 0 (outside) and the insulation keeps the inside in the upper thirties to low 40's with a small catalytic heater on low. This is far better than our other trailer (fiberglass package). Ernie

[dmac]

If 4" is 1000 lbs, then 3 feet would be about 9000 lbs! I have often seen 3+ feet of snow on the roof of my summer home in northern Wisconsin. I can't imagine that an extra 9000 lbs would be good for axles. Yet another reason to store the Airstream indoors.

[tallone]

on the topic of insulation.....has anyone tried the BIBS (blow in blanket system) in the walls, floors of their AS? also has anyone tried radiant floor heating in remodels (or new) trailers?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

BTW I haven't noticed in everybody's factory tour pics, but are they using any type of thermal break between the ribs and the interior panels? And are the interior panels still aluminum?

Aaron

hi aaron

since this thread is 2 years old (someone/two seems to be digging up every winter post) no doubt this question has been answered. yes they are using a thermal break....but it is between the outer skin and ribs....and yes the interior panels are still auminum.

so i think the improved performance twink and other newer trailer owners' see is as a result of the thermal break and better pink stuff.

one issue not mentioned....with a load of snow topside, it isn't as easy to vent internal moisture....


cheers
2air'

[turbocharger]

Okay, I've been around a long time but never post. I'm moving permanently to South Lake Tahoe with my '59 Traveller. I have room to park the trailer next to the house and I'm not worried about snow on top but I am worried about 4 months worth of snow 6-8 ft deep all around the trailer. Should I be thinking of storing at a lower elevation or what about a trailer capsule simialar to a car capsule (not a permanent structure) where you park the trailer inside and it's sealed from the outside. Something that's breathable of coarse but completely keeps the snow off the tongue, wheels, etc. Trying to think of a way to stop any possible damage down low.

Any thoughts?

[wacnstac]

I'm wondering with a snow load of 2+ feet that I could have if it would be best to leave my corner downriggers down to support some of the weight off the axles or if it would be best to leave them up for the winter. Heck the axles ought to be able to take the weight considering that all the holding tanks will be empty (840 lbs right there) plus all the gear will be out of the trailer. My worry would be the roof.

[wacnstac]

Check out the pictures at this link http://www.healthy-homes.com/trailers.htm and I think it will put your snow load worries to rest.

[Aria]

Are there more recent threads on SNOW LOAD on Airstream Trailers? It is snowing here. Should we try and remove? Thanks

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Aria

Are there more recent threads on SNOW LOAD on Airstream Trailers? It is snowing here. Should we try and remove? Thanks

There is no known shell or torsion axle failures due to a snow load.

There are many problems caused by melting snow, should the shell have leaks and the various gaskets allow water passage.

Andy

[Aria]

Should we try and remove the snow from our Airstream?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Aria

Should we try and remove the snow from our Airstream?

It's not necessary.

Andy

[Aria]

Thanks

[Westfalia]

Andy and Aria, I am less concerned with structural failure of the frame and suspension components and more concerned about the additional weight leading to a tire failure. I have a couple of feet on top of my Bambi, and even with the tire air pressure to maximum, there is noticible sidewall flex. I really need to get up and shovel more snow off of the top, if only to prevent ice dam problems when a melt does happen. The way things are going here, that won't be for a while. We have had over 10 feet of snow here this season and the snowy months haven't even started yet.

[Cracker]

I believe an interesting question was overlooked concerning whether or not the outriggers should be left down with a heavy snow load? I normally set the AS up for the winter on an asphalt driveway, with the outriggers lightly set for stability. As the tires and axle flex under a snow load will the outriggers cause any unusual strain on the trailer body? I've never noticed any binding of the door that might indicate unusual flexing. I will say that, thanks to the trailer being located in the open, the wind normally keeps the snow from building up over a foot or so. Additionally, I broom the corners of the roof off, pulling with a push broom, during my snow removal routine for the driveway.

As as aside, I had a 22' Winnebago motorhome, with a flat roof, that I kept religiously free of snow when I stored it outside! One winter of that was enough and I thereafter found indoor storage! The local RV dealer in Bangor, Maine lost a substantial number of SOBs (---probably over 50 if my memory is correct---) back in the '90s due to snow loading and the resultant collapsed roofs.

[codybear]

Hi Cracker, when we were vacationing at the Voyager RV Resort, in Tucson a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't believe how almost all of the permanent rv'ers at the park, after it snowed one night, was up on top of their sob's trying to push broom off the snow on their flat roofs..I think I'm glad we had the Safari..yes, the snow was on top, but because of the curved architecture, no consequence of snow flattening our tops!!!