Handling snow on roof in winter

[jasonthegreyhawk]

We are planning to store our RV on our property this winter (northeast US). From what I read it is advisable to remove snow from the roof.

Given the notoriously lacking insulation, am I better off to just turn the heat on after a snowfall and work from the RV for the snow to naturally melt from the roof? Is that better than physically removing snow where there could be damage?

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by jasonthegreyhawk

We are planning to store our RV on our property this winter (northeast US). From what I read it is advisable to remove snow from the roof.

Given the notoriously lacking insulation, am I better off to just turn the heat on after a snowfall and work from the RV for the snow to naturally melt from the roof? Is that better than physically removing snow where there could be damage?

I used a Plastic Snow Roof Rake for many, many years and never damaged anything. You just need to get the majority off, not down to the membrane, or fiberglass. You can get one at the Big Box stores or on Amazon.

[jasonthegreyhawk]

I have both a plastic and light aluminum roof rake. It would be controllable to take the top 10" off for a 12" snow drop no problem. Makes sense to clear a good amount at least and good to hear the plastic version didn't do any damage at all.

I see a foam one on amazon that has strong reviews as well. That is likely even safer to the roof.

[pconroy]

Cranking the heat in ours really didn't make a big dent in the snow.

[RogerR]

How many feet of snow do you get there? Typical Jayco roof in good condition should hold at least a couple of feet or more.

[spoon059]

Originally Posted by jasonthegreyhawk

We are planning to store our RV on our property this winter (northeast US). From what I read it is advisable to remove snow from the roof.

Given the notoriously lacking insulation, am I better off to just turn the heat on after a snowfall and work from the RV for the snow to naturally melt from the roof? Is that better than physically removing snow where there could be damage?

I would go to your local RV dealer and handle the snow the same way they do. If they ignore it (likely) then I would ignore it too. If they remove it, I would remove it in the same manner they do.

[Scoutmaster253]

Originally Posted by spoon059

I would go to your local RV dealer and handle the snow the same way they do. If they ignore it (likely) then I would ignore it too. If they remove it, I would remove it in the same manner they do.

I would not use my local RV Dealer as an example of how to maintain ANYTHING with my RV.
I store my RV in a climate controlled building. I believe that the freeze and thaw cycles that an RV stored outside goes through allow water to penetrate even the tightest seams.

[dvspl]

I've stored my Jayco Greyhawk in our driveway for the past 3 winters and a Jayco travel trailer before that for about 15 years. We're in Massachusetts. I have only rarely felt the need to reduce the snow load on the roof, only when there is more than 2 feet of wet, heavy snow (such as we got in 2015). Most of the time I just let the sun gradually melt it. I don't think cranking the heat inside it would make much of a difference.

[MEILI]

Here in NH, I rake if we get a big snow of 2+ feet otherwise I leave it alone and let the sun melt it. If we get several storms in a row I keep an eye on it and clear it when it gets a couple of feet on the roof.

[ArthurH]

We just bought a 2016 Redhawk that we'll be storing next to our garage. We had a gravel pad installed to park it on and have power and water available. I'm not sure if I should invest in (spend $ on) an RV cover. We live in Vermont so any advice from experienced RV owners in the northeast is appreciated!

[dvspl]

Originally Posted by ArthurH

We just bought a 2016 Redhawk that we'll be storing next to our garage. We had a gravel pad installed to park it on and have power and water available. I'm not sure if I should invest in (spend $ on) an RV cover. We live in Vermont so any advice from experienced RV owners in the northeast is appreciated!

There are a variety of opinions on this. Some say they think the cost of a cover is minimal and see it as good sacrificial protection. Others say it isn't worth the trouble and potential damage (mildew, scratches, etc). My opinion is that the UV protection of a cover might be worthwhile in the south. But we're in Massachusetts so I don't see any great value, personally. Between travel trailer and motorhome, we've had an RV in New England for about 20 years and I've never covered them. I'd suggest doing a search on the topic in this forum, read the opinions and make up your own mind.

[Hollander Mutthaulers]

We keep a breathable cloth car cover on our camper roof over winter. Unless the snow is over a couple feet deep or heavy wet snow, we ignore it. I've used a sturdy push broom as a snow rake a couple times in the past six or so winters. A layer of ice is disconcerting, but has never been terribly deep or heavy I walk on the roof with my 200+ pounds so I'm sure the roof won't cave in with snow. I would be wary of heating it from the inside - I wouldn't want the snow to melt and form a layer of ice.

[Bridgeengrjim]

We live in Maine and have stored our TT outside since 2016 without an issue. I have only cleaned the roof if we go south in February although I keep an eye on it to make sure we don't get to much accumulation

[CAG]

Originally Posted by jasonthegreyhawk

We are planning to store our RV on our property this winter (northeast US). From what I read it is advisable to remove snow from the roof.

Given the notoriously lacking insulation, am I better off to just turn the heat on after a snowfall and work from the RV for the snow to naturally melt from the roof? Is that better than physically removing snow where there could be damage?

Actually I am wondering why you would even worry about snow on the roof unless it was so heavy that it might cause a cave in.



I see some comments about covers. Not sure what that helps since the snow is now on top of the cover but still weight on the roof.


Sorry, but we worry more about sun damage in this part of the country so I don't have much experience with snow.

[Kim Gass]

Don't let the snow build up. What you get in boston isnt snow. its ice.
i live 140 miles north of you
We do get snow but recently every storm
yends in rain and a hard freeze. Hello crust And its heavy
we have not had leaks but apply a roof rake( plastic) each storm
We live in a " snow belt" Over 100 inches of not snow but crap.
No we have never covered . Again no leak
Keep up with the white hard stuff. It took us four days to dig out and clear the roof two years ago when we were remiss.
You don't want to shed ice slabs should youndecide to go south snd avoid mud season

With love from Maine

[DesertRoads]

Makes me wonder if I need to tarp the roof, or get a cover for the solar panel and air conditioner? We live in Utah, and our snow fall varies greatly. Sometimes it's light and fluffy. Other times it's wet and heavy.

[Leon]

Get lots of snow in Ontario not to worry RV roofs are strong Just try to keep leaves and debris off it before the snow comes the snow won’t hurt it .
Put a plastic tarp over it would create mildew which is destructive

A breathable RV cover is ok to use but never try to take it off until warm weather comes back .Those cover pro text from sun damage . Really the snow is less damaging

[ArthurH]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

Don't let the snow build up. What you get in boston isnt snow. its ice.
i live 140 miles north of you
We do get snow but recently every storm
yends in rain and a hard freeze. Hello crust And its heavy
we have not had leaks but apply a roof rake( plastic) each storm
We live in a " snow belt" Over 100 inches of not snow but crap.
No we have never covered . Again no leak
Keep up with the white hard stuff. It took us four days to dig out and clear the roof two years ago when we were remiss.
You don't want to shed ice slabs should youndecide to go south snd avoid mud season

With love from Maine

Hi Kim, we’re camping in Maine right now.

Thank you for your reply! It sounds like covers are more for sun damage than snow.

We live in Vermont and used a breathable cover on our pop up when we had that years ago. I’m thinking it’s probably not necessary or worth the expense and hassle for the RV. I’ll have to look into getting a plastic roof rake.

[Kim Gass]

The snow is very reflective and UV rays arent so much of a concern
We have a plastic roof rake for the house but try to use a long handled brush ( or a leaf blower!) if the snow happens to be light. Usta be it always was. Now its heavty soggy and the next day frozen solid
Don't get too aggressive with the rake and never use an axe! ( yes we sometines use an axe on ice but not on the trailer roof)

[spoon059]

Carolina Carports aren't that expensive. Seems like keeping the snow and ice off the oorf would be vastly superior to cancelling trips or damaging expensive components or roof structure. We've got a Carolina Carport that keeps the snow, sun, rain, branches, tree sap, etc off the roof.