Forum Discussion

golfknut's avatar
golfknut
Explorer
Nov 03, 2013

Ice/Snow on roof at departure time

We are taking our first snowbird trip this winter with a planned departure date of late December.

I was thinking about strong possibility of there being snow and ice on the roof of our motorhome when we want to leave.

I want to avoid the prospect of driving down the highway spewing ice and snow chunks on vehicles behind us.

I do have an aluminum roof rake for the house (which I could modify with a softer edge to prevent damaging the motorhome roof) which I could use to clean off the motorhome but I would prefer not to use it. Or at least use it only to pull off the top stuff and not get close to the actual roof surface. I can just picture myself catching a hidden roof or plumbing vent and causing damage.

I was wondering how much roof melt-off of ice and snow there would be if I turned on the furnace and let the inside temperature get up into the 60's or so? Would there be any melting of roof snow at that temp?
Snowbirds
  • golfknut's avatar
    golfknut
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    TubaPete wrote:
    I'd rather inconvenience a few drivers than risk personal injury trying to clear a roof.


    I would never climb onto the roof to clean snow/ice off.

    I don't even enjoy getting up there in the summer...... ;)
  • Beverley_Ken's avatar
    Beverley_Ken
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    Tough call. Using a snow rake or other could damage your roof or items up there, OR you could slip off if you get up there. If just snow, wet or powder, let it blow off and take your chances. If ice and I have seen 3 inches with thaw and freeze cycles, I will clean it off. I don't want big chunks of ice hitting the toads windshield.
    Here in Ontario, most truckers do not clean there roofs off, just take there chances, but can be charged with an UNSAFE load. Years ago, I had a personal experience of getting hit in the hood and windshield with ice off a truck, someone flagged the trucker down, end result was that he voluntarily paid for the damage. He said the $500 was cheaper than a charge of unsafe load.

    Beverley and Ken
  • golfknut's avatar
    golfknut
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    We will be towing our car......Has anyone ever had any damage done to their toad from snow/ice coming off their rig while towing?
  • TubaPete's avatar
    TubaPete
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    I'd rather inconvenience a few drivers than risk personal injury trying to clear a roof. One year we were still splashing windshields with melting snow into Arkansas. some drivers seemed surprised. None indicated they were upset.
  • We_Cant_Wait's avatar
    We_Cant_Wait
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    Trying to clear snow off your roof during freezing temps could result in more damage then you think. Leave the snow there it will blow off as you speed up as to any built up ice it probably won't budge till you reach above freezing temps. One night stay at 40 or above will melt off the rest of the ice. Let nature take it off.
  • Ka_Ron's avatar
    Ka_Ron
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    Might be some, but it will depend on how thick the snow is.
    Do semi trailer drivers shovel the snow off their roofs before they hit the road?
    Not up here they don't.
    I am not sure I would worry about a bit of snow on the roof.

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