OK...so I got caught in all this snow with my slides out. As of now, there's about 14" of accumulated snow and ice on top of my fifth wheel, with the slide deployed. I tried to get up there to brush things off, but unfortunately, there's a pretty thick layer of snow on top of a pretty thick layer of ice, on top of yet another pretty thick layer of snow. And what with the ladder resting on a thick layer of ice on the ground, the whole removal process seemed much more dangerous that I would have liked.I checked inside, and nothing seems out of whack...bowing, leaking, off-kilter, etc.So, what kind of problems do you think I'm going to have when all this @#$%^& snow melts. (I'm looking for someone to give me some reassurance that all will be good!)Thanks!

BCSJBaylor wrote:OK...so I got caught in all this snow with my slides out. As of now, there's about 14" of accumulated snow and ice on top of my fifth wheel, with the slide deployed. I tried to get up there to brush things off, but unfortunately, there's a pretty thick layer of snow on top of a pretty thick layer of ice, on top of yet another pretty thick layer of snow. And what with the ladder resting on a thick layer of ice on the ground, the whole removal process seemed much more dangerous that I would have liked.I checked inside, and nothing seems out of whack...bowing, leaking, off-kilter, etc.So, what kind of problems do you think I'm going to have when all this @#$%^& snow melts. (I'm looking for someone to give me some reassurance that all will be good!)Thanks!And to add to your dilemma are severely overloaded tires. FastEagle

Sorry, I can't help you with your question. I also live in Pennsylvania and I'm starting to wonder if the snow is ever going to melt. We just keep getting more and more...When you finally remove the snow/ice from your slides, let us know if you had any problems.I've seen the question asked before, should you leave your slides in or out during snow events.Some say it's okay to leave them extended, it will cause no harm.Others recommend pulling them in when it snows.You are going to have first hand knowledge. Please post and let us know if you had any damage or problems.I hope you have no problems.

Here in the Midwest, I see many trailers on RV lots, with the slides out, and covered with snow. I know they are not concerned, as they plan to sell them anyway. I do think if damage was likely, they would discontinue this practice.If you don't have to move the trailer, I'd wait it out, until it warms up.It seems to melt from the bottom up, so a little sun, with warmer temps, it should push off easily with a garage broom.Jerry

FastEagle wrote:And to add to your dilemma are severely overloaded tires. FastEagleYeah, I hope he does not have cheap ones!The really bad thing occurs if you get rain before warm weather, as the snow will take on a lot more weight before it melts.In December 1996 that happen in Western Washington and a lot of covered marinas collapsed around the shores of Puget Sound! We had just gotten our new boat the fall, and I got it out of the slip in Edmonds in a snow storm on Friday night and moved it to our Yacht club dock in Seattle. The marina went down on Sunday morning and the video of our dock going down made national news.Chris

Can you get some heat inside? Its going to warm up in a day or so ,combined maybe a layer of melt will occur and you can just push it off in a single sheet?

Got Caught | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Me_Again
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2014
I would never stand on a slide out roof!!!! Chris
Veebyes
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2014
You do it like this.

Push with a stiff brush.
93Cobra2771
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
I wouldn't worry about the tires. You aren't actually driving. You could go ahead and check air pressure in them. Makes sure they are at max PSI.
BCSJBaylor
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Thanks to all who answered. I guess the general consensus seems to be everything should be OK. So once this confounded snow melts, I'll post again and let everyone know what problems I've had. Hopefully none.

I never gave a thought to the tires, but they were all brand new 2 years ago with whatever brand Camping World in Roanoke sells. I forget the brand.
valhalla360
Navigator
Feb 18, 2014
I wouldn't worry too much about the tires.
- The landing gear (being further back than the pin, they support a greater percentage than the pin does when hooked up) and stabilizers will support a fair bit of the weight.
- Tire ratings are based on hitting bumps at high speed. The forces involed sitting there with a little extra weight on the tires is negligible by comparison.

Get what you can off with a push broom (maybe tie a tope to the handle so you can pull it all the way across and get to the center). Otherwise, your best bet is to wait for the sun.

If you really need to move it, you could try cranking the heat up inside to 80+ and see if you can speed the melting process.
hone_eagle
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Can you get some heat inside? Its going to warm up in a day or so ,combined maybe a layer of melt will occur and you can just push it off in a single sheet?
Me_Again
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2014
FastEagle wrote:

And to add to your dilemma are severely overloaded tires.

FastEagle

Yeah, I hope he does not have cheap ones!

The really bad thing occurs if you get rain before warm weather, as the snow will take on a lot more weight before it melts.

In December 1996 that happen in Western Washington and a lot of covered marinas collapsed around the shores of Puget Sound! We had just gotten our new boat the fall, and I got it out of the slip in Edmonds in a snow storm on Friday night and moved it to our Yacht club dock in Seattle. The marina went down on Sunday morning and the video of our dock going down made national news.

Chris
MFL
Nomad II
Feb 18, 2014
Here in the Midwest, I see many trailers on RV lots, with the slides out, and covered with snow. I know they are not concerned, as they plan to sell them anyway. I do think if damage was likely, they would discontinue this practice.

If you don't have to move the trailer, I'd wait it out, until it warms up.

It seems to melt from the bottom up, so a little sun, with warmer temps, it should push off easily with a garage broom.

Jerry
gbopp
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
Sorry, I can't help you with your question.

I also live in Pennsylvania and I'm starting to wonder if the snow is ever going to melt. We just keep getting more and more...

When you finally remove the snow/ice from your slides, let us know if you had any problems.

I've seen the question asked before, should you leave your slides in or out during snow events.
Some say it's okay to leave them extended, it will cause no harm.
Others recommend pulling them in when it snows.

You are going to have first hand knowledge. Please post and let us know if you had any damage or problems.

I hope you have no problems.
FastEagle
Explorer
Feb 18, 2014
BCSJBaylor wrote:
OK...so I got caught in all this snow with my slides out. As of now, there's about 14" of accumulated snow and ice on top of my fifth wheel, with the slide deployed. I tried to get up there to brush things off, but unfortunately, there's a pretty thick layer of snow on top of a pretty thick layer of ice, on top of yet another pretty thick layer of snow. And what with the ladder resting on a thick layer of ice on the ground, the whole removal process seemed much more dangerous that I would have liked.

I checked inside, and nothing seems out of whack...bowing, leaking, off-kilter, etc.

So, what kind of problems do you think I'm going to have when all this @#$%^& snow melts. (I'm looking for someone to give me some reassurance that all will be good!)

Thanks!

And to add to your dilemma are severely overloaded tires.

FastEagle

Forum Discussion

Got Caught

20 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Domicle not getting caught?

Glad I caught this

Caught!!!!!!

Curiosity caught the Cheshire cat

New F150 Caught in the Wild