Snow loads for Trailer

In three winters, I never had a problem with a foot or so of snow as long as it was not wet which translates to heavy. I tried to stay ahead of the game by cleaning it off when I had the time. The most I had to deal with was about 18 inches which caused no issues. Mind you the roof on my Wilderness was curved.

A good gauge might be to clean it when the RV dealers do their inventory.

Winter snows are terrible in La Quinta I hear.

ssthrd wrote:
In three winters, I never had a problem with a foot or so of snow as long as it was not wet which translates to heavy. I tried to stay ahead of the game by cleaning it off when I had the time. The most I had to deal with was about 18 inches which caused no issues. Mind you the roof on my Wilderness was curved.

A good gauge might be to clean it when the RV dealers do their inventory.

No one will be around to clean it off so this is why I am asking the question

If you can walk on your roof, I doubt the weight of snow would be a problem. The issue comes in the depth of the snow and it melting into places like your AC and vents where the water can then enter the RV. But I've had over a foot of snow on our previous MH and no issues whatsoever.

way2roll wrote:
If you can walk on your roof, I doubt the weight of snow would be a problem. The issue comes in the depth of the snow and it melting into places like your AC and vents where the water can then enter the RV. But I've had over a foot of snow on our previous MH and no issues whatsoever.

Agreed. I would first place a good quality thick tarp over the roof. Then get a a good quality cover so melt shouldn't find its way inside. It doesn't leak now, but also a little caulking around untis will help. I figure the weight may not be bad since we can walk on them but wanted to ask.

My biggest concern would be snow melt that re-freezes to ice at the bottom of the snow load. Ice is much heavier than snow.

I have owned 2 NUWA 5th wheels since 1996 and they get stored outside in the winter and not covered. Some winters we had multiple feet of snow. Neither unit suffered any roof damage and never leaked. I may have shoveled the snow off a couple of times in all those years but only when I was going somewhere. It is just too dangerous being on a slick roof.

I wouldn’t be concerned at all. I live in an area that receives between 120-300 inches of snow every season (Central NY/Tug Hill Plateau) and there are tons of seasonal campers that get left outside all winter. I have never seen or heard of one not handling the snow load. And I can guarantee that a lot of those aren’t as well built or as good of condition as yours!

I had a roof sag on our 1973 Vanguard 20' tt. in Manitoba. A 1986 24" snowstorm put 30" on the roof. It was parked in a sheltered area that drifted a lot.
The roof was framed with 2x2"! We, yes we, not a shop, removed all the roof, reframed with 2x4 alot more insulation and arc to the roof.
After 9 years in 1989 sold it for 90% of what we paid for it. The quality roof and better heating cooling insulation made the sale.

Lwiddis wrote:
Winter snows are terrible in La Quinta I hear.

I agree, couldn't get out for weeks one year. :)