Earlier I owned one tag along and one fifth wheel but they were all small. This is my first motorhome: 1998 Four Winds 31 foot. Over the last couple of snow storms I got up on the roof and cleaned it. Today there was about four inches of snow accumulation on the roof and again I got up on the roof. In a couple of places I heard a crunch where I stepped. I am hoping this is ice build up under the tarp I have covering it and not damage to the roof coating itself. Is it recommended to stand on the roof in below freezing weather? What is the best way to deal with snow on the roof?

Leave the snow right where it is until spring. If you have to use the MH,pull the cover. I don't use a cover, and just leave the snow up there except for the solar panels which I clean every now and then.

sch911 Thanks for your reply. We sometimes have four or five feet of snow remaining all winter here in Western Maine. Won't the weight of the snow damage the roof if left to collect?

I don't know if you are talking about the wet heavy kind of snow or the dry powdery stuff we get here in the west. Sometimes the easiest way for us to clear it is with a leaf blower!

We get just as much here in Michigan. I don't think it needs to be removed at all.

Two weeks ago I had 2 1/2 feet of snow on the roof of our 96 Southwind.No problem. Then it rained and made it heavier, still no problems.Don't worry about removing the snow, it's not worth getting hurt or damaging the RV.

Cleaning snow from the roof in below freezing weather

11 Replies

Cloud_9
Explorer
Feb 19, 2016
X2 on thaws and freezes. We try and keep the areas around vents clear at a minimum. The total depth of snow accumulation is less of a worry than a warm spell followed by rain. IF......you do decide the snow must come off, careful snow raking around covers, vents, etc. and if you do get on the roof, be sure to stand on the unshoveled part, that cleared area is going to be very slippery.
time2roll
Nomad
Feb 19, 2016
If there was snow on my roof the very last thing I would do is climb up there.
Harvey51
Explorer
Feb 19, 2016
We have thaws and freezes. This sometimes leaves wet snow or even pools of water on the flat roof. I like to avoid a heavy buildup and the water pools are a call to action. I use a plastic roof rake to pull the snow off, being very careful of delicate vent covers. I also park on a bit of a slope to promote runoff.
Hemi_RT
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
The crunch you heard may be the Luan cracking under the rubber roof. A lot of RV roofs are sheeted with 1/8 Luan except where carrying strength is required such as where the A/C is mounted
tenbear
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
I have never removed the snow from my roof. I think if I tried I would cause more damage than the snow does. BTW, I have had several feet of snow on the roof with no damage.
Jack_Diane_Free
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
RV Dealers do not go out after major snow storms and clean the snow off of their new inventory, and you do not need to either.
gbopp
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
Two weeks ago I had 2 1/2 feet of snow on the roof of our 96 Southwind.
No problem. Then it rained and made it heavier, still no problems.
Don't worry about removing the snow, it's not worth getting hurt or damaging the RV.
sch911
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
We get just as much here in Michigan. I don't think it needs to be removed at all.
Murphsmom
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
I don't know if you are talking about the wet heavy kind of snow or the dry powdery stuff we get here in the west. Sometimes the easiest way for us to clear it is with a leaf blower!
Cooncatz
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016
sch911 Thanks for your reply. We sometimes have four or five feet of snow remaining all winter here in Western Maine. Won't the weight of the snow damage the roof if left to collect?