So, I have my TT winterized, but have the slide extended and we got the great surprise of about 28" of snow in the last few days. I broomed all the snow off the top of the slideout, but there's a good layer of ice remaining on the top of the slide. I'm concerned that if I retract the slide as-is I may risk damaging my seals AND that when the ice does melt off all that water will wind up inside the TT. Any suggestions on how to proceed? I ran the heat all day yesterday hoping to melt off the ice to no avail...we're expecting another 8-10" today and there's only one day above freezing in the 10 day forecast.This is ridiculous, I know better...this early snow dump just caught me with my pants down...this AND, my tractor/snowblower is in the shop!

You have only two options:More heatMore time Ice WILL damage your seals and melt inside.If you're really worried you could use a hairdryer or a heat gun and a sponge Good luck,Mike

I had a trailer with a slide and got caught in the snow during a fishing trip. The snow melted during the day and then froze into a good sized chunk of ice at night. When we were going to leave I couldn't get the slide in AND couldn't get to a place where I could remove it. It was a mess. By the time we finagled a fix, the slide came in and during the trip home the snow/ice melted and made a real mess inside. Also had other trips during heavy rain storms that created similar messes inside along with issues trying to get the slide out on a couple of other trips. Needless to say, I don't have a slide anymore.If there is a chance of warmer weather coming you can heat the inside of the trailer and wait until the snow melts. By the look of the forecasts that might not happen anytime soon. I would get up with a ladder and remove as much as I could. When retracted the snow will melt off but if you are ready with towels it shouldn't be a big thing.Good luck.

Same thing happened to us over the weekend and we were 80 miles away from home. I used heat inside, a broom to get all the loose snow off, a hair dryer and the sun to melt, and a plastic scraper to clear it off. Becareful if you are on the snow covered roof. It is slippery and you can't see the skylights or vents. A tall ladder is best, but of course I didn't have one with me!

I trust you are not in a hurry to move the RV. I would try to cover the slide with a tarp of some sort. Pick a decent day and put heat under the tarp. Don't catch the thing on fire.

I would leave it out rather than pull all that ice through the seals and into the trailer.

Retracting Slide in Winter Wonderland | Good Sam Community

popeyemth
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
You have only two options:
More heat
More time
Ice WILL damage your seals and melt inside.
If you're really worried you could use a hairdryer or a heat gun and a sponge
Good luck,
Mike
aftermath
Explorer III
Nov 17, 2014
I had a trailer with a slide and got caught in the snow during a fishing trip. The snow melted during the day and then froze into a good sized chunk of ice at night. When we were going to leave I couldn't get the slide in AND couldn't get to a place where I could remove it. It was a mess. By the time we finagled a fix, the slide came in and during the trip home the snow/ice melted and made a real mess inside. Also had other trips during heavy rain storms that created similar messes inside along with issues trying to get the slide out on a couple of other trips. Needless to say, I don't have a slide anymore.

If there is a chance of warmer weather coming you can heat the inside of the trailer and wait until the snow melts. By the look of the forecasts that might not happen anytime soon. I would get up with a ladder and remove as much as I could. When retracted the snow will melt off but if you are ready with towels it shouldn't be a big thing.

Good luck.
old_idaho_guy
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
Same thing happened to us over the weekend and we were 80 miles away from home. I used heat inside, a broom to get all the loose snow off, a hair dryer and the sun to melt, and a plastic scraper to clear it off. Becareful if you are on the snow covered roof. It is slippery and you can't see the skylights or vents. A tall ladder is best, but of course I didn't have one with me!
Cool_Canuck
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
I trust you are not in a hurry to move the RV. I would try to cover the slide with a tarp of some sort. Pick a decent day and put heat under the tarp. Don't catch the thing on fire.
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 17, 2014
I would leave it out rather than pull all that ice through the seals and into the trailer.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
I'd start melting ice with a heat gun or your wife's hair drier. Good luck.
tomousecap
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
Been there done that: Just got out a hose and hooked up to hot water low point. Hosed the ice and snow off and closed the slide.... :)
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 17, 2014
Use a hose connected to your water heater to melt the ice.
Dry with an old towel and bring the slide in.
oughtsix
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
Would one of those roll up slide covers have prevented this? Just curious.
bguy
Explorer
Nov 17, 2014
A garden hose will do the trick. Cold water will work just fine and you will be surprised how fast it works.