Ice/Snow on roof at departure time

[golfknut]

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?

[ScottnSherrie]

No offense taken. Living in the land of one measurable snow every five years I have limited knowledge of how best to deal with snow.

[SkiingSixPack]

ScottnSherrie wrote:
Scrolled through the posts so sorry if I missed this suggestion. Get a tarp (or two spliced together) and cover the roof if the forecast calls for snow. Be sure to have several ropes tied to the eyelets. Before you leave, pull off the snow and ice laden tarp.

I would not do this, no offense meant. This would be very likely to cause damage ...

I drive our motor home to and from skiing areas all winter and in most circumstances, there is not a problem. Semi drivers do not seem to climb up to get rid of the snow. Just part of driving in the winter... IMHO
IMHO

[ScottnSherrie]

Scrolled through the posts so sorry if I missed this suggestion. Get a tarp (or two spliced together) and cover the roof if the forecast calls for snow. Be sure to have several ropes tied to the eyelets. Before you leave, pull off the snow and ice laden tarp.

[tatest]

golfknut wrote:
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?

That changes the picture, doesn't it. Depends on how thick the ice gets from freeze thaw, and sizes of chunks as it breaks up. Five to ten pound chunk inch or mor thick is going to do some damage, scratches and dents at least, if not enough speed differential to break a windshield. Towed vehicle, ice is going to hit it, rather than the pavement.

[Randu]

I would not get on a slippery snow covered roof. I usually head to Myrtle Beach for a few weeks in mid December. Never cleaned the roof but did get snow on slide outs during packing. Took my leaf blower up a 8' step ladder and was able to blow off the slides. Thought that I might do the roof that way if more that a few inches.
Randu

[ScottG]

I tried the furnace trick one time and it had no effect on the snow on the roof at all and I suspect your MH's ceiling is insulated better than mine is.
But it needs to be done. Last year there was a story on the news about this kind of damage. Lots of dented cars and broken windshields, sometimes completely penetrating the vehicle. So don't try to convince yourself that's it's just an "inconvenience" to other drivers.
Oh and the police were giving tickets to people that were having large chunks of ice and snow coming off on the road.

[golfknut]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[nelson]

Follow the example of the semi drivers.

[We_Cant_Wait]

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]

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.