Got Caught

[BCSJBaylor]

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!

[Oaklevel]

Randu wrote:
Snow will not normally cause any issues. Sometimes you can create more issues with trying to scrape off. Don't mess with it unless you are going someplace. We do have 40 coming on Thursday so may be a good day to push off with a good garage broom. Randu

X2

Only damage will probably be from trying to get the snow off.

[htowners]

I feel for you, while my slides weren't out I was concerned with the snow build up on mine, here in SE PA. There was actually 2 layers of ice due to the 2 sleet storms we had between the last 3 snow falls, so it totaled almost 9" of very firm snow and ice.
My son and I threw a length of nylon rope over the roof and used it to saw through the top and middle layers and then pulled it towards the ends in 3 sections. Then were able to get up and break it loose in a few large chunks.
There was still another intact 4" layer of ice, but I figured I got at least half the weight off. I have a whole new respect for how much weight the roof of mine can hold as the pile of what we got off the roof was a chore in itself to clean up.
Ont thing I would do is lift the front higher so when the melt down comes, it'll be able to run off quickly.

[Me_Again]

RoyF wrote:
If the slide has a dining table (possible from the photo) with the usual four chairs, then it must be designed to carry four adults (600-800 pounds?). A foot of snow can't weight more than about one hundred pounds (allowing 50 sq. feet max for slide roof).

I would let it melt. But If I absolutely needed to get on the root then I would put Yak-traks (available from camping stores -- the kind that sell pack-packs and hiking boots) on my shoes for traction on ice.

Hello, that weight is on the floor of the side out that is designed for the weight and that floor is supported both at the trailer side and outer wall side. The roof has no support on the trailer side, and relies on only it own construction to keep it from sagging!

So, I will stay off on mine, thank you!

Chris

[DutchmenSport]

We picked up our Outback from our dealer last Monday (warranty repair). I noticed all the new campers in the lot and they all had their slides out with piles of snow on top of them. When I was hitching my camper up, I asked the service guy (he's the manager) about those new campers with the slides out and all that snow. He said they never pull the slides in, Summer or Winter, and it's never hurt a single camper. Then he said, "But we've never had a winter like this either. We'll see once it thaws!" (This was Central Eastern Indiana).

[jesse_m_jm]

We take ours up Skiing, and it snows and builds up on everything. When it's time to pack up and leave, I take a long broom up on the roof, sweep everything off, and we are good to go. Never had a problem with snow build up on there, although it sounds like you guys got a lot more than average. Let us know how it turns out.

[Old-Biscuit]

Got a garden hose?
Got a water source?

Hook up hose and spray roof down.

Had to do that when I had 2" of ice frozen to slideout roofs and we were getting ready to leave a CG.

When it was just snow I used a brush to sweep off......but ice needs to be melted. Ice can build up/expand under top wiper seals and leak inside when it melts.

[Randu]

Snow will not normally cause any issues. Sometimes you can create more issues with trying to scrape off. Don't mess with it unless you are going someplace. We do have 40 coming on Thursday so may be a good day to push off with a good garage broom. Randu

[n7bsn]

Me Again wrote:
...

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

The marina at Seabeck sank was was never replaced, the one at Keyport was rebuilt.

The Olympic College Library roof collapsed, as did the Bremerton Albertsons Grocery (it's still sitting with no roof to this day)

I know of four RVs that also caved in, not ours as I went out and brushed it off.

But the report was that all the other damaged, totaled together was less then the loss in one US Navy building whose roof failed. The building was the storage area for many (MANY) millions of dollars of electronics.

The root cause was we went from rain, to freezing rain, to snow, more snow, then back to rain. This combination caused many down-spouts to be filled with ice. This allowed the water on the roofs to collect and finally.....

[RoyF]

If the slide has a dining table (possible from the photo) with the usual four chairs, then it must be designed to carry four adults (600-800 pounds?). A foot of snow can't weight more than about one hundred pounds (allowing 50 sq. feet max for slide roof).

I would let it melt. But If I absolutely needed to get on the root then I would put Yak-traks (available from camping stores -- the kind that sell pack-packs and hiking boots) on my shoes for traction on ice.

[Bull_Rider]

We live in Eastern Washington, and get a lot of snow. I've had the same problem that you're experiencing. I turned off the fridge, raised the front of the RV up to get a good slope to the roof, and turned on the heat inside the RV. I ran a 110 volt plug in heater, and the propane furnace at the same time.

I didn't have any luck trying to slide or push the snow off of the roof. When the snow was gone, pulled in the slider. No damage, no leaking. I was concerned that the snow would allow water to run in around the slideout seals.

[Me_Again]

I would never stand on a slide out roof!!!! Chris

[Veebyes]

You do it like this.



Push with a stiff brush.

[93Cobra2771]

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]

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.