Ice storm vs. travel trailer

[TheGriswolds]

I thought when we moved down south about 9 months ago we wouldn't be dealing with this******any more however....that hasn't been the case this winter!
We are (and lots of other folks in the southeast) are expecting an ice storm starting tonight here around Atlanta. Not that there's anything I can do about it now because my trailer is stored outside but I was wondering if there's anything specific to look for damage wise when I'm able to inspect it in a few days. I'm thinking no but anyone with previous experience in this area would be appreciated.
Thanks

[alexleblanc]

lots of us up north get 12-18" of snow and ice mixed on our RV roof's pretty much every winter. I've never had an issue in my 6 years of owning RV's, however my father lost his 2008 KZ spree to a brutal winter with nearly 30" of snow and ice on this room, the aluminum framing on the roof gave out and it made quite the mess. I guess anything under 18" of pure snow or less if its thick ice should be fine but other that start thinking about clearing a portion of it off.

[thomasmnile]

Ozlander wrote:

JesLookin wrote:
I'd leave the camper alone. Probably do more harm than good trying to remove the snow & ice.

10-4 on that. Beating on cold plastic is not a good thing to do.

Amen to that. No ice or snow down here but all that plastic in an RV gets brittle in cold temps. Think the OP's temperatures are supposed to be in the 50's or 60's by the weekend.

[rbpru]

I will say that the trailer manufacturers do not remove the ice from the units they have sitting outside. Of course both the trailer and snow will be gone by spring, so it is not their concern.

That said we have at least 16” of snow on the flat and 8” to 12” on my house roof. I just do not think it wise to leave it that deep on the TT. I push it off when it gets about 6 " deep.

There is at least ¾ “ of ice under the snow but the sun will have to melt that, as I am not going to be chipping ice on the roof.

A simple cross board in a broom handle pushes the snow off quite well. It is more work moving the ladder. 🙂

[GrandpaKip]

dadmomh wrote:
If you don't already have it sitting with a bit of slope, might want to do that so that as the ice melts it will have a better chance of running off.

Former Clevelander + misc OH and I hate winter in the south worse than in the north....those in the know, don't know. Have no clue what to do, if to do, when to do and then we have one heck of a mess. Southern winter drivers??....don't even get me started. We stay home to avoid the drivers, not the roads. And you'd think it's going to be months before they/we can get to a grocery store again. Relax....it's just a few seriously inconvenient days. Clean out cabinets, organize your DVDs, sort stuff for Goodwill, do your taxes. It'll be over soon and then we can talk about the August heat and how dreadful it is, and that's true, it really is dreadful.

Yep, all you gotta do is watch the news to see all the idjits sliding around, but it doesn't seem the South has em all. Plenty of entertainment from out West and up North, too.
Glad to hear Atlanta didn't get tons of ice.

[TheGriswolds]

Well it looks like we won't be getting the amount of ice they first thought, maybe only about a quarter inch with some snow tonight to finish it off. I do have the trailer tilted nose high for storage a little bit so I'm really just waiting for warmer temps so I can install a new pleated shower door that we got for Christmas, can't wait. Thanks for replies.

[BAMA_57]

Ice shouldn't hurt it as stated before unless something were to fall on it. Welcome to the south and this is out of the norm, but it does happen every few years.
Ron

[rgolding]

JesLookin wrote:
I'd leave the camper alone. Probably do more harm than good trying to remove the snow & ice.

x 2 on that

[DiskDoctr]

Hope you all get through this weather OK.

That being said, I wouldn't mind getting mild winter while you southerners take the ice and snow. Seems fair to me! :B. And about time :B

[lc-12]

Well, for what it is worth, I got a surprise this past weekend when I went into my camper and found an ice skating rink in the back half of the camper!
I am guessing that when we had a bit of a "melt" two weeks ago, the snow that was on top of my camper, about 12 inches worth, must have found it's way down my refrigerator vent!
There was ice on the refrigerator louvers (under the fridge), with water going across the back and into the bath room. Quite a bit too!
I pulled the louver and did not see any water under the fridge. And no water spots on the ceiling.
I spent an hour shoveling snow off of the roof of the camper.
Now I am worried about the same situation with the camper on my farm!
What sucks is that it is too cold to get the ice off the floor and I don't want to plug in a heater to melt things to quickly.
So I piled up a bunch of towels in hopes that I can soak up most of it, as it melts.
It is suppose to be above freezing this next week for the first time in a couple of weeks.

[westend]

dadmomh wrote:
Both a former camping buddy and our DS#2 have vehemently declared that there is no such thing as global warming and that it's just media BS. I'm sure they must be correct as both posted it on the internet, so you know it's gotta be true. Some days I could just slap DS#2! Don't fret over former camping buddy.

Finally, someone with a head on their shoulders.
When I encounter a similar situation with DS#1 (not science because he's up on that), I sometimes try to use a constructive lesson. I leave it to your imagination on the lesson. :B

BTW, Michio Kaku on CBS Today 02/12/2014 discussing current weather patterns.

[dadmomh]

If you don't already have it sitting with a bit of slope, might want to do that so that as the ice melts it will have a better chance of running off.

Former Clevelander + misc OH and I hate winter in the south worse than in the north....those in the know, don't know. Have no clue what to do, if to do, when to do and then we have one heck of a mess. Southern winter drivers??....don't even get me started. We stay home to avoid the drivers, not the roads. And you'd think it's going to be months before they/we can get to a grocery store again. Relax....it's just a few seriously inconvenient days. Clean out cabinets, organize your DVDs, sort stuff for Goodwill, do your taxes. It'll be over soon and then we can talk about the August heat and how dreadful it is, and that's true, it really is dreadful.

[dadmomh]

Both a former camping buddy and our DS#2 have vehemently declared that there is no such thing as global warming and that it's just media BS. I'm sure they must be correct as both posted it on the internet, so you know it's gotta be true. Some days I could just slap DS#2! Don't fret over former camping buddy.

[GrandpaKip]

Assuming your camper has about 240 square feet of roof, 1" of ice will add about 1200 pounds to it. It may only be 5 pounds per square foot, but I would be concerned about that much weight in total, especially in an area that may not be designed to carry it. Maybe a call to the manufacturer to find out would be in order?
Houses are supposed to be able to carry a minimum of 20 pounds psf static load. I don't know if there is a standard for RVs. If we get the 10" of snow they are calling for, I'll have a total of about 15" on mine, which would be about 12 pounds psf. I'll definitely go out and sweep it off if it gets to be that much.

[coolbreeze01]

It will melt and your trailer will be just fine.