Trailmanor not winter friendly

[Mike_Up]

Stumbled across this while reading their owner's manual. Guess that's why we don't see too many around my parts.

CAUTION: Do not attempt to close the trailer with snow
accumulation on the roof. One inch of dry snow adds 40-60
pounds to the weight of the top. The added weight could cause the
top to fall suddenly while being closed, causing personal injury or
trailer damage.

Page 40 in owner's manual.

[mike-s]

Mike Up wrote:
I winterize mine...

Yep. Like most TTs, it's not winter friendly. You have to do extra work, take extra precautions, and you can't use all the features. Clearing snow off the top of the unit before raising and lowering it is just a part of it.

[qtla9111]

Our first TM was purchased in 2000. We took it to Silver City, NM and spent the first three days in a wind, sleet and snow storm. Worked great. We kept warm and didn't even use additional clothing indoors.

I have a video somewhere of being indoors during that storm. If you check the Trailmanor website you'll see that the wall, ceiling and floor insulation is the same if not better than most rvs. The floor especially.

We had two TMs but I wanted to be a big guy and roll like the rest. Sorry we sold the last TM. Sure would love to have one now.

[3oaks]

BB_TX wrote:
No surprise there. Those spring loaded struts are tensioned to raise/lower the weight of the upper sections. Extra weight due to snow/ice would overwhelm those springs as you started lowering the upper sections. And you probably could not even raise them if they were already down with snow/ice on top.

x2

They are what they are. Certainly a design of their own. Every RV has their own limitations which vary even within the same make. :R

[time2roll]

My slide does not retract well either with a foot of snow.
No need to ask how I know. Still would not call mine 'not winter friendly'

[Mike_Up]

mike-s wrote:

time2roll wrote:
So Winter is just fine as long as you do not want to leave during a snowstorm...

Wait until he finds out that the pipes will freeze.

Not everyone needs to use their water systems. Many people I know don't use water in their camper as they find it much easier to use the campgrounds water system even in the summer!

I winterize mine and use the campground's water system or bring portable water containers that are heated in the camper.

Many campers today offer winter packages that keep the water systems warm and from freezing so that you can shower and use your own toilet during winter. It was an option on mine but I didn't get it. I just use the campgrounds water system.

[Oasisbob]

Not surprising if you think on it. Still love to have one

[Mike_Up]

Many others as me, are not fair weather campers, but camp in all weather.

I've camped many times with my 2 pop ups in the winter and yes, they got about 3 inches or more of snow on them. Just knocked it off the bunkends. I even was able to fold it down with snow on the roof. :E Made for it, no warnings in the manual. Just watch out when you get into the teens as the plastic windows in a pop up can crack.

OF course these pop up campers are made in Indiana which has all 4 season, so campers here are designed to be used where there's 4 seasons. Trailmanor is made down south in Tennessee where they're lucky to even see snow or ice. Guess they design them to only be used in the south.:R

Now all campers and even homes, warn of excessive snow loads on the roofs but Trailmanor is saying you can't fold down your camper with a light 1" snow dusting. In my area, that means I'd never be able to go home from a campground in the winter! Or you would have to carry a ladder, broom, ice chipper and scraper and hope damage isn't done to the roof removing the snow and ice!!! Ridiculous!

All I'm stating is that this camper can't be used in the winter when many people do use their campers.

[mike-s]

time2roll wrote:
So Winter is just fine as long as you do not want to leave during a snowstorm...

Wait until he finds out that the pipes will freeze.

[time2roll]

So Winter is just fine as long as you do not want to leave during a snowstorm...

[BB_TX]

No surprise there. Those spring loaded struts are tensioned to raise/lower the weight of the upper sections. Extra weight due to snow/ice would overwhelm those springs as you started lowering the upper sections. And you probably could not even raise them if they were already down with snow/ice on top.

[dodge_guy]

Besides the snow load, they aren't very well insulated! Very little R value, even less than in a traditional trailer!

[mike-s]

I wouldn't expect any TT to be winter friendly, unless specifically marketed as a 4 season one.

[krobbe]

Seems like a fair warning to me. Snow and ice is heavy. I'd clear it off just so it doesn't create a big mess inside when it melted. Many trailers (like hybrids and popups) are suitable for warmer climates.
A better design than this Trailmanor was the HiLo and TowLow. Camped all over the US and Canada in the '70's in a TowLow as a kid. It didn't have an electric lift like the HiLo. It was my job to crank the big wheel(similar to a boat lift) to raise and lower it. Good times!

[downtheroad]

Every manual for every trailer out there is jammed with warnings and disclaimers....Lots of CYA stuff...

Warning:
"Propane is highly flammable."