Snow removal

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Geared to the more northerly members, I'm curious as to the safest way to remove snow from the trailer. I'm doing it because I'll be dragging it south soon and I don't believe it is either safe or legal to take off with 15cm of snow on the roof.
I went and tested removing it by chopping with my hands and it worked...but kind of slow. I'm too afraid of breaking something if I use a shovel.
Any ideas out there as to the best, safe way to remove snow?
And is shuffling around on your hands and knees on the TPO roof, harmful to the TPO? In some spots there is about a 1/8" layer of ice frozen to the TPO. I'll leave it as is but is stepping on it perhaps hard on the TPO?
🤔

[Jkwilson]

I’d advise against getting on a roof with snow. Might exit quickly and unexpectedly.

A broom or brush would be better.

Turning the furnace on for a few hours might be easiest.

[TedS]

Use a roof rake.

[Jlawles2]

Have you tried a blower? What about a standard push broom?

Be very cautious as ice and heights do not mix. I might be temped to brush what I could and then when driving find an un occupied road for a short period (3-5 miles) and see how much blows off at normal speeds. My few dealings with it have been once broken up it tends to dissipate as a mist more or less, not large clumps. Although I have seen 18wheeler box trucks with 30cm or so on top flying down the roads with it disembarking in large sections. Most luckily were not solidified, instead just large sections with no real cohesion.

Take my advice with a very large grain of salt as snow is not in our normal winter forecast.

[TedS]

Wet snow does not blow away or sweep away very easily.

[NoPeeking]

How about heading south before the weather turns cold. (Somebody had to say it.)

I vote push broom... just can't see dragging a roof rake across the TPO.

... and be mindful of all the cold and brittle plastic accoutrements up there.

Mike

[Scott'n'Wendy]

How about heading south before the weather turns cold. (Somebody had to say it.)

Mike

We are planning on leaving the trailer in Kansas or similar for next year. Leaving before the cold here means October/November...

[NoPeeking]

We are planning on leaving the trailer in Kansas or similar for next year. Leaving before the cold here means October/November...

Nice! We in S/W Ontario have had little winter this year... a light dusting of snow on the pineapples in December and nothing more. Still, I'm all for flip-flops from November to April.

[Canyonlight]

Scott'n'Wendy - long time GDRV Momentum owner Dallas d2reid has spent more time in the snow and dealing with cold and ice than anyone I can recall. He has shared on the other forum a number of times over the years his methods for snow and ice removal. He and his wife are ski patrol team members at various ski resorts and all around avid outdoors (year round) folks.

Hopefully Dallas will chime in or possibly you may want to PM him. Thanks, in advance Dallas. He was also a moderator on the other GDRV forum.

Dan

[Country Campers]

Sorry but I just could not resist, snow does not get on the roof at all.



Brian

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Sorry but I just could not resist, snow does not get on the roof at all.



Brian

Nice!!
I see if we get that truck out of the right hand bay, my trailer should fit. When should I bring it by? Hmmm?

I built my garage for my 440 Dodge Challenger. Now I wish I had built it two, three feet higher......

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Nice! We in S/W Ontario have had little winter this year... a light dusting of snow on the pineapples in December and nothing more. Still, I'm all for flip-flops from November to April.

I'm with ya! However, swmbo would never think of a Christmas without snow. I'm good with palm trees..lol

Whereabouts in SW Ontario? My cousin lives in Innerkip. Another in London. Another in Don Mills. One in Ancaster. More family in Haliburton. We're the northern wing of the group.

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Thanks, in advance Dallas. He was also a moderator on the other GDRV forum.

Dan

Thanks
I will have to go look up some of Dallas' posts.

[Country Campers]

Nice!!
I see if we get that truck out of the right hand bay, my trailer should fit. When should I bring it by? Hmmm?

I built my garage for my 440 Dodge Challenger. Now I wish I had built it two, three feet higher......

The back half of the truck side is 2 story inside so anything longer than 25 feet will not fit, the truck does not winter in there either, that side is my work shop.

I would remove the snow with a broom and from a ladder, I would not get on that roof for any amount of money.

Brian

[Cate&Rob]

Hi Scott,

I have done this by pulling the snow with a T shaped broom (a push broom) from a 12’ step ladder. I would stay off the roof for all the reasons explained earlier in this thread. There is definitely something to be said for heading south before freeze-up. Certainly easier on the trailer and on the driver! If you are visiting family in SW Ontario, look us up . . . we are in the area you mentioned.

Rob