Snowloading on the roof

[HKF]

Back in 2020, pappajohn wrote in the Benimar section;

"If you can't walk on your roof then store it under cover in winter. An average 26ft motorhome could have a foot of snow on the roof.... That's nearly 1000kg of fresh snow.....around 12 to 14 men."

So, I'm wondering how this affects taking a MoHo to, for example, the Alps . Is it something to consider or is it not a worry, please? Thank you

 

[Lynne Roy]

We take a soft brush to try and clean it off

 

[68c]

According to this website a cubic foot of snow can weigh from about 4 to 20lbs. Fresh, settled, wind blown etc. Of course snow is evenly distributed rather than concentrated when you walk on the roof. Do not worry, very unlikely to be a problem even when skiing.

Snow Weight Calculator

Calculate how much snow weighs using dimensions, area, or volume measurements. Learn the density of snow and the formulas to find weight.

www.inchcalculator.com

 

[Itsmcb]

It doesn't worry the hundreds of people who use their motorhomes to go skiing, including me! So NO is my answer.

 

[Itsmcb]

We take a soft brush to try and clean it off

Yes best swept off whilst still fresh and fluffy

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[HKF]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your replies. We're new to MoHo-ing so will no doubt have lots more silly questions coming up soon

 

[Lenny HB]

It doesn't worry the hundreds of people who use their motorhomes to go skiing, including me! So NO is my answer.

Most have vans with bonded roofs so if your roof is of bonded construction I would say fine. A lot of older vans particularly Brit built don't have bonded roofs so I don't think it would be advisable with them.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

If you can't walk on your roof then store it under cover in winter. An average 26ft motorhome could have a foot of snow on the roof.... That's nearly 1000kg of fresh snow.....around 12 to 14 men."

Is that snowmen?

 

[Scotch mist]

The time to worry is when you have a foot of snow on the roof & it starts to rain , it becomes like a sponge holding a huge amount of water & weight , so if you find yourself in that situation sweep it of otherwise snow is fine

 

[82125]

cant reach my roof and dont have a ladder, ill just have to turn the heating up!

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[bigtwin]

Nothing to worry about; the point loading isn’t very high which is what you’re concerned about if a person was standing on the roof.

There may, however, be other reasons why you might want to remove any build up of snow on the roof.

Ian

 

[Marty Gilly and Pup]

Might not get too much from the solar panel under these scenarios lol

 

[RM_Marine]

I have a auto trail apache 700 on a 2014 plate and was wondering about skiing in the alps, but didnt know if the van would be able to do it without dieing

All the roof lights would be resealed as the rear one leaked this winter before I went and had gaslow fitted to make life easier while away

 

[Kirsten]

Our car was buried under 3 or 4 FEET of snow in alpe d huez a few years ago - we needed to dig it out obs ... first 18 inch high shovelful I almost fell backwards lifting it as it weighed no more than the shovel imo- snow crystals - dry and spaced out utterly like foam ...no good for making snowmen like our uk wet sludge ....

 

[Bessy765]

There is a marked difference between standing on a motorhome roof where all you weight is focused in a small area and a covering of snow evenly spread. A bigger problem could arise if you drive off with a roof full of snow. We carry a long rope with several large knots over the middle section and pull it gently backwards and forward over the roof taking care around any roof lights. This will shift a surprising amount of show off the roof.

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