How Much Snow Can an RV Roof Handle? 3 Important Tips for Protecting Your RV Roof in Winter

This article may contain compensated links, please read our disclaimer for more information.

Winter is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to start thinking about things like moving to warmer weather or winterizing your rig.

Another thing to think about? The snow that will inevitably end up on your RV roof should you stay in a cold area. But how much snow can an RV roof handle? Should you clean it off, and how do you go about that?

In this article, we will help you understand the answer to, “How much snow can an RV roof handle?” This will allow you to head into the winter season knowing exactly how to take care of your RV roof when the first snowstorm hits.

How Much Snow Can an RV Roof Handle?

Most RV roofs are designed to handle some snow, so if all you’ll see the whole winter is a light dusting, you probably don’t have much to worry about. That said, the roofs of RVs are not built for the weight of heavy accumulation, which is something that everyone in locations seeing a lot of snow will need to keep in mind.

How much snow can an RV roof handle? Generally speaking, the following is a good guide:

• Light Snow: A couple of inches to half a foot of light powdery snow is usually safe—as long as more snow doesn’t fall on top of it, which could cause it to build up and become heavy.
• Wet or Heavy Snow: Because it contains more water and less air, wet snow weighs significantly more than powder. This type of snow can weigh in at around 20 pounds per cubic foot, meaning that even a few inches of snow buildup can weigh quite a lot on your RV roof.
• Accumulation Limit: If you see more than 6–8 inches of any snow type, consider clearing it off. Remember, the weight of snow can add up fast and put undue stress on the roof structure. Additionally, melting snow has a tendency to make its way into any cracks and crevices it can find, often leading to leaks and costly water damage.

Keep in mind that any snow that has melted and refrozen is a lot harder to remove than fresh snow. Therefore, if you anticipate buildup, it is best to remove snow fairly quickly after it falls.

Tools to Remove Snow from RV Roof

Let’s say you’ve noticed that around 6 inches of wet snow has made itself at home on your RV roof. What do you do now? You gather the right tools for the job, of course!

The most important thing to keep in mind when preparing for RV roof snow removal is safety. Your RV roof is going to be extremely slippery when covered in snow, and you don’t want to put any extra stress on the roof, meaning walking on the roof is out. This means working with a ladder and long-handled tools that can reach across the roof.

Of course, you’ll also want to make sure you have a way to stay warm, as getting too cold while removing snow from your RV roof is also dangerous. This is where a coat, a hat, and quality waterproof work gloves come into play.

Besides staying safe, it’s also important to consider the preservation of your RV roof. Metal or plastic tools can easily slice through a rubber RV roof, leading to leaks and water damage. Therefore, foam brushes and soft-bristled rakes are your best bet.

RV Snow Removal Tool List

• Long-handled soft-bristle broom
• Long-handled foam brush
• Sturdy ladder
• Waterproof work gloves
• Hat, coat, and other warm layers

RV Snow Removal Methods

The best time to start your RV snow removal project is in the afternoon. This is when the sunlight is at its warmest, causing the snow and ice to soften and making it much easier to work with. As mentioned above, it’s also easier to work with fresh snow than it is to work with snow that has melted and refrozen. Therefore, tackling this task right after each snowfall can be helpful.

When removing snow from an RV roof, you may be tempted to use hot water to melt the snow. Don’t do this, as it can damage the roof. As mentioned above, you will also want to avoid using hard or sharp objects to remove snow buildup.

Instead, carefully use your long-handled brush or rake to remove the snow from one corner. Slowly work your way around the perimeter of the RV, making sure to reach all the way to the middle of the RV roof to remove the snow gathered there.

If you come across a particularly stuck-on bit of snow or ice, don’t get too rough with it. Instead, wait for that patch of buildup to melt and remove it at that point.

Protecting Your RV Roof from Snow

Knowing the answer to, “How much snow can an RV roof handle?” and then removing snow from your RV roof when it gets to be too much is a good way to help protect and preserve your RV roof. That said, there are better and easier ways to provide protection for your roof throughout the winter. The best option? Keeping snow off the roof entirely.

There are a few different ways you can ensure no snow ever touches your RV roof:

• The first option is to move south out of snowy weather. If you are able, this is the best option, as it also protects your RV plumbing system and batteries from the cold weather.
• Of course, not everyone can move south for winter. In these cases, we recommend trying to find a covered RV parking spot. This will keep snow off of your RV roof and may help keep your rig a bit warmer throughout the winter season.
• The final option is an RV cover. Unfortunately, this only works if you won’t be staying in the RV. If you use this method, make sure you use a cover specifically for RVs. It’s also important to understand that while snow removal will be easier when you cover your RV, and while leaks will be less likely, you will still need to get out there and remove snow buildup from the top of the cover from time to time to protect the structure of your RV roof.

The question, “How much snow can an RV roof handle?” is a great one that some people never even think to ask. Now that you know the answer, use this information to your advantage and take great care of your RV roof this winter. This will help ensure your RV stays in good shape for many more years of travel!

Fulltime Families is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.