Snow: how much is too much?

[Horseshoe]

I’m heading up to Arizona Snowbowl tonight and the forecast calls for 5-8” of spring snow. I’ve been through one storm before with maybe 4” accumulation, and the weight was noticeable but manageable. I’ve since added a 160W solar panel right above the door, and the potential added weight makes me a bit nervous. I will be solo and don’t relish the prospect of a collapsing roof.

Am I being paranoid if I drop the roof before going to bed and sleep on the couch? I do have the lift struts and stronger than average upper body strength, but I don’t want to get smashed or do any structural damage.

 

[DanoT]

I use my Phoenix camper mostly in winter and I carry a snow rake and 3 step ladder. If your roof is strong enough to walk on, then 8" of snow shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Bseek]

Better safe than sorry. If you can sleep top down, I would. But I am a scardy cat.

 

[smlobx]

I can't imagine 5-8 inches of snow evenly distributed will cause your roof to collapse....

 

[JaSAn]

Worst case wet snow weights 1.66 lbs/sq.ft. per inch deep.

I cut 2X3s to prop the roof up as a fail-safe; the roof is not coming down without it breaking. Easy to make, simple to store, takes a couple of seconds to set up.

jim

 

[Bseek]

For me it isn't worrying about the roof when it is up, but going down. That might put a lot of stress on the folding panels and the rivets connecting them to the base as things move under pressure.

 

[Bill D]

I've never seen anybody report collapsing or damage due to snow or ice build up.
I have only seen posts of people worried about it.

If I'm wrong, please point out the thread.

 

[PackRat]

If you wanted to you could throw a tarp over the top with a rope on each corner once you make camp before there is any snow build up. After some snow falls, two of you can pull the tarp to one side and dump the snow before it gets dark, then go to the other side and pull the tarp back into position. In the morning or when it is time to vamoose, pull it completely off.

 

[shellback]

If you wanted to you could throw a tarp over the top with a rope on each corner once you make camp before there is any snow build up. After some snow falls, two of you can pull the tarp to one side and dump the snow before it gets dark, then go to the other side and pull the tarp back into position. In the morning or when it is time to vamoose, pull it completely off.

That's an excellent idea!

 

[takesiteasy]

If you wanted to you could throw a tarp over the top with a rope on each corner once you make camp before there is any snow build up. After some snow falls, two of you can pull the tarp to one side and dump the snow before it gets dark, then go to the other side and pull the tarp back into position. In the morning or when it is time to vamoose, pull it completely off.

I like this idea too! I wonder if the tarp might catch on things on the roof like solar panels or racks but I think the idea is sound.

 

[klahanie]

If concerned I'd sleep top down. If the roof collapses on your face in the night who's gonna help you. Would it ? prob not. we've had about 8" overnight, unexpected. But why risk it ? Peace of mind helps me sleep.

And it seems to me it would be a lot easier to clear off the roof in the morning if it was down.

Tarp is a good idea but snags on our rack.

I've slithered over the FWC roof but haven't walked on. Has anyone ?

Have also used wood blocking for backup (1x6s) but found them hard to stay in place. Now sometimes use quick claps, reassembled with the handle and stop flipped outwards. Under tension they stay in place. Use them when carrying a canoe for eg. Don't know how strong but reckon if placed in the overcab area the rear roof would go down first.

 

[Edgewood]

I've never seen anybody report collapsing or damage due to snow or ice build up.
I have only seen posts of people worried about it.

If I'm wrong, please point out the thread.

I was at Lassen National park a few years ago where I was on the backcountry ski patrol. First day there it rained hard...all day long. I don't really like skiing in the rain so I stayed in the camper and read. That night the rain turned to heavy wet snow. About six in the morning the dog was making noises like she wanted to go outside to pee. As I slid off the loft bed, the rear of the camper roof collapsed. We spilled out of the camper wondering WTF. Eighteen inches of new snow lay on the ground. Spend some time clearing off the snow from the roof. I was then able to raise the collapsed portion of the roof. The aluminum uprights that are on the lift panel were twisted from the stress.
Let me be absolutely clear here. If both ends of the roof had collapsed at the same time...well I would not be here to write this. Pretty scary.
I now use the wooden braces mentioned above to keep the roof up.

 

[Oakleyrossi]

We just went through a large storm cycle in here in Tahoe. Camped at the resort and cleared about 12' off the roof before bed and woke up again at 6am to another 12 inches on the roof. Used the ladder and broom to clean it off before heading back in for some food. Cleaned it one more time before lowering to go skiing and had no problem. Grant it we did receive incredibly light snow for Tahoe with 15+:1 water ratio's so not really the weight a true Sierra storm can produce

 

[Bill D]

I was at Lassen National park a few years ago where I was on the backcountry ski patrol. First day there it rained hard...all day long. I don't really like skiing in the rain so I stayed in the camper and read. That night the rain turned to heavy wet snow. About six in the morning the dog was making noises like she wanted to go outside to pee. As I slid off the loft bed, the rear of the camper roof collapsed. We spilled out of the camper wondering WTF. Eighteen inches of new snow lay on the ground. Spend some time clearing off the snow from the roof. I was then able to raise the collapsed portion of the roof. The aluminum uprights that are on the lift panel were twisted from the stress.
Let me be absolutely clear here. If both ends of the roof had collapsed at the same time...well I would not be here to write this. Pretty scary.
I now use the wooden braces mentioned above to keep the roof up.

Based on calculations you had over 2000 lbs of snow on your roof.
70 Sq ft * 1.66 * 18

 

[DanoT]

We just went through a large storm cycle in here in Tahoe. Camped at the resort and cleared about 12' off the roof before bed and woke up again at 6am to another 12 inches on the roof. Used the ladder and broom to clean it off before heading back in for some food. Cleaned it one more time before lowering to go skiing and had no problem. Grant it we did receive incredibly light snow for Tahoe with 15+:1 water ratio's so not really the weight a true Sierra storm can produce

How did you determine the "water ratio"?

 

[DanoT]

We just went through a large storm cycle in here in Tahoe. Camped at the resort and cleared about 12' off the roof before bed and woke up again at 6am to another 12 inches on the roof. Used the ladder and broom to clean it off before heading back in for some food. Cleaned it one more time before lowering to go skiing and had no problem. Grant it we did receive incredibly light snow for Tahoe with 15+:1 water ratio's so not really the weight a true Sierra storm can produce

How did you determine the "water ratio"?

 

[klahanie]

Let me be absolutely clear here. If both ends of the roof had collapsed at the same time...well I would not be here to write this.

LOL, dead men don't talk. No report, no problem.

Thanks for the post and glad you can make it !

 

[Edgewood]

Yeah me too. Another thousand feet up and the skiing was sublime!

 

[Oakleyrossi]

How did you determine the "water ratio"?

DanoT - My good buddy is the weather and avalanche forecaster for the patrol. Just going off what he was telling me, so not an exact science by any means

 

[JaSAn]

How did you determine the "water ratio"?

The National Weather Service publishes data daily on measured snowfall amounts and snowfall water content. Water ratio of new snow can be obtained by simple division. I would assume that a ski area would have a NWS weather reporting station, and is collecting and reporting that data.