Community Forums

rvftnewbie · 12-19-2015, 01:38 PM

Anyone have a suggestion on how to remove snow and ice on the awnings that go over my slides? I was caught unaware it was going to snow and had my slides out. Now I have about 4 inches of heavy snow and ice frozen on the fabric over the slides that's sagged. I want to do it from the ground as ladders aren't an option for me. It's been 4 days and little melting has helped some but not enough to get them in now.

Cousin Ed · 12-19-2015, 01:44 PM

I used a spray wand (attached to water hose); it took a couple of hours. I now put in all the slides if it's going to snow.

Ranger Smith · 12-19-2015, 02:24 PM

Go to the Keys for the winter ! ! !

Bruce C · 12-19-2015, 03:35 PM

I just put my slides in, when the toppers roll it will roll the snow off and it will fall on to the ground not into the topper. I'd put them out once the snow is off to let everything come back to normal. Once dry your all set..

SteveSkinner · 12-19-2015, 04:01 PM

I staying at Tiger Run for 2 weeks in late January and was wondering the same question.
I'm guessing the awnings will freeze due to heat loss thru the slide melting the snow so just sweeping the snow off won't work.
The hose idea will work only on the proviso we won't use the slide again till well above freezing.
Another option might be to put a tarp over the topper so it didn't get wet, but then a winter storm would blow the tarp away.
I've allowed myself 4 days to get back to Dallas- I figure a reasonable weather window.
Case of suck it and see I guess

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Knightly · 12-19-2015, 04:30 PM

I had the same thing happen at Bryce Canyon a couple of years ago. I had the wife retract the slide a few inches at a time while I used my wash brush with handle extended to remove the snow. This only works well depending on the type of snow and temperature. If you have not had a melt, then refreeze, it is usually easier to brush it off using above method. Good Luck,

navigator336 · 12-19-2015, 04:36 PM

I've only been in the RV once when it snowed, and that was just a dusting so I have no practical experience with your problem. This might be crazy, but it might also be worth a try. If you have a rope long enough you could roll a big towel around the center of the rope then duct tape it in place. Then throw one end of the rope up and over the slide topper as close to the RV attachment point as possible. Then pull the rope until the towel roll section is on top of the topper. Finally, with a helper on one end of the rope and you on the other, 'saw' the rope back and forth to knock the snow off. Now if the fabric is iced you will probably need to crack it (the ice that is). If you have some light but sturdy piece of smooth plastic like a plastic bin or wash tub (or a big pillow in a trash bag) you could attach the same rope to it then feed the rope between the slide and the topper (may require a lucky throw or a brief period on a ladder). Then with the helper, pull the plastic tub or pillow back and forth between the slide and topper fabric which should crack the ice assuming the bin or pillow is taller than the gap between the slide and topper. Like I mentioned, this may be a crazy idea.

Ray,IN · 12-19-2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce C

I just put my slides in, when the toppers roll it will roll the snow off and it will fall on to the ground not into the topper. I'd put them out once the snow is off to let everything come back to normal. Once dry your all set..

As the topper winds up on the roller, snow or water or ice just fall off. It's not pleasant though if you're standing beside the slide and DW retracts it.

Some friends have an Essex that has a casing surrounding the topper roller. Snow N ice get jambed up in the housing and prevents the awning from rewinding. He said ASAP he is replacing the "upscale" toppers and installing Carefree toppers like mine.

Smitty77 · 12-20-2015, 10:47 PM

We to stayed at Tigers Run with about 3-4" of snow a few years ago. No way we could get our slides in, as that snow had become ice, and as has been mentioned - the slide topper rollers were also frozen and would not roll in.

Not what the OP asked, as ladder was specifically not an option. Perhaps hire someone to come help you, as the quickest way to get this off and the slides in, is a combo of mechanical slide topper cleaning, and then deicing the rollers.

I used a combo of broom, windshield squeegee to scrape off as much snow and ice as I could. Then spent quite a bit of time with the DW's hair drier, warming the edges of the Carefree hard cover. (Note that this was a hard cover awning, possibly an awing with no cover would behave differently (as suggested) where the snow/ice would fall off as part of the rolling in process).

We lost three-four hours getting underway, and advised the park that we might be late checking out, due to not being able to get our slides in.

So our lessoned learned, for our coach, was if we expect snow and we must get underway early the next day - we bring in the slides.

And, I also admit that we very much remain rookies in snow an ice conditions...

Best to all,
Smitty

twojayhawks · 12-21-2015, 10:56 AM

To the OP
A light dusting of snow probably requires no steps on your part as you can run the slide in as always. If there is any ice DO NOT run them in unless you are watching while wife runs the slide in. We have suffered topper damage running slides in with ice stuck to the topper. No it doesn't always just "fall" off when slide comes in. Suggestions are to carry a telescopic pole with brush and clean off. Then maybe the rest will melt with sun light and they will be clean enough to retract.

MSHappyCampers · 12-21-2015, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce C

I just put my slides in, when the toppers roll it will roll the snow off and it will fall on to the ground not into the topper. I'd put them out once the snow is off to let everything come back to normal. Once dry your all set..

Yup!

SteveSkinner · 12-22-2015, 12:47 AM

I have Girrard Awnings.
I have a ladder a broom and a hose
I guess I'll be using all 3

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holycow · 12-23-2015, 02:54 PM

Roof Rake. Pretty common in the east and in areas that have a lot of snow fall. Raking snow off of roofs is what they are for. I doubt though, whether you would want to carry one with you.