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Old 05-09-2015, 05:31 PM   #1
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How much snow on a lifted pop top

This has always bothered me a bit. Thursday I was in a little storm and had about 2 feet of snow on the roof before I decided to knock it off. I know that the electric tops can lift about 200LBS according to SMB but I also have the extra weight of a full rack, glass solar panels and some lighting. I figure I already have an extra 130 or more pounds up there. Usually I put up four corner posts inside but I have to lower it to get the snow off. It makes me wonder what can be damaged to the motors or support rods with too much snow on the roof while it's coming down. I know what water weighs and that snow can be wet and heavier of light and fluffy. So has anybody had any issues lifting a electric pop top with snow on it? Those who have a manual lift probably know how much more heavy it is lifting your top with snow on it. Can you still push it up with that much snow on the roof? What do you think the weight of the snow is?

Thanks for any info.
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Old 05-09-2015, 05:41 PM   #2
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Re: How much snow on a lifted pop top

I got a 12-14 inch overnight snow in New England, raked off twice, had spotty 2 or 3 inches of twice-raked heavyish snow slush when I took out the support posts(grunt)... it was a surprise how heavy that thing was... I controlled the fall, but would have had no chance at relifting... gotta believe I would have damaged the mechanism in an attempt to relift. Manual top.

Yewwwww better believe there is more weight up there than ya' think... and them electric tops are reportedly pesky when they misbehave.
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Old 05-09-2015, 06:07 PM   #3
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Re: How much snow on a lifted pop top

Thanks Marc. I was glad I had an extendo squeegee to push the majority off. Guess I need a slightly taller ladder to do a better job though.
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Old 05-09-2015, 09:47 PM   #4
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Re: How much snow on a lifted pop top

A rule of thumb is a cubic foot of heavy, wet snow ~20lbs. If penthouse top is ~4'*10' that could be 800 pounds if a foot deep. "Light" fluffy snow could weigh 1/4 of that..... 200 pounds on a 4 foot x 10 foot roof and a foot deep.

If going to camp in snow, might want to take along a snow rake to take the load off the roof before lowering. I have one but use it to take snow off our home roof in the winter, don't winter camp. Think I would also use four corner braces. A 16 foot snow rake costs $40-$50.
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Old 05-10-2015, 10:49 AM   #5
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Re: How much snow on a lifted pop top

Thanks Len, that helps a lot. My RV squeegee works good enough for the snow while also making double duty when cleaning the windshield which is very difficult on a lifted van. I just ordered one of those Telescoping ladders that was on sale. One thing good about all this is I saved 90 bucks and now I have a better ladder to use when cleaning the Solar panels.
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Old 05-10-2015, 01:34 PM   #6
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Re: How much snow on a lifted pop top

Where the heck did you get 2 FEET of snow this time of year?
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Old 05-10-2015, 03:35 PM   #7
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Re: How much snow on a lifted pop top

Quote:
Originally Posted by Viejo
Where the heck did you get 2 FEET of snow this time of year?
Sonora Pass:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=16084&start=0

And from what I was seeing the spot I was in funneled in the snow more than other areas I saw.
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