Trailer Roof Snow Removal

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by 2ndAct, Jan 6, 2015.

  1. 2ndAct

    2ndAct Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2014
    Suffern,NY
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    I know many states have laws regarding removing accumulated snow from the roofs of cars and trucks before getting on highways. For vans, do you keep a long ladder in the trailer and go up with a shovel?

    Thanks.
     
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  3. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Best way to remove it is, to find a 13ft 7 inch bridge.
     
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  4. marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    Neenah, WI
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    I use 13'6" bridges, I like it taken down nice and close.
     
  5. Voyager1968

    Voyager1968 Road Train Member

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    There is a company that makes a roof rake for trailers, but I really can't see it working on anything but a dry, powdery type of snow. Get a snow, sleet, freezing rain mix, or let a trailer go through a day of freeze/thaw/freeze, and I'll bet it's pretty much useless.

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 9, 2015
  6. STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    I have never seen a trucker on top of a van/reefer removing snow with a shovel. If I was ever told to do so, a fight would ensue. It's trailers that have sat for more then a few days where partial melting and refreezing has occurred that are the biggest problem. In northern climates, many operations who might have a lot of trailers sit have a "trailer scraper", and the yard jockey runs them through or you can drive through, but they rarely work like you'd want them to. So many times we just have to take our chances and go. New snow is rarely a hazard blowing off. But the rest is just an occupational hazard. But not as hazardous as falling off a 13 foot ice-covered platform with no railings.
     
  7. marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    Neenah, WI
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    Anyone willing to climb up and walk around up there lacks an understanding in just how thin those trailer roofs are.
     
  8. 2ndAct

    2ndAct Bobtail Member

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    Oct 22, 2014
    Suffern,NY
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    glad to hear - the idea didn't excite me very much.
     
  9. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Totally impractical but

    the truck wash is the only sure thing.........:biggrin_25513:
     
  10. crzyjarmans

    crzyjarmans Road Train Member

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    Back about 10 years ago or so, I picked up a pre-loaded trailer in northern PA, the trailer had about a foot of snow on top, shipper said "before I can give you the bills, you need to remove snow from the roof, but you must pull off the property before getting on the roof" told him, "I guess I'm leaving here with the empty I brought in then!" Guy got pissed said he was going to call my company, told go ahead, he called and told them I'm refusing the load, no mention of the snow on the roof part, he hands me the phone and they ask me what's going on, I told them they want me to get on the roof to remove the snow before they'll give me the bills, and I have to pull off property first, I'm not getting on a snow covered trailer roof, they agreed, I left with the empty, company told them they would need to remove snow before they will send another driver to pick up load
     
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  11. d281833

    d281833 Heavy Load Member

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    Now that's what I'm talkin' about!
     
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