Understanding the Dangers of Snowfall Accumulation on Caravan Awnings

Understanding the Dangers of Snowfall Accumulation on Caravan Awnings (And How to Prevent It).

For many caravan owners in the UK, winter can be a challenging season. While it may be tempting to leave your awning set up over the colder months, it’s important to understand the risks associated with snowfall accumulation on your caravan awnings roof fabric. Snow may seem light and harmless, but it can quickly become a serious threat to the structural integrity of your awning. In this article, we’ll explore the issues caused by snow accumulation and provide practical prevention tips to keep your awning in good condition throughout the winter months.

The Problem: Snowfall Accumulation and Extra Weight
One of the main dangers of snow accumulation on a caravan awning is the additional weight it places on the structure. As snow settles on the roof fabric, it adds approximately 2.2 kilograms of weight for every square meter of awning roof material, for every 1 cm depth of settled snowfall. While this may sound insignificant, this extra weight can put immense pressure on the frame and fabric, especially when compounded over multiple days of snowfall.

The frame of a caravan awning, even a heavy-duty one, is designed to support certain loads, but the weight of accumulated snow can exceed the design limits, leading to deformation or failure of the steel frame. This could cause the awning to collapse, damaging both the awning and your caravan. Furthermore, when the snow starts to melt and refreeze, it can create ice dams that add even more potential weight and strain on the awning structure.

Have a look at the table below which shows the approximate additional weight of 1cm of settled snow on different awning sizes, the additional weight may surprise you.

Key Problems Caused by Snow Accumulation

1.    Frame Failure: The steel frame may bend or buckle under the additional weight. The connection points of the frame, especially at joints, are particularly vulnerable to this additional stress.
2.    Sagging Roof Fabric: As snow accumulates, the roof fabric of your awning may sag, causing it to stretch and lose its tension. This not only affects the appearance but can also cause the fabric to tear or sustain permanent damage.
3.    Collapsed Awnings: In severe cases, the combined weight of snow and ice can lead to the complete collapse of the awning. This could result in costly repairs or the need for a full awning replacement.
4.    Water Damage: If snow accumulates and melts unevenly, water can collect on the awning fabric or pool, potentially causing water damage to the awning fabric or the caravan itself.

Prevention Measures to Protect Your Caravan Awning from Snow

Chose a specialist winter awning where possible. Not all seasonal awnings are designed for use out of season during the winter months. If you decide to continue to use your seasonal awning during the winter period, the good news is that with proper preparation, you can protect your caravan awning from the weight of snow and avoid costly damage. Remember that leaving your awning pitched throughout the winter unattended is not recommended and should only be considered if you are occupying the awning and caravan during these extreme conditions. Failing to follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines will almost certainly invalidate your product warranty.
Here are some strategies which may help:

1. Increase Roof Support with Extra Poles
Additional roof poles can provide crucial support to your awnings structure during snowfall. Both Protec Roof Raisers and Roof Rafter Poles are essential, as they help water and snow slid harmlessly off the awning roof and help to distribute the weight of any settling snow more evenly across the frame. The Soplair and CampTech awnings we supply come with the option to add extra poles for this very reason, helping to prevent rainwater from pooling and causing sagging or a frame failure during snowy conditions.

2. Use Storm Poles for Added Stability
In addition to roof poles, it’s important to install side and central storm poles when snow is forecast. These poles reinforce the awnings frame and prevent the structure from shifting or becoming unstable under heavy snow loads. The extra stability provided by these awning poles is especially critical when the snow accumulates over time. Pro Tip: Use Front Upright Support Poles inside the awning to provide additional roof support. An upright support halfway between your caravan and the front of the awning on the central pole, and both the side poles, can prevent the main framework from failing. 

3. Ensure Proper Tensioning of the Awning Fabric
A well-tensioned awning fabric is essential for ensuring that snow doesn’t collect in pockets, which could add excessive weight to specific areas of the roof. Make sure that your awning is properly secured with storm straps. These straps combined with correct fabric pegging, should be tightened to keep the fabric taut, reducing the chances of sagging that can occur during snow accumulation.

4. Regularly Remove Snow During Severe Conditions
During potential snowfall conditions, the best course of action is to remove the snow from the roof of your awning regularly. If you are unable to monitor your awning constantly, it’s advisable to take the awning down entirely. Even if you do not remove it, regularly clearing the snow from the roof helps to prevent excessive weight buildup. If you are not occupying your caravan and awning during the winter months, Awning Ace strongly recommend taking your awning down and packing it away safely. Prevention is always better than cure and mother nature will always win in the end!

5. Monitor the Weather and Act Quickly
As a general rule, always keep an eye on the weather forecast during the winter months. If heavy snow is expected, it’s a good idea to check your awning regularly and clear off any snow that has already settled. If the snow falls continuously, make sure to clear it periodically to prevent it from accumulating to dangerous levels. Better still, take your awning down.

Final Thoughts
Snowfall accumulation on your caravan awning can be a serious problem if not properly managed. Fortunately, by taking proactive measures such as adding extra support poles, ensuring proper tensioning, and removing snow promptly, you can protect your awning and avoid the costly repairs associated with frame failure or collapsed awnings.

At Awning Ace, we stock high-quality CampTech and Soplair caravan awnings designed to withstand normal UK weather conditions, including limited snowfall. By following these simple prevention tips, you can enjoy your seasonal pitch without worrying about the risks of excessive snow buildup.

If you need advice or assistance on how to best maintain your awning, or would like to explore additional support products, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We're here to help ensure your awning performs well throughout the colder months, so you can enjoy your camping experience year-round