6 Best Snow Brushes For RV Windshields In Winter That Nomads Swear By
What the pros use to clear their RV windshields.
Waking up to a foot of fresh powder blanketing your RV is magical, right up until you realize you can’t see out of your windshield. In the world of nomadic living, a simple car snow brush just doesn’t cut it. Your rig is taller, wider, and has more surface area than any sedan, and clearing it safely and efficiently requires the right tool.
A proper snow brush for an RV isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental piece of safety equipment. It ensures you have a clear field of vision before you pull out of your site, and it helps you clear your roof to prevent dangerous ice sheets from flying off and endangering other drivers. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about being a responsible member of the traveling community.
Choosing the right one involves balancing reach, storage space, and the type of snow you’ll encounter. A massive Class A parked in a Utah ski resort has vastly different needs than a campervan weathering a surprise flurry in Texas. The best tool is always the one that fits your specific rig and your travel plans.
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Clear Your Big Rig View With These Top Snow Brushes
The first thing you learn when wintering in an RV is that standard automotive tools are built for a different scale. That flimsy 24-inch brush from the gas station won’t even reach the center of your windshield, let alone the top. You need something with serious extension, a durable build, and a head designed to move a lot of snow, fast.
This isn’t just about the windshield, either. You’re responsible for clearing the entire vehicle, including the roof, slide-outs, and solar panels. A tool that can handle all these tasks without damaging your rig’s surfaces is essential. The models that seasoned nomads rely on are built for these oversized challenges.
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We’re looking at tools that prioritize reach, durability, and smart design. From foam heads that protect your paint to ultra-long handles that save you from climbing a slippery ladder, these are the snow brushes that have earned their place in the storage bays of full-time RVers. They solve a real, practical problem that every cold-weather traveler faces.
Snow MOOver: Your Best Bet for Heavy, Wet Snow
Effortlessly clear snow and ice with the Snow MOOver Extendable Snow Brush. Its 39-inch reach tackles large vehicles, while the dual-action brush and squeegee head handles snow and slush, and the detachable ice scraper removes stubborn ice.
When you’re dealing with that heavy, slushy snow that weighs a ton, traditional bristles can feel like you’re trying to sweep the ocean. The Snow MOOver, and others like it, use a thick, oversized foam head. This design allows you to push large amounts of snow with each pass, rather than just brushing it.
The extendable handle is the real game-changer for RV life. It provides the leverage and reach needed to clear the top of a tall cab-over or the middle of a wide, single-pane windshield without excessive strain. This means you can clear your rig faster and get on with your day, whether that’s hitting the slopes or heading south.
The main trade-off here is storage. A large foam head and a telescoping pole don’t pack down small. You’ll need a dedicated spot in an external bay or a "garage" space, as it’s likely too bulky for most interior closets. For those who consistently face heavy snow, however, the space is a worthy sacrifice for the performance.
Hopkins SubZero: The Classic, Reliable Ice Scraper
Clear snow and ice with the SubZero 60" Snowbroom. Its pivoting head and integrated squeegee offer versatile cleaning, while the quick-lock extension pole provides comfortable reach for trucks, SUVs, and RVs.
There’s a reason you see Hopkins SubZero brushes at every truck stop in the country: they are workhorses. This tool combines a classic bristle brush with a seriously effective ice scraper, often featuring a dedicated ice chipper on the back. When you wake up to a windshield encased in a quarter-inch of ice, this is the kind of tool you’ll be glad to have.
Many SubZero models feature a telescoping handle, making them a viable option for Class C and smaller Class A rigs. The oval-shaped aluminum pole is strong and doesn’t twist under pressure, giving you confidence when you’re scraping hard-to-reach ice patches. It’s a no-nonsense design that simply works.
This isn’t the most delicate tool, so you’ll want to be mindful around painted surfaces and decals. But for pure ice-and-snow-clearing power on glass and roofs, its reliability is unmatched. It’s an affordable, widely available, and dependable choice that makes a great primary tool or a backup for more specialized brushes.
AstroAI 27” Brush: Compact Power for Your Van Life
For van lifers and those in smaller Class B or truck campers, every square inch of storage matters. A 50-inch telescoping snow brush is often overkill and a storage nightmare. The AstroAI 27” brush is a perfect example of a compact tool that gets the job done without dominating your limited space.
These smaller brushes are often designed to be detachable, breaking down into a brush head, scraper, and pole. This allows you to tuck the components into a drawer, a door pocket, or a small bin. While 27 inches may not seem like much, it’s typically enough to clear the windshield of a Sprinter, Transit, or ProMaster van from one side.
The compromise is obvious: you’re sacrificing reach for storability. This tool is not for a big rig. But for a smaller conversion van, it provides the perfect balance of function and a minimal footprint, proving that the best gear is always scaled to your specific living space.
Mallory 532: Reach Every Corner of Your Class A
The windshield on a Class A motorhome is less a window and more a panoramic wall of glass. Clearing it requires a tool with maximum reach, and the Mallory 532 and similar models are built for exactly that. With extensions often reaching 50 inches or more, they allow you to stand safely on the ground and clear the entire surface.
A key feature on these long-reach brushes is a pivoting head. This allows you to change the angle of the brush, making it easier to pull snow down from the top or sweep it sideways across the wide expanse. The sturdy, often thicker-gauge pole is designed to handle the leverage without bending or breaking.
This is a specialized tool for a specialized vehicle. It’s bulky and it’s more than most people need, but for a Class A owner, it’s essential. Trying to clear that massive windshield with anything less is inefficient and can even be unsafe if it tempts you to stand on your entry steps.
True Temper Scratch-Free: Protect Your Paint Job
Quickly clear snow with the True Temper telescoping snow brush. Its scratch-free foam head and pivoting design easily remove snow from any area, while the built-in ice scraper tackles tough ice.
Your RV is a huge investment, and the last thing you want to do is scratch the full-body paint or custom decals while clearing snow. The True Temper Scratch-Free brush uses a wide, paddle-like EVA foam head. This material is non-abrasive and pushes snow off surfaces without dragging grit and dirt across them.
This design is especially valuable for more than just your windshield. You can confidently clear snow from your slide-out toppers and, most importantly, your solar panels. Bristles can cause micro-scratches on solar panel surfaces that, over time, can accumulate and slightly reduce their power-generating efficiency. A foam head eliminates that risk.
The downside is that foam heads are less effective on stubborn, frozen-on ice compared to a dedicated scraper. Many users pair a scratch-free pusher with a small, handheld ice scraper for the windows. It’s a two-tool solution, but one that offers the best protection for your rig’s expensive finishes.
SnoBrum: The Pro Choice for Clearing Deep Drifts
If you spend your winters in serious snow country, you need a serious snow tool. The SnoBrum is what car dealerships use to clear entire lots for a reason: it moves a massive volume of snow with incredible speed. It’s essentially a wide, commercial-grade foam head on a long pole, designed for one thing only.
The technique is different from a brush; you use the SnoBrum to push deep snow off flat surfaces like your roof and hood in large sheets. This is far more efficient than trying to sweep a foot of heavy powder with bristles. For clearing a buried RV after a major storm, nothing is faster.
Be aware, the SnoBrum is a specialist. It typically does not include an ice scraper, and its large size makes it one of the most challenging tools to store. This isn’t for the RVer who sees an occasional flurry. It’s for the dedicated winter nomad who measures snowfall in feet, not inches, and prioritizes performance above all else.
How to Choose the Right Snow Brush for Your Rig
The single most important factor in choosing a snow brush is the size of your RV. Before you look at any features, figure out the minimum reach you need to comfortably clear the center and top of your windshield and cab while standing on the ground. This will immediately narrow your options.
With your required length in mind, consider these key factors. There is no single "best" brush, only the best one for your situation.
- Head Type: Soft bristles are fine for light, fluffy snow. A wide foam head is superior for heavy, wet snow and for protecting paint and solar panels.
- Ice Scraper: Don’t overlook this. A flimsy scraper is useless against thick ice. Look for a robust, wide blade, and bonus points for separate ice-chipping teeth.
- Storage Space: Be realistic about where you will store a 4-foot pole. If you’re tight on space, a more compact or detachable model might be a better, more practical choice than the highest-performing giant.
- Build Quality: A telescoping handle is only useful if the locking mechanism is strong. Look for sturdy aluminum poles and securely attached heads that won’t snap off under the weight of wet snow.
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Ultimately, your choice reflects your travel style. If you chase 70-degree weather and only risk a freak snowstorm, a compact brush will do. But if you’re setting up for a winter near a ski resort, investing in a heavy-duty, long-reach tool isn’t just a good idea—it’s a necessity for a safe and hassle-free season.
Being prepared for winter weather is a core tenet of successful, year-round RVing. A snow brush might seem like a small detail, but on a cold morning with a frozen windshield and a long drive ahead, you’ll understand its true value. It’s not just about clearing glass; it’s about maintaining your mobility, safety, and peace of mind.
The right gear empowers you to embrace all four seasons of travel with confidence. By choosing a tool that fits your rig and your adventure, you’re not just buying a snow brush. You’re investing in your ability to safely navigate the open road, no matter what the forecast holds.
