New to this type of travel...I understand you just can't pull into a car wash..how do you keep a 39+ ; clean? Whee do yu go etc...
Thanks
mcw50 said
11:13 PM Oct 25, 2008
Some people use commercial truck washes, usually located at big truck stops. We've never done that. Many RV parks have vendors who come into the park and will power-wash, dry and wax your rig....not always cheap. The best deal we've had was in Puerto Penasco, Mexico - $75 for the whole thing!!! Next best was in Yuma, AZ for $130 for our 40' coach. Some vendors charge by the foot.
What we usually do is get out a big ladder and small buckets of soapy water and some rags and start washing a small section of the rig at a time, usually starting with the roof. Then we wax the same section (not the roof, however!). We always work in the shade, and it sometimes takes us a week or more to get all the way around the rig, depending on how energetic we feel and what other things we have to do each day. If we're just washing - and not waxing - we can usually get it done in one day and sometimes will use a hose.
Some parks have a "no wash" rule, which may mean you just can't use a hose, or it may mean absolutely no washing. Some parks have a designated area where you can take your rig to wash it. We used to have our own power washer, but decided that might be too harsh on the full-paint, so it now lives in our daughter's garage.
Happy cleaning! Mary
traveljunkie said
10:19 AM Oct 26, 2008
Many manual car washes have a large bay (extra tall) for Trucks and RVs. We own a car wash and our large bay gets almost constant use from trucks, rvs and large boats - we've also had folks come in and hang up large rugs to wash, we also see the occasional dog . You wash it yourself but makes it quite easy with everything supplied for you: water, brushes, soap, spot free rinse, and wax (if you want it). We can get our 5th wheel super clean, and looking great for less than $20 and some elbow grease.
-- Edited by traveljunkie at 11:19, 2008-10-26
-- Edited by traveljunkie at 11:20, 2008-10-26
Judy said
12:45 PM Oct 26, 2008
I cannot imagine paying $130 for a rig wash that is something we could not afford. Some parks will let you wash your own rig as most of the Thousand Trails Parks will. We do our own and I help its a team effort, and most use those power washers, I have noticed here where we are. We never use them as they are hard on your decals or graphics (some of which just stick on your rig). It takes time to wash our 37 foot fiver but at least we know its a good job when done. RV roofs should also be washed and checked for caulking a couple of times a year. southwestjudy
bjoyce said
09:25 AM Oct 27, 2008
Some parks will let you wash your own rig as most of the Thousand Trails Parks will. Recently Thousand Trails corporate requires a $5 wash permit to be issued though not all TTN parks seem to enforce it. But at least you can wash the rig. TTN Parks in water restricted areas will not let you wash due to the restrictions. Also all Escapees Rainbow Parks let you wash.
Many places will let you wash if you don't use a hose. You can use a dry wash (a couple brands exist) or microfiber clothes and a bucket. What is fun is finding a place that wants you to wash to water the ground, normally this is only at certain times a year like fall.
thebearII said
11:51 AM Oct 27, 2008
I've never used it, but some rv'ers are using a dry-wash product. It's a spray on and removes dust & dirt without scratching the surface. I've seen it used on classic cars, Semis and RVs with no damage.
I've also seen folks use a broom with a microfiber towel draped over it to dust off their rigs and get rid of loose dirt.
I once saw a guy use one gallon of water, a spray bottle, a small bucket and a couple of rags to wash his whole 37ft 5th wheel, except the roof. He poored the water out of the jug into the spray bottle and use it to clean an area. He'd wring out the rags in a bucket with about a quart of water in it. The rig wasn't real dirty, no mud or salt spray, just normal road dirt. He didn't use soap just water and elbow grease. It looked good when he was done.
I wash mine at home with a big long handled brush attached to the hose, before and after a trip.
flyone said
11:40 AM Oct 28, 2008
I'v seen some really clean 18 wheelers running down the road, those drivers are not washing them. Most major truck stops have a big rig truck wash, yes they charge by the foot but seem to do a very good job. They have several guys with the long wash brooms that scrub the sides, heck I have'em wash the truck while they are at it. And wax both the rig and the truck, its been about a year since the last time I had it done but the cost for a wash and wax truck and rig was like $46 bucks. I know that one could do a better job themselves with a brush and a bucket and a couple of hours, but 15 min, 50 bucks I"m back on the road with a pretty clean rig.
Flyone
RVDude said
08:57 PM Oct 28, 2008
Blue Beacon is a truck wash that has a specialty with RVs. One key is they only use high pressure soapy water (acid based wash ONLY upon request). Many truck washes default using an acid based solution. Blue also uses special brushes for clear coat vs fiberglass and if asked will tone down the pressure when cleaning your Diamond Shield covered nose. They also offer a Rain-X final rinse product that is superb. About $27 less than 30ft and $35 over 30ft. Of course the Rain-X is extra. Pull in, watch em spray her down and pull out in 15 mins or so.
-- Edited by RVDude at 21:59, 2008-10-28
Speedhitch said
12:16 PM Oct 30, 2008
The RV Park we live in charges me $10. to wash my RV. I do it myself and check for bad caulking joints and leaks at the same time. I wash it twice a year and treat my roof once a year. This way I know it gets done right.
Speedy
gypsy97 said
11:01 PM Nov 17, 2008
RVDude wrote:
Blue Beacon is a truck wash that has a specialty with RVs. One key is they only use high pressure soapy water (acid based wash ONLY upon request). Many truck washes default using an acid based solution. Blue also uses special brushes for clear coat vs fiberglass and if asked will tone down the pressure when cleaning your Diamond Shield covered nose. They also offer a Rain-X final rinse product that is superb. About $27 less than 30ft and $35 over 30ft. Of course the Rain-X is extra. Pull in, watch em spray her down and pull out in 15 mins or so.
-- Edited by RVDude at 21:59, 2008-10-28
I would like to thank you very much for this info. I will be driving past two of these truck wash places when I leave Dutchess Co. NY - one is just off I-84, an the other off I-81 in Carlisle PA. I want to have the RV washed before I arrive at the RV Service Park in Greencastle PA where I will have a few items attended to, and one estimate I had for wash & wax was approx $400! So Blue Beacon sounds very reasonable to me. You mention Rain-X - is this equivalent to a wax, or should I plan on waxing it in the near future?
gypsy
Ckerr said
09:09 PM Aug 11, 2010
RVDude wrote:
Blue Beacon is a truck wash that has a specialty with RVs. One key is they only use high pressure soapy water (acid based wash ONLY upon request). Many truck washes default using an acid based solution. Blue also uses special brushes for clear coat vs fiberglass and if asked will tone down the pressure when cleaning your Diamond Shield covered nose. They also offer a Rain-X final rinse product that is superb. About $27 less than 30ft and $35 over 30ft. Of course the Rain-X is extra. Pull in, watch em spray her down and pull out in 15 mins or so.
-- Edited by RVDude at 21:59, 2008-10-28
I was just about to ask if anyone had used Blue Beacon to wash their rig, but decided to do a little search first... And look! Here's my answer. Next step... Check Blue Beacon website for closest location!
Ya'll are the best!
Gandalf said
08:34 AM Aug 14, 2010
A friend who is a self described clean freak turned me on to Griots Garage waterless spray wash and wax products. He used some of his spray wash to clean the dirty rear end of my Cameo and used the paint sealer product to wax it.....no water, and shine shine shine!! It takes a section at a time to accomplish he says. I have ordered it and will give the entire rig a cleaning soon.
soos said
07:14 PM Aug 18, 2010
hmmm, our dealer specifically told us NOT to power wash our 5th wheel as it was bad for the seals, windows, slides, and roof...
so we don't. we wash it by hand.
Sue
Thanks
What we usually do is get out a big ladder and small buckets of soapy water and some rags and start washing a small section of the rig at a time, usually starting with the roof. Then we wax the same section (not the roof, however!). We always work in the shade, and it sometimes takes us a week or more to get all the way around the rig, depending on how energetic we feel and what other things we have to do each day. If we're just washing - and not waxing - we can usually get it done in one day and sometimes will use a hose.
Some parks have a "no wash" rule, which may mean you just can't use a hose, or it may mean absolutely no washing. Some parks have a designated area where you can take your rig to wash it. We used to have our own power washer, but decided that might be too harsh on the full-paint, so it now lives in our daughter's garage.
Happy cleaning!
Mary
-- Edited by traveljunkie at 11:19, 2008-10-26
-- Edited by traveljunkie at 11:20, 2008-10-26
southwestjudy
Recently Thousand Trails corporate requires a $5 wash permit to be issued though not all TTN parks seem to enforce it. But at least you can wash the rig. TTN Parks in water restricted areas will not let you wash due to the restrictions. Also all Escapees Rainbow Parks let you wash.
Many places will let you wash if you don't use a hose. You can use a dry wash (a couple brands exist) or microfiber clothes and a bucket. What is fun is finding a place that wants you to wash to water the ground, normally this is only at certain times a year like fall.
I'v seen some really clean 18 wheelers running down the road, those drivers are not washing them. Most major truck stops have a big rig truck wash, yes they charge by the foot but seem to do a very good job. They have several guys with the long wash brooms that scrub the sides, heck I have'em wash the truck while they are at it. And wax both the rig and the truck, its been about a year since the last time I had it done but the cost for a wash and wax truck and rig was like $46 bucks. I know that one could do a better job themselves with a brush and a bucket and a couple of hours, but 15 min, 50 bucks I"m back on the road with a pretty clean rig.
Flyone
-- Edited by RVDude at 21:59, 2008-10-28
gypsy
I was just about to ask if anyone had used Blue Beacon to wash their rig, but decided to do a little search first... And look! Here's my answer. Next step... Check Blue Beacon website for closest location!
Ya'll are the best!