Most campgrounds do not allow washing of RV's.  We have yet to find a car wash tall enough, unless of course we go to a commercial truck stop, to give our 38' 5th wheel a bath.

Now that the weather is finally becoming bearable here in Florida we would like to get our 5th wheel washed and a good coat of wax on her.

How do you full timers go about keeping the exterior of your RV clean?

I have read that it is recommended that a wash or wax product for use on fiberglass be used.  Can anyone offer some product names?

Thanks
Susan

Yes, many, if not most, parks do NOT allow vehicle washing.  We have never used a commercial wash place, although we have friends that have used them.  We drive a dirty rig a lot of the time .  But, when we are desperate to get clean we ask in the office about their exact policy.  Some have allowed us to wash if we do not use a hose...in whch case we use a small bucket and do a small section at a time...other places say okay - just don't use soap...others have a special place we have to take the rig.  We have also been known to "buck the rules" and use the bucket method on a small area when we think nobody is around....not so tiring doing a little each day, anyway.  We use Meguires wax products.

Mary
currently in rainy British Columbia
in a semi-dirty rig

There are enough of them around that we are able to wash it every 3 or 4 months, which is just fine with us. The rain keeps it fairly clean and we do the nose separately if we pick up a lot of bugs. We use an automotive wash that we got at CW or Walmart, works fine and dries spot free on our gel coat surface. It remains shiny even though it hasn't been waxed since we were in Mexico a year and a half ago. We've used commercial truck washes a few times and they do a great job for under $50 for truck and trailer, but they seem hard to find where we travel.

I use ProtectAll wash that I bought at Camping World but have seen it at Wal Mart as well. This is a "rinseless" car wash product. About 2 oz in a small bucket of water and using a soft bristled car wash brush with a long extended handle and a squeegy in the back of it, I clean small sections at a time. I then go over the area with the rubber squeegy and finally do a quick wipe down with a towel if needed. I can do our entire 5th wheel in a few hours this way but usually do one side and either the front or back and then finish up the other side in the next day or two. This works for normal road grime and dirt. I do use a commercial truck wash about twice a year as well. For the bugs on the front cap I use bounce laundry sheets. Wet them down a little and the bugs wipe off easily.

We live in Lake County, about 90 minutes from Tampa and our favorite camping spot is in Crystal River.

I am beyond trying to be superwoman in my lifetime, and therefore, would not attempt to wash and wax our RV in one day for sure, I'd spend the next week on the massage table if I did!  I'd rather spend a few hours each day doing the job and I am sure it is not in our budget to pay someone to come and detail our RV.

I find it very interesting hearing what other people are using to clean their RV and we have also found a lot of the same identical products available at Camping World at Walmart for a few $$ less.  Of course the selection is not the same.

Susan

I guess I didn't realize campgrounds do not let or want you to wash your rig. I'll have to pay more attention to those rules. When I wash our fifth wheel I use a store bought wash/wax product that leaves the rig looking pretty good. I also use it on the roof as well. I just get out the hose, my extension brush and step stool and go at it. Usually I wash a section at a time and work my way around the rig starting with the roof first. We also own a car wash with a truck bay that our 38' fits in. Just be careful no to powerwash the graphics off. Usually, car washes are safer than using home power washers since the max psi at most self serve car washes is around 1000 to 1200psi. This is usually far less than home power washers which can go up to the 2000 or higher psi range.

I see a lot of RV'ers using a dry wash product sprayed on a rag and they wipe down their rig with it. They use a broom with the rag draped over it to get the high spots.

What thebearII said. Best all-around cleaner is called "Korkay." Pricey at $11 a gallon, but you use very little and it works.

OK $11 a gallon is fair, where is the product available any place other than Camping World I hope?

Susan

We adapted our outside shower outlet with a garden hose and sprayer... and use our own water from our own tank that we brought with us. Normally, just enough to wash off the bugs from the front if we need to. Nobody has ever complained (yet)

We also use it for washing our two dogs when they get a tad too muddy....


-- Edited by KarenInTheWoods on Sunday 13th of September 2009 02:24:09 PM