Washing the RV while on the road

[Chip]

Just getting back from a three week trip. All the campgrounds we stayed at do not allow washing of the camper. What do you all due.
Our camper was very dirty all over!

Chip

[Art-n-Marge]

Someone I know took theirs to a self serve drive up. They picked a spot in the back and were able to tow the truck through the bay and parked the trailer as best they could. He told me he could not reach the top of the rig and the back since his TT was too long, but did the best he could.

When he got back to camp, he unhitched and set up the trailer, then drove to an automated carwash to completely wash the truck.

With water shortages where we live in California, the CGs in the area are clamping down on water usage, too.

You might also try portable auto detailers. They bring the own gear and a large container of water and can wash rigs at the CG (if the CG allows it).

[Tom S.]

Very few campgrounds will allow you to wash your rig. One exception we found was Santa Land in North Pole Alaska, which has a station dedicated just for this purpose. Of course there was a charge, but it was very reasonable. I don't know why more CG's don't do this.

[TLightning]

If the CG does not allow washing, I still clean the windows and scrub the bugs off the front...the rest can wait.

[harleyrider]

I use a product called "dry wash & guard"You spray it on,wipe it off and buff to a nice shine.It really does a good job.

[vickir]

A lot of parks don't allow rig washing for a number of reasons, including drought issues, dirt-sites/roads-turning-to-mud and too many yahoos not using a nozzle and letting gallons of water run down the drain are pretty much the reasons we've been given over the years. As mentioned, some will allow washing for a fee and most will allow washing the nose as long as a nozzle is used. At one place, they didn't even want us washing the nose with "their" water ... so Steve filled a bucket from our fresh water tank and proceeded to clean the bugs and mud off the front of the rig.

After awhile, you just learn to live with it

[Emmel]

I kinda do what Steve does, fill a bucket and just knock the bugs off the front. The rest will wait til we get home where I can give it a bath front to back!

[Trailer Trash 2]

A lot of campgrounds do that, but they have a portable wash contractor that comes in, washes and waxes the rv for money of course.

[ols1932]

I presently have someone come in and wash it. Most RV parks will allow commercial businesses come in to wash & wax RVs. When I washed my own, I used Dri Wash 'n Guard. Except for not being able to wash the top with this stuff, the vertical surfaces of the RV were done well and looked excellent. This product not only cleans, it leaves behind a wax finish.

Orv

[Waynem]

My last trip out I drove in the rain. Worked for the windshield and other parts. Then When I got home I gave it a good once over.

[exav8tr]

I have been in parks that do not allow YOU to wash, BUT will allow a seperate commercial company to come in and usually they use their own water, as in a tank in the bed of a truck attached to a sprayer. Sure you have to pay but usually a wash is not real expensive ($40-60). I have used these folks a couple times. Some parks will allow it if you pay the fee, sometimes you gotta ask (some park brochures and rules don't state one way or the other, hence the asking part). Otherwise, an enroute stop at a truck stop with a wash bay usually works.....Fulltiming has its drawbacks, but the rewards are worth the added costs...........Good luck and happy camping......

[lawrenceb42106]

We have had ours washed at truck stops. They charge by the foot to wash. Had ours washed in Yuma a few weeks ago. Wash and wax was $2.50 a foot The truck and camper was $120.00. Not bad for 109 degrees outside. We don't do that very often. Had been on the road for 3 months so it really looked bad.

[FLSTS03]

Truck stops as Larry said and also rv centers along the way probaly has wash services. Ours here in Montgomery gets $75 for a clean up(worth it to me)....

[adelmoll]

Dri Wash and Guard works for us. It is expensive but not so if you use it like you should. Just like Bryll Cream, "a little dab will do ya".

We have noticed that more camping resorts are adding wash stalls for RV's and provide large platform ladders to reach the top. You take your long handle brush, a bucket of soapy water scrub the rig then pay for the water to wash it off. Works just like a regular do it yourself car wash.

The Dakotah Meadows campground that we are at this summer in Minnesota has one of these and when we asked if we could do our own they said not at our site... They used to allow it but someone fell off the roof one time and they were sued. That is when they put in the big one with the platform so you don't have to climb up on the roof.

Before we started fulltiming, we would leave Minnesota in the Feb. or March and head south for vacation. As soon as we got to warmer weather we would take our trailer thru the truck wash but we soon found out that the high pressure wash they did was doing damage to our decals so we stopped that real quick.

Helen

[Chip]

I wonder if the campgrounds would let you just brush it down in a heavy rain with no soap of course.
As long as it is warm this would work ok I think. Technically it is not washing.

Of course everyone would say "Who is that crazy nut washing his rig in the rain". Probably still get in trouble.

The truck stops sounds like a good idea when I get desperate enough.
I will have to check into that Dri Wash stuff. Not sure how that works.

Chip

[scductman]

Blue beacon here at the petro last wk did mine and the truck for 37.50 looked good. bobby

[bigmurf]

Just washed ours today here in the Fairgrounds. Done the truck couple of days ago.

[Al B]

Where can you buy the Dri Wash and Guard?

Thanks,
Al

[ols1932]

quote:Originally posted by Al B

Where can you buy the Dri Wash and Guard?

Thanks,
Al

This is just one place. Click here.

I buy ours from distributors who are vendors at Escapees RV Club Escapades (rallies). There are many rallies by different groups where you can purchase the product also.

Orv