Washing RV while traveling

[joedekock]

Curious what others do when it comes time to washing their RV while on the road. (Motor home, fiver, TT). A lot of campgrounds do not allow washing your unit on the site, and a lot of campgrounds don't have the means to anyway. I know some folks who camp at campgrounds where it is allowed, but its not in all cases. Driving hundreds or thousands of miles on the road dirty's the RV and I would like to wash it before parking it on a campsite for a week.

Fire away with suggestions and experiences. Thanks!

[Ro_n_Joe]

We full time and we've been able to stay at JUST enough
locations that allow us to wash the RV. Typically have to pay $10 do do so.... If we're at a location that doesn't allow washing, I use a dry wash product. Too cheap to pay somebody and fortunately my rig looks good at this point

[MrWizard]

There are several self service car washers around here, the closest one 1.x miles has a high bay with catwalks for doing large vehicles, that's where I take my Bounder
It has spray wash and long handle wash brush,
Brush wash then spray to rinse, Not necessary to spray along window caulking with high pressure, to get a good rinse, by the time I've finish washing 36 ft of MH,it cost $12-$15, Brush washing takes longer than using high pressure spraying, so more quarters in the money box, and it's about $3 a pop for 8 minutes?, been a few months , time to go again, it's dry for the rainy season and mother nature isn't washing it for me

[NoVa_RT]

The ‘South of the Border’ campground in Dillon, South Carolina has a self-service car wash with two RV bays, one of which seemed big enough for most motorhomes, IIRC. The ‘resort’ is fashionably tacky, at best, but it’s close to I-95, fairly inexpensive and located at just about the right stopping point when I head south. I’m in a Class B, so it’s a bit easier for me ($2), but the RV wash comes in handy after driving through winter snow or slush.

[down_home]

West of Kingman,Az washed and waxed, hand dried including the roof $65.00 but last time they charged me $75.00.
however this last time they damaged the right side middle mirror and it does not work remotely now.
Depending on how persnikety you are you will not be ever pleased with anyone else's work especially afer they do something like that.
if You are able do it yourself. Buy brushes and arms longer than you think you will need. My shoulders and back can tell you why.
I would wash as wife rinsed one side at a time and we dried it before going to the other sides. Big towel on long brush wipes good. We tried to do it before the dew dried.After finishing that workout you are ready for some excitement if you don't collapse. A Five mile run but with brushes and pads.

[azdryheat]

The most expensive campground we stay at doesn't allow owners to wash their rigs but there are plenty of companies on sight to make our rigs look like new.

[docsouce]

While camped at the KOA in St Mary Montana, I asked the manager if I could wash the 2500 miles of dirt an squashed bugs off my class C. He walked over, looked at the RV then sent 2 staff members over with ladders and hoses and had them help me wash the RV down. No charge, he must have felt sorry for us LOL. I gave the boys a nice tip!!!

[cowolter]

We take sponge baths, use showers at campgrounds that have them, but mostly use the hot water shower we built into our '97 econoline conversion van

printsbery

[bigred1cav]

deltabravo wrote:

bigred1cav wrote:
sucsun bucket

What is this bucket you speak of?

suction sticks in place

[deltabravo]

bigred1cav wrote:
sucsun bucket

What is this bucket you speak of?

[bigred1cav]

I've given a lot of thought on how to wash the RV while traveling.

I have devised a way to secure my wife the roof with a suction bucket and a sponge by the time we get to Phoenix she should have the top completed.

I have yet come up with the solution to have her wash the side and front while in motion.

[JimK-NY]

First I waxed my camper with ZEP acrylic floor wax. It sheds dirt and water remarkably well. In fact so well I never get those black streaks that used to occur in numerous locations on the camper.

My last trip was 4 months and 15000 miles so ZEP or not, the camper could use a wash at least once or twice during that period. I have never had any problem finding a coin op car/truck wash with sufficient height to accommodate my camper.

[time2roll]

Some that have a no washing policy do allow an approved vendor to come in and do the work for you.
Ask at the office.

[Veebyes]

It seems to make a difference of when you ask for some CGs. Weekdays when they are not busy is better to get a positive response.

They all want you to arrive looking like you just came from the showroom.

[Hemi_Joel]

When I leave Minnesota in January or February heading for warm weather, the roads can be pretty sloppy. I don't want to spend my winter vacation looking at a filthy rig, I like it to be all sparkly clean and shiny. I have used the tall bay self serve, and the full service truck/RV washes. No way will I do the self service again, uness I'm desperate. I burned thru almost as much $$ as the full service, and got all wet, and the full service does a nicer job and is quicker. I've paid anywhere from $20 - $55.