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OK, all you experienced full-timers.....we are new to this. Sold our home in early June. So how can we get the 30' fifth wheel washed? We no longer have a driveway and waterhose. I know there are places that will wash it for you. Do they open the slide-outs and wash the slide toppers, etc? How do you locate these places and how expensive are they?
Is there a way to locate places where we could wash it ourselves like we are used to doing? We need to wash the roof also.
I know at RV parks you may be able to pay a fee and do it there. On this trip we are only at State Parks, COE and places like that. We are traveling in MN and WI this summer.
Any suggestions? We are already dirtier than we like to be!
Yes there are places that will come and wash (and wax) it for you. How much money it costs partly depends on what area of the country you are in. in AZ its really cheap to get it done ($100 wash, $300wash/wax). They start at the roof and work down and yes, slides are done because they are open.
Some RV parks allow you to wash your own rig, some do not, and some charge, but most don't. Some RV parks don't allow YOU to do it but you can hire someone.
When we start getting really dirty, DH starts paying attention to the list of rules we are given when we check in. if it doesn't say we CAN'T wash our rig- he washes it.
If he gets desperate he will ask me to look for a campground that will allow us to wash it.
At the state parks you are visiting, does it say in the rules that you can't wash your rig? If it doesn't, then I would go ahead and wash it, as long as there is room enough so your neighbor won't be disturbed. (and you have enough water. sometimes DH just does one section, like the roof, or the nose cone)
If they don't want you doing it they will let you know 😀
We normally wash our own rig in a campground. We have found about 50% of campgrounds allow you to wash your rig.
We have also used a blue beacon truck wash, once, which I didn't like. They use pressure washers that get about 90% of the dirt off but that's it. They don't use any kind of brush to get the remaining 10%.
A couple of times we have used a service that comes to the park we're in and will wash it. Since you're in a park your slides are open and everything gets washed.
Like Ken we tried Blue Beacon one time, probably won't do that again.
We've had some RV parks where we could wash our unit, and at others we've used our Aero Wash/Wax system that requires no water. I've seen several RV parks that had contractors who could come in and wash your rig, but this was a pretty expensive option when we were in CA so we opted to buy the Aero Wash/Wax system.
And yes, we need to wash the rig again and happen to know that tomorrow we will arrive in a park that allows RV and truck washing, will be so nice to get it clean again.
I've gone places where the bugs were so bad, the entire front of the coach was mostly black (with some red and yellow). No available wash in town for a large motorhome. I went out to Canadian Tire and bought a good extendable wash brush and a bottle of wash/wax formula. Mix some up in a bucket with warm water. A quick scrub to the front and brief rinse off with the hose and can't even tell it was washed in the stall. Now I carry the brush and the wash/wax soap with me all the time to give it a quick clean on the front. I'm not too worried about the sides just mainly get the bugs and guts off so they don't bake on in the sun. Been working good so far.
We have found that about 50% of RV parks will allow rig washing as long as you keep the sprayer head shut off when not using. Some RV parks will also sell you a rig washing permit for $5-$10. I prefer to use the waterless Aero Wash/Wax All that NWescapee mentioned above. This system leaves a nice deep shine and is easy to use if you use the entire system. Seems expensive at first, but a 1 gallon bottle will do our entire 35' rig about 5 times. The real cost is in the wash mits and pole, but they are worth it to be able to use from the ground and still get a good streak free shine. washwax.com/
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"Bloom where you are planted"
Rick and Janice
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3, Mor/Ryde King Pin and I.S., 17.5" Wheels w/ H Rated Tires, Automatic Level Up,
2012 Ford F450 Lariet, 6.7 L, CC, 4WD, DRW w/ Air Bags, Reese Signature 25K Hitch