Hubby's question

[CindyL]

Hubby is driving and asked me to post this question. How do folks clean their campers when coming from the north (snow on top, dirt on bottom) to south when campgrounds don't let you wash them, and you are leery of driving through semi washing facilities?

CindyL

[Donna D.]

Humm, I'm sure someone that's done it will answer up. But, I wouldn't be too terribly concerned using a semi-truck/trailer self-service wash bay. At least the type found here in northern Oregon. There are catwalks, which sure would help because you wouldn't need to get out a ladder. Might need to backup and pull closer to the other side to clean both sides. AND, while I'd use the water and I wouldn't use the powered soap brush. Who knows what kind of dirt and crud are embedded in the brush. You wouldn't want to scratch up the Silver Cloud!

[Jon in AZ]

How about self-service car washes- the kind where you pull into a bay and there is a sprayer and brush? Some even have oversized RV bays.

[C&G in FL]

Where are you two headed to?
I see you are coming from Illinois. If you are coming to Florida and will be traveling down I-75, you can stop at my house and use my hose and step ladder, as long as it isn't Christmas Day (I have a crowd coming). You can even stay overnight in the driveway if necessary (30amp and water available).


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[floyd]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

How about self-service car washes- the kind where you pull into a bay and there is a sprayer and brush? Some even have oversized RV bays.

We have done this several times while driving to Florida from IllAnnoy.
We have a Scamp13 so we can fit in most places easily.
Caution though!
Do a "drive by" first to determine whether you can get into the wash bay, AND more importantly get OUT of it.
Some are pretty tight on exit.
Some have very deep floor drains and posts and other obstacles.
Of course check for overhead clearance (lights, spray arms etc.)
All of this sounds intimidating but really it is about the same as choosing a campsite. Park in a safe place, walk through the wash bay, then drive in and use it.
Don't spray full force directly at vents, windows or door edges.
Also it is wise to take along a soft brush or a good wash mit. Spray alone simply will not clean winter road grime by itself. don't neglect the underside if you have been driving in slush or salt, ESPECIALLY liquid deicer.
Most places we have used have been roomy and easy in and out, but once we pulled in only to see that going out the other side was very tight due to a curb placed between properties.
One last point... Every spray car wash I have ever seen had a bay which was out of order. If the place is busy and a bay is empty or dry, wait for a good one! It can be frustrating to get all maneuvered into place only to find you must go to another bay.
Check your wallet and change purse before entering to be sure you can pay in a way that the Carwash can accept.

[floyd]

Originally Posted by CPW

Where are you two headed to?
I see you are coming from Illinois. If you are coming to Florida and will be traveling down I-75, you can stop at my house and use my hose and step ladder, as long as it isn't Christmas Day (I have a crowd coming). You can even stay overnight in the driveway if necessary (30amp and water available).


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Hey! I might just copy that post and butt in myself!

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by floyd

Hey! I might just copy that post and butt in myself!

Floyd,
You and Debby are welcome here anytime. A little over a mile off of I-75 at exit 293.


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[Terry G]

Originally Posted by floyd

Do a "drive by" first to determine whether you can get into the wash bay, AND more importantly get OUT of it.

Floyd really hit the nail on the head with this one. There's only one wash rack in the area that I take my Casita to because all the rest have very short exit areas. And unfortunately a lot of those self-service places have pretty poor maintenance. After a storm comes through Colorado, it's not uncommon to put in your quarters and discover that all the soap has been used up. So watch somebody else washing before you pay.

[steve dunham]

We carry a 5 gallon bucket , car wash soap , a car washing brush with a long handle and a car washing sponge with us when traveling .. We pull into a car self service car wash and rinse off , wash and rinse again.
We fill the wash bucket from our onboard water supply.
Many of the car wash brushes in the self service car washes are full of mud / dirt and do a better job of scratching then cleaning
We have washed / waxed our trailer at many campground using a buckets of water and not letting a hose run on the ground.
Coming from the North it is important to wash the road salt off the underside of the trailer . The paint on the frame of a fiberglass trailer does little to stop rust. I had to clean , prime and paint my frame once already due to winter travel on salted roads.

[CindyL]

Originally Posted by CPW

Where are you two headed to?
I see you are coming from Illinois. If you are coming to Florida and will be traveling down I-75, you can stop at my house and use my hose and step ladder, as long as it isn't Christmas Day (I have a crowd coming). You can even stay overnight in the driveway if necessary (30amp and water available).


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Thanks for the offer, but it IS Christmas day. The snow is mostly gone from the top now. We drove through an unexpected rain storm.

CindyL

[mary and bob]

Isn't it illegal to drive down the road with snow on top of any vehicle? We left home in November, one day after a snowstorm, with truck and trailer clear of snow, but they both got road salt on them first day out. Washed both in a self service truck wash bay in South Carolina.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

Isn't it illegal to drive down the road with snow on top of any vehicle?

Not in Florida! 😏


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[padlin00]

Originally Posted by Jon in AZ

How about self-service car washes- the kind where you pull into a bay and there is a sprayer and brush? Some even have oversized RV bays.

This is what I've done, and as mentioned just eyeball the lot before you pull in to be sure you can get in and out of the bays with a trailer. I carry a semi collapsible scrub brush as the road grime doesn't come off very well with just the spray wand if that's all they have.

[mary and bob]

I also carry a telescoping wash brush, bought at Camping World. There is one just off I 75 in North Fort Meyers. Been there 3 times in the last two weeks, bought a set of awning deflappers, went back another day and bought a Coleman stove that looked good and took it back the next day.