F11 TopCoat

[GregandTeresa]

Since I'm too busy/lazy to wax my camper, I talked to a detailer today. He offered 3 options, none very cheap. The first being your standard wash and wax.

Secondly he offered a product named F11 Top Coat. It was supposed to be better than just wax, and cost about $100 more and offer better protection for everything except scratches.

And the holy grail is something called Ceramic-Pro, which is supposed to protect the camper for up to 3 years, and is $250 more than just wax. It is also supposed to protect against scratches.

Anyone have any experience with any of these types products (or something similar) on your camper?

I see some you-tube videos about both products, but really no solid reviews.

[rbryan]

I've seen Ceramic Pro used on aircraft and boats. It's supposed to reduce drag and increase speed, and by all accounts is the real deal. I've no knowledge of the F11.

I would probably not spring for the Ceramic Pro. Just a good old wash and wax. After all, the trailer isn't going into a lake (hopefully) or sprouting wings, and any benefit from reduced drag while towing would be negligible.

[GregandTeresa]

Thanks Bryan. That is pretty much the way I'm leaning. I figure at the lower price, I can afford to have him do it a couple of times a year.

And by the way, I installed my electric jack this weekend. Love it. But I've got my doubts about the robo foot, I may end up replacing that at some point. It sure does seem to hang pretty low even when it's folded up.

[rbryan]

Originally Posted by GregandTeresa

And by the way, I installed my electric jack this weekend. Love it. But I've got my doubts about the robo foot, I may end up replacing that at some point. It sure does seem to hang pretty low even when it's folded up.

It does hang down a bit more than I'd like - not quite horizontal. But we've now towed with it all over the country and never had it hit anything. The safety chains hang much lower.

The thing that I still dont like about it is the restriction on how LOW you can go when setting up. There have been a few campsites where the front needed to be quite low to make it level, and I was worried we would bottom out on the robofoot. I carry a small block of wood now with a hole recessed in the center. If I ever have to set up at a place where the robofoot won't allow me to go lower, I can pull the pin and remove it, and just use the naked post coming out of the jack. Haven't had to do that yet, but just in case.

[GregandTeresa]

Originally Posted by rbryan

It does hang down a bit more than I'd like - not quite horizontal. But we've now towed with it all over the country and never had it hit anything. The safety chains hang much lower.

The thing that I still dont like about it is the restriction on how LOW you can go when setting up. There have been a few campsites where the front needed to be quite low to make it level, and I was worried we would bottom out on the robofoot. I carry a small block of wood now with a hole recessed in the center. If I ever have to set up at a place where the robofoot won't allow me to go lower, I can pull the pin and remove it, and just use the naked post coming out of the jack. Haven't had to do that yet, but just in case.

First of all, sorry for calling you Bryan . And yes, that was another concern that I had. I kept the flat plate that was on the bottom of my old jack, and figured if I ever needed to I could replace the robo foot with that.

[stevebaz]

ceramic pro last 3 years if you put on the annual protective coat. There is a base coat and a top coat for it. The first coat is tough to prep for at the surface has to be clean, then polished and then coated. You don't want to seal in poor surface conditions. I haven't done this as i was recently looking into having it done form my truck. Personally I think money better spent on a metal carport to park your trailer under.

[GregandTeresa]

Originally Posted by stevebaz

Personally I think money better spent on a metal carport to park your trailer under.

Steve, THAT is a very good point.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Metal carport.... That exactly what I do for much of the shoulder seasons, the rest of time we're living in our 13' someplace.
As far as wash and wax, while at home I was with pink ployglo wash/wax then wax with polyglo wax. When traveling I go one of the selfserve car wash places, where ever I can find one, wash the trailer the that then there's often a wax setting. If it's available I use that. It's worked quite well for me over the past 11 years.

[rbryan]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Metal carport.... That exactly what I do for much of the shoulder seasons, the rest of time we're living in our 13' someplace.
As far as wash and wax, while at home I was with pink ployglo wash/wax then wax with polyglo wax. When traveling I go one of the selfserve car wash places, where ever I can find one, wash the trailer the that then there's often a wax setting. If it's available I use that. It's worked quite well for me over the past 11 years.

Yep, if you can help it along between hand waxings with the spray car wash/wax, why not? We've done the same with all our vehicles for many years now with good success.