Truck Washes, should I?

[woggy718]

Hey gang. I picked up my new travel trailer last weekend and towed it the 450 miles home. The roads were a little wet and had been salted so now I have salt all underneath my unit, as well as in the siding.

I obviously don’t want to store it and put it up for the winter like that but given the temperatures here, washing it myself isn’t an option either since my hoses are frozen.

I thought about taking it to one of the semi truck washes and wanted to get your guys thoughts on it. Yea or no?

[skids]

If you are talking about rotating "mops" I would avoid it for your hardware on the roof. If you are talking about the higher bays are the regular car wash, sure. Bring a ladder if you are worried about the top. Personally, I wouldn't spray a lot against the faring for the AC. Also, I would not get the sprayer too close to the foam-type insulation...

[jimp]

I've seen Class A & C's in line at 'em. I wouldn't myself tho.

[Rustic Eagle]

I personally wouldn't wash my MH at large semi-truck wash (i.e.; Blue Beacon) if I owned one....., never know the condition of the water they are using and the quality of the attendants. The owner-operator truckers tend to know where the good Blue Beacon locations are.

I would find a local DIY manual high pressure wash that has a high bay that will accommodate your TT, I've used them with great results. Also, I'm careful with the high water pressure on the underbelly material.

Of course I'm a little fussy when it comes to washing/waxing my rigs, especially the decals.

Bob

[jimp]

Believe I would tow the unit in a good rain rather than use a high pressure system on it. Just me tho.

[Riich]

Your hoses are frozen? Thaw them out, hook up to your house spigot and rinse off the camper.

It's that easy.

[DebKen]

I drove a school bus for years and every time they brought a bus back from a truck wash it was missing pieces - don’t do it!

[T-Roy]

When I went to Blue Beacons website it said that they wash RV's by hand and do not put them through the machine. I have never actually been to one though.

[artoo93]

Most of the Blue Beacons don't have machines. They are still done my pressure wands and brushes. I used to drive full time and yes there are some of the "Streakin' Beacons" you want to avoid. I do not let them use any brighteners on any of my polished wheels or finishes as most of the time it dulls the finish.
I have a local owned truck wash here that I have used in the past with both of my fifth wheels and also my enclosed car hauler with outstanding results. Most of them charge depending on the size of the rig. I will continue to use the local truck wash until we move. I use them maybe twice a year and the rest of the time I use my own pressure washer. Just nice to get the rig waxed and polished without having to use up my entire weekend!!!

[woggy718]

I ended up using a Blue Beacon. It was washed by broad fan pressure washers and brushes. I told them the unit was pretty clean and just needed the salt knocked off. I can’t speak to any water gettin in or if, but so far so good. It cost me about $28.

[cekkk]

I took our Eagle to a Love truck stop car wash in Wyoming, or perhaps another brand. It survived, but I would not do it again.

[Tinyhse]

Never, Never, Never,
I drive Charter Coach and never use the Free access I have to use the Bus Wash System which utilizes pressure.
Pressure on all the seals and joints andin my opinion is a recipe for disaster.
Hand wash also gives you the opportunity to check all your joints and seals while you hand wash.
You can find a commercial wash as others have found that do not use pressure or bring it into a self serve wash where you can control the rinse process.
With that said....that's only ME!!!

[Forelyndogs]

I've used the Blue Beacon here in Kingman many times. Coach comes clean and shiny and looks great. This Blue Beacon uses only high-pressure water, no rotating brushes. I'm very satisfied with the results.

[norty1]

I had mine washed in a cg last year for $85. I would not do it again. I had several small things knocked off by the pressure washer, like a indicator on a leveler.

he did a good job but by the time I got home, it was dirty again.

[skurcz]

I've used Blue Beacon truck washes for my TT twice. Once in Florida and in Iowa. Did not have any trouble with it.

[bigjake392]

Thaw those hoses, rinse off the trailer and hook up a cheap lawn sprinkler ( the kind with multiple patterns ) up to the hose and slowly pull the trailer back and forth over it a few times. I brought home a trailer the same way back when and ended up with a lot of corrosion underneath when I checked it in the spring. I use the sprinkler method on the cars and trucks all the time - works great !

[Difejo1]

I would wait until you you have warm weather and wash or hose it off as you normally would. I don’t think the salt will do any damage. The salt damage comes from repeated wetting and drying of the salt on the undercarriage that you have when you drive a vehicle during the winter. I picked up my travel trailer on 12/05/17 and drove it home 100 miles on salted roads. Washed it well in the spring, especially in the wheel wells. I did not have any damage or rusting.

[WIBLAZER]

Our dealer in WI makes it a regular practice to spay a salt neutralizer on trailers that arrive during salt season. He actually sold me a bottle which is like using a windex spray bottle. I would recommend spraying the bottom down and then rinse it before putting it away. Only the metal surfaces need to be sprayed and it goes pretty fast.

[DamonBecky]

I have always washed my 5ver myself. Once we were in a park in KY that offered washes for 85, but it was a hand wash personal touch which I would have tried if we had been closer to home. Guy sounded like he had good experienced.

[spark of insanity]

Any way to see if any mom and pop shops wash RVs? I know Camping World does and I think one other. I am a school bus driver and our mechanics bay does have have a bus wash but not as nice as the one I am use to in another. O well. Good luck.