Author: Chelsea Barron
A new RV is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stay quite so beautiful for long. Because they’re driven 1) on dusty roads, 2) through dirty campgrounds, and 3) out into the wilderness, well-used RVs quickly become dirty, and all that grime can really diminish the look of your beautiful rig.
Not only that, but dirt, dust, and salt can actually damage your RV over time. It can leave permanent stains, cause salt damage, and even leave behind the dreaded rust. Therefore, it’s super important to keep the cleanliness of the exterior of your rig in check at all times.
But how do you go about cleaning such an enormous vehicle? Well, it’s not exactly easy, but it also isn’t as difficult as you might think. There are actually a few ways to go about cleaning an RV, and each one has pros and cons. Below are the top four options, as well as the reasons we do and do not like each.
Related Read: Three Ways to Clean your RV’s Exterior
Let’s begin with the obvious solution: good old-fashioned elbow grease. This is the perfect solution for people with lots of time on their hands and a willingness to work. Washing your own rig can give you a lovely sense of pride and accomplishment, and can even help you get to know your RV a bit better. It also saves tons of money.
The biggest problem with the DIY solution is the fact that many campgrounds won’t allow campers to use their water for RV washing. Of course, another con is that washing an RV requires a lot of physical labor, something that many people can’t do and which others simply have no desire to take on.
Willing to put in the work to save some money? Having the right tools and products on hand is extremely helpful. We really like this wash brush as well as the B.E.S.T. 60032 Wash and Wax product.
Another option is to head to a truck wash. These can usually be found at or near truck stops, and are technically designed for big-rig semis. That said, most can and will clean RVs if you ask, meaning you can pull in and hand the task off to someone else. Obviously, this appeals to those who cannot wash their own RV, as well as those who dislike physical labor.
The cost to have your RV washed at a truck wash is a bit on the pricey side, with prices usually ranging from $40–$100 depending on where you stop and what kind of wash you’re looking for. For some, this would be considered money well spent. For others, it may seem like a waste of hard earned cash.
Besides cost, truck washes do have one other major con: the fact that these washes use pressure washers. While a pressure washer is fabulous for removing caked-on dirt and grime, these handy tools also have a tendency to remove sealant from around windows and other openings in the RV. When this happens, the water goes directly into the rig, potentially causing major water damage.
If you do choose to use a truck wash, we highly recommend requesting that the employees wash carefully around windows and doors in order to avoid this issue.
Providing a happy medium between the DIY and truck wash options is the traditional car wash bay. Of course, in order to use this option, you will need to find a place with a tall or open-air bay in order to ensure your rig can fit. Luckily, it is definitely possible to find these.
A wash bay is great because it gets you out of the campground and their typical water restrictions. It’s also cheaper than a truck wash by far, but many only take quarters, so be sure to stock up on plenty of change before you begin. Finally, while washing an RV in a car wash bay does require a bit of effort, choosing to use a washing bay does remove some of the physical labor that you might experience when washing in your site.
Of course, the reason a wash bay makes cleaning your RV easier is because they tend to have pressurized water similar to the water at truck washes. However, this water pressure is rarely as strong and is unlikely to do damage to your rig. Just be careful around openings and you should be just fine.
We like the wash bay idea for those who need a quick cleaning before hitting the road but don’t want to spend tons of time or money getting it. This cleaning method may not be as thorough as the two methods mentioned above however, so be sure to make time for another type of cleaning in the future.
Related Read: Spring Cleaning for Your RV
#4: Mobile RV Washing Businesses
Finally, we must mention mobile RV washing businesses. These may be run by an individual or a group of people, and are a fantastic way to treat yourself and your RV. A mobile washing company will come to you at your campground and clean your rig from top to bottom. They’ll wash, dry, and wax, and they do an incredibly good job of it.
Obviously, this kind of thorough cleaning is incredibly hard work, and you can expect to pay for that hard work. In fact, a mobile RV washing can cost anywhere from $100–$200 or more. The final cost is dependent on what kind of washing you want and where you are in the country. However, prices to vary from one company to the next, so be sure to shop around for a good price.
Aside from price, there really aren’t many negative sides to this option. Just make sure to do your research and check reviews before hiring anyone. A good mobile RV wash company will know exactly what they’re doing and definitely won’t hurt your RV in any way.
Which options do you think you’ll use? Have you used one of these options in the past? We’d love to hear about your experiences! Please share them in the comments below.
Related Tags
Cleaning, Exterior, RV Repairs / Maintenance / Upgrades, RV Tips