Washing Your RV
You travel with your RV through a variety of landscapes. That’s what a recreational vehicle’s about, after all, but one of the unfortunate side effects is all the dust and debris that gets caked onto your trailer’s exterior. Motorhomes and campers are designed with slick aluminum or fiberglass walls, which attract dirt very easily. As mud builds up, the walls could get damaged, it could become difficult to drive, and your RV will be more susceptible to mold from the moisture in the mud. On top of all that, a dirty RV just doesn’t look as nice. But thankfully, the material is also very easy to wash off! By implementing a cleaning routine, you can keep your RV healthy and looking good, and we’d like to explain the most effective methods for washing your travel trailer. So read on to learn more, and if you ever need parts or service, don’t hesitate to stop by The Outpost RV in Middlebury, where we serve the areas of Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Have any questions? Read more below or contact our Service Department today!
Cleaning the Roof
To begin with, you’ll need to take care of the roof. An RV roof is very susceptible to leaks, which is why it’s so important to make sure you clean off all the mud and debris on a regular basis. To do this, you’ll need a mild detergent mixed with water in a large bucket. Use a soft brush with a telescoping handle, as this will assist you when cleaning hard-to-reach areas. Also, be very careful when cleaning your roof. You’ll need to wear non-slick shoes, and if you use a ladder, make sure that it’s stable and firmly positioned on the ground before climbing up.
To clean your roof, we recommend breaking it up in small sections. Consider your roof like a grid, and just wash one individual square of the roof at a time. That way, you’ll be able to rinse the soap off before it has a chance to dry. Once you’ve done every section, rinse the whole roof off again, and you might want to push excess water off with a squeegee attached to the telescoping handle.
Exterior Care
Washing your RV’s walls will be a very similar process. You’ll want to use the same brush attached to the telescoping handle, as you’ll need to reach pretty high, especially if you have a larger RV. Also, you should just wash one strip of every side at a time—about an eight to a fourth of the length of the side—and rinse that strip after you scrub. Then, be sure to rinse the entire side off when you’re done with it. You should also touch up the rims, get some glass cleaner to wash the windows, and pay careful attention to the smaller details like bumpers and grates.
Pressure Washing
If you own a pressure washer, it’s a much easier way to clean the sidewalls of your RV. However, when using a pressure washer, make sure you’re very careful. Don’t hold it too close to the wall, and make sure you constantly sweep the nozzle back and forth to avoid stripping the paint. If there’s a stubborn spot of sap or mud on the wall, use a scrub brush to wash it off, instead of trying to spray it off with the pressure washer.
Washing your RV is a very simple process, and if you do it on a regular basis, you’ll save yourself from a lot of potential issues. However, if you ever do need parts or service, feel free to visit us at The Outpost RV. We’re in Middlebury, serving the areas of Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.