Community Forums

Letsgoagain · 05-13-2013, 09:04 PM

Hello,
Going to spend a couple of weeks in the lower Florida Keys and I'm a little concerned about how the salty air will effect the motorhome. Not so worried about the gel coat but possibly any exposed metal or perhaps the radiator, air conditioner coils or possibly anything underneath.
If you have stayed close to the ocean for several weeks then what did you notice as far as any corrosion if any and what if anything did you do to try and deal with the salty air.
Appreciate any tips you might have.

Thanks,
Letsgoagain

PyrateSilly · 05-13-2013, 09:07 PM

If it's only for a few weeks then when you leave the area have it detailed to get the salt off. I know when we lived in MI Thom would get the vehicles washed and pay special attention to the underside of them at least once a month to wash the salt and stuff off.

elbeau54 · 05-13-2013, 09:19 PM

You can buy a product called salt away and hook to your water hose to help with the neutralization too

GaryKD · 05-14-2013, 06:23 AM

Hi Letsgoagain,
Worry not about your coach or stay. If your stay includes "normal" weather due what the previous posts suggest. If you stay includes quite a bit of wind (like tropical storm or hurricane) that is a different story. In the high wind scenario, consider a pressure washer for cleaning the parts you are concerned about.

ralphie · 05-14-2013, 06:28 AM

We've spent some winter months in KW within sight of the water with the truck and FW. I've observed what looks like a salt build-up on my stabilizer jacks, the truck's underside, etc. For two weeks I recommend just hosing off bare metal a couple of times and wait till you get home for a more thorough cleaning.

MRUSA14 · 05-14-2013, 06:47 AM

I once left a car parked in the keys for about six months. It was pristine when I left it and had scores of rust spots when I returned. That air is more corrosive than you would think. There is almost always an onshore breeze to pepper you with the salt. However, for a period of two weeks it should not be so bad. I would wash all the exposed metal parts (including underneath) as often as you can, and pressure wash when you return and you should not have any problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ralphie

We've spent some winter months in KW within sight of the water with the truck and FW. I've observed what looks like a salt build-up on my stabilizer jacks, the truck's underside, etc. For two weeks I recommend just hosing off bare metal a couple of times and wait till you get home for a more thorough cleaning.

Letsgoagain · 05-14-2013, 06:13 PM

Okay everyone, thanks for the replies. Sounds like the salt away is an especially good idea. Looks like I can order some off of amazon. Not sure if I should spray the motorhome before getting there or after when I clean it up, maybe both would be a good idea.
Thanks for the help.
Letsgoagain

Ray,IN · 05-14-2013, 09:43 PM

Not FL keys, but we boondocked on S. Padre Island, TX once. The sand contains salt, combined the two made a mess of anything metal on our truck and 5er, I had to junk our bicycles. With constant wind blowing the salty sand, it reminded me of a sandblaster with a corrosive agent added to hasten destruction of our rig.
This winter we will be at NASKW for a month. I'll be taking my portable electric pressure washer along to wash down our MH when we return inland.

MuckSavage · 05-15-2013, 06:14 AM

I rinse mine thoroughly when I get home (after 2.5 weeks) What's amazing is the rust that accumulated on my bicycle. I saw rust on spots after a few nights! Rinse everything well when you get home.

BTW....where ya staying in the Keys? We're headed to Bluewater Key tomorrow night, staying until June 8.

Sky_Boss · 05-15-2013, 06:24 AM

I looked at a 2010 Dutch Star that wintered somewhere in FL...OMG! It was great looking inside but once you looked in the engine compartment and all other outer, metal surfaces it was horribly corroded. You almost couldn't give me that MH...almost. LOL

I bet it would have taken several thousand dollars to properly mitigate the rust, replace some excessively corroded pieces and treat everything to bring it back to a stable situation. For that reason, we plan to winter a fair distance from any coast line.

OTOH...I wouldn't be too concerned with a couple weeks but totally agree that you will need to clean it up when done. I would think that if I was to get in a place like that for a long period of time I might want to get a portable power washer. If the CG wouldn't let me use it periodically...call me GONE.

ga traveler · 05-15-2013, 11:42 AM

We live in Atlanta and have been to the keys several times. I always put a lawn sprinkler under the motorhome and let it run 20 minutes and the move it until the whole underneath is done. It works great for me.

greezykid · 05-15-2013, 03:42 PM

We had a house in the keys for many years and never had a problem with vehicles rusting from the time we spent down there which was usually at least a month long.

Letsgoagain · 05-15-2013, 09:27 PM

MuckSavage,
Bluewaterkey is our destination also. Won't be there until your last week though.What site are you on? I think we're on 68 unless it changes. I'll stop by and say hello.
Doyou get a SunPass or do you just let them send you a bill for the Turnpike in FL.
Have a safe trip.
Letsgoagain

MuckSavage · 05-16-2013, 06:36 AM

We're on site 41 (I think) It's the big site at the end of the cul-de-sac. We have a primarily cream colored Thor Astoria & a white Jeep Cherokee. We'll have a little teal-colored motorboat also. See ya there! Be safe!