Why do people prop their wiper-arms away from the windshield when camping?

[Stuart W]

I was camping this weekend and noticed several people that had propped their windshield wipers away from the windshield, one used plastic bottles and a couple used cut tennis balls. Does anyone know why they did this?

[Crabbyjerry]

It's so the blade doesn't bend with the constant pressure of the arm and also the heat from the window will ruin the blade. Mine are 12 years old and still work like new from doing like you've seen with a tennis ball under each blade.

[Skip426]

In direct sunlight the space keeps the blades from welding to the glass in the heat of the day, and tearing when the wipers are used.

EDIT: Boy I type slow , Jerry already posted the answer.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by Crabbyjerry

It's so the blade doesn't bend with the constant pressure of the arm and also the heat from the window will ruin the blade. Mine are 12 years old and still work like new from doing like you've seen with a tennis ball under each blade.

Thank you! I had never noticed this before this weekend, and then I saw 3

[Dutch Star Don]

I don't do it when I'm camping, but when parked at home between trips, I use the foam insulation with the split down the middle to protect mine. I don't know if it does any good, but it keeps the rubber covered and prevents dirt and debris from collecting and sitting on them while parked.

When we come home from a trip, it takes me about 10 minutes to through the tire covers on (then air down) slip foam over the wipers and cover mirrors with some cheap white mirror covers. I like using the mirror covers to prevent bugs and critters from trying to nest behind the glass. Since my coach gets morning sun, I also have a large piece of foam board that I put behind the engine door/cover. I open the engine cover, slip in the foam board and close it. This keeps the hoses and plastic tanks, like Oasis and power steering fluid out of direct sunlight while parked at home. In California, the dry air and sun are quicker to cause damage.

The whole process adds about 10-15 minutes to our end of trip off load.

[georgeaz]

Originally Posted by Stuart W

I was camping this weekend and noticed several people that had propped their windshield wipers away from the windshield, one used plastic bottles and a couple used cut tennis balls. Does anyone know why they did this?

Is there anyone with any pictures of this? Would love to see what this looks like.

Thanks,

G

[Mr_D]

Yes, as a matter of fact:

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Yes, as a matter of fact:

Yep this what I saw , thanks for sharing