Community Forums

ctreisch · 09-14-2023, 08:00 PM

I have a class A Thor Motor Coach Challenger, almost 40 foot long. I live in a nice neighborhood in Grove City, Ohio. Last night I went to get the RV out of storage to prepare for a week's vacation Florida. (If anyone is going to be at Camp Margaritaville, Alburndale FL, this coming week, look me up)

The city requires a phone call to the police to park it on the street for 24 hours, to allow prepping for trips, which I always call.

Well some yahoo in the neighborhood called the police for what ever reason. So while I was finishing washing the last 10 feet, Grove City's finest showed up.

People need to get a life.

As it turns out, Grove City does not allow washing any type of vehicle on the road. The officer was nice, but I was quite confused why in a residential area, on a 25 MPH road, what the problem would be. I did verify the rule on Grove City's Web site, so I guess I was in the wrong.

Now I'm faced with a dilemma. When I want to wash the RV, where and how am I going to do that?

I was the HOA president back in 2001-2008. People are hateful. I even got a letter a few weeks back from the HOA claiming I would be fined if I even parked it there. Well, having been the HOA president, I delt with a ton of complaints, but in reality, the HOA has no jurisdiction on a street. The city does, so I educated the clueless management company.

I never got a complaint about washing vehicles on the street, so I have to admit, I was a bit surprised. Oh well

What do I do? I guess I need to take it somewhere. I have a storage lot, but it's gravel, and using the onboard water would make a mess.

I could find a detailer, I guess. JOT.. (just another thousand) I could sell my house and buy enough property to pave a place to park it. Hey, maybe I could get a huge steel building. (Ah, ha, Ah) quoting Tim Allen.

If I do look for a detailer, does anyone know what that might cost?

DR60 · 09-14-2023, 08:10 PM

So were you cited for washing it in the street? or just warned? If I was cited and the ticket was less than a truck wash, I might just do it anyway.
Locally truck stop washes are about $5 a foot. If the ticket was $25 or $30 thats a lot cheaper. DR

Captain8 · 09-14-2023, 08:14 PM

Wow, this is exactly why I don't live in an HOA. I've taken mine to car washes before as some have large enough bays but if I've even gone late at night and sprayed the back or front on one that didn't fit.

If you do find a detailer lmk as I'm across town from you.

Captain8 · 09-14-2023, 08:16 PM

I think there's a truck wash off Roberts road in Hilliard. Not sure how that works

Jay D. · 09-14-2023, 08:38 PM

i'd go nuts in an HOA. i live in rural America about 5 mi out of town nice home on 3 acers. i can do just about anything i want.
Jay D.

**NLOVNIT** · 09-14-2023, 08:52 PM

Get yourself this:
https://washwax.com/pages/rv-waterle...h-wash-wax-all

It does a great job. I haven't wet washed, nor hand waxed an RV since about 2012.

I live on the north side of C-bus. There are plenty of truck washes in the area. Personally, though, I don't trust those to not scratch my baby.

P.S. You've got a leg up, being a past HOA president. You know what they can (mainly CAN'T) do. And you are right, they're just a bunch of busy bodies with nothing better to do.

arcaguy · 09-14-2023, 09:03 PM

Can you wash it in your driveway?

**NLOVNIT** · 09-14-2023, 09:07 PM

Most housing developments around here have 35ft long driveways. Mine is. They'd be hanging out in the street, assuming they could even maneuver it into their driveway. I know I couldn't get my Phaeton into my driveway unless I pulled into my neighbor's driveway across the street & then backed into mine.

Bigceasar · 09-14-2023, 09:11 PM

It must be a city ordinance since the police do not have anything to do with HOA regulations. The origin of the law is likely to prevent soaps, oils and other contaminants from entering the storm sewer systems and ultimately the rivers and lakes. Car washes have extensive regulations as to the disposal of waste waters. The law is based on sound environmental principles.

xrated · 09-14-2023, 09:23 PM

Let's see, I wash it in the street and the water flows down to the storm sewer.....or, I wash it in my driveway and the water flows down the driveway and into the street, which in turn runs down the street and into the storm sewer. There are some true geniuses running that city!

Forza Bill · 09-14-2023, 09:50 PM

I'd find a friends house between your HOA house and the storage yard to wash it at on the way home and drop a 12 pack on his porch as a thank you!

Dutch Star Don · 09-14-2023, 10:46 PM

Park it on your lawn, wash the coach and then put it out in the street.

Or...take it to the HOA common area and wash it there.

AllegroD · 09-14-2023, 10:49 PM

You live in an HOA. You were the Pres. for 7 years. You don't know the CCR & Bylaws. You washed your RV. You were wrong. Don't try to make it sound like you are the victim. Comply with your agreement or find a place where you can do what you want, regardless of how it affects your neighbors, as that is what HOA do. Protect the neighborhood.