Community Forums

mullinswood · 12-30-2010, 08:00 AM

We are on the road for an extended trip. After several days of rain, our coach is starting to look grungy. The park where we are doesn't allow washing. I must admit, I really don't want to do it anyway.

Has anyone tried the services of a "truck wash", found at many truck stops along the interstate?

Thanks, ahead of time,
Margaret and Jim

BZam · 12-30-2010, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mullinswood

We are on the road for an extended trip. After several days of rain, our coach is starting to look grungy. The park where we are doesn't allow washing. I must admit, I really don't want to do it anyway.

Has anyone tried the services of a "truck wash", found at many truck stops along the interstate?

Thanks, ahead of time,
Margaret and Jim

Yes, I have used them sometimes. Believe most of time its the Blue Beacon chain. I heard you have to be sure they are not using the acid prewash, but todays trucks are mostly fiberglass, just like us.

I have stayed hooked up and they had them do the toad at same time.

Bob

skipwil · 12-30-2010, 08:06 AM

I've used the local one near home. It was O.K. Best I remember it was $1.00/foot. Just the same as any car wash.
Safe travels...
happy New Year.

Rick Long · 12-30-2010, 08:14 AM

I use the Blue Beacon here in Las Vegas all the time to get the main dirt and grung off. They don't do well on windows so you'll need to clean them after.

RVThere · 12-30-2010, 08:18 AM

We used one in Cheyenne, WY after driving on salted roads after a snowstorm in April. I think our bill was about $75 for a 40 footer but they did an excellent job.

Doc Mark · 12-30-2010, 08:22 AM

Blue Beacon keeps 'The Night Bus' shining!

Mark

Chuck 1935 · 12-30-2010, 11:19 AM

The truck washes do a good job but it's a wonder they don't blow the paint off. The first time I tried it I was suprised by the amount of pressure they use, but it came out great. It's a drip dry deal, no hands on, but they use de-ionized water to achieve a spot free shine. I have always paid around $38 with the rain-x rinse.

azloafer · 12-30-2010, 11:40 AM

The only wash people I have used is a mobile service that comes to the site where you have the coach, but they charge $3.00 a foot because they come to you. They say that the truck washes use too high of a pressure and don't do a nice wiping job. I would like to pay less but I don't want to lose the decals in a truck wash. We don't travel far due to DW still employed, so the mobile service is all that is available in our area. Joe

UFO Pilot · 12-30-2010, 12:58 PM

I have used the drive thru truck washes 3 or 4 times when I couldn't find a mobile service. Some had a blower / dryer at the end and the others you just drove out with the RV still wet. They were about $60 and did a good job for the price.

Midniteoyl · 12-30-2010, 02:00 PM

Think of the 'high pressure' wash as a leak test

Ray,IN · 12-30-2010, 05:55 PM

The last truck wash I ran the 5er and truck through was SW of Vegas across the interstate from Silvertown casino. I requested a hand wash and they did an excellent job.

Rich and Cork · 12-31-2010, 08:03 AM

I would not recommend the power washing. When we needed a wash in Georgia last year, the place I stopped at blew off a bunch of paint on the lower front of our MH. If I had thought about it I am sure they would have used a brush. I am sure the big rigs need the power wash for all the bugs they collect.

Ranger429 · 01-01-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich and Cork

I would not recommend the power washing. When we needed a wash in Georgia last year, the place I stopped at blew off a bunch of paint on the lower front of our MH. If I had thought about it I am sure they would have used a brush. I am sure the big rigs need the power wash for all the bugs they collect.

When traveling down the road the bug makes no choice as wether to end it's life on a M/H or a semi.

Most all of the truck wash bays I have been to use some great cleaners that are sprayed on to remove the bugs.

For me I always buy the heavy duty degreaser from Menards and use that to remove bugs. Simply spray it on and let it sit a minute and brush it off, no scrubbing necessary.

I have used truck washes with my semi for many years and have yet to have any paint or decals blown off from a pressure washer. If a pressure washer is peeling off paint I can only suspect that proper application of said paint was poor at best.

willfish02 · 01-06-2011, 09:50 AM

when I purchaced my current TT in Sept. it had been set up on a lake lot for about 6 years, under oak and pine trees. and was quite dirty while towing home noticed local truck wash wasnt full. so stopped and had them wash off the top and sides. when i got it home the wife didnt think it was the same trailer. Best 30 dollars i spent. dollar a foot, I think they will see me at least once a year.