Washing AS while on long trips

[bearrand]

Anyone out there have ideas on washing the camper while on long trips?
Many campgrounds will not let you wash campers.

[moosetags]

We have been using the coin-operated do-it-yourself car washes fo years. Every small town has one, and they usually have sufficient clearance for an Airstream. We always wash the Airstream while still hooked to the tow vehicle.

Brian

[Silver Otter]

Like Brian and SuEllyn, we wash at coin-ops most of the time. Because ours is a 30-foot, we have to park very carefully to allow the "wand" to swing around the whole thing. I usually get as wet as the Otter.

Some parks have a "wash stand" where you are allowed to use your own brushes and ladders and buckets. We've taken advantage of that, particularly out in the West. I ask at the desk when she gets really dirty. The wonderful park in Mountain Home allowed me to wash right on my site. It varies.

[dkottum]

Assuming you mean not leaving the campground, we wash ours with bucket and wrung-out microfiber cloth, the use "Ice" detailer to shine it up. That's for everyday dust, need to take it out to the do-it-yourself car wash for a good rinse of salt or heavy dirt deposits.

doug k

[tpi]

It certainly doesn't hurt to ask at the campground and offer to pay to cover their expenses. It may be slow, there may be some place out of the way you could go about your business.

Lacking that, I'd just use a bucket, wash rag and towel. I'd do it by section a little at a time when the section was in the shade. Keep it short so you don't break a sweat or offend anyone's sensibilities about washing.

A wetting rain shower can also be helpful part of a wash routine.

[dznf0g]

I have read on the Forum that the hand truck washes, like blue beacon, I think, do a nice job on RVs and trailers.

[CDONA]

I have washed my rig in rain storms for the free rinse, many times. No issues about water spotting the neighbors rig.

[6PackCharlie]

We have used a truck wash when away from home. Usually about $1.00 per foot.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by dznf0g

I have read on the Forum that the hand truck washes, like blue beacon, I think, do a nice job on RVs and trailers.

Appreciate the info. There is a Blue Beacon in Hammond, LA not too far from Camping World. I'll have to check them out next time I'm in that neighborhood.

[Bill M.]

For light dirt, Envy waterless cleaner does a great job. For heavy stuff go to a coin wash. Some campgrounds have a pull through site set up for wash. Some will let you wash if you pay first.

[mistermcfrug]

My wife and I always travel with two buckets. We put car cleaning liquid soap in one bucket with water and clean by using a four foot pole and screw on brush. It's a lot more efficient that all by hand, using rags. After we do a section we stick the brush into the second bucket to quickly and easily rinse the soap off. Usually, we need to re-fill the rinse bucket a few times. No one has complained about this approach over the last six years.

[bearrand]

Thanks for the ideas. In some state parks I have washed the AS and kept water usage to a low amount and an eye out for Rangers but none ever said anything to me. I almost always wash bugs off the front as soon as we get setup. I have not seen a car wash that the AS would fit in in the areas we have been so far.

[Mike Leary]

In the Southwest, the water is so bad, that even the "spot-free" car washes will trash an AS.

[malimish]

truck washes are great. they are relatively inexpensive since an AS is small as compared to a big rig. They will happily accommodate your trailer. A lot less work and we usually do it after a night of boondocking at their parking lot.

[Tumajin]

I've used Griot's Garage Spray On Car Wash with good results

[dpandorf]

We use the Blue Beacon Truck washes while traveling.

[smccollister]

If you have an Android or iPhone, there are free apps to locate Blue Beacon truck washes