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08-13-2012, 08:31 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2004 25' Safari
prattville
, Alabama
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 23
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Washing AS while on long trips
Anyone out there have ideas on washing the camper while on long trips?
Many campgrounds will not let you wash campers.
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08-13-2012, 09:15 AM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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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
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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08-13-2012, 09:29 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2011 31' Classic
Nellysford
, Virginia
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,067
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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.
__________________
Greg Heuer, Spirit of Virginia Airstream Club
2011 31' Classic Ltd. - The Silver Otter III
2013 GMC Denali 2500HD 6.6 DuraMax - Sierra Blanca
TAC VA-18 | Life Mbr ACI 1927 - Spirit of Virginia Club | AIR 53869
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08-13-2012, 09:34 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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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
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08-13-2012, 10:51 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2005 25' Safari
Trabuco Canyon
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 866
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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.
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08-13-2012, 10:54 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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I have read on the Forum that the hand truck washes, like blue beacon, I think, do a nice job on RVs and trailers.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-13-2012, 11:49 AM
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#7
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Home of Vortex tuning
2013 27' FB Eddie Bauer
Spearfish
, South Dakota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 614
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I have washed my rig in rain storms for the free rinse, many times. No issues about water spotting the neighbors rig.
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"Chip Tank" is in Westwood Ca.
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08-13-2012, 11:52 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1995 30' Excella
Logan
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 90
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We have used a truck wash when away from home. Usually about $1.00 per foot.
__________________
Charles & Annette
WBCCI # 1407 -- Member 4CU
1995 31' Excella
Dodge 2500 Diesel-Tow Vehicle
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08-13-2012, 12:01 PM
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#9
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
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.
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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.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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08-13-2012, 12:25 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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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.
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08-13-2012, 01:30 PM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
2006 25' Safari FB SE
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 118
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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.
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08-14-2012, 01:58 PM
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#12
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2 Rivet Member
2004 25' Safari
prattville
, Alabama
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 23
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Thanks
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.
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08-14-2012, 02:15 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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In the Southwest, the water is so bad, that even the "spot-free" car washes will trash an AS.
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08-16-2012, 03:14 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
2007 25' International CCD FB
Los Angeles
, California
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 41
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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.
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Dan, Marlene, Ava, Mila, Luka & Yoda the cat
----------------
2007 GMC Savana 2500 Extended w/ 6.6L Duramax
2007 International Ocean Breeze 25FB "Mali Mish"
Follow our adventures on MaliMish.com
We are also on Instagram, facebook, twitter and youtube
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08-16-2012, 04:06 PM
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#15
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Retired, "sort of"
2015 25' International
Currently Looking...
Carlsbad
, California
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
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I've used Griot's Garage Spray On Car Wash with good results
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08-16-2012, 04:58 PM
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#16
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4 Rivet Member
2000 34' Limited
Somewhere in Western
, North Carolina
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 252
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Blue Beacon
We use the Blue Beacon Truck washes while traveling.
__________________
Duane Pandorf
-----------------
Blog | Google+
Air# 16888 | 2000 34' Limited | 2008 Ford F250
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08-16-2012, 05:08 PM
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#17
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Cloud10
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Fox Island
, Washington
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 93
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If you have an Android or iPhone, there are free apps to locate Blue Beacon truck washes
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