23 replies to this topic

[Brianwl]

Couple of questions about truck washes.

Do you use independent truck washes or the ones at places like Pilot, etc?
If you wash it yourself, how/where do you do it?
Do you pull your 5ver into them?
If you take your 5ver in, do they get on top and wash the roof too?

[Bluenoser]

Brian, I have only used the Beacon truck wash. They washed my truck, Jeep and 5th wheel for about $120, IIRC. Did a great job. I was surprised that they opened the hood of the truck and washed around the engine too. They also put covers on the wheels to protect them from the chemicals that they used. They did not wash the roof of the 5'vr.



Seemed like a great deal to me.

[jblscooper]

Brian, truck washes will wash truck/trailer. they will NOT do the roof of the trailer, too much liability. If you are considering doing it yourself, I would rethink it. There is a lot of surface and height on a class 8. For the cost use a facility that its their business, personally I like Blue Beacon.

Jim

[Brianwl]

Believe me, the last thing I want to do is try and wash that monster myself. I just wanted to see what others are doing and what places you're using.

So what do you do about the roof of the 5ver?

[Softail]

I use a 1400psi pressure washer. it is small, stores easily, and has plenty of power even to get the gunk that builds up underneath the HDT. An extendable brush gets the top of the condo. I usually wash in campgrounds, as we're either management, employees, or extended stay (30 days or more).

[broncohauler]

1400PSI elc pressure washer hooked up to a DI water tank. Dosnt take long because you don't need to dry it with DI water. When we enter truck shows I have (MTD truck wash ) in San Diego CA detail for me. The 5vr roof we wash a couple times a year.

Charlie

[Steveoreno]

I wash the roof of trailer with power washer and once a year with a scrub brush. I wash the truck as needed as its driven everyday. I have done the quick truck was route and they do a 90% job but last weekend really did a super detail with brush on a pole, smaller wheel brush and wash mit. I am a bit of a pill about my stuff and like it clean. I have 1/2 the truck buffed out as I removed the stripes. Need to bust the trailer cap and wax the sides. The wheels are polished and can do a quick polish with a mothers ball and wheel polish. I will be detailing under the hood soon as all the leaks are done. I treat the truck like a overgrown car.

[rickeieio]

I wash either in my driveway or at the shop, garden hose and a long handle brush. It doesn't take long, and I enjoy it.

I have two pressure washers, but haven;t used either on this unit. I hope to need to do that later this year, if I can kill enough bugs.

[Darryl&Rita]

About 1/2 the true Truck washes I've been to have a elevated walkway running the length of the wash bay. Climb up there, and use the foamy brush on the roof. I always wash, it's good exercise. That way, I know who's to blame for streaks and misses. Be REALLY careful around any sealing/entries on the unit with the pressure hose. It's quick and unforgiving.

[1Rod]

My Brother used to be an over the road Truck Driver and told me to stay away from Blue Beacon, "Use way too much Chemical and not enough elbow grease". Maybe they all use the chemicals now. It was a few years ago. He did always drive a clean truck. Had a 1986 W9 that he really liked Red White and Chrome. Spent hours on the tanks during the summer weekends. Then more time on the wheels. Of course his shop, garage and tool box were always way organized too.

Rod

[oscarvan]

Telescoping brush and a hose on the camper, will be doing the same on future truck.

[Hdonlybob]

Telescoping brush and a hose on the camper, will be doing the same on future truck.

Same here...use that on both truck and camper...a fair amount of work, but does a nice job, and I don't have to worry about too much pressure pealing off my decals/etc...
Cheers,
Bob

[oscarvan]

Same here...use that on both truck and camper...a fair amount of work, but does a nice job, and I don't have to worry about too much pressure pealing off my decals/etc...
Cheers,
Bob

Nah, a good excuse to take it easy for a few hours, sip some suds and play with the water hose.

[aeromax]

clean the roof with TSP and do it yourself that way you dont have to worry about some monkey putting his foot through your vents and such .....monkeys dont know anything about rv's only bananas

[Nolan]

When we first got the truck we washed it at independent car/truck wash and did it ourselves. Wiped it down with lots of old towels. Now we just do it ourselves at places we workamp at. Hose it off, use a brush in a bucket of water with Blue Coral Wash & Wax concentrate. Rinse it all off and wipe it down. Same with the trailer. Only most of the time start on the roof first and us spic and span on the roof. Of course have to remove the vent covers to clean those twice a year. Good time to check the caulk on the trailer when all done. The car is really easy.

[Desolation Roe]

I like Blue Beacon. Just keep them away from the slide seals!

Geo

[trucksaledave]

Pressure washer with hot water and harsh chemicals will take the shine right out of any paint. Fades most decals, over time.
I use a professional car wash that has wax in it. Works good. Brush washing paint will keep it looking better than always pressure washing it .

JMO

Dave

[broncohauler]

As I said earlier we use a pressure washer for washing our truck that is to save water you do need to make sure you use light pressure. we just got back today from a car show and won first place for favorite paint job it works for us.


B

[Russ Barnes]

Pressure washer with hot water and harsh chemicals will take the shine right out of any paint. Fades most decals, over time.
I use a professional car wash that has wax in it. Works good. Brush washing paint will keep it looking better than always pressure washing it .

JMO

Dave

I've noticed a lot of trucks where the aluminum steps, tanks, battery boxes, flap hangers, etc are really dull looking. Not just dull from age and sun, but they look like they have been acid dipped and it looks really uniform, flat and dull. Maybe these chemicals at the truck washes are the reason. I've been noticing it more and more, maybe since I have spent hours and hours buffing......but I don't like it.

Russ

[Desolation Roe]

I've noticed a lot of trucks where the aluminum steps, tanks, battery boxes, flap hangers, etc are really dull looking. Not just dull from age and sun, but they look like they have been acid dipped and it looks really uniform, flat and dull. Maybe these chemicals at the truck washes are the reason. I've been noticing it more and more, maybe since I have spent hours and hours buffing......but I don't like it.

Russ

Really, you just need to be an informed consumer.

They will ask you what you want done at a Blue Beacon. I have never been as impressed at a commercial wash facility as I have been there.

"Brightener" is a synonym for acid. It will get all the crap off your metalwork but remove all the shine at the same time. You get clean, but flat and dull. I use that on my steps for example.

On the other hand, Citrushine does a great job of cleaning the gunge off your polished aluminum without taking the shine off. They charge x amount per wheel and I get the tractor and trailer wheels done with it.

You need to know what to ask for. I really like Blue Beacon, but I spent a little time on Google working out what services I needed to ask for and what to avoid.

The last go around at Oak Grove was $68 for the Volvo and Suites. They did a fantastic job. You have to work out how much you like washing stuff and what your time is worth if you don't like washing stuff.

I wash the stuff I drive for pay while at work, and I can't stand doing it on my time off. Watching the guys that do this for a living is almost like watching ballet. I am happy to pay to enjoy the benefit of that skill set...

Geo