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Where to wash and work on your rig?


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Not all campgrounds/RV park prohibit it.  Some want a few extra bucks if you're going to wash your rig.  Some allow rig washing businesses with their own truck/trailer mounted water tank to come in and do it.  You may have to call around to find a park that allows washing, but they are out there.

Once you wash it, no one will bother if you're on the roof calking and what not.  

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I've used both many a Blue Beacon Truck Wash and a service that came to the park.

Oh yeah, there's a DIY wash at Mystic Lake Casino's campground that has walkways where you can see your roof without having to climb up on it. Full hookups all year but I don't think the wash is open in the winter.

Linda

Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/

Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van

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As someone else said, almost all CGs allow you to wash your RV on site.  Regular simple maintenance items being done on your site should not be an issue either.  

Joe & Cindy

Newmar 4369 Ventana

Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks)

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1 hour ago, FL-JOE said:

As someone else said, almost all CGs allow you to wash your RV on site.  Regular simple maintenance items being done on your site should not be an issue either.  

In our experience the majority of private campgrounds have a prohibition against washing RV's on site. A few will allow it with an extra charge, but most (that we've stayed in) clearly state "No washing of rigs allowed".  

Mark & Teri

2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350

Mark & Teri's Travels

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We've seen maybe 50/50 on private campgrounds wash/no wash.  Our favorite place in Indy says go for it, after paying $5 for the extra water you use.  They have to pay for the water too.

2002 Fifth Avenue RV (RIP) 2015 Ram 3500 Mega-cab DRW(38k miles), 6.7L Cummins Diesel, A668RFE, 3.73, 14,000 GVWR, 5,630 Payload, 27,300 GCWR, 18,460 Max Trailer Weight Rating(For Sale) , living in the frigid north, ND.

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We found that if you're staying long-term they'll allow it more so than if just pulling in for a day or two.  The reason being.... if one site gets transient stays and one or two will wash during the week, that ground can get very soft and then when the next RV pulls in indentations/ruts begin to form.  When a RV stays there and is not moved for a while there's no issue.

We made good use of 'The Solution' and did sections at a time... maybe one day we did the right side; next the left side.  It really doesn't take effort.  We took a bucket of water & wiped the area first then applied 'The Solution' and wiped excess off and our RV sparkled.  We never used wax and when we sold after 8 years it looked new.

We took the motorhome to a facility for the recommended time period oil change & regular maintenance.  We just put it in our budget.  Never did enjoy vehicle maintenance - even on cars.

Full-timed for 16 Years
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Motorhome
and 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

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23 hours ago, mptjelgin said:

In our experience the majority of private campgrounds have a prohibition against washing RV's on site. A few will allow it with an extra charge, but most (that we've stayed in) clearly state "No washing of rigs allowed".  

I guess everyones experiences are different.  We have only visited CGs in around 30+ states so far, but most have been private CGs.  I always either ask or read their rules reference washing of vehicles because we not only have to maintain our coach but we have a car and motorcycle to clean.  

I am guessing that maybe 2 out of 10 forbid washing RVs.  Some will charge for the extra water usage and some won't.  Just our experiences.  If we were going to CGs that mostly prohibited the washing of vehicles we would be crossing them off our list except for 1 or 2 night stays.

Joe & Cindy

Newmar 4369 Ventana

Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks)

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  • 1 month later...

If we know where you plan on staying, we might be able to suggest campgrounds that allow washing of rigs. For example, Armitage Park, which is a county campground in Eugene, OR, allows you to wash your rig.  We also might be able to suggest places with nearby "quarter" car washes big enough for a trailer or motorhome.  For example, there is one in Tehachapi, CA, and one I know of in Monroe, MI, right across the road from the entrance to Sterling State Park!  I have used both, though the exit to the one in Tehachapi is a little tight for big rigs. 

As a full-timer, I often use Blue Beacon, but I also keep my eyes out as I drive for car washes with super-big bays. 

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We left SW Florida April 3rd and have been making our way slowly in a northerly direction.  We are in our third CG and will be leaving here Friday.  All so far have allowed the washing of RVs and vehicles without charging extra.   

Joe & Cindy

Newmar 4369 Ventana

Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks)

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How many have I joined me and don't care what the park Management says, BUTTT when it rains I get the rain coat and brush out. I clean the front and rear caps. I only use a hose if the rain stops before finished.

Never had a problem. I do pay for one full cleaning yearly plus one DIY on the FW. I wash truck myself more often for about 40 quarters.

Clay 2016 DRV and FL

Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow

Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C

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23 hours ago, rm.w/aview said:

It seems that since you've posted last and in the interest of this thread that you've taken it upon yourself to ask about this, and that's really groovy man.

????  I have read your post 10 times and still don't understand it, but I'm just on my second cup this morning also.  Not sure what I have "taken it upon myself to ask" since I didn't start this thread or ask anything.  

Joe & Cindy

Newmar 4369 Ventana

Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks)

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We use Blue Beacon locations a few times each year, and have also washed the rig in parks at times with permission. My favorite was an overnight stop where the owner gave me permission to rinse the accumulated winter road crude off the motorhome and toad. As I started rinsing down one side, I heard some strange noises on the other side, and found the owner had dragged out another hose and was rinsing that side! I didn't notice till later on that the park rules specifically prohibited rig washing... 

Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F-53 Chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/brake system

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2 hours ago, Dutch_12078 said:

As I started rinsing down one side, I heard some strange noises on the other side, and found the owner had dragged out another hose and was rinsing that side! I didn't notice till later on that the park rules specifically prohibited rig washing... 

That is my kind of owner!  The last two private parks we've stayed at as we make our way to Maine specifically prohibited washing of RV's or other vehicles. 

Mark & Teri

2021 Grand Designs Imagine 2500RL, 2019 Ford F-350

Mark & Teri's Travels

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The rule was that you could not wash your rig, not that the owner couldn’t wash it for you, lol lol lol. I am handicapped so I can’t wash and wax my rig by myself. When I get down south for the winter I usually pay someone to wash and wax my rig once a year, about $350/$400. Last fall in Phoenix I was charged $500, man it’s getting expensive but they did a fantastic job. As I travel in the summer I usually stop at a Blue Beacon Truck wash a couple of times, about $60/$70 for just a wash. This most recent time, however, was the worst wash I have ever had at a Blue Beacon, in York NE. I may have to look into getting someone to come to the campground and wash my rig. I think a wash without a wax is only about $100. Not much more than Blue Beacon and should be a better job. 

2015 Itasca Ellipse 42QD

2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock Edition

2021 Harley Street Glide Special 

Fulltimer

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22 hours ago, rm.w/aview said:

 

 

Apologies Joe, but I read that since leaving Florida you have asked at the campgrounds that you came across to respond to this thread with current information.

Okay, I get it now.  I should have been clearer.  I guess what I meant to come across was that I am paying more attention since this post started.  We have a binder we save the handout material that most campgrounds give you when you check in. Usually it includes the map of their sites and the rules.  Even though I haven't specifically asked any of the CG staff about washing my rig there has not been any written rules against it so far.

Each CG so far I have had to wash the front of my rig due to love bugs in Florida, Alabama, and now Tennessee.

Joe & Cindy

Newmar 4369 Ventana

Pulling 24' enclosed (Mini Cooper, Harley, 2 Kayaks)

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I just washed my car, truck and rig at a TT CG. Some of the employees driving by in there cart asked if I would wash it next. A joke I hear every time I wash something. Gets old as I hear it every time. I even changed the oil in my truck.  But I do have a no spill drain system on it.

2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear

2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3

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