Many of you are probably thinking about putting your camper in storage now that the weather is turning cooler. Maybe there are a few more good weekends left, but at some point you’ll want to start looking at storage options and getting ready for the winter. One of the first steps you should take in preparing your RV for storage is washing it. Getting the grime and dirt of the camping season off your camper is going to hep prevent problems from building up when you’re not using it. Not to mention, it’s going to look a lot better when you come back to it.
Travelcamp has provided some tips for getting you started, but if you need additional advice, then stop by one of our locations in Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida near Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Daytona Beach, and St. Augustine.
Supplies
Start by gathering all the necessary supplies. And by necessary, we also mean the right supplies. Most of what you’ll be using is pretty intuitive and won’t be much different from you’d do for your commuter vehicle. A gentle detergent is ideal to prevent damaging the skin of the camper, as well as soft rags and a brush with a telescoping handle for those hard to reach places.
Some camper owners use pressure washers, especially to get a tougher, top layer of dirt off. Pressure washers can certainly cut down on time, but you’ll want to use it carefully. The water comes out at such an intense pressure that it can strip finishings. Stand a couple of feet back to give yourself plenty of distance and don’t keep the nozzle focused on one point.
Best Washing Techniques
Approach your camper with the standard top down method of vehicle washing. Start with the roof. You can either access it using the ladder attached to the rig or get your own ladder. In some cases, it’ll be easier to walk on the roof as you clean. Just make sure you’re wearing shoes with a good grip and, whatever method you choose, make sure you have a spotter looking out for you.
As you wash your roof, make sure to wash and rinse in smaller sections so you don’t risk the soap suds drying on and forcing you to redo all your hard work. Employ this method for the rest of the camper as well, dividing it into longer sections. This will probably take a little longer, but it beats having to redo the whole thing.
Detailing
As you’re wrapping things up, consider taking a little more time to make the rest of your camper sparkle. Use automotive window cleaner to clean the windows and windshield and use sealant conditioner to touch up your seals and ensure they are not going to dry out and crack. As you’re working on the seals around your slide-outs, you might also want to consider applying dry slide-out lubricant to grease the bars and tracks. Lubricant can also be helpful for any squeaky doors you might have.
If you want to touch up your tires, see what your rims are made of and buy a cleaner that works specifically for that material, whether its aluminum, chrome, enamel, or steel. And for the extra touch of fresh-off-the-lot aesthetic, consider getting tire shine for a slick, jet-black look.
Once your RV is nice and squeaky clean, you can either move on to other storage prep concerns or you can get ready for your next trip. Your camper is now going to be ready for whatever your next steps are. If you still need a camper to round out the camping season, stop by Travelcamp and let one of our experienced staff show you around our lot.
