How Close To Salt Water...?

The first winter we had our MH, I put the jacks down and wiped them with a cloth soaked in hydraulic fluid. After a couple of weeks, I noticed rust stains, so I polished them out and retracted the jacks. I now jack up once a month, high enough to get the wheels off the ground (one side at a time) and rotate the wheels a half-turn, so the tires don't develop a hard flat-spot.

I contacted the jack manufacturer about how close to salt water you could leave the jacks out. The reply was "We consider less than 60 miles to be close". Since we're across the street from the waterfront homes on a salt-water marina, we're probably less than 60 yards!

JaxDad wrote:
My C was bought new in 1995 by a fella near Tampa FL who lived right on the Gulf.

It was parked within sight of the Gulf until 2011 when I bought it, there isn't a spec of rust anywhere on it.

Leave the Gulf and spend some time at Gamble Rogers then report back on your experience.

Again salt water issues will be based on where you are. High fog, high dew, high winds will give you a whole new knowledge on the subject.

too close...

These people don't seem to worry about it? :B Don't know how it works out for them though?

We camp about 300-400' from the beach for several months at a time and haven't had any real issues. Our coach is heavily under coated (northern road salt protection) and I wash it down every few weeks.

We frequently visit sites near/on the ocean. I make it a point to thoroughly wash the MH as soon as we get home. And like Duck says, I mean clean and spray every inch top, sides and bottom especially.

We camp on the water in the Florida Keys. I usually spray fresh water on the metal every other day and always the day we are leaving. It is always necessary to hose down the under carriage ie: axles, springs, wheels etc.
Don

My C was bought new in 1995 by a fella near Tampa FL who lived right on the Gulf.

It was parked within sight of the Gulf until 2011 when I bought it, there isn't a spec of rust anywhere on it.

Really depends on where you are vs how much damage. Heavy dew areas with salt spray you're going to pay the price. In high salt areas 2-5 miles inland seems to be a good distance for short term RV'ing. 50 miles inland and the damage will not be noticed.

Fresh water rinsing is needed. Ospro when you see rust. Swap out all screws for SS ones before you can't remove the old ones due to rust. Rinse off the aluminum fins on the AC unit with fresh water so they don't rot. Grease the fan shaft on the AC unit before the shaft rust thru. Spray the underside frame with oil (I use ATF) or check out Fluid Film for more $$$. Make sure you hit the leaf hangers. Oil anything that is steel and is exposed. Then sit back with a beer and watch rust slowly appear.

Good Luck.

Much depends on the prevailing winds. Onshore or offshore. If onshore how high are those winds & how much salty mist is in the air. I live less than 1000' from the ocean. I can always hear it. Salt spray is not too much of an issue except on stormy days. Unpainted things rust quick around here. What does not rust corrodes.

RVs are put together with cheap fasteners. Frames have a very thin coat of paint. If you are going to spend any time near salt water rinse frequently especially undersides & moving parts for the slides.