In the past we have always winterized and covered our TCs from late November until early spring.For the first time we are considering using it for a couple weekend trips to Vermont and Maine in January and February.Our current TC, a 2012 Lance 855S has the 4 season options, so I am not concerned with how it will be if we use it this winter. We will be warm and dry.But we live in northern New England and the various highway departments (state and local) use lots of sand and salt- LOTS.Here is my question for all of you that are in similar areas and situations- what do you do about cleaning all that sand and salt off after a trip? Do I just leave it filthy until the weather warms in late winter?I could use warm water from our radiant floor heating system to wash the exterior(we use plain water) but I would worry about it freezing in all sorts of little places around the outside of the TC and potential damage.I know what the camper looks like after a few days on the road during warmer weather- I can only imagine what it will look like after a few hours of winter driving.Words of wisdom from northern winter TC owners?

there is one of those "do it yourself" car washes near my home that has bays tall enough for me to drive the camper through. I use one of those to clean it off. with the high pressure spray wands and brushes it works good. sure it gets a little dirty again on the drive home from the wash but it helps a bunch.another option for you is to see if there is a truck (semi) wash near you.

I have my own pressure washer at home and in warm weather I use it with the nozzle on a wide setting.My concern is any water that would then remain in small spaces and cold weather over the next few days- we have already had -20F here this winter. Water exerts 30,000 psi when it freezes.It never concerned me when it was covered all winter.Maybe I just need to use the TC and not worry.

I would not leave it salted , try to rinse it off as suggested, if you can, remove the camper and take the truck solo to an undercarriage car-wash . If you park it in the sunshine, it should dry itself. My experience in traveling up to Coos County is the truck taking most of the hit, the undercarriage . I try to use my truck from time to time (on dry roads) just to keep the rust off the rotors. As far as the camper goes, the rear skirts take the brunt of it. I caulked the skirts around the molding trim where tire road slush accumulates plus I installed large mud-flaps to keep it at a minimum . These are the areas I concentrate on when I rinse the rig using hot water (I installed an outside hot water spigot on my house)Someone here mentioned they use a garden sprinkler under the truck and that works well. I thought that was a good idea so I do that now. Thank you for that idea .Bob

If your washing it and are concerened about water freezing in spots after cleaning it...How about using a leaf blower (if you have one) and a towel to dry it?

the tc life wrote:If your washing it and are concerened about water freezing in spots after cleaning it...How about using a leaf blower (if you have one) and a towel to dry it?OK, good idea. I do have a backpack blower. I could wait a few days until the weather was warmer, then do the wash & blow.I was also looking at Roadmaster mud flaps to minimize the amount of******coming up off the road and tires.

Winter use- cleaning & maintenance question.....

SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
We do have some winter TC experience.

Two years ago next February we drove our previous truck/TC combo (2007 Chevy 2500HD xcab 4x4 and Lance 825) to Florida.

Two days each way was without incident but the northern part of the round trip was a salted road extravaganza. Our tie downs looked like rust-city but otherwise, no problems.

What the hell.....this winter we are back on the (snowy...salty) roads.
bobndot
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2013
SugarHill , Have a safe trip .

You are so right IMO ,
"One of the biggest advantages of a single unit (as opposed to a truck & trailer combo) is use when road conditions are less than perfect"

A few years back a woman walking on the shoulder of the roadway in (the Colebrook area )Columbia, N.H. was killed by a snowmobile trailer that fishtailed as the tow vehicle pulled around a slower moving car to pass it .
It was at that time we decided to leave our machines garaged up there , no more towing back n forth. Besides the 1000 mi. round trip was becoming a chore because it always seems to be bad weather when we travel. I have noticed that the blizzards are on my side of the highway only. :@ That's the gods way of getting me back for my bad rvnet jokes.

Bob
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
Thanks to all so far.

If it was 10 or 20 years ago I wouldn't even think of taking the TC out in winter weather.

But we "ain't getting any younger" and can't always wait for ideal conditions.

One of the biggest advantages of a single unit (as opposed to a truck & trailer combo) is use when road conditions are less than perfect.

If we aren't buried under a ton of snow in late January or early February, we are heading to Stratton, Vt to visit my sister and her family- they have hundreds of acres and lots of things to do there.

I'll post some trip pictures and the dirty(!) details. :E
billtex
Explorer II
Dec 29, 2013
Hey John
We don't intentionally head out in a storm, we do however use the camper for ski camping
It's a tool to make memories
Ill hit the car wash when we get home
There's use and abuse
I never abuse our toys...but we are not afraid to use them either.
Unfortunately our camper does not fit all the way in the carwash stall so be sure to check the height
B
Rettrooper
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
Hi John and Cathy,

First off, sorry we didn't get a chance to hook up this past fall like we talked about, hopefully that will change this coming year. Secondly, you and I both know how much salt NH uses to keep OUR roads clear! I considered heading out this winter with our Eagle Cap, but didn't want to chance it with all the sand and salt on the roads here and in Maine. I hate to say it, but ours will remain parked until after the first major rain storm to clear the sand and salt off the roads (trying to protect our investment). We do the same with our Harley Davidson motorcycles. Winter here in New England are very harsh on our equipment.

On the other hand, if we were to head south for the winter, you can bet we'd load it up and head out onto the roads and wash it when we got further south. You try it and let me know if it's worth it. :B
ticki2
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
Living in the NE there is no question that the salt/chloride will take it's toll . Sometimes power washing can do more harm than good as it drives the liquid brine into all the crevices . Washing has to be thorough to do any good . I have been using a product called Fluid Film for several years on my plow equipment and have been impressed with the results . While nothing is perfect it has done a good job of retarding the corrosion process . It can be purchased online and some auto stores . The real problem is it takes years sometimes to determine the maintenance technique that works the best for your situation . Good luck and keep us posted .
btggraphix
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
The main thing was your last comment - just use it and don't worry.

If the roads crew have been spraying MagChloride (generally before big storms) I try to rinse off the undercarriage of my truck and the TC at a tall car wash. I'll rinse the rest of the camper too but not so carefully or heavily. A rinse is the key I think.

If it's really cold or the roads haven't been sprayed much I just let it go for several trips until it gets bad just like in the summer.....congrats on deciding to use it in the winter though, you'll enjoy it!

A side door in the winter is REALLY nice!!!
SugarHillCTD
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
the tc life wrote:
If your washing it and are concerened about water freezing in spots after cleaning it...
How about using a leaf blower (if you have one) and a towel to dry it?

OK, good idea. I do have a backpack blower. I could wait a few days until the weather was warmer, then do the wash & blow.

I was also looking at Roadmaster mud flaps to minimize the amount of******coming up off the road and tires.
the_tc_life
Explorer
Dec 28, 2013
If your washing it and are concerened about water freezing in spots after cleaning it...
How about using a leaf blower (if you have one) and a towel to dry it?
bobndot
Explorer II
Dec 28, 2013
I would not leave it salted , try to rinse it off as suggested, if you can, remove the camper and take the truck solo to an undercarriage car-wash . If you park it in the sunshine, it should dry itself.

My experience in traveling up to Coos County is the truck taking most of the hit, the undercarriage . I try to use my truck from time to time (on dry roads) just to keep the rust off the rotors.
As far as the camper goes, the rear skirts take the brunt of it.
I caulked the skirts around the molding trim where tire road slush accumulates plus I installed large mud-flaps to keep it at a minimum .
These are the areas I concentrate on when I rinse the rig using hot water (I installed an outside hot water spigot on my house)
Someone here mentioned they use a garden sprinkler under the truck and that works well. I thought that was a good idea so I do that now. Thank you for that idea .

Bob