How do they do it?

Know where you are coming from, SOREN!

robsouth wrote:
I have seen some of "those" in campgrounds. The owners usually spend all of their "outside" time rubbing on the RV in some fashion or another. Different strokes...

I have observed this phenomenon to the point that it borders on mental illness, on several occasions.

#1 Gassing up in Prince George and I start a conversation with a class A owner. It's early in the season, but I am surprised to hear that he is heading south, and has plates from a southern state. He tells me he got a few hundred miles up the road and was simply too stressed by all the horrible road conditions to continue. he simply couldn't handle the idea of a dirty coach, or a potential rock chip.

#2 We got set up at border city about 8PM while heading northbound. The next rig to arrive was a stunning black 40'+ class A with a matching black SUV. They pull into the wash bay and get the pressure washer going. At TWO AM I wake up, and see them still at the job.

#3 We are at one of the prettiest place I have seen on this earth. Backed up to the canal leading to the small boat harbor in Valdez. The weather, scenery and fishing are perfect. Two couples step out of a class A that backed into the adjoining site. The husband of the couple who owns the rig stays behind while the three others spend the next TWO DAYS touring the area. He spends his time obsessively washing and detailing the coach. He will not even engage is a conversation of more than one sentence with anyone walking by.

Bottom line. If you are obsessive about material objects, and you are the kind that can't relax unless your RV is ready for the judges at a car show, don't even bother heading north. It isn't fair to your S.O or anybody else that has to deal with you. It isn't hard to imagine that in all examples I encountered, the spouses had an experience that varied from unpleasant, to downright horrible.

jnharley wrote:
We have washed our 5th wheel 3 times since we have been on our trip to Alaska and we always remove the bugs from the front cap after every travel day. With all this rain, cleaning off the bugs can be an easy job.

My cap has been pretty clean, I credit the rain showers as well. We are probably going to do a 4th clean this week, though the rig is not really too bad, but want to make sure we keep the salt air deposits down since we have been on the peninsula for a couple of weeks.

We have washed our 5th wheel 3 times since we have been on our trip to Alaska and we always remove the bugs from the front cap after every travel day. With all this rain, cleaning off the bugs can be an easy job.

It is amazing how good our coach will look from 100' away. Get closer, and you will see the road grime. Paint color can make a big difference in how good an actual dirty coach will look, from a distance:)!

We waxed before we left. Washed once in Tok, and just washed again in Seward. We've had great weather here for over the 4th, but heading towards Valdez via a one night stop in Anchorage for Costco/Fred Myers re-stocking, and they're forecasting rain. So, by Tuesday or Wednesday, will be dirty again.

In between, I will be that old fart you see in some parks out with a micro towel and my choice for 'washless' cleaning (Using a Griots product now. But mix it up with Zaino and others from time to time.) I keep the basement doors clean, and around the front door area too. I do not attempt to clean off the behind the tags basement doors, as they just have too much road grime built up. And by pure luck the wrong way, the paint scheme on the rear of the coach basement and side radiator vent areas is rich dark maroon. The rest are light beige color, that hide the dirt well.

One other thing I do after these 'on the road' washings, is go over the paint with a product that you spray onto a clean micro towel and just 'wipe on and walk away' no removal required (Zaino ZCS). This keeps the protection of the applied wax in good shape, between full wax jobs. I use a swifter pole and pad, with the micro towel attached to the pad. Can reach all the way to the rail area.

But you know, like many of you, while I care about the condition of my rig - I don't get too worried if it's dirty. We knew going, that this trip in some areas would apply more dirt and grime then we have ever seen on our rig. When we get back to home base, we'll wash and probably give the paint a good clay and buffing, it deserves it. Before then, it is the Go North To Alaska dirt badge of honor:)!

Best to all, shine or dirt, have fun, stay safe,
Smitty

Hey, they have to "look good". There on TOUR! It just amazes me when motorhomes pull in to a park and the first thing the old fart does is get his two step stool and wash pole and you know the rest. You did better than us Verbeyes. Washed the truck only at North Pole a month ago. The fiver will wait.

I have seen some of "those" in campgrounds. The owners usually spend all of their "outside" time rubbing on the RV in some fashion or another. Different strokes...

Not out west, but I wash my rig after towing in the rain no matter where we go.

I have done that,, bring a long extendable handle truck brush, bio degradable soap and wash before we leave the coast, especially if it has been windy and blowing the salt water around. Never seen a sign saying "no vehicle washing" but I can imagine its coming in California!!

Some wash rigs every nite in the campground so I have seen.