External care of your rig

[danrn]

Well, I was dead set on getting a regular 5th wheel until I read a lot of eye opening information on this site (triple towing and length restrictions). Now I am looking at 5th wheel toy haulers; kind of like the Dutchman Voltage 3970 floor plan so far. Any ways, I have found that very few TH's have full body paint, and those that do are fairly costly. I felt full body paint would be more durable than an RV without it, but because of the cost I am looking at TH's without full body paint. Here's the question; what are you guys doing to maintain the finish and the decals? Covers; professional waxing (how often?). Indoor storage is not cheap either.
I have had three class A motorhomes over the years, and I would hand wax these beasts 3-4 times a year, and would use covers( they seldom lasted very long; 1st big wind and I lost them), but I would still have fading and decals pealing.
Thanks
Dan

[afishinado]

I just parked mine for the winter. I don't think the previous two owner ever did anything to the outside but wash it occasionally. I think I'm following their lead! Maybe a good reason to stick with this one, if I had a new shiney one, I'd have to do something to keep it that way.

[RUFFSTUFF]

My KZ Inferno is painted and after seeing how our last trailer held up with the decals after 4 years... I will do my best to never have decals again...

[2btowed]

2008 3612DS Keystone Raptor,Unit sits outside in AZ.Decals still look great except for front from BIG bugs.I apply 303 twice a year ,in Nov. and April,I wash depending on how dusty it gets.Works for me.

[WhitehouseLV]

I'm on my second Keystone Raptor. My first was a 2006 3612DS. We purchased that new. Spent 2 years in Vegas and the remaining years in Montana. We sold it to some neighbors so we get to see it regularly. Its never been stored inside and never had a cover of any sorts on it. The decals still look good and from what I can tell show no signs of fading or cracking.

Fast forward to my current Raptor, 2009 380LEV, and it too sits outside. The right side gets the least amount of sun and the decals are cracking and starting to fade. The left side gets the most amount of sun and the decals have almost all peeled off.

It drives me crazy everytime I see my decals. There are 2 must have's on my next toyhauler. auto leveling jacks and a full paint. If I can't get full paint then I'm building a shop to store it in.

[dodgboy]

Have not had to yet

[Eyetattoo]

dodgboy wrote:
Nice thing about replacing the decals when they fade is upgrading to the newer style and you have a newer looking unit.

How much does it cost to replace your decals?

[dodgboy]

Nice thing about replacing the decals when they fade is upgrading to the newer style and you have a newer looking unit.

[nayther]

INDOOR STORAGE????????? In so cal that would exceed my payment.

[steiny93]

I wash mine after every use; wax it once a year.
Sits inside between all trips.

The previous rig was 8 years old when we traded; all the stickers were in great shape.

Indoor storage is a huge plus!

[Rockerrider]

For what we all pay for these toys...Indoor storage is cheap! Mine is going on 3 years old now and all the decals and outside of the trailer looks brand new. My last 5er I left outside and it looked terrible after a couple years....won't do that again!

[Carrera_man]

Been using Protect ALL for years. I do all rubber, paint and windows. Twice a year seems to work for me.

[Vulcanmars]

Hire a local detail guy every other year to wax. $500 well spent.

[TucsonJim]

Remove and replace the decals every 5-7 years. Much cheaper than full body paint.

[ScottG]

If I were going to take long trips (several months or more) or even full time in a RV, I would sure want full body paint. The decals just don't hold up (no matter what you do) over the long haul if exposed to lots of sun and then the whole rig looks shabby.
I think you should hold out for a model with FBP.