Truck Stop RV Wash concerns

[HighwayJunky]

After spending a month on the California coast and starting home soon cross country I really need the Class A washed. However the manufacturer recommends gentle detergents since this unit has a full body paint job(like many of the new models that have come out recently).

Do any of you use the truck stops \ along the interstate to have your units washed? And, if so, are you happy with the results or recommend not using another alternative?

What should I expect to have to pay $$$ ???

Signed, concerned novice RV'er

[Mr_Mark1]

I truly enjoy washing the motorhome myself and plan to wash it this week. I consider it good exercise and it takes me 2.5 hours to wash and dry (including the tires and wheels).

I certainly will have it done while on the road where the RV parks/resorts do not allow personal washing (if it's really dirty). The private wash companies seem to do a good job too.

I do not climb on the roof and will not allow anyone up there on this coach. The 'wash guys' can rinse it but I don't want them walking on it. Amazing how clean it is with just rinsing.

Since I don't have a ladder attached to this coach, I just don't feel comfortable climbing over with a ladder leaning against the side. The previous coach had an attached ladder and I was up there all the time but not now.

Safe travels,
MM.

[Blaster_Man]

I have never used any truck wash facility on any of our six RVs. As noted above, some might be okay, however, I don't want to use any kind of power sprayer. The sprayer could damage parts of the coach and/or drive water where water should not be. Also, their detergent could remove the wax/polish. I do all the washing myself.

[C20]

Thanks. I had a friend design the graphics for the trailer then bought a 3m wrap. I installed it myself like wallpaper. The colors are close but not exact.

[Mile_High]

C20 wrote:
We use blue beacon all the time. As said some better than others but for the money a good deal. I've seen some places want over $100. I do it myself when campgrounds allow or at home.

Nice matching graphics on your rigs!

[JumboJet]

Blue Beacon in Gallup, NM did a good job on mine.

I had waxed it before leaving on the 4,600 mile trip. It shined like a new nickle when they finished.

[xctraveler]

In many campgrounds, especially in the south, I find small companies that advertise in the cg office to wash and detail on site. If they are welcome by the cg operators they will at least do no harm. Cost tend to be much higher than Blue Beacon numbers, but I get a nice clean coach with no damage to the paint. I also will do it myself with the lambswool and materials I bought when the coach was new. Nice weather, permissive campground and nothing special to do result in the joy of washing and going over the entire coach with an attentive eye looking for areas that need extra attention.

[C20]

We use blue beacon all the time. As said some better than others but for the money a good deal. I've seen some places want over $100. I do it myself when campgrounds allow or at home.

[Mile_High]

You can ask the Blue Beacon guys to go easy, not do the roof, not use brushes, etc. I've had good luck with them.

[HighwayJunky]

Wish I could wash it DIM (do-it-myself) but place I store the unit doesn't allow or offer a water supply.
Can't do it at home either due to property restrictions. I feel forced to rely on commercial truck/RV cleaning companies.

[flatbedr]

Lots of perspective here with regards to Blue Beacon. My 2 Cents.....BUYER BEWARE!! With 21 years in the trucking business I've had my chosen share of dealings with this company. The latest (and last dealing) I've had resulted in a repair bill over $400.00!! After all the pictures were taken, reports filed and video tapes reviewed Blue Beacon determined they "WERE NOT AT FAULT DUE TO THE FACT THEIR CLEANING EQUIPMENT DID NOT TOUCH MY EQUIPMENT". What happened was one of their guys placed the tip of his washing wand inches from the blinker on my hood resulting in breaking it off.

As for cleaning.....BB uses extremely aggressive chemicals for the removal of bugs and debris coupled with extreme high pressure wash wands. Sure they will use brushes. Ever pay attention to the effort put into the use of those brushes? There's absolutely no need!! So for you guys that ponied up big money for the full body paint beware. Same warning goes to all others. Harsh chemicals + extreme water pressure doesn't end well. Blue Beacon is the Wal-Mart of commercial washing. Speed and availability are what they're built on.

My suggestion aside from doing the work yourself......

Seek out neat and clean facilities. Go inside before committing to a wash and look around. Ask questions. Watch whats going on. Observe what methods are being used....new, near new wool wash mitts, clean brushes, ladders in use, employee appearance and attitude. Ladders are extremely important to watch for. How close do they get them to the equipment being washed? Are they fixed ladders or mobile? Look for and ask what cleaning agents they use. Do the words "Mild" and "Commercial" put together equal oxymoron?

[hipower]

I've used Blue Beacon and several other lesser known names. Results vary and are generally not as good as we would achieve if we did it ourselves, but it serves the purpose when traveling and your unit is dirty enough that you feel the need to wash it. Prices were always reasonable. Sometimes the wait was a little long others not so much.

[wa8yxm]

Blue Beacon seems to do a decent job.. You should ask if they have been trained in RV washing but they did not damage mine. I've used them a few times.

[Jim_Norman]

Only used Blue Beacon once. Will not do it again, not a great job, didn't do the roof, streaks, etc. I will simply DIM (Do it myself) I have a pole and real lambs wool wash pads and mitts. Used Johnson's Baby Shampoo as recommended by the mfg. Came out nice. (No tangles either!)

[Kayteg1]

I don't think company name means much in this case as much as the actuall kid who will do the washing.
I used one of truck wash station and even they did good cleaning job, they broke my marker light trying to move the poles as fast as they can.
They reimburse me $3 for the cover, but I had to buy it and replace.