Do you "wash" your camper at campgrounds?

Maple_Geek

Hello,

Do any of you ever "wash" your T@B at campgrounds?
I say "wash" because I wasn't thinking of using any harsh chemicals but rather some soapy water (biodegradable dish soap) to remove the bulk of the dirt that comes from travelling. I often arrive at camp sites with the T@B quite dirty from taking dirt roads (mostly the front).
I'd much prefer to enjoy a clean camper during my stays but I also don't want to spend a lot of time doing this.
Do others do this? Is it generally accepted? Do you have any environmentally products to recommend?

bergger

I guess the short answer for me is no.  I only wash our 400 with soap a couple of times a summer and rinse it off a few times more.  I've never seen anyone wash a camper at a campground here in Colorado or the west.  With the water shortage in Colorado and the Southwest in general washing a camper at the campground may be frowned upon.  I suppose if the front is dirty from travel maybe take a bucket of plain water and wipe down that area to clean it up to your liking.  

marleecamps

Nope, not me.  The only cleaning I do at campgrounds involves keeping the interior relatively tidy and running a hand vac to pick up dirt and dog fur.  I might run a wet paper towel over the front window if it's really dirty to enhance my view.  At season end, I thoroughly wash and wax the exterior, and this seems to keep dust or dirt from collecting on the camper to any great extent during the season.  I hose off tree debris at home as needed.  I consider the layer of dirt on my Jeep a badge of honor.

ChrisFix

A lot of campgrounds I've stayed out have rules specifically forbidding washing your rig at your campsite. A very few offered a dedicated wash area...

VictoriaP

I would say it’s more like “generally NOT accepted”, and in many places I’ve seen, outright banned. If you think about it, your 320 is probably one of the smallest trailers there, and sure, *you* won’t use much water to clean off a little dirt, but that fifth wheel the next site over could take hundreds of gallons to fully wash. Easier for the campground to say no across the board. 

If it bothers you that much, you’re best off hunting for a DIY car wash bay somewhere between those dirt roads and your campground. For smaller clean up needs, I usually carry a spray waterless cleaner (I use WashWaxAll, but there are several out there) and a few microfiber cloths, plus a plastic bag to toss them in for the ride home.

[Deleted User]

Most campgrounds specifically prohibit the washing of rv's and tow vehicles at camp and in eight years of camping, I've never seen anyone washing their RV at camp. They also usually prohibit any sort of repairs or work on rv or vehicles.  I actually wash both before I leave home before every trip unless they are calling for rain the same or next day.  

Maple_Geek

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I unfortunately do not have the ability to wash my camper at home and pulling in to a washing bay can be a bit difficult I would think. 

I wasn't suggesting that I would use a hose to wash down the camper. Just a bit of biodegradable soap with a small bucket of water to remove the mud that accumulates at the front. I would never do a full wash at a campground.

[Deleted User]

I think a quick bucket wash would be ok. 

webers3

I only wash my 320 at self service car wash. The soap soak and high pressure rinse does a great job of cleaning it, especially the under carriage. I have not been to one campground that allows washing a camper

VictoriaP

@Maple_Geek I’m ridiculously timid about towing. There are plenty of gas stations I wouldn’t feel comfortable trying to maneuver through with the trailer. But I have yet to see a self service wash bay that I couldn’t manage. Maybe the ones I’ve been by are different than in your area? Every one I’ve seen in recent years is pull through, with plenty of turning radius on both ends for getting in and out.

Regardless a bucket wash might be OK. Just be prepared to be confronted if a ranger or camp host catches you at it, because again, it’s generally not allowed at campsites, and with good reason.

lino

I have gently cleaned some mud off but wait until I get home

But always wash and cover once home