Washing a caravan

[JapanRed]

We’ve had our caravan a few months now and when we picked it up from storage on Saturday it was a bit dirty. How do everyone wash their Caravans? Are there any companies out there that offer such a service?

[Eric Mc]

I use water. It works really well

And yes, there are caravan and motor home valeters out there. Some will even travel to your home to clean your van.

A quick Google will throw up lots of valeters. I've never used one so can't vouch for whether they are good or bad.

[PH5121]

I wash mine in the same manner as I wash the cars. A quick snow foam to loosen the dirt, then a rinse off and wash with Autoglym car wash using a sponge and an extending handle long brush. I stand on a hop up to do the sides and use a step ladder to reach over the roof.
I also polish mine with Autoglym polish as it's what I have to hand for the cars.

However the first clean of the year can take the best part of a day to get rid of the muck, grime and green algae that gathers over the winter being stored on a farm.
This year I ended up using a bottle of spray bleach and an electric toothbrush to get into the nooks and crannies before it was clean enough to wash in the manner described above.

I avoid using the pressure washer on the caravan (except for the snow foam application) as it can blow water past the window and door seals.

I'd imagine if there are any local mobile car valeters they'd wash the caravan for you.

[2Btoo]

As has been said, in the same way as a car. Be as fussy or not as you choose!

However, be warned - they are BIG! Only when you start washing your caravan will you realise how big a thing it is and it will take a fair old while. You'll need a tall stepladder to get to the roof too.

To the guy who polishes his as well - bravo!

[Eric Mc]

And motorhomes are usually even bigger - especially as they tend to sit quite a bit higher off the ground compared to a caravan.

[2Btoo]

Eric Mc said:

And motorhomes are usually even bigger - especially as they tend to sit quite a bit higher off the ground compared to a caravan.

This isn't turning into a mine's-bigger-than-yours willy-waving contest is it?

[Mr Pointy]

A Worx Hydroshot might be of interest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On7fySwqrkI
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...

The fact it's not as powerful as a proper pressure washer might be an advantage in this application. You'd need a couple of spare batteries though.

[JapanRed]

Thanks all. I’ve not got the time or inclination to spend a whole day washing it so will have a search for mobile valeters.

Thanks.

[C0ffin D0dger]

There's a chap that does them where we store ours. Have yet to engage his services but probably will do when it's dirty enough. Pretty handy as there's a servicing chap there too. Just give him the keys and get a call a few weeks later when he's got round to it.

[Eric Mc]

2Btoo said:

Eric Mc said:

And motorhomes are usually even bigger - especially as they tend to sit quite a bit higher off the ground compared to a caravan.

This isn't turning into a mine's-bigger-than-yours willy-waving contest is it?

No, it's turning into a "don't buy a motorhome if you don't like climbing ladders" discussion.

[anonymous-user]

With a flame thrower would be my choice

[C0ffin D0dger]

Now now

[agent006]

We waxed the roof on our motorhome, cuts the black streaks right down. Used Collinite, one specially recommended for this.

Ours has hardly ever been washed, as we were on the road all the time. When it does its a Halfords brush on a stick with regular car shampoo. We have a pot of silky cream cleaner for the bits that need a bit more effort. This works really nicely on any black marks.