Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Caravan Cleaning

John4703

13/9/2017 at 7:22pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/2/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 694
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	7
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	37
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	7
Site Nights 2019:	7
Site Nights 2018:	0

I've seen posts on various forums warning against taking a caravan to a car wash.
I am wondering why this is considered to be so bad. My local car wash will clean the exterior of a caravan for £10. They seem to use the same method as cleaning a car, they spray on some sort of soapy foam, rub it with a sponge and then pressure wash it all off.
I've always avoided using them as I thought that the pressure washer could damage some seals on the caravan but yesterday made me wonder if that is correct. I drove along a motorway in heavy rain and a wind so with my speed of 60mph plus the wind and the lashing rain the caravan was subjected to a lot of water at a very high speed. (I did slow down when the rain was so bad it reduced viability - I thought I'd better add that before getting flamed by the road safety people). I assume my caravan is designed to be towed at speed through rain. I might one day take it to far flung places and tow it legally at 80 or 90 or more mph through rain and I'd expect it not to leak.
Is a pressure washer really that bad? I really don't know, I'd like a clean caravan but so not want it damaged.

-------------
We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.

Opensauce

13/9/2017 at 7:52pm
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

If you put a pressure washer nozzle right into seams then that is many times the pressure of rain at any speed & could well blast out sealant on an older caravan. Provided a caravan is washed with a pressure washer held well away from body then ok. If a car wash operative does not understand that then he might use the washer nozzle to blast dirt out of corners which could be detrimental to caravan. Or he might just be careless.

I would not trust a car wash to wash a caravan for that reason but if you have a pressure washer at home then ok to use it like a hose pipe to wet caravan provided nozzle is well away from body.

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

tango55

13/9/2017 at 9:00pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 9587

Site Reviews Total:	23

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	3
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	4
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	11
Site Nights 2021:	3
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	24
Site Nights 2018:	0

Driving rain has nowhere near the same pressure to that of a pressure washer. In fact the force is even more fierce than a Caribbean hurricane which says it all really so you can't compare high pressure water in comparison to wind and rain. People who wash cars on a daily basis do just that and have no knowledge of caravan construction so they just wash down in just the same old way. Vehicles are constructed from steel and are designed to withstand high pressure water but because caravans are constructed differently they only have a waterproof seal to keep rain water at bay so any excessive force into the joints could cost you more than just the cost of a car wash.

Kelper

14/9/2017 at 12:15am
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Sterckeman Alize Concept CP480

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/4/2011

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 7948
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	93

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	8
Site Reviews 2022:	9
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	8
Site Reviews 2018:	6

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	50
Site Nights 2022:	49
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	52
Site Nights 2018:	53

Hope you never tow at 80 or 90 ...

John4703

14/9/2017 at 10:01am
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/2/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 694
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	7
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	37
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	7
Site Nights 2019:	7
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Kelper on 14/9/2017
Hope you never tow at 80 or 90 ...

In parts of Eastern Europe it is legal as there are no speed limits on the roads out of towns, I have driven, without a caravan, in areas where you can go 30 or 40 miles without passing another vehicle and without seeing any buildings. I do not know what sped my car and caravan could reach but if it is legal and safe why not move quickly.

-------------
We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.

Opensauce

14/9/2017 at 10:31am
Location:
Outfit:

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 25/1/2010

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 4530

Site Reviews Total:	13

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Did you find the answer to your question in the replies John? The simple answer is use pressure washer carefully with nozzle well away from caravan body seams & joints.

John4703

14/9/2017 at 10:54am
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Elddis Avante 454

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 08/2/2009

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 694
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	21

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	7
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	1
Site Reviews 2019:	1
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	37
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	7
Site Nights 2019:	7
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 14/9/2017
Did you find the answer to your question in the replies John? The simple answer is use pressure washer carefully with nozzle well away from caravan body seams & joints.

Thanks to everyone who replied.
I'll keep washing it myself and not risk letting the car wash people loose on my pride and joy.
I use a soft brush and a hose and usually end up soaked myself but it is worth it to keep it clean.

-------------
We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.

tango55

14/9/2017 at 11:17am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 9587

Site Reviews Total:	23

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	3
Site Reviews 2021:	1
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	4
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	11
Site Nights 2021:	3
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	24
Site Nights 2018:	0

Quote: Originally posted by John4703 on 14/9/2017

Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 14/9/2017
Did you find the answer to your question in the replies John? The simple answer is use pressure washer carefully with nozzle well away from caravan body seams & joints.

Thanks to everyone who replied.
I'll keep washing it myself and not risk letting the car wash people loose on my pride and joy.
I use a soft brush and a hose and usually end up soaked myself but it is worth it to keep it clean.

And that's the best way to clean it as it's best to be safe than sorry.

shaggy2000

14/9/2017 at 12:55pm
Location: County Durham
Outfit: Explore 304

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 27/3/2012

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 514
Tent Reviews: 1

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Also, no offence to the people that run the cleaning business, but they are probably used to cleaning cars.

Cars and Caravans are very very different, for starters the acrylic windows scratch very easily (as we all know) if the cleaners are using sponges it would almost certainly leave lovely little scratches all over your windows.

Grampian91

14/9/2017 at 5:53pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6893

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I watched someone jetwash their caravan, a long queue built up at the jetwash with some rather annoyed customers waiting.

When they opened the van after using the jetwash lance they found water inside. Forced past the seals. that would have leaked unless resealed.

They would have been better off just using the soapy broom.

I have one of those soft fluffy brooms you attach a hose to, i just dip it into a bucket though. I dont attach a hose.

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

7781 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder