This is a lot of work

padlin · 06-23-2016, 03:49 PM

For those, like me, who don't cover their trailers and leave them out in the elements.

For the first time since I've been rv'ing I've been without a cover, it disintegrated shortly after getting the Escape. Cleaned and shined the trailer last August, then spent a couple months in Utah and another in FL.

Finally got around to ordering a cover, as it's due in next week and we won't be camping till fall I figured I'd wash and shine the trailer today.

Big surprise when I looked at the roof, looks like someone sanded it. Never expected this much oxidation in less then a year. The sides still look great, it never occurred to me the roof would look terrible. Been buffing for the last couple hours, only half done with the roof.

gbaglo · 06-23-2016, 04:05 PM

Critics are not that tall that it matters.

LarryandLiz · 06-23-2016, 05:06 PM

The problem of oxidation is something I might not have considered if it was not something I learned about via the Forum (see the Good Bye Thread). Not only things like oxidation but apparently trailer covers can damage a trailer by scraping in the wind. At least I remember something about trailer cover problems on the Forum.

All that washing and polishing, another reason not to buy bigger Escape Trailers.

.

Greg A · 06-23-2016, 05:08 PM

I've just personally found you have to wax twice a year with a premium wax regardless of storage situation to keep them tip top. In AZ I do Spring/Fall to avoid the heat.

cpaharley2008 · 06-23-2016, 05:16 PM

I vote for Glenn's son in law, he does it for a case of beer......

escape artist · 06-23-2016, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I vote for Glenn's son in law, he does it for a case of beer......

Hi: cpaharley2008... A new take on "Rub a dub dub a man and some suds"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

padlin · 06-23-2016, 05:42 PM

I'd gladly pay a case of beer. Can hardly move and I'm not done.

A 13 is looking pretty good about now,think I could sleep in the fetal position.

**rbryan4** · 06-23-2016, 06:16 PM

Once a year for me, two coats of Starbrite. Extremely shiny. But, I have the luxury of storing the trailer in a covered space. The sun is your enemy.

tractors1 · 06-23-2016, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

Once a year for me, two coats of Starbrite. Extremely shiny. But, I have the luxury of storing the trailer in a covered space. The sun is your enemy.

Exactly. In the shade all the time, no problem. Except for the bat poop in my barn........

dfandrews · 06-23-2016, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryandLiz

.......
All that washing and polishing, another reason not to buy bigger Escape Trailers.

.

As my wife says about housework in a small home:
"A short horse curry's fast!"

We love our 17.

Daubsy · 06-23-2016, 08:25 PM

Bob,

Looks good. Did you use a DA or rotary tool?

We have pretty bad oxidation on our trailer roof. I recently bought a Porter Cable 7424XP, some cutting / polishing pads, Meguiar's M21 and M6732. When the Escape gets back from the shop i'm going to do my best to restore that shine. Used the polisher and sealant on my Collie today...

Rossue · 06-23-2016, 08:52 PM

Couldn't believe the crud on the roof as I had just waxed with 2 coats of Meguiars Marine last March.

So got back up on the ladder (found extension better on back than sideways stepladder)and first used Meguiars Cleaner wax (which is harder to use) followed by the much easier Marine wax.

Maybe that torrential downpour right after waxing in March had a negative effect. Have tried the orbital but nothing is as good as elbow grease.

padlin · 06-24-2016, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daubsy

Bob,

Looks good. Did you use a DA or rotary tool?

We have pretty bad oxidation on our trailer roof. I recently bought a Porter Cable 7424XP, some cutting / polishing pads, Meguiar's M21 and M6732. When the Escape gets back from the shop i'm going to do my best to restore that shine. Used the polisher and sealant on my Collie today...

I'm using a Flex DA with the Mequiar's 7" foam pads. Tried just the Starbrite polish alone but needed more cut. Mequiar's M83 cleaner followed by Starbrite seems to be working. Can't see any swirls, at least on the roof, although I suspect if I use it on the sides I'll be able to see some.

Daubsy, the M67 and M21 you have look like they'd be about the same as what I used. Mequiar's has many products that do the same job, makes selection confusing. Ross used yet another route.

I'll go the elbow grease route for wax or polish, too much work when it comes to deeper cleaning.

Doing the roof of the fifth wheel is a wobbly experience, I really need to come up with a safer way then the 8' step ladder before I fall and break something.

StarvingHyena · 06-24-2016, 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfandrews

As my wife says about housework in a small home:
"A short horse curry's fast!"

We love our 17.

Hi Don and Theresa,
I like your wife's saying. Where does that come from? Have you ever heard that program on NPR called "A Way With Words" ? They talk about words and sayings meanings and origins . Im not a word nerd but find that program quite interesting.

.... and like you guys I am very pleased with my 17A.

Hope to meet you guys sometime,

Tom

KarenH · 06-24-2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarvingHyena

I like your wife's saying. Where does that come from?

A short horse is soon curried. John Heywood (c. 1497-1580)

Iowa Dave · 06-24-2016, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padlin

Doing the roof of the fifth wheel is a wobbly experience, I really need to come up with a safer way then the 8' step ladder before I fall and break something.

I hold the ladder for Rita, it's the least I can do. Literally.

Dave

yardsale · 06-24-2016, 10:43 AM

We have used 303 instead of wax on our 17 with good results so far. Stains from Oak trees required
Simple Green and elbow grease to remove. Thinking about the effort as we look at larger more winter capable trailers from Lance and Oliver. Wonder how rubber roof would stand up to storage under oak trees?

dfandrews · 06-24-2016, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarenH

A short horse is soon curried. John Heywood (c. 1497-1580)

Thanks, Karen. We had no idea.
Tom, the NPR show sounds interesting; we'll have to check it out.
Nick, we also use Aero 303. I have taken to also applying it on the front of the 17, the leading edges of the awning struts, and in the wheel wells just before a trip.
Afterward, it's a snap to clean off the bugs and gunk.
Of course, we now have a Calmark cover as well, so the So.Calif. sun is not so threatening when the 17 is parked.

Hum: (2)17A's, a 17B, and a 15A. Looks like a surface area maintenance issue. I think we've all decided well.

KarenH · 06-24-2016, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Hum: (2)17A's, a 17B, and a 15A. Looks like a surface area maintenance issue. I think we've all decided well.

And don't think I haven't thought that every time I've washed the trailer. Thank goodness it's not any bigger.

Fox hunt · 06-24-2016, 01:34 PM

i have a hard time doing the roof im a little afraid of working that high on a ladder. I think i will just shell out the big bucks and get it detailed at the end of the season and cover it. Next year im makeing a new trailer home next to my house with a cover. I will make it big enough to house a 5.0TA so what ever i end up buying will fit under it! I think i want something bigger when i retire in about 5-6 years. Still debating what i should get and when i should buy it..... but now I am enjoying my 17

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