Washing the trailer

[hughharden]

I'm probably swimming upstream here based on all the previous posts but I'm wondering why anyone cares what the roof of their trailer looks like? I've never seen it and hope I never do. If I don't wax it will it be unfit for use in 20 years?

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by hughharden

I'm probably swimming upstream here based on all the previous posts but I'm wondering why anyone cares what the roof of their trailer looks like? I've never seen it and hope I never do. If I don't wax it will it be unfit for use in 20 years?

I washed my trailer today and applied 2 coats of synthetic marine wax to the roof . Why ? Cause I wanted something to do , l want to protect the gel coat , I am attracted to shiny things and I am really anal .

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by hughharden

I'm probably swimming upstream here based on all the previous posts but I'm wondering why anyone cares what the roof of their trailer looks like? I've never seen it and hope I never do. If I don't wax it will it be unfit for use in 20 years?

Maybe, because when you're reaching with a brush on a pole, you're also looking at the vent caps and caulking and paying attention. Because you know major water damage to these all-molded-towables happens from the top down. I don't give a $%^# if the underside ever gets washed and waxed (I also don't live in a state where they salt the highways during snow storms)

[gocamp]

Well in the thread Hugh, some folks were protecting the UV damage on parts up there and me, I was asking how I should instruct an RV tech working on the A/C (scorching hot climate here). I've had roof flex break caulk seals around A/C and vents before then leak. All unseen by the eye. A lot of maintaining or preserving can happen up there over the years.

[hughharden]

No A/C and not in Arizona so I will take my chances. This trailer will outlive me.

[hughharden]

Originally Posted by hughharden

No A/C and not in Arizona so I will take my chances. This trailer will outlive me.

I get that the seals and non fiberglass pieces need to be protected from UV and intend to do that but my issue was with waxing the roof

[gbaglo]

I find Simonize Wash 'n' Wax is sufficient for the roof.

[Greg A]

Originally Posted by hughharden

No A/C and not in Arizona so I will take my chances. This trailer will outlive me.

The roof will deteriorate more than any other part of the shell no matter where you live. It is certainly your choice how you want to maintain your trailer and you don't have to wash or wax anything if you don't want to. I have rehabbed several vintage Scamps where very little maintenance was ever done. I've known folks that never do any services including wheel bearings, and they seem to keep rolling along, sometimes.
Doing semi-annual wash wax on my one year old 19 roof last fall I discovered two major issues that required or will require repair. If I wasn't washing and waxing roof, never would have seen the problems. I look at wash and wax as more of a detailed semi-annual inspection of the trailer that allows me to correct issues before they become major and ruin a trip.
As far as what these trailers will look like after 20 years, we won't know that answer until about 2025 when the first ones made exceed 20 years.

[gocamp]

Originally Posted by hughharden

.....but my issue was with waxing the roof

Does your roof have gel coat? Do you get uv in Calgary? If so, Rease says protect from UV, thus wax or 303.

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I find Simonize Wash 'n' Wax is sufficient for the roof.

Hi: gbaglo... Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[JPSpins]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

If I thought I needed to do major work on the top of my trailer, I'd rent scaffolding I could back the trailer under. Either lay on my stomach or sit with my feet on top of the trailer and work between my knees. I hope I never have to find out.

I did capture this photo from somewhere else. Since I have a carport like this one, I thought the photo may be useful

Rube Goldberg comes to mind and perhaps Peter Pan.

[Dave Walter]

Originally Posted by hughharden

I'm probably swimming upstream here based on all the previous posts but I'm wondering why anyone cares what the roof of their trailer looks like? I've never seen it and hope I never do. If I don't wax it will it be unfit for use in 20 years?

I park my 19' right beside my 2 story house and have a great vantage point of the roof of the Escape from my bedroom window. It is obvious from looking down on them that the roofs of these trailers can accumulate a lot of dirt, leaves and other crap. Crap attracts crap and things only get worse with time. Often if you leave it in place, rainfall and rotting vegetation may result in staining of your roofs gel coat, which can be a real challenge to remove. My preference is to wash the roof a couple times a year when I wash the rest of the Escape. Then the whole trailer is nice and shiny and the view from my bedroom window is much better.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by gocamp

Does your roof have gel coat? Do you get uv in Calgary? If so, Rease says protect from UV, thus wax or 303.

A really great ladder for our trailers is a "Little Giant " suggested by Ron in BC . You can get in closer and safer then a regular A frame ladder . Because we shouldn't get on our trailer roofs . The "Little Giant " also can be made into a A Frame if need be. The best ladder I have ever owned . Pat

[float5]

As Reace has said, the biggest problem with fiberglass trailers is UV damage. And as Greg says, that is the roof. So we use 303 up there. From a ladder.

[float5]

I can just make it for washing and 303ing the roof on this ladder. Bought at Menard's.

[steve dunham]

I have a 4 ft , 6 ft , 8 ft , 10 ft , and 24 ft extension ladder.
( All Industrial rated fiberglass ) Yet it still seem that none of them is the right size for the project at hand.
My next purchase is going to be an adjustable bakers scaffold plus getting my knees fixed so I can climb the ladder without crying

[rbryan4]

I wash and wax the trailer because I like the look of the gelcoat when it gleams in the sun. Wouldn't make much sense to have shiny sides and an oxidized dull roof. And yes, you can see it, particularly if you're camped in the mountains or hills and your campsite is below you as you approach. It's mainly cosmetic of course, but as others have mentioned, doing the roof gives you the chance to inspect all the roof mounted vents and caulking for any potential leaks as well.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Doug2000]

Don't pressure wash, and don't use dish soap. High pressure water picks up dirt particles and pushes it into your paint or gel coat. Dish soap strips off all protectant and etches the surface. I only pressure wash my truck when it's really bad in the winter.

I have always used Meguiars car wash and a mit. Recently I changed to Toyota car wash, just as good and cheaper

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Doug2000

Don't pressure wash, and don't use dish soap. High pressure water picks up dirt particles and pushes it into your paint or gel coat. Dish soap strips off all protectant and etches the surface. I only pressure wash my truck when it's really bad in the winter.

I have always used Meguiars car wash and a mit. Recently I changed to Toyota car wash, just as good and cheaper

Hi: Doug2000... Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[gocamp]

Pressure wash standing away at an angle= you make it low pressure mist.