To Wax, or not to Wax, that is the question

[paulk-ESC]

I'm a busy, non-retired professional. To me, waxing my trailer sounds about as pleasurable as waxing my legs.

I have a suspicion that waxing is purely for cosmetic reasons. Is this the case, or is the trailer going to fall apart after a few years if I don't invest time into the waxing ritual? That would make me much more interested in doing it as I plan to own mine for 20+ years, and I want it to last.

 

[padlin]

Do what ever you want, I'm sure there are plenty out there that have never been waxed. Suspect it'll oxidize till it's just an off white chalky surface. The bugs, road tar, and such would be harder to remove completely, black streaks may be worse too. When and if you do eventually want to shine it up it'll be a good deal of work.

Just keep up on the preventative maintenance so you don't get leaks, caulking and such.

Storing it under cover would help a lot.

 

[MyronL]

It's also a pride thing.

 

[Jim Bennett]

I am in the camp of not cleaning and waxing as often as I should. It comes down to priorities, which trailer related first come to camping, then dealing with the myriad of mods I still have to make on it.

Oh yeah, there are the life things that get in the way, like family and friend time, work on or around the house, the fact that work is picking up again and folks want to spend money on me.

After picking up in January I am hoping to put the first coat of wax on before winter, but seeing the trailer is out at our land having no room for it at home while we do major renos, it will be tough to get it done. I need to run a gen set for the polisher to work, as I ain't doing it all by hand, that's for sure. I will probably get out there and have some fun instead, we'll see.

 

[steve dunham]

I am a busy , retired , non-professional and I find waxing my trailer quite pleasurable , relaxing and it gives me a sense of accomplishment.
I enjoy spending a nice spring, summer or fall day outdoors washing and waxing my trailer or my truck.
I certainly could pursue a more academic / intellectual form of entertainment but I will save that pursuit for winter .

Next week I will give my trailer its final coat of wax for the season then it's off to winter storage. I can hardly wait the anticipation is killing me.

I hope my post did not come across as too pretentious ? ! !

 

[Jim Bennett]

I hope my post did not come across as too pretentious ? ! !

Nope, it just portrayed how weird you really are. ;D

I am headed outside soon to wash the windows of this house we moved into for what is probably the first time in over 20 years. It will be satisfying to be able to see out of them, but in no way rewarding as an accomplishment, nor fun to do. I would rather be out working in my shop, but that is all in storage for the time being.

edit: I actually know of many people who take pleasure from what others would consider menial tasks. My wife is much like that, but that helps make our fit work better.

 

[steve dunham]

Nope, it just portrayed how weird you really are. ;D

Thanks Jim ; Coming from you I will view that remark as a compliment !!

 

[Jim Bennett]

Thanks Jim ; Coming from you I will view that remark as a compliment !!

Takes one to know one, eh?

 

[paulk-ESC]

I am a busy , retired , non-professional and I find waxing my trailer quite pleasurable , relaxing and it gives me a sense of accomplishment.
I enjoy spending a nice spring, summer or fall day outdoors washing and waxing my trailer or my truck.
I certainly could pursue a more academic / intellectual form of entertainment but I will save that pursuit for winter .

Next week I will give my trailer its final coat of wax for the season then it's off to winter storage. I can hardly wait the anticipation is killing me.

I hope my post did not come across as too pretentious ? ! !

No weird or pretentious at all. When I retire, I'll probably enjoy waxing my trailer too

Oddly, I do enjoy cleaning my kitchen, so everbody has their thing..

 

[vermilye]

Here is another one that enjoys waxing my trailer. As a practical reason, I'm sure the added coat of wax on the front of the trailer lets the wind sip by more easily, adding at least .0001 MPG!

 

[padlin]

I enjoy the first day of waxing and how it looks after, unfortunately it's 2 days for the truck and 2-3 for the trailer. The Corolla is about 2 hours.

 

[gbaglo]

I would think that if you are still working, waxing your trailer would allow you to take your mind off of the daily grind and give you satisfaction in seeing a job completed.
However, I'm retired and I take no pleasure in waxing my trailer. To me, it's a job.
I find that a proper wax job every three or four years and washing the trailer with Simonize Wash 'N' Wax solution is sufficient.
I've no boss to tell me otherwise.

 

[Steve Clark]

I take a lot of pride in a clean and shiny trailer. I wash and dry it after each use, usually once a month. I hand wax it in the spring and fall. I find the modern waxes to be extremely easy to use. Whether Meguiars or 3M Marine, just wipe on and wipe off. No rubbing in or buffing off. I know nature can be harsh on these exposed surfaces, and I do what I can to minimize the damage.
I make it a two day process. Wash and dry it one day, then wax the next. It takes 3-4 hours to wax our 21, but I enjoy the results the rest of the year!

 

[Patandlinda]

I take a lot of pride in a clean and shiny trailer. I wash and dry it after each use, usually once a month. I hand wax it in the spring and fall. I find the modern waxes to be extremely easy to use. Whether Meguiars or 3M Marine, just wipe on and wipe off. No rubbing in or buffing off. I know nature can be harsh on these exposed surfaces, and I do what I can to minimize the damage.
I make it a two day process. Wash and dry it one day, then wax the next. It takes 3-4 hours to wax our 21, but I enjoy the results the rest of the year!

We think the same and do just about the same . Have found eventually taking care of the RV will pay off in the end . If you ever need to sell it shows you probably have taken care of all maintenance and repairs as well . Pat

 

[Fox hunt]

I kind of like to wash the truck and trailer I wax twice a year but sometimes had a detailer do it if I'm too busy I have a hard time getting the roof done and usually have someone wax that part for me will most likely be harder with the 5.0. I also work full time and have limited time off so I have to choose what I want to spend my free time doing... camping,kayaking, riding my horse or bike, hanging with family or friends sometimes cleaning things comes in way down the list.

 

[Patandlinda]

I kind of like to wash the truck and trailer I wax twice a year but sometimes had a detailer do it if I'm too busy I have a hard time getting the roof done and usually have someone wax that part for me will most likely be harder with the 5.0. I also work full time and have limited time off so I have to choose what I want to spend my free time doing... camping,kayaking, riding my horse or bike, hanging with family or friends sometimes cleaning things comes in way down the list.

Understand . I guess I have more free time on my hands now . Doesn't matter how it gets done as long it gets taken care of . PT

 

[rjbny]

I kind of like to wash the truck and trailer I wax twice a year

I just logged on to find that washing and waxing is a trending topic after returning home from 3.5 hours of hand scrubbing white pine sap off our 19 and then hand washing it together with my son.

Although I'm a bit tired now and not exactly looking forward to the hand waxing later today, I have to say that it does make me feel even more satisfied about investing in a fiberglass trailer. After 7 weeks in the ADK's this summer, our 19 looks as good as new, and those hours scrubbing the beautiful fiberglass finish actually made me feel good in spite of the aching muscles.

For those who've asked the question about removing tree sap - as Reece assured me, rubbing alcohol isn't a problem for the gel coat or the solar panel. We actually found that the sap came off the Escape easier than it did from our Highlander.

So, everyone is different and maybe we could get away with doing it infrequently, but as of today, we're happy to have spent our Sunday afternoon on it

 

[Donna D.]

I have a friend with a Casita. She typically camps a minimum of three days every other month or so. She's made it a practice to wash the trailer before she leaves, then waxes 1/4 of the trailer each time she camps. Like she's told me, early in the morning while it's still quiet, it's a quiet activity, doesn't take long either.

I know just washing Ten Forward takes all the stuffing out of me. I find it exhausting, I think my friend's solution will be the only way I'll ever get Ten Forward waxed on a regular basis, unless I pay someone to do it.

 

[float5]

Donna, our trailer is so incredibly filthy right now that you are way ahead of us. There is a Casita two spaces from us that is immaculate. I told my husband that I hope those Casita people don't come back before we get the trailer washed!! And then we use 303, no wax. Might take us parts of three or four days to do it.

 

[Donna D.]

Ten Forward is filthy too. Hasn't been touched since mid-July. Was all clean and shiny for my trip to the Tetons, but a mad dash back to Portland from Wyoming due to a family emergency, towing through freshly dusted concrete and a swarm of bugs... PLUS a covering of wood ash from the Gorge fire, well.... you can just imagine. I'll give the poor thing a bath before Fall NOG in a couple of weeks. Sigh. I really, really need that Cabana Boy ;D