The Best Ways To Clean Your Camper Trailer's Exterior

Keeping your camper trailer clean is essential not only for aesthetics but also to maintain its condition and prolong its lifespan. Before you embark on your next camping adventure, it's crucial to ensure that your camper trailer is thoroughly cleaned. While it may seem like a tedious task, understanding the different materials that make up the exterior of your camper trailer and using the appropriate cleaning methods and products will make the process more manageable and effective.

Clean the roof first

To clean the roof of your camper trailer, you'll first need to know what type of roof you have, as different materials require different cleaning methods. The most common types of camper trailer roofs are made from either fiberglass or rubber.

Cleaning a Fiberglass Roof:

• Start by sweeping the roof with a broom to remove any large debris.
• Apply a fiberglass-formulated bug and tar remover to areas affected by bugs, tree sap, or streaks from roof oxidation.
• Wash the fiberglass with a sponge and a solution of 1 cup of liquid laundry detergent and 1 gallon of warm water.
• Rinse off the soap with a garden hose and allow the surface to dry naturally.
• Use a product called Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) to wipe down the fiberglass and remove any remaining grease or oils. Start at the top of the roof and work your way down.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions to apply a coat of fiberglass wax. This will fill any microscopic pitting in the gel coat and restore its glossy surface.

Cleaning a Rubber Roof:

• Determine whether your rubber roof is made from EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diène Monomer) or TPO (Thermal Poly Olefin). This is important because these two types of rubber roofs require different cleaning methods.
• For EPDM rubber roofs, use a non-abrasive cleaning product and avoid products with petroleum distillates, as these can damage the roof. You can also use mild laundry detergent or a cleaner specifically designed for rubber roofs.
• For TPO rubber roofs, you can use a household cleaner like Dawn or Murphy's Oil soap.
• Apply the cleaner with a long-handled scrub brush and then rinse thoroughly.
• Consider treating your rubber roof with a protective UV coating after cleaning, especially if it is an EPDM roof.

General Tips for Cleaning a Camper Trailer Roof:

• Always clean the roof first to prevent dirt and grime from running down the sides of the trailer as you clean.
• Be cautious when working on the roof and consider having a spotter to help prevent accidents.
• Use a hose to spray down the roof and remove any loose dirt and debris before beginning to clean.
• Work in small sections and use a medium-bristled brush to scrub the roof.
• Rinse the roof thoroughly after cleaning to remove any remaining dirt or cleaning solution.

Use the right products for your trailer's materials

To clean the outside of your camper trailer, you need to know what materials your trailer is made of. The exterior of an RV can consist of seven different types of materials, including rubber, aluminum, chrome, glass, fiberglass, plastic, and steel. Each of these materials requires different cleaners, soaps, waxes, conditioners, and protectants.

Cleaning a Fiberglass Camper

At a basic level, water and elbow grease are the best cleaning agents. For more stubborn stains, use Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) to remove grease and oils. Start at the top and work down the sides. You can also use acetone, but be very careful and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to wax your fiberglass after cleaning.

Cleaning a Rubber Roof

Learn the type of rubber roof you have—EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) or TPO (Thermal Poly Olefin). Avoid using citrus or petroleum-based cleaners, as these can cause irreparable damage. Clean your rubber roof four or five times a year with mild laundry detergent or a cleaner designed for your specific type of rubber roof.

Cleaning Metal, Painted Metal, or Fiberglass Sides

For metal sides, wash first to remove grime and grit, then clean with non-abrasive cleaners, soft-bristled brushes, and mitts. After cleaning, wax the exterior but avoid waxing over the decals. For fiberglass sides, fill a bucket with water and laundry detergent. You can also use a wash-and-wax product to clean and protect your RV. Use a long-handle brush, a large sponge, and a stiff-bristled short-handle brush to remove tougher stains.

Removing Stains from the Side of Your Camper

For stubborn stains, mix your preferred cleaning agent with water in a 20-gallon lawn sprayer. Some recommended products include hydrogen peroxide, denatured alcohol, Kaboom, Oxy Clean White Revive, or other effective stain removers. Spray the mixture over the streaks and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Use a garden hose with a pressurized spray nozzle to rinse off the cleaner. If the stain is still there, scrub with a cloth or brush and repeat if necessary.

Cleaning Window, Door, and Storage Compartment Seals

Silicone-based cleaners help keep rubber seals from drying out. Spray the silicone onto a rag and wipe it onto the rubber seals.

Cleaning Tires, Rims, and Wheels

Polished aluminum wheels will eventually become dull and fade due to oxidation. You can restore the shine with McKee’s RV Aluminum & Metal Restoring Spray. Brown tires can be cleaned with McKee’s 37 Tire & Rubber Rejuvenator, which removes browning and grease and restores the dark black color.

Cleaning Glass on Your Camper

Avoid glass cleaners that contain ammonia and alcohol, as these can dry out rubber and vinyl seals and remove tinting from tinted windows. Instead, use ammonia-free and tint-safe glass cleaning products like Stoner Invisible Glass, BLACKFIRE Glass Cleaner, Wolfgang Perfekt Vision Glass Cleaner, McKee’s 37 Krystal Vision Glass Cleaner, and Mothers ReVision Glass + Surface Cleaner. To polish your glass, use a quality glass polish like Wolfgang Perfekt Vision Glass Polish. After cleaning, apply a window sealant and rain repellent, such as Pinnacle GlassCoat Window Sealant with Rain Repellent.

Cleaning Plastic on the Outside of Your Camper

Plastic parts like light covers, roof vents, and AC covers can be cleaned with soapy water and a soft-bristled brush. To prevent water spots, dry the plastic right after washing. For cloudy or yellowed plastic headlight covers, sand, polish, wax, and apply a new UV protective film.

Cleaning RV Awnings

Mix a mild dish detergent like Dawn dish soap with water in a bucket to clean your awning. Use a long-handled brush with soft bristles and gently apply the soap mixture to the top of the awning. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then extend the awning and thoroughly rinse both sides. If stains remain, mix 1/2 cup of bleach with Dawn detergent and about 3 gallons of water, and gently scrub the stained areas.

Remove bird droppings to prevent canvas damage

Bird droppings on your camper trailer's canvas can be a real eyesore and, if left unattended, can cause permanent damage. Here are some tips to help you remove those unsightly stains and prevent lasting harm.

Firstly, it is essential to act quickly. The faster you address the issue, the easier it will be to remove the stain and prevent damage. Start by brushing off any droppings that can be easily removed using a small dustpan brush or an old toothbrush.

Next, you can try using a mild, plain household soap. Dampen a bar of soap and rub it over the stain. Leave it on for about half an hour, and then rinse it off with clean water. Repeat this process until the bird droppings are removed.

For more stubborn stains, you can create a mixture of salt and lemon juice. First, brush off any loose droppings, then hose down the stain with clean water. Create a paste by mixing salt and lemon juice, and rub it over the stain. Let the paste sit in full sunshine until the stain is no longer visible, and then rinse it off.

Alternatively, you can try a commercial cleaner specifically designed for canvas furniture. Before purchasing, be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions and consult with a specialist to ensure that the product won't affect any waterproofing treatments on your canvas.

Finally, to prevent bird droppings in the future, consider investing in furniture covers. Regularly using covers will reduce the likelihood of stains and make it easier to keep your camper trailer clean and in good condition.

Prevent mould and mildew

Mould and mildew are common problems for camper trailers, and they can be challenging to eliminate once they start to grow. Therefore, prevention is key. Mould and mildew thrive in wet and moist conditions, so the best way to prevent them from growing is to reduce moisture in your camper trailer. Here are some tips to prevent mould and mildew buildup:

• Ensure all your items are completely dry before storing them away.
• Never leave any wet items, especially clothes, inside your camper trailer.
• If your clothes smell of mildew, avoid using detergent as this can feed the mildew and make it worse. Instead, put your clothes in a washer and use a few cups of distilled white vinegar and warm water to kill the fungus.
• Air out your camper trailer by keeping the windows, screens, and doors open whenever possible.
• Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels.
• Keep all surfaces dry, especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• Cover cooking pots to prevent water vapours from escaping into the air and increasing humidity.
• After taking a hot shower, ensure the exhaust is on or keep the vents open so that steam can escape.
• Always use the exhaust fan while cooking to allow hot air to escape and prevent condensation.
• Control the temperature inside your camper trailer to prevent moisture buildup.
• Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows or using vents.
• Never dry clothes inside your camper trailer.
• Regularly check your camper trailer plumbing for any leaks and fix them promptly.
• Apply RV roof caulking for waterproofing to prevent water leaks that can lead to mould and mildew growth.
• Use moisture absorber products specifically designed to reduce moisture and prevent mould and mildew.
• Keep your camper trailer clean and clear of moisture. Wipe down surfaces, especially near appliances that work with water, to prevent mould and mildew growth.
• Whenever possible, cook outside your camper trailer to reduce vapours that can lead to condensation.
• If available, use campground shower facilities instead of showering inside your camper trailer.
• Avoid camping in regions with high humidity to reduce the likelihood of mould and mildew growth.
• Regularly inspect your camper trailer for early detection of hidden mould and mildew.
• Use a portable fan to facilitate air circulation and reduce moisture buildup.

Clean your trailer's lights

To clean your trailer's lights, you'll need to start by gathering the right tools and materials. Here's a list of what you'll need:

• White vinegar
• Pipe cleaners
• A wedge-shaped, slip-on pencil eraser or art gum eraser
• PB Blaster
• Dielectric grease
• Electrical contact cleaner
• Old toothbrush
• Baking soda
• Water
• Steel wool or emery paper
• Round wire brush
• Drill
• Drill bit
• Screwdriver
• Flat-bladed screwdriver
• Fine-grit emery cloth
• Dialetic grease
• Scotchbrite
• Toothpaste
• Soft scrub
• Q-tips
• Power drill
• Electric contact paste
• Spray bottle
• Old rags

Once you have all of these materials, follow these steps:

• Begin by disconnecting the trailer from the tow vehicle.
• Identify the type of connector you have. It could be a 7-way trailer wiring connector or a trailer plug connector.
• If you have a 7-way trailer wiring connector, try using white vinegar and a pipe cleaner to clean the corrosion. If that doesn't work, spray the connector with PB Blaster, let it sit, and then use the vinegar approach again to clean out the residue.
• For trailer plug connectors, you can use a combination of electrical contact cleaner and an old toothbrush. Spray the cleaner onto the connections and brush it with the toothbrush. If the corrosion is severe, you may need to replace the connector instead.
• To prevent future corrosion, apply dielectric grease to the connections. This will protect the contacts and prevent moisture buildup.
• If you have riveted trailer lights, you can remove them by drilling out the rivets with a drill bit smaller than the head of the rivet. This will allow you to pop out the head without expanding the hole.
• After cleaning and maintenance, always test your trailer lights to ensure they are functioning properly.

By following these steps and using the right tools and materials, you can effectively clean your trailer's lights and ensure they are in good working condition.

Frequently asked questions