Exterior cleaning RV

[djh3]

I have been poking around looking at toy haulers. Ran across this 5th wheel. Pretty cheap so it makes me thing what the heck all is wrong with it. The outside looks pretty bad, but that comes from sitting outside down here in Fla. any ideas what and how to clean with? I though someone else had asked a similar question here not to long ago.

MOVING - MUST SELL!!

 

2002 Forest River Sierra Toy Hauler - Needs some work, but mostly light cosmetic, simple work.

Back garage can be made into a second bedroom - garage is 8'x12'. Back has a tailgate for loading ATV's, motorcyles, or other rec vehicles.

 

All cabinetry in nice shape, needs new carpet, linoleum. ALL APPLIANCES WORK.

 

Perfect for someone who needs a way to transport rec vehicles.....

or to park on hunting land or lot while building a house.

 

Queen bed platform in front of RV over Fifth Wheel.

 

Includes Reese Hitch.

[tufftom4]

I use poliglow on the outside of my motorhome if you get the kit it comes with a cleaner and the wax.

 

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

[Sailor]

Those tarps over the top make me wonder if there hasn't been some leakage. If there has been the damage could be hidden. Check it thoroughly.

[videoarizona]

1: Looks like tropical mold. Cheapest and safest chemical to kill mold is hydrogen peroxide. Bleach works well too, but is a bit caustic when spraying/applying on the sides. Let the chemical sit for a while then use a power washer, avoiding heavy spraying near windows and seams until you are sure they don't leak. Don't want to get the insulation inside the walls wet in Florida...they will never dry!

 

2: After power washing, any stains left over can be dealt with any scrubbing cleanser and elbow grease.

 

The tarp bothers me too, but since most RV/Toyhauler roofs are leak prone anyway...that could have been a simple precaution by the owner. I do that too with my boat even though it doesn't leak. Why temp fate? Tarps are cheap. Regardless, plan on new rubberized roof sealing. Do it now then you don't have to worry about rain ruining your new flooring.

 

The carpet and tile needing replacement is great, in my opinion. You can rip out old stuff, check and seal floor, maybe spray a closed foam barrier http://www.sprayfoamkit.com/ , throw a good pad down and decent carpet and have a new toy home! Same with linoleum...throw it out...get new tiles and change the look of interior completely!

 

Looks like a good deal if everything else checks out....good luck!

[djh3]

Some of the same questions I asked. I also said I would like some specs as to weight and tire condition. I think if it has been sitting say a year or more tires are probably junk. I asked about the roof condition and if the tarps were preventative or to keep a leak stopped. Also why is the flooring needing replaced? Old age and wore out or damaged. I have a 3/4 ton Ram with diesel and stick shift but wife says we would need a different truck. She dont like the paint and thinks she wouldnt go on vacation in it. Well that and her dog is 80 lbs and takes up 1/2 the cab.

[Great White]

I've got a forest river product myself.

 

They're epdm roofed and fiberglass wall sided.

 

Pretty good product overall.

 

BUT....

 

You need to maintain them and here is why:

 

Mine is a 2011. Every spring I have to get up an inspect the roof and windows. Not the membrane of the glass, but the Dicor sealant used to seal the edges, vents, skylights, wires, etc. The Dicor does it's job very well (remains pliable to keep the seal on a shifting object) but it seems to need to be sealed in small spots here and there where it cracks.

 

This is important to do because if water gets in around the Dicor/EPDM, it gets into the wall.

 

Since the wall is fiberglass faced, if the wood it's bonded to gets wet, the fiberglass delaminates.

 

Once the fiberglass delaminates, the wall usually has to be replaced to fix the delam.

 

As in:the whole side of the trailer!

 

The fiberglass isn't just a weather seal, it's is part of the trailer structure. That's how they get newer trailers so "light".

 

here's a quickie vid on the fiberglass/delam/maintenance thing:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RWJktGufYM

 

Since it's assembled like that in the factory (ie: one piece wall panel), that's how they replace it. If you go over to the Forest river forums, there are some people that have had to do just that. Ship the trailer back to Elkhart (In) on their dime, even if it's warranty work.

 

The tarps he has on there would have me looking very closely given that it's a fiberglass sided rig. The pic of the Lh rear almost looks like it's got a fiberglass delam ripple:

 

 

But it might just be dirt lines or a shadow, hard to tell in that low res pic. If that is a big delam: don't walk, RUN away!

 

The other thing to remember is the wood used in these things is cheap and very light. The big downside is that water does damage to that structure very fast. It's usually some kinf of "tinder dry" softwood and it just soaks water up like a sponge. Then is starts to rot very quickly.

 

Unless the owner has replaced the original tires, the ones on there are probably junk just by the date code. Lots of people have bought brand new trailers only to find they TX on them within a year. I suspect the OEM's buy them in bulk and just use the pile until they run out, then buy another pile.

 

As far as cleaning, I've tried lots of the retail stuff available for cleaning trailer/awnings and even some commercial stuff. Varying degrees of success. Then I hit upon something that was fast, easy and worked the best of anything I have ever tried:

 

Mr Clean Magic erasers.

 

I just buy a bulk package and then go at 'er. Works great. Guys are always Asking me how I get the dreaded "black streaks" off.

 

I tell them it's magic!

 

 

But the trailer you're looking at looks like it hasn't seen any maintenance in a while. Look very closely if you consider buying it.....

Edited July 30, 2015 by Great White

[BlueSky]

I recently cleaned the mildew/crude off my boat with an old rotating brush mounted on a wand with a cup for liquid soap. The water pressure spins the round brush. It did a quick job on all the surfaces that I could get the brush on. I keep a cover on my boat during the winter and there is lots of mildew under it in the spring. Still haven't built my dream garage.....

[djh3]

Great White, thanks for info. Yea on that left rear I was sort of thinking the same thing. It looks awfully wavy. I guess it could be where a tarp has flapped on it and marked it up.

[Marcarl]

Another thing to consider: Say the owner pays you $1000 to take it and then after getting into it you find that it needs a total rebuild and is going to ruin the budget,,,,, what are you going to do with such a piece of junk??? Auto wreckers don't take them, the dump will turn you back and there is probably no room in the neighbors yard and he would most likely notice it the next morning anyways.

To me it looks like more trouble than what it's worth. Bad flooring shows low care and maintenance, dirty outside show lack of concern, tarps all worn out kicks on the red lights.

Careful, careful!!

[Max]

The outside looks pretty bad, but that comes from sitting outside down here in Fla. any ideas what and how to clean with?

 

We had a trailer a few years ago, used a liquid spray product called 'Black Streak Remover'. Worked good on older metal & vinyl sided trailers for road grime and streaks. Made in USA by CamcoRV.

Long term, it didn't appear to break down or fade paint.

[Condor]

With all that green, before doing anything else, I'd use Round Up......

[djh3]

With all that green, before doing anything else, I'd use Round Up......

LOL yea looks sort of that way dont it. Still no info back from owner. So I'm thinking he ain't that interested in selling. The more I look at it the more cold feet I get. That rear corner really has me wondering. Kind of think its been "lived in" as a main house. SO furniture might be junk too. Good thing is I don't have to have it. I would rather have a Vic Cross Country, but I aint going to find one of those for 4K.

[Condor]

LOL yea looks sort of that way dont it. Still no info back from owner. So I'm thinking he ain't that interested in selling. The more I look at it the more cold feet I get. That rear corner really has me wondering. Kind of think its been "lived in" as a main house. SO furniture might be junk too. Good thing is I don't have to have it. I would rather have a Vic Cross Country, but I aint going to find one of those for 4K.

 

Personally I'd stay away from it. It does look like it's a live-aboard with a leaky roof, and a 5th wheel too.... I bought a Terry 26 foot tow behind in like new condition for $4000 grand. 10-4 on the Victory....

[djh3]

Yup, I'm Less and less intrigued by the hour.

[dacheedah]

Second that on the delamination, not a small job and usually means water was in that wall. Aluminum sided is far easier to fix

 

I've got a forest river product myself.

 

They're epdm roofed and fiberglass wall sided.

 

Pretty good product overall.

 

BUT....

 

You need to maintain them and here is why:

 

Mine is a 2011. Every spring I have to get up an inspect the roof and windows. Not the membrane of the glass, but the Dicor sealant used to seal the edges, vents, skylights, wires, etc. The Dicor does it's job very well (remains pliable to keep the seal on a shifting object) but it seems to need to be sealed in small spots here and there where it cracks.

 

This is important to do because if water gets in around the Dicor/EPDM, it gets into the wall.

 

Since the wall is fiberglass faced, if the wood it's bonded to gets wet, the fiberglass delaminates.

 

Once the fiberglass delaminates, the wall usually has to be replaced to fix the delam.

 

As in:the whole side of the trailer!

 

The fiberglass isn't just a weather seal, it's is part of the trailer structure. That's how they get newer trailers so "light".

 

here's a quickie vid on the fiberglass/delam/maintenance thing:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RWJktGufYM

 

Since it's assembled like that in the factory (ie: one piece wall panel), that's how they replace it. If you go over to the Forest river forums, there are some people that have had to do just that. Ship the trailer back to Elkhart (In) on their dime, even if it's warranty work.

 

The tarps he has on there would have me looking very closely given that it's a fiberglass sided rig. The pic of the Lh rear almost looks like it's got a fiberglass delam ripple:

 

 

But it might just be dirt lines or a shadow, hard to tell in that low res pic. If that is a big delam: don't walk, RUN away!

 

The other thing to remember is the wood used in these things is cheap and very light. The big downside is that water does damage to that structure very fast. It's usually some kinf of "tinder dry" softwood and it just soaks water up like a sponge. Then is starts to rot very quickly.

 

Unless the owner has replaced the original tires, the ones on there are probably junk just by the date code. Lots of people have bought brand new trailers only to find they TX on them within a year. I suspect the OEM's buy them in bulk and just use the pile until they run out, then buy another pile.

 

As far as cleaning, I've tried lots of the retail stuff available for cleaning trailer/awnings and even some commercial stuff. Varying degrees of success. Then I hit upon something that was fast, easy and worked the best of anything I have ever tried:

 

Mr Clean Magic erasers.

 

I just buy a bulk package and then go at 'er. Works great. Guys are always Asking me how I get the dreaded "black streaks" off.

 

I tell them it's magic!

 

 

But the trailer you're looking at looks like it hasn't seen any maintenance in a while. Look very closely if you consider buying it.....