Numerous fresh and inexperienced RVers are surprised at how quickly their RV or trailer may become dirty. In addition to filthy, but dreadful at times.
Dozens of bugs were plastered on the windshield. The outside was caked in dirt and mud. On the inside, there is dirt, grass, dirt and dust. Mold growth on your awnings. The list is endless. A hose and a dustbuster are just ineffective protection against the dirt problem.
Among the many ways you can deal with your older RVs is through detailing! Detailing your RV or trailer can assist you prolong the lifespan of your investment and minimize costly damage to your recreational vehicle too. Additionally, decent RV detailing is going to make you consider yourself a happy and comfortable owner. However, if you are just a first-time owner of an RV, you might probably wondering what RV detailing is and what it does. Well, we are here to explain to you everything you need to know about RV detailing so make sure to stick around and read further!
What Is RV Detailing?
The procedure of bringing back your RV or trailer vehicle to like-new condition is known as professional RV detailing. RV detailing services are significantly more extensive than typical RV washes, with more special care and extra care, and attention taken to the features of your motorhome recreational vehicle, thus the term “detailing” is used.
The detailing of the RV will be done by hand. This type of professional cleaning process necessitates the use of professional cleaning techniques and supplies that you would not find at a typical laundromat.
To make sure you have a bit of an idea of what you can expect more than what this would do, a thorough RV detail service normally includes the following:
- Exterior cleaning and waxing
- Tire shine and wheel well cleaning
- Awning and roof cleaning
- Resealing the roof and inspecting the seals
- Removal of oxidation
- Cleaning and polishing windows
- Carpet and upholstery vacuuming and steam cleaning
- Interior surface dusting and sanitization
- Cleaning all of the doors and the cockpit
- Cleaning integrated appliances
- Cleaning the water supply system
Detailing an RV is not the same as cleaning your family car. It requires ability, proper training beforehand, proper training and equipment developed particularly for your RV.
Why Should You Get Professional RV Detailing Services?
Many new RVers consider RV detailing to be a luxury rather than a requirement. This is a huge blunder. Professional RV detailing services offer several benefits that make them worth considering. Here are some reasons why you should get professional RV detailing services:
Expertise and experience is a great option.
Professional RV detailers have the necessary expertise and experience to thoroughly clean and maintain your RV. They are trained in various car care and detailing techniques and know how to handle different surfaces and materials without causing any damage. Their knowledge and skills ensure that your RV receives the highest level of care and attention.
Time and Convenience
Detailing an RV can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task. By hiring professionals, you can save valuable time and effort. They will take care of all the cleaning, waxing, polishing, and other detailing tasks, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of RV ownership or simply enjoy your leisure time.
Specialized Equipment and Products
Professional RV detailers have access to specialized equipment and high-quality detailing products that may not be readily available to the average consumer. They use professional-grade tools, such as pressure washers, steam cleaners, and buffers, to achieve superior results. Moreover, they know which products are safe and effective for RV surfaces, ensuring a thorough and gentle cleaning process.
Protection and Maintenance
Regular detailing helps protect your RV from the damaging effects of UV rays, moisture, dirt and other environmental factors. Professional detailers can apply protective coatings, sealants, and waxes to safeguard the exterior surfaces and prevent fading, peeling, or cracking. They can also clean and condition the interior components, such as upholstery, carpets, and leather, to maintain their appearance and longevity.
Your RV is a financial commitment.
Your RV or trailer is more than simply transportation; it is also a business and an investment. With prices ranging from $10,000 to $300,000, it’s simply not smart business to let your investment degrade by neglecting to take care of it.
Your motorhome, like your house, need maintenance. Many new and inexperienced RVers will attend to urgent maintenance issues but may overlook the easy step to have the exterior windows of their RV washed and detailed on an ongoing, regular basis.
Failure to maintain a basic exterior wash of your RV can cause surface issues such as sun damage, scratches, and a dirty look in general, but it can also jeopardize its safety and functionality. Mold, mildew, and corrosion of your tires and essential materials can all lead to health and safety hazards that force your RV off the road prematurely.
Consider the $200-500 you could be spending on detailing as insurance.
Increased Resale Value
A well-maintained and clean RV is more likely to attract potential buyers and command a higher resale value. Professional detailing can help enhance the aesthetics of your RV, making it look more appealing and well-cared-for. When the time comes to sell or trade-in your RV, having a record of professional detailing services can give potential buyers confidence in the vehicle’s condition and maintenance history.
Detailing RVs alone would be too difficult for non-professionals
RVs and trailers can be 20 to 40 feet long, 10 to 14 feet tall, and 8 to 9 feet broad. Lacking a ladder or extension to get into these hard-to-reach locations, it’s difficult to access the roof and the vast majority of an RV.
To completely wash and clean an RV on your own, experts estimate it will take you 10-12 hours – essentially a full day of labor and that doesn’t even include the expense of supplies.
If you want to handle the details in your own detailing, check out our DIY Guide to RV Detailing for a step-by-step overview of the detail and procedure.
Aside from the no pay extra labor involved in cleaning an RV, there are other advantages why you should pay extra to have the exterior windows your RV or trailer professionally detailed:
- Living in a clean environment has numerous health and well-being benefits and that is a fact proven even by professionals and researchers. Aside from removing irritants like mold and dust, detailing your vehicle will help you think more clearly and feel more confident on the road.
- Having your RV detailed might help you avoid irreversible damage to the interior and exterior of your vehicle. A dirty RV can harm the paint, cause mold, and, if severe enough, ruin the mechanics of your vehicle.
- Regular vehicle washes utilize strong soaps and chemicals that can quickly harm sensitive RV components like vinyl, rubber, aluminum, and fiberglass gel coatings.
- The pressure sprayer used in normal car washes has the potential to remove the wax or paint from your RV.
- If your RV has been badly oxidized and sun-damaged, it must be buffed using specific substances to remove rust and restore luster.
- The methods and goods you employ for washing the outer surface of your RV or trailer will differ depending on the cladding. Thus, cleaning an aluminum-clad RV necessitates professional knowledge to understand that chlorine-based products should not be used and that wiping across the grain should be avoided.
If you travel frequently, you might consider having your RV detailed at least twice a year. Detailing your RV is best done right before storing it for the winter, or in the spring as a component of your de-winterization process.
How much does it cost to have an RV detailed?
When it boils down to expert RV detailing, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all fee. The cost of detailing your RV is determined by several factors, including:
- Size of Your RV or Trailer
- Detailing Level
- Your RV or Trailer’s Age
- The Detailer’s Level of Experience
The size of your RV or Trailer
Most RV detailers charge by the length of your coach, and pricing is typically per foot. Prices range from $5/foot for a simple exterior wash to $45/foot for a full interior/outside showroom cleaning.
This means that cleaning your Class A motorhomes and Travel Trailers will be more expensive than cleaning your smaller Class Cs and Pop-Up Campers.
According to the sort of bundle you select, you may anticipate paying between $10 and $30 per foot on average. Using the figures above as an example, you may expect to pay around: for a mid-sized, Class C RV or camper (say, one that’s 25 feet long).
$150-250 for a one-time exterior wash, and a full interior/exterior and full interior detail will cost between $400 and $600. Of course, the cost will vary depending on the level of detailing package you select which is what we will be talking about next.
Detailing Level
A quality professional detailing service will usually provide a variety of packages, that vary in price from the simplest (basic external wash) to the full shebang (complete exterior/interior, full interior detail).
Because there are various types and sizes of RVs, many RV detailers charge by foot. This rate might range from $5 to $40 per foot. It is dependent on who performs the service and the pricing of whatever detailed package you select. Here is our price guide for RV and mobile detailing service:
Basic RV Exterior Wash
A simple RV exterior wash consists of washing and eliminating dirt. The prices range from $50 to $150. However, if you own a larger RV, you ought to prepare to pay more.
Basic RV Interior Cleaning
You might spend between $100 and $300. Dusting, vacuuming, including cleaning the surfaces and carpets within basic exterior wash your RV are all part of basic or “mini” RV interior detailing. However, this price does not include a thorough cleaning and sanitization of the carpets within the RV. Complete interior detailing will raise the price from $20 to $30 per foot.
Exterior Wash and Interior Detail
A basic exterior wash plus a “mini” interior and exterior detail should cost roughly $20 per foot. A detailing package for a medium-sized RV of about 22 feet, for example, can cost roughly $450.
Certain detailers may charge an hourly rate for cleaning an RV. Interior detailing services, such as shampooing carpets and upholstery, may cost $60 per hour.
Water System Maintenance
It is possible that you will have to pay more to clean and disinfect your freshwater system. A particular add-on like this costs between $25 and $30. To limit the possibility of hazardous bacteria in your water system, schedule this job at least every six months.
Wax Treatment
An exterior wash and wax job alone will cost you between $5 and $10 per foot. However, an RV wash and wax service will cost you more. Considering it is a labor-intensive job, this add-on price might raise the price to $25-$30 per foot.
Waxing and polishing help improve the overall appearance of your RV. It will also provide extra safety from the weather. This therapy should ideally be scheduled every couple of months.
You’ll also need to consider the additional cost side of professional mobile RV cleaning. To eliminate bugs, tar, and other impurities, expert experts will utilize high-quality detailing products. Bug and tar deposits may result in an extra $3-$5 per foot charge.
RV Detailing Costs for Professional Roof Cleaning
A basic roof wash is included in several RV detailing kits. However, if your vehicle requires extra care or specialized treatment, RV detailing fees will rise. The cost is also determined by the type of roof you have. As an example, treating a rubber roof by applying a UV protectant can cost roughly $150 in order to adequately clean and seal the roof.
Similarly, when applying a protective coating or using a chemical meant to restore fading fiberglass, an RV fiberglass roof takes particular care and attention.
Your RV’s Age and Condition
Another factor in deciding RV detailing charges is the price and the condition of your vehicle. Cleaning the tires on a new model will be easier and less expensive. Cleaning the interior and exterior will cost roughly $15 per foot.
Nevertheless, RV detailing costs can more than treble on older models, especially if they have extensive soiling or mold/mildew. An interior thorough cleaning package that includes stain removal can be purchased for $30 per foot. Pet hair and stain removal alone may cost an additional $25 on top of the base pricing. See our eco-friendly steam detailing services.
Removal of Oxidation
If the RV exterior displays symptoms of oxidation, it will require more than a wash and wax job. Long-term prolonged exposure to sunlight may trigger surfaces and tires that are exposed to seem chalky or blotchy.
Eliminating oxidation from paintwork is essential if you want to restore the gloss and luster of your RV. This method of oxidation removal necessitates extra care and involves hand-applying a polishing compound or utilizing an electric power buffer. RV detailing costs up to $50 per foot for a thorough interior detail and a cut and buff treatment to eliminate oxidation. If you only need oxidation removal on exterior windows, it costs roughly $20 per foot.
Awning Maintenance
If you would like your awning scrubbed and cleaned, add $25 to your RV detailing costs. This isn’t a must-do task, but a clean awning is more appealing to look at while sitting outside your RV.
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of transporting your automobile to a detailing shop, look for mobile car detailing near you. Selecting people nearby will reduce their fuel expenditures, which may result in a lower detailing charge.
Mobile Detailing Compared to Location Detailing
Prices vary depending on whether you select a fleet mobile RV detailing service or a location-based business. Mobile auto detailing fees reflect the quality, price and convenience of the service and pricing will take into account the detailer’s travel expenses.
A location-based firm, on the other hand, includes building expenses and land rental/mortgage expenses in its pricing methods, which may result in you paying more. A better strategy to assess prices is to consider who will be performing the service.
The Detailer’s Experience
The cost of RV detailing is also determined by the detailing company. If you hire someone with proper education and plenty of experience, you should expect to pay a premium for their skill sets and expertise. Although your RV is a costly vehicle, it will be cash well invested in this case. As a result, it is critical to leave the cleaning to a person who understands what they are doing.
RV detailing prices are also affected by seasonal extras.
If you haven’t used your RV during the winter, a de-winterize RV detailing car care package may be in order before you hit the highway on your next vacation.
Making your RV road-ready necessitates more than normal detailing, so expect to pay more than the usual RV detailing charge. Your vehicle will be overhauled by an expert technician. This service involves flushing the water system, checking the oil, tires, and electrics, and mending sealants, among other things. According to the size of your RV, a de-winterizing package might start as low as $200.
RV Detailing on the Move
Mobile RV detailing company will detail your rig at your home or campsite. Mobile detailing is becoming more popular as owners value the extra benefit of being able to sit back and wait for their RV to be cleaned. If you want a mobile RV detailer to come to your campsite, you should first verify with the campground manager. For insurance concerns, some campgrounds may not allow on-site detailing.
As movable RV detailers and mobile RV mechanics become more popular, it’s critical to do your homework to choose a reputable service provider. Because the barrier to entry into this sector is minimal, quality might vary substantially between suppliers.
One thing to keep in mind concerning mobile RV detailing is that they will almost certainly need to connect to your water supply. Because RV detailing can consume up to 100 gallons of water per wash, customers should be aware of this unexpected cost. A mobile detailing service could run a little more because they must factor in mileage charges. Most RVers, though, are ready to pay a premium for convenience.
Conclusion
Detailing your RV or trailer is more of a need than a luxury for RV owners. It’s all about safeguarding the money you invested and thinking good about your property.
Let’s go over the things we studied about RV detailing today. A professional detail may bring your RV back to near-factory condition. It is advised that you detail your RV, camper, or motorcoach at least twice a year. If you maintain it tidy and shielded from the elements for the majority of the year, once may be enough.
Detailers typically charge according to the length of your RV or camper. Depending on the detailing package you select, expect to pay between $5 and $45 per foot. Detailing can range from a simple exterior wash to a comprehensive inside and out showroom clean. Some specialized services are available at a set fee.
Cleaning appliances, vacuuming and shampooing carpets and upholstery, surface cleaning of the bathroom, kitchen, bathroom, and cockpit, and wiping door frames and seals are all common interior detailing tasks. Leave a tip if your detailer has a positive attitude and goes above and beyond to ensure your pleasure.
If you make the choice to conduct your own detailing, read your owner’s manual for information about safe cleaning supplies. Investigate the best methods for cleaning and maintaining these materials. Purchase the proper goods and use them appropriately.
That’s all there is to it, travelers! Hopefully, you considered this post informative.
