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When your Class A Motorhome starts to look dirty, finding a place where you can wash your RV can be a bit of a headache. After all, Class A Motorhomes are large vehicles. You can’t just roll up to a regular car wash and drive on through.
Fortunately, there are many options on where to wash your Class A RV. We’ll help you determine if you can wash your Class A Motorhome yourself either in your driveway or at your campsite. We’ll also look at other places where you can wash your RV, like truck stops and RV wash facilities.
Washing your Class A Motorhome doesn’t have to be a big deal if you plan ahead and know where to go.
Where Do You Wash a Class A RV?
You might think that you can wash your Class A Motorhome wherever it’s parked, but that’s not always the case. The campground or local government rules and regulations may limit where you can wash your RV.
Just as important as following the rules, is making sure your RV will fit wherever you plan to wash it. Whether you choose your own driveway or a local car wash, you’ll want to check to make sure your coach has clearance on all sides.
You don’t want to damage your RV by driving it into a space where it won’t fit. Don’t forget to allow yourself room to walk around your motorhome. You’ll need easy access to all sides of your RV if you want to get it really clean.
How to Find Where to Wash Your RV
Fortunately, there are a lot of great tools available to help you find where to wash your RV. RV Life Trip Wizard and ToGo RV can help you locate truck stops with RV washes near you.
Google is another great resource to help find an RV wash near you. A quick search can also let you know if there are any local ordinances against washing your RV at home.
Campgrounds can point you in the right direction when it comes to where to wash your RV. Sometimes you can wash your RV right at your campsite. If not, they can usually refer you to the nearest RV wash location or the best mobile wash service.
7 Places You Can Wash a Class A RV
Whether you are looking to wash your Class A Motorhome yourself, or have professionals wash it, there are many places you can go to get the job done. If you’re wondering where to wash your RV, start by looking at one of these seven great options.
1. Washing Your RV At The Campsite – Ask First
Some campgrounds will allow you to wash your camper right at your campsite, but many will not. Always ask first. Even if washing an RV isn’t addressed in the campground’s rules, there may be policies you’re expected to follow.
Campgrounds that allow RV washing often charge a small fee. This covers the cost of the additional water you’ll use as well as any inconveniences caused by water runoff.
Even if they don’t allow you to wash your RV yourself, sometimes campgrounds partner with mobile washing services or local RV washes.
Occasionally a campground or RV park will even have its own RV wash station onsite. This is more common when RVing in Alaska, where mud and bugs become cement-like at certain times of the year.
2. Can I Wash My RV At Home?
If you can park your RV in your driveway or even your yard, you might be able to wash your RV at home. Be sure to take into consideration the size of your rig as well as any local or HOA regulations. Both could hinder your ability to wash your RV at home.
You’ll also want to be mindful of where the water and soap from your RV will go once it runs off your rig. Even if you’re allowed to wash your motorhome at home, you still want to be considerate of your neighbors.
You’ll also want to consider the cost of the water you’ll use to wash your rig. If your home isn’t on a well, you pay for your water usage. Keeping track of the amount of water used is even more important if your area is under drought-related water restrictions. If so, washing your RV at home may not be the best idea.
3. Blue Beacon Truck Wash
Many truck stops have truck washes that are large enough to wash semi-trucks. Fortunately, this also means a Class A Motorhome will fit too. Several truck washes offer services for non-commercial vehicles. You’ll want to call ahead to confirm that your RV is allowed.
If a truck wash is open to RVs this can be a convenient way to wash your Class A Motorhome. Blue Beacon Truck Washes are popular among RVers because they’re often conveniently located at Pilot or Flying J truck stops. Also, the company trains their staff to take extra care when washing RVs since they see so many motorhomes and travel trailers.
4. RV Storage With Wash Features
RV storage facilities have started to offer additional features to stay competitive. At first, RV indoor storage warehouse companies offered this to their customers. Today, both RV outdoor storage and covered locations have automatic RV wash equipment or self-service bays on the property.
Storage facilities that offer RV washing features don’t have uniform policies. Call ahead so you can learn how it works. Do you pay in the office or can you pay at the wash itself? Is there a discount for those who store their RV? If you’re looking for a new place to store your motorhome in the off-season, you can check off two boxes at once.
5. RV Self-Service Washes
Some self-serve car washes have bays intended specifically for RVs. But even if the self-serve wash isn’t geared towards RVs, you may still find a bay large enough for your camper.
Whether a self-serve wash is marketed to RVers or not, always double-check the dimensions of the bay to be sure your rig will have enough clearance. If your RV fits, a self-service car wash can be a great way to wash your motor coach.
Also, remember that these stations often only allow a certain amount of time to wash. You may have to restart the process, extending the time to clean your entire motorhome.
6. Mobile RV Wash and Detailing Services
Mobile RV washes and detailing services can be great options for washing your Class A Motorhome. These services will meet you wherever your rig is parked. They’ll also bring all of the tools and supplies needed to give your RV a thorough washing.
Some campgrounds partner with mobile wash and detailing services. They may allow you to have your camper washed onsite if you use their preferred vendor. For much more info check out our article called Is Mobile RV Washing and Detailing Worth the Cost?
On a trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, RV Influencer Andrew Steele had his big break in the RV world by accidentally missing his intended highway exit. That bad luck turned into a fortune since he found a big motorhome-only RV resort. Many of the guests hired his mobile RV wash and detail service to clean their multi-million dollar RVs.
7. RV Repair Shops or Dealers
RV repair shops and dealers often wash RVs after a sale or repairs. After all, they need to make their RVs look their best when returning them to customers.
Whether or not a dealer or repair shop offers washing services to passer-byes is very shop specific. Still, it never hurts to ask if RV washing is offered at the dealership or repair shop nearest to you.
Many of the big-name dealers have special programs where customers can stop at any of the locations for simple things. One of which is running a rig through their automatic RV wash. So if you bought your coach at a Michigan location, but you’re wondering where to wash your RV, you can find that RV dealer’s location nearby and get the road grime washed off for free.
What Items Do I Need to Wash My RV Myself?
Washing your Class A Motorhome yourself is a great option. But to do so successfully, you will need to compile a few essential tools.
1. Telescoping Soft Bristle Brush Set
You’ll need a good telescoping soft bristle brush to wash all of the hard-to-reach places on your Class A Motorhome. Don’t just choose any brush to get the job done. You must use a soft bristle brush to avoid damaging the paint and decals on your RV.
2. RV Telescoping Ladder
A ladder is also an essential tool if you want to wash your Class A Motorhome yourself. RVs are tall, and you won’t be able to clean the roof of your rig without a ladder.
A ladder that collapses for easy storage is always a good thing to have onboard your RV. You never know when you’ll need to get up on the roof and reach something on your rig.
3. RV Wash and Wax
You’ll need more than water and a fancy brush to wash your motorhome. An RV-specific wash and wax will remove the dirt, avoid damaging the paint and decals, and protect your RV going forward.
4. Bucket
Don’t forget that you’ll need a bucket for the RV Wash and Wax. Any 1 to 5-gallon bucket will work. You’ll want to carry both the bucket of wash and your brush around your camper as you scrub each side.
5. Water Utility Hose
A green utility water hose is a must when planning to wash your RV yourself. It’s important to give the entire outside of the camper a good rinse once you’ve scrubbed the dirt off. It’s best that you don’t use the same hose that supplies your freshwater. You don’t want to accidentally contaminate it with the RV wash chemicals.
6. Non-Abrasive Towels
When you’ve finished washing your RV you’ll want to dry it off to avoid water marks and streaks. The best way to do this is with good non-abrasive towels so you avoid damaging your camper.
Final Thoughts on Where to Wash an RV
Finding where you can wash an RV, particularly a Class A Motorhome, can be tricky. You can DIY the washing yourself if you can park in your driveway, or if your host campground is agreeable. Otherwise, you can drive your RV to a self-serve car wash.
Wherever you decide to wash your Class A RV, it’s important to use the right tools. This way you’ll avoid damaging your motor while you’re getting it clean.
If the DIY route isn’t for you, there are other options where you can wash your RV. Truck washes that accommodate RVs are becoming more common. There are even apps available to help you locate truck stops and RV washes near you.
Mobile RV wash and detailing services are other great options. Sometimes you can even find a dealership or RV repair shop where you can bring your RV to have it washed.
With so many options out there, finding where to wash your Class A RV should be easy.
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3. Homemade RV Awning Cleaner
4. Can I Wash My RV with Dawn Dish Soap?
5. Is Mobile RV Washing and Detailing Worth the Cost?
About the Author
Laura Tyrell – Author and Part Time RVer
Laura is a part-time RVer and a full-time mom of three. Long-time campers and RVers before children, Laura, and her husband have fallen even more in love with the RV lifestyle since becoming parents to a child with food allergies.
Having her own kitchen on wheels makes her RV trips amazing. Laura is passionate about finding ways to make traveling with young children fun, easy, and attainable.
