We all use water to wash away any and all types of dust, mud, grime, and so on. But using the high-speed pressure of water can make the job very easy. Pressure washing refers to using the pressure of water flow at high speed to clean things. Like all other aspects, an RV pressure washer can be used to clean your RV. After a few days of driving around, the RV can accumulate all types of dirt that need to be cleaned efficiently, and knowing how to wash an RV with a pressure washer can come in handy.
So this article is to share my insights and how you can avoid mistakes before choosing a pressure washer for your RV. This will help you with step-by-step processes and how to be careful against mishaps.
Choosing the Right Pressure Washer and Tools for Your RV Cleaning
There are a lot of different types of RV pressure washers available. If we solely talk about the water pressure, the PSI (Pound per square inch) can be categorized as:
1. Mild: around 0-1999 psi, these machines can be used to clean lawn furniture and smaller SUVs.
2. Medium: 2000-2799 psi machines can be used for your RVs.
3. High: 2800-3299 psi and more; these are highly unsuitable for cleaning RVs as they can harm the paint and the exterior and can even leak inside the vehicle.
Your chosen pressure washer needs to be of the perfect PSI to avoid doing any harm to the person and the RV exterior. So when choosing the washer, tools, and other equipment, the goal is to find the most suitable one among all the available options.
Important Tools for Pressure Washing Your RV
● Motor: The motor can be an electric or gas-powered engine. While the electric one is more suitable for the environment, many people still use gas-powered engines for their pressure washers.
● Water pump: A high-pressure pump is needed to incorporate pressure into the water flow before it is released through the inlet.
● Water inlet: The water gets through from this inlet, and an RV power washer inlet needs to be strong enough to withstand the constant flow of the water.
● Hose: The hose lets you take the wand farther toward the RV to clean even the upper part of the vehicle.
● Spray gun: The Spray Gun helps you to manipulate the water flow.
● Nozzles: The best RV pressure washer comes with multiple different types of nozzles to clean different parts of the vehicle.
Different Pressure Washers
Not all pressure washers are used to clean your RV. I have noticed that the best pressure washer for RV is the one created as an RV washer. You need to choose a washer that can give you all the necessary elements to safely clean your RV.
VEVOR Electric Pressure Washer
VEVOR electric pressure washers are very easy to install. I could singlehandedly move and install the whole thing within minutes. The electric motor of 1500W can generate water flow up to 1.76 GPM. These machines are able to clean stubborn stains like oil smears, old paint, etc. It was good to see that the safety feature automatically stops the machine after reaching a high temperature (over 105 degrees Celsius).
The attached hose is 30ft long and very flexible, so it is easy to clean all the nooks and crannies. The water inlet and outlet also ensure zero water leakage while using the washer. The built-in TSS helped me save energy as it shuts down the pump whenever the trigger is not engaged. The water spray comes with 5 easily attach and detachable nozzles at different angles, making the cleaning process fun and satisfying.
Pros
● The 2000PSI pressure washer is perfectly made for cleaning RVs.
● Has a reliable water inlet filter that can purify the water while continuously maintaining high water flow.
● An extra long (35ft) cable is attached to the electricity source and has GFCI protection that works against electric shock.
● Has a security lock on the trigger.
American Micronic-Imported Pressure Washer
The American Micronic-Imported Pressure Washer has a 1700W copper motor. It can produce a water flow of up to 140 bar. The adjustable spray nozzle and the high-powered stray gun can help you in localized cleaning. It has an extra long hose that is very convenient for far-reaching places.
Pros and cons
● The auto-stop feature helps in reducing water wastage.
● Has easy-to-attach connectors.
Bosch Aquatak 125 High-Pressure Washer
The Bosch Aquatak pressure washer also has a 1500 W motor that can work for a long period of time. The water flow is around 360 liters per hour as a maximum. The wand has an availability of 3-in-1 nozzle set to work in cleaning the more obscure crevices.
Pros and cons
● A pencil jet nozzle, along with a foam nozzle, works for accurate cleaning.
● Very lightweight and compact in size.
● Has an extendable handle
● Very pricy
Recommendations
If you want to use the pressure washer for your own use, VEVOR pressure washers are easy for amateurs to handle. It has all the needed appliances and tools in one set, so you will not have to look for different parts separately. It also has user-friendly features and security measures.
Preparing for RV Pressure Washing
Before you start using the pressure washer on your RV, make sure to first prepare the vehicle for it. As the misuse of an RV pressure washer has the potential of harming you and the vehicle, it is better for you to go prepared.
1. Clearing the area around the RV: To clean your RV with a pressure washer, you need to bring it to an open space. Trust me when I say this, it is better to have an area where you can move freely with the spray gun than having to contort yourself to reach all the sides of the car.
2. Removing loose items and securing doors and windows: It is important to remove loose items from the body of the RV to avoid damaging the connection points. Elements such as windshield wipers need to be removed and cleaned separately. Be sure to seal the doors and windows shut.
3. Covering sensitive areas and components: Any power outlets and other sensitive parts of the RV must be covered so that no unplanned situations arise. Any air inlets, vents, and other cavities need to be covered.
Steps of Cleaning an RV with a Pressure Washer
Step 1: Arrange a Power Outlet
As the RV is cleaned in an open space, it is convenient to have a power outlet within reach of the electric cables. You can easily set up an outdoor power outlet for easy access. This will make the task easier in the long run.
Step 2: Use Soap and Detergent
Instead of using a constant flow of high-pressure water, preparing the most stubborn stains beforehand is best. This will make the job easy while reducing power and water use. Use soap and detergent to soften the stains before actually using the pressure washer. Vevor pressure washers already have a 500ml soap dispenser attached.
Step 3: Understand the Angles
It is very important not to stray the Rv at a 90-degree angle. Use the angled nozzles at a safe distance to implement the flow to the best output and for an RV black tank pressure washer. You need to control the water flow pressure at certain parts of the RV while also maintaining an optimum angle that will not cause harm to the exterior.
Maintenance after RV Pressure Washing
Completing the washing process is not the end of the task. As we are cleaning our own RVs, inexperience sometimes causes issues. So you need to check for maintenance after washing the RV.
1. Drying the RV thoroughly: You need to dry the RV perfectly so that the moisture cannot leak indoors or cannot harm the electrical devices in the vehicle. The drying process needs to be perfect to avoid any water streaks.
2. Checking for any water infiltration: Make sure to check if the water leaks inside the vehicle or not. If so, you need to make sure to dry the interior quickly.
3. Inspecting and addressing any damage or maintenance needs: You must check if all the sensitive parts of the vehicle work in perfect order. If the electric outlets come in contact with water, you need to consult an expert.
Safety Tips for RV Pressure Washing
● Make sure that you read the manufacturer’s guidelines thoroughly.
● Do not stray the water on yourself.
● Read up on which parts of the vehicle can withstand the high water pressure.
● Do not spray on the decals.
● Be careful not to trip on the heavy hose and cables.
FAQ About RV Pressure Washer
1. Can you pressure wash an RV?
You should only use pressure washers that are specifically made for cleaning RVs to avoid any problems. The extremely high pressure of pressure washers can often harm the vehicle.
2. How much PSI do I need to clean my RV?
Electric pressure washers can increase to 2000 PSI, whereas gas-operated ones can increase. But 1100 to 2000 PSI is enough for RVs to perfectly clean the vehicle.
3. What is the best RV pressure washer?
Among all the available types of pressure washers for RVs, VEVOR 2000 PSI pressure washer has a great output as it is a combination of all the best-required features in a potential RV pressure washer.
4. Can you pressure wash an RV rubber roof?
Pressure washing the roof of an RV is possible, but using very high pressure can cause the water to leak inside the RV, so it can be inconvenient.
Conclusion
There are a lot of different types of RV pressure washer brands available on the market. An RV pressure washer can make life easy but also create problems if you do not use it correctly. Finding the best pressure washer for cleaning RV peripherals is a must when you want to avoid the continuous hassle of cleaning by hand.
Pressure washers can be used to reach the top of the RV and any part that is very difficult to clean with scrubs and soap. But you need to know how to prepare the vehicle before cleaning and how to hold the cleaning wand to get the best results. In the end, cleaning your RV has become very easy with pressure washers.
