Where Can I Get My RV Washed? Find an RV Car Wash Near You.

As the proud owner of an RV, it goes without saying that you want your recreational vehicle to look clean and presentable.

However, washing an RV by hand is a more challenging task than cleaning a standard-size car, and you usually can’t take your RV through a regular car wash, which complicates matters a little.

RV car washes may seem few and far between, but finding a professional RV washing service isn’t too difficult if you know where to look.

Read on to find out where and how to find RV car washes in your area, and where to wash your RV yourself if all else fails.

Finding RV Car Wash Near Me

Where To Find An RV Car Wash 

The first thing you need to know in your search for an RV car wash is what kinds of establishments offer RV washing facilities.

In most cases, the best place to start looking is your local car wash.

Now, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to drive your RV through a regular car wash since it simply won’t fit. Even if the car wash is physically large enough, you might be turned away due to the infrequency of RV wash requests at most car wash establishments.

However, there is a chance that your local car wash might have separate facilities for larger vehicles (a truck wash service, for example), which may be compatible with your RV.

If this isn’t the case, don’t worry, you still have other options. There are actually vehicle washing facilities that cater specifically to RVs, so once you know where your nearest service is, you’ll be ready to go!

How To Find Local RV Car Washes 

Okay, so your local car wash wasn’t much help and you need to find the closest RV-friendly wash facilities. What should you do?

Well, there are a few different ways you can approach this search depending on how quickly you need results and what search resources you have available.

In this day and age, it’s easy to find almost anything you’re looking for within a certain area by typing it into your trusted search engine along with your ZIP code.

So, our first recommended step would be to type ‘RV wash service’ into your search bar followed by your ZIP code, town, or city. This should pull up all the most relevant results in terms of your location.

If looking things up on Google isn’t your style, you can always do things the old-fashioned way using the yellow page method.

This might sound like a drag, but the good thing about using the yellow pages to find businesses is that you know all advertised businesses will be verified and reputable.

It’s also worth remembering that even if your nearest car wash doesn’t provide an RV wash service, they might know somewhere that does, so it’s always a good idea to ask!

Washing An RV DIY-Style 

Let’s assume that you weren’t able to find a suitable RV wash service locally. Now what?

First of all, don’t panic. We did say earlier that washing an RV yourself is more difficult than washing a car due to its size, but it’s not impossible, and it will probably save you money.

If you want to know exactly how to wash an RV by hand, scroll down and check out our FAQ section.

For now, though, we’re going to talk about the best places to wash your RV the manual way.

Of course, if you have a spacious driveway, you won’t have any problems finding somewhere to wash your RV by hand. However, for those who don’t have much home space for washing vehicles, this in itself can be an issue.

If you don’t have the space to wash your RV at home, the second-best spot is probably your closest truck stop. If you’re not familiar with the term, a truck stop is basically a roadside service station specifically for trucks and large vehicles.

These establishments have a lot of parking space and often have large-scale washing facilities that you might be able to make use of.

If all else fails, you could try asking your local car wash if you can use one of their bays to self-wash your RV. Even though you can’t use the automatic car wash to clean your RV, they might let you park up for a while to wash your vehicle by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I get my RV washed at Camping World?

You’d be forgiven for assuming that a store like Camping World would have on-site RV washing facilities, but there is actually nothing to indicate that any of Camping World’s stores offer such a service.

With that being said, Camping World has been undergoing some changes and is more focused on RVs these days than ever before. This means that it could still be worth contacting your local branch in the future to see if they have opened an RV wash service.

At the moment, the best Camping World will be able to do is sell you the products you need to wash your RV yourself.

What should I use to wash my RV by hand? 

If you’ve decided to wash your RV by hand, you may be wondering how to get the job done and which products to use. 

Firstly, it’s important to avoid any harsh or abrasive products that might damage the paintwork. This means steering clear of harsh chemicals such as bleach or even dish soap. 

Aside from specifically-formulated vehicle washing formulas, the best thing you can use to clean your RV is a bucket of warm, soapy water accompanied by water from a hose. 

You should also think carefully about what you use to apply your cleaning product(s). Again, avoid anything even slightly abrasive and stick to a soft cloth or sponge. 

How much does it cost to have an RV washed professionally?

The exact cost of having your RV washed professionally will vary according to individual businesses. However, general estimates can be made based on average costs. 

On average, an exterior RV wash costs approximately $5 per square foot. Considering the average size of an RV (which is highly variable), this could mean spending anywhere between $100 and $450 on a basic exterior clean. 

If you need interior cleaning, waxing, or detailing in addition to washing the outside of your RV, the cost will increase significantly – potentially up to $45 per square foot. 

This is why many RV owners choose to take care of the cleaning themselves. 

Related: 4 ways to remove oxidation from RV Fiberglass.

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, while finding an RV washing service in your area might not always be easy, you will always have options.

Start by asking your local car wash about their services and requesting recommendations. If this doesn’t work out, take your search online or to the yellow pages.

Once you’ve established whether there are any RV washing services nearby and how much they charge, you can decide whether to go the professional route or clean your RV yourself.

If you choose to wash your RV on a DIY basis, make sure you have the right cleaning supplies and a large enough space to complete the job.

Madeline Cooper