Your camper trailer endures a lot. From being on the road, off the road, bumping along through dirt, mud, and rain, and accompanying you wherever the wind may blow you, your camper trailer (not to mention your camper trailer water tank) could probably use a good clean up. This guide to cleaning your camper trailer after an off-road excursion (or whenever it could use a good scrub) will have your ticket to adventure looking sharper than ever, no matter how rough or wild your trip was. From top to bottom, inside and out, and even inside the depths of your camper water tank, we’ve got you covered for your cleanest rig yet—because getting dirty is half the fun.
- Wash and Wax
The key to keeping your off-road camper trailer clean is washing and detailing it after every off-road adventure, or at least once a season. Spending a sunny afternoon scrubbing away the grime off your pride and joy is time well-spent, and it allows you to monitor the condition of your trailer. You can watch for scrapes, peels, rust and cracks that will get worse over time, plus you can detail it to keep it looking newer for longer. The wax (or sealant) is definitely a must to protect the materials of your camper trailer from the elements. Make sure you don’t forget the roof (use an extendable brush to reach safely) and keep away from any super harsh cleaners or brushes that can damage the material of your camper trailer. Also, keep in mind that you should never use any detergents or cleaners on the canvas as they will damage the waterproofing. If you’ve got a power washer handy, it will work wonders to make your off-road cleanup job even speedier, so you can get back to planning your next escapade.
- Clean Water Tank
Your camper trailer water tank can often be the source of nasty smells and tastes, so regular cleaning is a must if you want to avoid getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with foul-tasting water. You’ll want to flush it out occasionally using any number of cleaning products, like “Tank Cleen”, or simply a baking soda/vinegar mix. Make sure you follow these with plenty of fresh water to rinse out any residues so that your camper trailer water tank doesn’t smell like a janitor’s closet. If you’re regularly noticing a synthetic or plastic taste in your water, your water hose could be the culprit. Ditch the standard garden hose for a food-grade version that you can find in pretty much any camping store, and your camper trailer water tank will taste fresher than ever.
- Do a Spring Cleaning
A good spring cleaning is perfect for clearing away the buildup of dust, grime, and dirt that’s inevitable in a camper trailer—especially when camping in the outback. The easiest way to do it? Clear out every single thing that’s not nailed or screwed to the ground and go wild with a handheld vacuum into every nook and cranny. Follow it with a good mop, antibacterial spray on all surfaces and handles, and pound out the dust from mattresses and/or flip them. This will make your camper trailer feel fresh and clean, especially after the grunge of off-roading.
- Prevent Mold and Mildew
Preventing mold and mildew buildup in your camper trailer is crucial, because once it starts creeping in, it’s almost impossible to get rid of. Keep windows and screens open as often as you can to air out the trailer (except when there’s a chance of rain) and consider using a dehumidifier if you’ve got power when camping in super humid areas. Never leave items wet inside the camper, as they’re prime victims of mildew. If you’ve got an item that smells like mildew, skip the detergent and wash it with distilled white vinegar mixed with equal parts warm water to kill the fungus.
- Clean Your Tyres
Sparkling tires not only make your rig look good, but they keep your tyres in better shape. After an off-roading jaunt, your tyres are probably covered in gunk, so hosing them down and using a natural scrub brush will do the trick. Afterwards, you can spray them with a tyre-shine spray to make them look good as new or cover them with tire covers if you’re done for the season. After all, mud looks twice as good on fresh, clean tyres!
