roof cleaning
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14879
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 7:47am
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Topic: roof cleaning
Posted By: Hunter
Subject: roof cleaning
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 1:09pm
| anyone have a suggestion for a good product to clean roof on 2021 rpod 196. I wondered about using a pressure washer? |
Replies:
Posted By: Lisa Paul Jennings
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 3:12pm
| I need to clean the roof on my new 195 but I am reluctant to walk on it even though there is a ladder to access the roof. Anybody have advice? |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 3:20pm
|
I would be careful using a power washer around your dicor areas (around your A/C, vent stack, and antenna) so as not to cut a hole or force water down an area that has already been compromised due to sun and weather conditions. If you are looking for quick and easy the following is not for you but I have done this 1x/year since taking ownership of my 177 ten plus years ago. I use clay bar and spray a simple soap solution (dawn works great) in front of the circular motions when using the clay bar. It will take care of oxidation and simple road grime and the like. If you have something more difficult to remove such as tree sap then I would preclean that with a product that will remove it with ease such as a road tar and bug gel remover. It takes me a good two hours to clay bar the entire 177. I then finish it up with a coat of MeGuiars ultimate or ceramic wax. The results are worth it, a baby butt smooth finish and glossy finish that is showroom appearance. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 3:24pm
|
I have walked on mine for 10 years w/o incident. Use a good pair of clean tennis shoes that have good grip. Most of the roof I can reach via a ladder on either side. Make sure the surface is dry that you are walking on and be careful, otherwise if that isn't your cup of tea than use an extension ladder and lean it against the side of your 195. You should be able to clean/reach most if not the entire roof with that method. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 4:33pm
|
Thanks for the input and suggestions for the roof. I also walk around on mine and while there is some give I have not seen any damage. Just don't get up on it when wet! On another subject I still have not been able to figure out what my 1000 watt inverter is doing on the camper. When off shore power none of the 110 plugs are hot. I know what an inverter does and use one with an extra battery for my cpap but do not understand what the inverter is powering on the camper. The fans and lights and water pump are on battery power dc and the frig,hot water, and heater run off propane?
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Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 6:29pm
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If you are talking about the "thing" that is in the WFCO breaker box it is a converter not an inverter. If you have a newer Rpod that has an installed "solar system" an inverter should be wired in the system from the factory then I am not familiar with the setup, but I would suggest looking for an off/on switch for the inverter which should energize the outlets. An inverter should not constantly be energized because it will use up a lot of energy from the batteries if left on all the time. Hope this helps. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 17 Aug 2021 at 8:56pm
| Thank you Jay. I think you have answered my question. It is an inverter and it is in the front storage passthrough. There is an on off switch which I do not think is working. I guess it is in the off position . This is a 2021 -196. and does have a solar system. So the problem is in the switch which apparently was broken when I bought the camper. Thanks again. |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2021 at 7:09am
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Is there a remote control panel for the inverter operation and readouts maybe mounted on the wall near the other electrical switches like the water pump and level indicators for the black, gray and fresh water tanks? If that is the case the inverter's off/on switch should be left in the on position and then you control the operation of the inverter from the remote controller, like turning it off and on. Hope this makes sense and it works of you. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2021 at 8:21am
| I have not seen a separate control panel for the inverter where the switches are for the pump, water heater. There is a panel that indicates when the batteries are charging with different settings but no control there. However there is and on and off switch beside the bed that is connected to the inverter. I pulled it apart and know it is connected but does not seem to switch it on and off. I am not sure what position is on an off because the light is on always on the switch. However none of the recepticals are hot so I assume this means the inverter is not turned on. I appreciate your thoughts on the matter. I am going to order another switch and swap it out and see if this helps. |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 18 Aug 2021 at 11:39am
|
Hunter, go to the inverter itself and make sure that if there is an on/off switch on the inverter that it is in the on position. Using the remote switch by the bed will only work if the switch on the inverter is also on. Hope this helps. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2021 at 8:38am
| Thanks Jay . I had decided to do exactly what you suggested as I had never checked to see if the actual inverter is turned on. Plan to do this today. Will let you know what I find. I appreciate your helping me to think this through. Couches RV nation did not give me a very thought orientation to the camper and I have found myself slowly figuring out and learning about allot here. |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2021 at 3:27pm
| Well your suggestion worked. I checked the inverter in the storage bay and turned it on. I then went to the switch and turned it on and the recepticals are now hot when I am off shore power. Thank YOU so very much !! I had not thought about seeing if the inverter was on because of the light on the switch inside the camper thinking it was on and the switch was not working. Feel kind of silly but am very grateful for the help. Hunter |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2021 at 3:33pm
|
Glad to pass on some information that I learned the hard way...you know by replacing the switch and now I have 2 switches that work. Glad it worked for you. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2021 at 4:13pm
| Yes I was going to swap the switch and order a new one for 125.00. You saved me this. Thank YOU again . When YOU clean the top of the camper is there any product you us that you like? |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2021 at 4:20pm
|
I just clean the sides with a product called ProtectAll and it seems to do the job and as far as the roof I have 4 - 100 watt flexible solar panels mounted on the roof so I just hose them off with water. Seems to do the job for me. Hope this helps. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2021 at 6:08pm
I used Mold Armor House wash bought at Ace Hardware and a long handled brush. I thought it did a good job and I didn't worry about pressure damaging anything.  ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: Hunter
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2021 at 7:42am
| Thanks. I will try these products . My concern is that I do not want to damage the rood material and cannot find what they recommend to clean with. |
Posted By: Mooree
Date Posted: 29 May 2022 at 7:05am
| Camco's RV roof cleaner works much better than any other cleaner/oil conditioner. It does a great job of removing substances that normally stick to the roof, like tree sap, dirt, bird droppings, etc. This product includes both a cleaner and a protectant, which is a feature that I love. It avoids the hassle of trying to find a protectant after purchasing a cleaner. |
Posted By: ciprob
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2022 at 10:28am
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RPod 196 2021. Owner since 09/2021. Going to clean roof with dawn and hose down. Bought a Werner scaffolding set to get up 5 feet to access top without stepping on roof. I'm 72 and don't want to ladder it to get on. I'll update after the cleaning day. Thanks for the forum. ------------- Flagler Beach |
Posted By: Winterpod
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2022 at 10:55am
|
Different question I had the dreaded front corner lamination yesterday while on the road. I still have 3or4 hours traveling to get home. It’s all highway. I can’t do the repairs where I am at.Do you think I can secure it enough with duct tape to limp on down the road.thanks for any support ------------- Winter pod 2013 R-Pod 178 2007 Silverato 1500 LT. Trek Stash 8 29er hard tail Old Town Kayak |