GoinThisAway
middle TN
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Joined: 04/13/2009
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I'm planning a trip this winter that will take me into areas with snow/ice and salt on the road. I commute periodically on salted roads and know that it is important to thoroughly wash the salt off the vehicle as soon as possible. Beyond doing this with the camper, what else could/should I do to protect metal items? Will the salt get into the furnace, hot water heater, or AC and cause damage? If so, is there a practical way to cover them while traveling? I expect I'll need to stop periodically to run the furnace to keep things from freezing so a furnace cover (if needed) would have to be easily removed and replaced.
2008 Dodge 3500 DRW 4x4
2008 Bigfoot 25C10.4
Torklift tiedowns w/Fastguns
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travelzoo
NW
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Joined: 11/18/2008
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One way to help wash the salt off the bottom of the vehicle or RV is to use a lawn sprinkler. After a trip on salted roads I hookup the hose to a lawn sprinkler, place the sprinkler under the front or rear, turn on the water and using the hose slowly drag it to the other end. Been doing it this way for many years to wash the salt off the under side.
* This post was
edited 11/03/09 12:56pm by travelzoo *
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av8rds
Princeton, MA
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Joined: 10/02/2002
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I have a thread HERE about some stuff I found.
I just used it the other day. Probably could have used just 4oz to do the whole truck/camper but since it was the first time I used 8oz.
Went on good, supposed to leave it on(not rinse) and it also helps prevent corrosion. Wont really be able to give any definitive answers on how it works but the big-rig store really recommended it(I'm in the North East so he should have some insight). He also said he has some guys that go out to the salt flats for racing and use it to clean up their cars.
'08 Lance 992
'06 X-cab Powerstroke Dually 4x4
'75 Ford Bronco Rockcrawler 
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silversand
Montreal
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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...the method I prefer is to coat the entire undercarriage several times with a tested and proven product as soon as you buy the truck (i.e. right "out of the showroom"). If you buy used, then I think you have no choice but to convert all the existing rust using phosphoric solution (commercially available in a special solution) into material that can then be coated with a salt barrier/penetrant like FluidFilm (available in industrial sized containers).
I've read some rather interesting data on rust acting as "a preventive" or, slowing agent to further rust on some structural steels. It'd be interesting to get feedback from a Big 3 automotive company on acceptability and lifespan of the various steels used in our truck's framing.
Cheers,
Silver-
Silver
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Ext/LB Tow Package 4L80E Michelin AT2s| Outfitter Caribou
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nny12972
NY
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Joined: 10/25/2006
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FWIW: The only way I've found is to keep the rig clean....and a GOOD coat of wax (or your favorite protectant coating) on all metal---I polish ALL alum. & chrome trim at least once a year and thoroughly wax) & paint is even more important for salt & black streaks than it is the other stuff....and thoroughly clean salt, bugs, road tar/oil ASAP---before they dry/harden.....I use a pressure washer regularly on vehicle undercarriage (many car washes have converted the old high-pressure spray heads to useless brushes---almost impossible to clean undercarriage with them.) Most of the TRUCK STOP WASH facilities still have good spray heads, but be careful how you use them to avoid forcing water inside when cleaning around all hatches and access panels.
When storing and/or traveling in winter, I seldom run appliances, and cover vents with plastic bags and secure on backside of panels with H-Q electrical tape---my furnace only has air intake & exhaust outlet---easy to cover with electrical tape. If I want to use things enroute, I just open the access panels for time necessary, and replace before I hit the road again....
Specifically for the fridge---I have top and bottom side vents on my rig for the Norcold (no roof vent), so I can run towel strips with WD-40 on them, through the coils quite easily once or twice a year---same treatmemnt for all the other metal and plastic parts accessible from the vent/access hatches ...just like I do with the home fridge...
J
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