RobWNY
Jamestown, NY
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Joined: 02/28/2014
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I can't reach the top of the nose piece of my 5th wheel to clean the bugs off sufficiently or wax it with my 8 foot step ladder. If I could get closer it wouldn't be a problem but because I'm not going to lean the ladder against the nose where I could damage it I'm having a difficult time reaching. Using a long brush to wash it works fine but not for the finer detailing of it. If I was younger, I would just climb up on the roof, lay down and reach over the front to do the part I can't reach. We don't have an RV detailer in my area and I wouldn't trust some kid to do a decent job either. I'm stumped! Do any of you have any suggestions?
You can't put a porcupine in a barn, set it on fire, and expect to make licorice.
Life is a lot like a baseball pitch. Sometimes you get a fast ball down the middle of the plate and sometimes you get a curve ball in the dirt.
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SidecarFlip
SE Michigan
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Joined: 10/09/2016
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Hydrogen Peroxide will soften the bugs up (even dried on). and will make removal much easier. I put some in a spritz bottle and squirt it on, leave it sit a few minutes and take my wash brush (on the extension pole) and wash them off.
2015 Backpack SS1500
1997 Ford 7.3 OBS 4x4 CC LB
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BillyBob Jim
US
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Joined: 04/24/2019
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RobWNY wrote:I can't reach the top of the nose piece of my 5th wheel to clean the bugs off sufficiently or wax it with my 8 foot step ladder. If I could get closer it wouldn't be a problem but because I'm not going to lean the ladder against the nose where I could damage it I'm having a difficult time reaching. Using a long brush to wash it works fine but not for the finer detailing of it. If I was younger, I would just climb up on the roof, lay down and reach over the front to do the part I can't reach. We don't have an RV detailer in my area and I wouldn't trust some kid to do a decent job either. I'm stumped! Do any of you have any suggestions?
Go to the linen closet and get two of the nicest and largest bath towels you can find, fold them and duct tape them to the ladder, then lean it against the cap.
Do not tell your wife you're taking them.
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DutchmenSport
Indiana
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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My 5er is quite tall and has a front window (Montana High Country 375FL). Bugs are always splattered on the window. I found an easy way to reach them.
Drop the tail gate of your truck and back the truck under the 5er like you are going to hitch up, but don't pull all the way under. Leave the tailgate end just at the edge of the camper.
Now, get a 6 foot step ladder and you can actually get the feet under the nose of the camper which moves the top of the ladder much, much closer to the front of the camper without even touching it. Do the area you can reach and then move the ladder some in the back of the truck for new areas you could not reach. If necessary, you can reposition the truck.
I do this all the time, after first landing on our next campsite, usually right after getting everything set up. A bottle of Windex and some paper shop towels and bugs gone! It's really pretty easy. On the fiberglass front cap that is not window, I'll use a soft RV brush on a short painters wand. The important thing is, I can reach (actually touch) every inch of the front cap if needed standing on the ladder in the bed of the truck.
And yes ... I'm 64 years old with an artificial knee, no problem climbing the ladder and being a bit of a dare devil. After the first time I tried this, the unknown fear went away. Now, I don't even think about how scary this may look ... old man on the top of a step ladder in the bed of a pick-up truck, hanging from one arm!
Truly "Red-neck engineering" at it's finest, wouldn't you say?
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RAS43
Littleton,CO
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Joined: 03/23/2006
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Similar to DutchmenSport I use a 7' ladder in the bed of my pickup to wax the nose. I use a 10" buffer which makes short work of the job so I am not hanging off the ladder for a long time. I still can get on the roof so I do the top 2-3 feet of the nose from there.
For cleaning, I have a long handle brush and use a Love Bug Eraser with RV soap which removes bugs well. With this I can stand in the pickup bed and reach all of the nose. Age may not be a factor but I am 76.
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RobWNY
Jamestown, NY
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SidecarFlip: Does the Hydrogen Peroxide damage the stickers at all?
BillyBob Jim: I won't use the really nice towels but I have plenty in the garage that used to be nice that are now used as Car Detailing Towels. I may try your idea!
Dutchman Sport/RAS43: I may combine your truck ideas with BillyBob's towels on the ladder idea. That just might be the ticket!
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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Joined: 07/13/2005
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. . . and . . . bring that nose down using your front hydraulic jacks. That's what we do and we can reach the top with a long brush.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley BD3
1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, Paris, Missy, and Maggie in spirit), Mica and Mabel, both Rat Terriers!
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et2
MI.
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Joined: 10/31/2007
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The brush in the kit reaches the top without any problem. No ladders required
https://www.amazon.com/Aero-Cosmetics-Wa........and+wax&qid=1564787302&s=gateway&sr=8-13
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Etstorm
Frankston,TX
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Wet a dryer sheet, takes the bugs off and no harm to the finish
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RobWNY
Jamestown, NY
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Thanks but I'm not spending $239 for a wash brush and some wax
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