RV Detailing: How Much Can You Expect to Pay?

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Last Updated on September 4, 2024 by Paul Clayton

RV Detailing: How Much Can You Expect to Pay?

Is your RV still dirty from your last trip? RV Detailing is critical to maintaining your recreational vehicle’s aesthetic appeal and longevity. Remember, while cost is essential, it should not compromise the quality of service you receive.

• The basic package ranges from $150 to $350 on average.
• Larger RVs like Class A or C may cost more.
• Additional services like interior detailing increase the cost.
• High-end services with oxidation removal can surpass $1000.
• Get a detailed quote before proceeding.
• Regular detailing protects the finish, prevents damage, and enhances resale.

Instead of scrubbing your RV clean, you can get them detailed professionally. Who does not want their expensive motorhome investment to keep shining at its finest?

Some people might prefer to clean their RV themselves to save their money. However, RVs tend to be significant, and many owners do not have the time, equipment, or the will to tackle this task themselves.

This is why they look for professional help to detail their RVs.

Now, you must be looking for the answers to two core questions.

How much does the RV detailing cost? 

What is included in your RV detailing? 

Read on to find out more about RV detailing in the following article.

Why Do You Need to Detail Your RV?

Even though you might save some money on this job by doing everything yourself, RV detailing is meticulous. It would be best to have all the right cleaners, wax products, and much information on dealing with a metal’s worst enemy, corrosion. 

It might seem unnecessary, but detailing your RV can have multiple benefits. So why do you even need to describe your coach?

• Exterior

Well, first of all, your motorhome is exposed to a harsh environment outside for a significant amount of time. Since they are huge, you cannot just tuck them safely in your home garage. 

They must withstand the sun, wind, rain, or even snow unless you own a good-quality RV cover. All these elements alleviate the damage to the RV’s metal exterior.

Therefore, detailing involves protecting the exposed RV from damage to increase its lifespan. If you fail to look after the exterior, the RV will look old and unsightly in no time. 

Apart from this, you might even end up losing its sale value. Since detailing your RV costs much less than buying a new one, you can always travel in style wherever you go.

• Interior

Coming to the interior, you must remember that this is where you will live. If your living space is unclean and dirty, it will quickly become uninhabitable.

Dust and lousy odor can settle in your furniture and carpets, making walking barefoot in your RV unsanitary. Besides this, cooking on a greasy stove or washing your utensils in a dirty dishwasher does not sound appealing to anyone.

If you own a pet, their fur can be embedded in your bed, carpet, or sofa. This poses a health concern, and I am sure you do not want the hair to stick to your clothes and body.

What Is Included in RV Detailing?

So, what does come under RV detailing? 

Is it similar to going through a car wash? 

Does it include just washing your exterior body with soap and water? 

To answer your questions, detailing involves much more than splashing water on your RV and calling it a day. Let’s look into all the services you can get in your RV detailing.

• Exterior

First, the RV’s exposed surface is scrubbed down and washed to get rid of all the dirt accumulated on your previous trips.

The surface is waxed with specific high-quality wax products to complement the metal used in its body. Also, the wheel rims and tires are cleaned until they shine like new ones.

Moreover, all the windows are wiped down to help you view the green meadows or snowy mountain caps. When your RV has started oxidizing, professionals will tackle it before rust settles in the whole body.

This part of RV detailing cannot be done by yourself since it requires much expertise and expensive equipment to prevent further oxidation. Professionals will buff and paint the body to return it to its original shine.

Additionally, you can even pay to get your roofs and awning washed. They tend to gather dust and are prone to wear and tear from the harsh environment.

• Interior

Now that we have covered all the aspects of exterior detailing let us move to the interior. So, what do these professionals offer when it comes to cleaning the interior of your RV?

To answer, they are going to cleanse everything deep. And by everything, I mean everything.

To begin with, they offer vacuum cleaning of your carpeted floor, dusting off all the surfaces exposed to the air, and cleaning down the windows to leave them squeaky clean.

In addition, they will wipe down your kitchen and bathroom counters, clean out your tables, and eliminate all sorts of stains with high-quality products. Thus, you will be left with a stain-free, pristine interior.

The professionals even offer to shampoo the carpets, chairs, and sofas if your interior space requires a much deeper cleansing.

Besides this, you can even pay to get your kitchen, bathroom, living quarters, and the driver’s cabin scrubbed down from top to bottom.

Overall, you can even ask your RV detailers for additional cleaning options depending on the condition of your RV.

If you have kept the interior exceptionally clean during successive professional detailing, you might not require all the options the detailers offer.

How Much Does It Cost To Detail Your RV?

Before we start bringing numbers in, let me warn you that RV detailing might not be cheap. However, when you compare the cost of buying a new vehicle with the amount spent on maintenance, RV detailing will indeed feel cheaper.

Since servicing your motorhome increases lifespan, your RV will remain by your side for a long time.

The cost of detailing your RV depends on multiple factors. These include the size of your RV, its condition, the services you want, and the detailer itself. 

Overall, RV detailing costs about $9 to $35 per square foot. Remember that the cost differs from one type of RV to another. They might have the exact dimensions, but their built and interior designs might vary. 

Cost Depending On Size

Although the average length of an RV is around 33 feet, they can range from 21 to 45 feet in length. Since detailers tend to charge by foot for their services, on average, they can charge around $200 to $350 for a complete detailing of a medium-sized RV.

This is why the size of your vehicle can make a huge difference when you add up the final cost. For your benefit, we have listed the average cost of detailing RVs of different sizes below.

• Small

Anything smaller than 21 feet in length can be classified as a small RV. For example, Class C motorhomes are considered in this category. On average, detailing can cost you around $100 to $200 depending on the services, detailer, and conditions.

• Medium

Medium-sized RVs are 21 to 27 feet long and tend to be Class C motorhomes. As mentioned above, they can cost anywhere between $200 and $350.

• Large

Measuring a hefty 28 to 39 feet in length, these larger RVs include towable campers and Class A motorhomes. Depending on the size and multiple other factors, the average cost of detailing can rack up around $300 to $400.

• Extra-Large

Extra-large RVs are over 40 feet long and weigh over 40000 pounds. These big Class A motorhomes can be pretty expensive to detail, costing you around $400 to $600.

Cost Depending On Interior Detailing

Depending on the servicing package of your choice, interior detailing can be profitable for you. The more services you add, the less you pay per service.

Remember that detailers often customize their packages to provide value to the RV owners.

The interior can cost you around $10 to $12 per foot for basic detailing. However, the final cost will be high if you add more services.

So, if you want to get a high-quality spotting treatment or maybe service your leather furniture, ensure you have enough money in your pocket.

While regular servicing includes cleaning your appliances, carpets, bathrooms, and kitchen, a complete interior detailing can cost up to $25 per square foot.

As per recommendation, owners should get complete RV detailing once every year. Using an RV cover or cleaning it yourself after every use is inadequate to keep your RV in top shape and sanitary.

You can opt for simple interior detailing if you use your motorhome frequently. Instead of getting a deep clean, choose a package with simple vacuuming, dusting, and cleaning.

Since it is pretty easy to vacuum a small space, you can always choose to clean your RV yourself. Not only will your vehicle remain clean, but you will also pay less for your annual RV detailing.

Where Should You Get Your RV Detailing From?

While you might find a professional RV detailer in some places, many areas do not have detailing companies offering deep-clean everything.

They might offer services for the RV’s exterior, like waxing, polishing, and cleaning out the tires.

However, there are some places where you cannot find an RV detailer. In such circumstances, you will have to drive your RV to a location where they do.

If this is impossible, there is another way to get your RV detailed. , find a car detailer and pay them to clean the exterior. Next, get in touch with a cleaning company to deep-clean the interior.

If you own a larger RV, a car detailer might not be equipped or specialized enough to deal with your RV. Comparatively, smaller Class C RVs can be easier to clean by these companies.

Before you take your motorhome to any detailer, ensure they can handle classic RV exteriors like fiberglass, vinyl, or aluminum.

Although it might sound quite tedious to take your RV from one place to another for a clean-up, it will be beneficial in the long run. Don’t you want your beloved RV to keep running for a long time?

How to Spend Less on RV Detailing?

You might have saved money for a long time to purchase your first RV. So, I am sure you want your RV to have a long lifespan. But what if you cannot afford to get a complete RV detailing regularly?

You cannot let it wither in front of you. Well, this is where we come in. We will tell you how to save money on your RV detailing.

Firstly, you need to look for companies that charge you reasonably for the same services that other expensive detailers offer.

Most of the time, well-known brands provide services for a much higher price. Try negotiating your RV detailing costs and look for packages that benefit you.

Secondly, do not go all out on the services by checking everything the company offers. Scrutinize your RV and make a list of all the services it direly needs.

Choosing all the options on the detailer’s list will get quite expensive. Moreover, there are many ways to keep your RV clean without needing professional help.

The best way to save money on your RV detailing is to get your motorhome washed and waxed thoroughly once a year. If it has started oxidizing in some places, then the overall cost might climb.

However, annual detailing tends to keep your RV safe from corrosion. You can clean everything for the interior regularly to keep it shiny like the day you bought your RV.

How Can You Detail Your RV At Home?

Although we have agreed that getting your RV detailed by professionals has many benefits, it is not impossible to do the tedious job yourself.

It might require effort, time, and some money, but you will save a lot. Apart from this, you might have to read the instruction manuals and research different cleaning products.

You’re pretty misguided if you think you can do the job by splashing soapy water on the exterior and calling it a day. Read on to find some ways to clean your RV’s exterior and interior.

• Exterior

Compared to cleaning a car, RVs are on a whole other level. Not only are they huge, but they have a different build from each other. Some might be constructed from aluminum, and others might have a vinyl exterior.

For an aluminum-clad exterior, there are a lot of things that you need to be careful of. First, you cannot wash the body while running hot and certainly cannot use abrasive cleaning products.

This includes using chlorine-based cleaning products. Many RVs come with a detailed manual with instructions on how to clean your vehicle. Some even recommend using RV super seal for waxing the exterior.

Regarding vinyl siding, you can mix 30% vinegar and 70% water to clean the exterior. Use a giant sponge or cloth to reach all the corners.

Also, do not forget to use gloves before you start scrubbing. After cleaning your motorhome with the mixture, wash off the solution using a water pipe.

Fiberglass RVs need more care than other materials. Since they have a gel coating on the exterior, you have to ensure not to damage it while cleaning the body. 

First, wipe off any dirt or debris, then use gentle soaps or mix detergent and water to clean the RV. Opt for a large sponge to clean the whole surface thoroughly.

Next, rinse the mixture with a garden hose and wipe off the surface with a rag. After this, you must invest in a high-quality fiberglass polish and wax to finish the process. You can find this easily at any online store.

• Interior

As mentioned previously, the interior can be kept clean without much effort. Just vacuum the carpets and dust all the surfaces and appliances regularly. This makes sure that they work efficiently for a long time.

Besides this, invest in a few stain removers and cleaning products to keep your furniture and stovetops spot-free.

While cleaning the interior, ensure that all the plumbing and freshwater systems function correctly.

If you maintain a habit of cleaning up the RV after every trip, I can guarantee you will save a lot of money on your annual professional RV detailing.

How Often Should I Wash My RV?

The frequency of washing your RV can vary based on personal preference and usage. However, a standard recommendation is to wash your RV 10-12 times a year. This routine helps maintain the vehicle’s exterior and contributes to its longevity.

Some RV owners may outsource this task for convenience, while others enjoy doing it themselves, finding a sense of achievement in maintaining their vehicle’s pristine condition. Regardless of the approach, regular washing is essential for RV upkeep.

Final Words

When considering RV detailing, factoring in the associated costs is essential. So, how much can you expect to pay? The basic detailing package typically ranges from $150 to $350. However, this cost can escalate depending on the size and Class of your RV.

For instance, larger RVs like Class A or C may attract higher charges due to the more extensive work required. Additionally, you may opt for additional services, such as interior detailing, which will further increase the cost.

High-end services such as oxidation removal are on the pricier end of the spectrum, often surpassing $1000. Bear in mind that prices can vary significantly depending on the detailing service, so it’s advisable to obtain a detailed quote before proceeding.

Regular RV detailing not only maintains the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle but also protects its finish, prevents potential damage, and enhances its resale value.

Therefore, an investment in professional RV detailing could pay off significantly in the long run.

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