Rust from Ocean RV Park ...

[jsk125]

Greetings.

We stayed at an RV Park in Pensacola,FL for two weeks with our 2023 2511s. We had a great time. We were right on the bay side .. and could see the Bay. Great place, good walking score .. nice views.

However, I did not notice the white scale like rust on the tow chains and the tow tung area till the end of our trip. Also, white scale on the trailer jack. I cleaned that easily with some lithium great .. but the chains are mess, though the chains are not damaged.

Any thoughts on how to clean the chains? I applied WD40 and it helped a little. The trailer jack attachment to lock down to the ball also has the site white scaling

1. Suggestions on out to clean or get get white scaling (Salt??) off the chains.
2. In the future - how to protect the metal elements like the chains and trailer jack when camping at the beach (spray with WD40 or some other spray?

Thanks .. we actually travelled from PA to Pensacola, then to a state park in South Carolina just below Murrell's Inlet. Over 3,300 miles and other than the white scaling, the vehicle (2020 Ford Expedition) and the Rockwood Minilite 2511s were perfect. I do cover the front window. Gas mileage was crapy, but that was to be expected. I95 sucks.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Aussieguy]

If it is salt some fresh water is about as effective as anything
if it is stubborn try HOT water


lived in Florida 25 years and have not had anything rust or get damaged
I;m also in Flood Zone A .....less than 1000 foot from GULF of whatzamucallit

Helene saw water in my street but below my house
trailer and other outdoor metals never get special treatment
except for boat trailer would get hosed down after a dunking at the ramp

more chance of picking up salt from the trip south .... I would make a routine of rinsing and inspecting under trailer once a year.... if I was towing on roads that had been salted the prior winter / few weeks

 

[Oaklevel]

Any Ocean front parks will provide corosion whether it is Hunnington Beach or Florida. Just need to keep up with it.

 

[Camp11053]

I had a trailer boat for many years that was used in the ocean. I used a product called Salt Away when I washed the trailer and boat after use. It did a great job removing the corrosive salt residue. I also mixed up a spray bottle to wash down my fishing reels. That might help.

 

[sailorsam20500]

lived in Florida 25 years and have not had anything rust or get damaged
I;m also in Flood Zone A .....less than 1000 foot from GULF of whatzamucallit

 

[kamper00]

Whenever I came at or near the ocean, I always rinse the truck and trailer with salt off, available at Walmart.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

Recently talked to someone who was helping to tow trailers who are going to the beach near Galveston for the summer.
The undercarriages of these rigs are corroded from last year... even though they had been coated with rust resistant paint.

Here's an article about preventing salt damages on rvs from Keystone.

Battling Saltwater and Sand Damage: Essential Tips for RV Owners

Safeguard your RV from saltwater and sand damage with expert tips. Learn how to prevent corrosion and scratches, ensuring your RV stays in top shape for your adventures.

www.keystonerv.com

 

[Oaklevel]

I need to repaint my trailer frame, as so many with it, the salt air is hard on it......................... so much to do so little time.............

 

[D W]

Whenever we travel down on the Kenai to places like Homer, Seward or Anchor Point, we always wash off the salt spray at home with garden hose sprayer filled with diluted TIDE (HE) liquid soap. Works great for the camper as well as the TV.

 

[jsk125]

Thanks for all the tips. Never had that problem, but I never parked next to the ocean. We had a great trip though .. first ever 1 month trip!

 

[Aussieguy]

Florida Gulf is way different than Atlantic Ocean side.... not a lot of wave action and wind

east coast .... you can see the mist and salt spray
Gulf ... usually balmy and no great breeze. always laugh when I see someone with a surf board on the roof rack on the west coast (dreamer)

Any place that allows you to drive on the sand... definitely you have to wash it off.
sand and mud mixture built up on your frame will eat your chassis in a couple of seasons

if I look for a used vehicle... always look for a Florida one.
won't buy anything imported from up North (salted roads)

 

[NXR]

We stayed in North Naples for two months, about a mile from the Gulf. I had a new Zero-G water hose I used for the first time. When we went to break down I was appalled at how corroded the metal was at the spigot. I had to use a pair of channel locks to get the hose removed. The inside end was still shiny new.

I soaked that end in fresh water overnight when we got back home and that got rid of some of the stuff but it still grinds when using it and still looks pitted and dull.

Everything else we used and the motorhome itself looked great. I did have to wash the sides of the slides because they were so gritty and I always cleaned and siliconed the jack legs once a month.

Ray

 

[Aussieguy]

Was hose end aluminum
Some cheaper hoses have metals that galvanic corrode easy

We stayed in North Naples for two months, about a mile from the Gulf. I had a new Zero-G water hose I used for the first time. When we went to break down I was appalled at how corroded the metal was at the spigot. I had to use a pair of channel locks to get the hose removed. The inside end was still shiny new.

I soaked that end in fresh water overnight when we got back home and that got rid of some of the stuff but it still grinds when using it and still looks pitted and dull.

Everything else we used and the motorhome itself looked great. I did have to wash the sides of the slides because they were so gritty and I always cleaned and siliconed the jack legs once a month.

Ray

 

[Bfstrysik]

We spent 2 months in Rockport TX with our 2024 Surveyor Legend tt. There is so much rust on the frame etc from the salt air, that I am having to repaint the frame etc. The 4 levelling jacks looked so bad (like they were 10 years old), that I ordered new ones. Couldn't deal with a 1 year old rig looking like it's 10 years old.

 

[reidfo]

We stayed in North Naples for two months, about a mile from the Gulf. I had a new Zero-G water hose I used for the first time. When we went to break down I was appalled at how corroded the metal was at the spigot. I had to use a pair of channel locks to get the hose removed. The inside end was still shiny new.

I soaked that end in fresh water overnight when we got back home and that got rid of some of the stuff but it still grinds when using it and still looks pitted and dull.

Everything else we used and the motorhome itself looked great. I did have to wash the sides of the slides because they were so gritty and I always cleaned and siliconed the jack legs once a month.

Ray

I live directly on a saltwater canal. As I type this I'm looking out my window to the water. Everything here corrodes. I use Zero-G hoses too. I now have two of them that have permanently attached themselves to the hose bib. Channel locks couldn't get them off. I have to remember to disconnect them regularly and clean them up.

The salt corrosion is also why I don't buy any expensive outdoor items, especially grills. Life expectancy of a grill at my house is approximately 3 years before it's a pile of rust.

 

[jimmoore13]

If you don't own a pressure washer, find a car wash that accommodates trucks and RV...the DIY style car wash with a conventional pressure washer wand. Go at it and clean everything.

What you described sounds like salt deposits from mist in the air. Once washed off, you should have no problems.

Your safety chains are likely galvanized or powder coated, but chains, by virtue of all the handling and "jingling" as you go down the road, might have spots where the corrosion protection has worn away. Monitor for any rust, and spray with a simple primer/paint combo to protect the metal.

It's VERY unlikely that you have any newly developing rust from a two-week stint at the shore.