Several months on the coast concerns about rust/ damage

[SMR]

I have the opportunity to spend 2 to 3 months camping hosting along the Oregon coast.

I have concerns about rust and other damage to the camper. Other than not going.....is there a way to prevent rust, etc.

Thanks

 

[Rene T]

Do the under carriage with a product similar to what NHOU uses. Oil undercoating. I have a 2011 truck and don’t have any rust at all., I had that product applied twice

 

[bigb56]

Fluid Film can help. If you're right on the coast with salt air blowing in you may get light surface rust on parts like slide mechanisms.

 

[Domo]

Our 2008 Freightliner chassis lives in Florida and we've spent many months when full timing on shorelines on West coast, Gulf Coasts and East Coast.

Drive through a Beacon Truck Wash once a year and get cleaned up all over. (Remind them to avoid some areas, such as fridge air inlet, or focused spray on storage door seams/gaskets.

Shouldn't need any more protection than your car and a good coat of wax can protect the baby well.

 

[Kirk]

Light rust is normal on any undercarriage and will happen anywhere. While it is true that there is less problem with rust on the desert than on the coast, there is nothing to be concerned about. We have spent 3 months as RV volunteers at parks on the Oregon coast on several occasions. The RV that we had was 14 years old when we sold it and had no significant rust problems.

 

[SMR]

Thanks for the info, this winter I'm going to paint the exposed areas of the frame and other exposed steel/metal. Of course that will be another post.

 

[Jackiemac]

And get a dehumidifier for inside!! We suffered a few years ago and when checking out of the RV Park I mentioned it to the lady on the desk who then told me we could have rented one locally.

 

[RayIN]

Many years ago I parked on the beach of S. Padre Island for 3 days. The sand contains salt; which ruined our 2 bicycles, and severely rusted the 5er's frame and rusted my Ford F250 trucks undercarriage.
That sand was everywhere inside the 5er too. Lesson learned, sand can blow through a screened door and windows.

 

[SMR]

We had friends host somewhere on Padre Island and she said her bikes rusted away too, maybe its that area.
I am concerned about the bikes

 

[Kirk]

In Oregon state parks you will not be parked on the beach and while there is some salt air, it really isn't a major issue. We had two bikes on a bike rack on the back of the CR-V that we were towing both times that we hosted on the OR coast. While I did do minimal maintenance on those bikes, it was not a significant problem, and the RV showed no signs of having suffered at all.

It is up to you so if you aren't comfortable, don't do it but you will miss a great opportunity to work with one of the best state park services for appreciating and supporting RV Volunteers that exist. You can believe those with stories about the Gulf Coast if you wish, rather than someone who has actually done what you are considering, in Oregon in state parks right on the coast. We spent 3 months in Ft. Stephens State Park, then later volunteered at Cape Mears Lighthouse where we stayed in Cape Lookout SP campground, and later we volunteered at Heceta Head Lighthouse and we stayed in Carl G Washburn SP for the duration of our time there.

 

[SMR]

We are going to volunteer with Oregon, had a nice conversation with the volunteer coordinator at one park.
I was convinced after reading post #5 that we would be fine. It's our first time along the Oregon coast and it has not disappointed us.

 

[8Muddypaws]

Our Bounder lived its first 4 years within spitting distance of the water in Monterey, Ca. It's has some rust but not much.

Don't drive it on the beach. If you do rust will probably be the least of your problems. (Got stuck in sand a couple times in Mexico. Not fun!)

 

[Kirk]

We are going to volunteer with Oregon,

You made the right decision. We were RV volunteers most of the time for 12+ years and it was a wonderful experience. We consider the OR Parks to be one of the best agencies for volunteering.