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Old 05-27-2016, 04:56 AM   #1
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Preventing bugs on front of trailer

As we prepare to leave for Alaska next Wednesday, we are trying to figure out what is the best way to keep bugs from sticking to the front of the fifth wheel. Online, we have found suggestions such as silicone spray, cooking oil spray (such as PAM), or WD40.

Is there a product out there which is made for this purpose and works well? Has anyone had any success in preventing bug splatters?

We are hoping that whatever works on the trailer will also work on the chrome grill at the front of our truck.
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Old 05-27-2016, 07:11 AM   #2
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I recommend just a good quality wax job. Carry some automotive detailing spray and clean it up every day or so. Anything you spray on like cooking oil or wd40 that remains wet will attract dust and may be more of a problem than the bugs. Enjoy your trip!!
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Old 05-27-2016, 07:26 AM   #3
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Thanks! I think hubby was trying to avoid the wax thing due to the ongoing work involved, but what you say makes sense. I will pass it along.
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Old 05-27-2016, 07:59 AM   #4
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Yes good wax. Also to clean bugs off; keep some dryer sheets handy. Make them damp and the bugs will come off easier. Safe travels.
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Old 05-27-2016, 08:50 AM   #5
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Just leave it till you get home, it will always get dirty and it shows that you are really travelling. There are 2 rv coin op washes in Dawson City and one at Sourdough campground in Tok ,alaska( a must camp to stay at.) While at dawson, stay downtown as it walkng distance to all stuff,the other 2 are to far to walk.
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Old 05-27-2016, 09:21 AM   #6
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Over the years I have found several different ways to help with the bug problem Some have worked better than others.
The very best one that I have come up with is to simply leave the truck and camper in the garage. With this method the clean up is minimal. Usually just a quick once over with the hose and a casual wipe down will easily remove any of the small amount of droppings they leave behind. This is no where near as bad or strenuous as having to scrub the dried, sun burned on guts that gets splattered all over the front of things.


Second best would be to simply back the rig down the road.


Third method would be to just cover the front of both rigs with a tarp. When done driving for the day it's just a simple shake of the tarp and they will drop off.


As you can see, I'm trying to inject a little humor here.
We all know, scrubbing bugs off the front of our rigs is part of the travel business.


Happy travels, and have a safe enjoyable trip.
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Old 05-27-2016, 09:54 AM   #7
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WD-40 would make a gawd awful mess, way worse than the bugs.

I'm so jealous of your trip. Post pictures please.
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Old 05-27-2016, 10:05 AM   #8
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another trick I found (after the Alaska trip) was to go to the hardware store and buy 5-6 ft of soft door screening. clamp it to the bottom air dam(the plastic part under the bumper that always finds curbs.)and clamp the top to the cover under the hood that is above the fan. Close the hood and it will stay in place to keep bugs out of the rad and the tranny cooler in the opening in the bumper.
And in saskatawan ,there are white moths that plastered the rad.
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Old 05-27-2016, 11:51 AM   #9
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Our truck drivers spray the fronts with food grade silicone
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Old 05-27-2016, 12:43 PM   #10
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Some auto parts stores. (Pep boys). Carry rock protection in a spray can
Helps with rock pits. Kinda like a clear bra but you spray it on
Then it washes off with water. But if it rains hard its gone
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Old 05-27-2016, 12:45 PM   #11
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Stay away from wax. Bugs actually stick to wax. Use a good polymer coating such as Rejex or Turtle Wax Ice. The Ice goes on very easy and can be completed in a short amount of time. (Wax is also bad for decals)
There are other brands of polymer that I'm sure would work just as well.
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Old 05-27-2016, 12:47 PM   #12
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Or. You can use road wrap. Water proof but more work
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Old 05-29-2016, 04:59 AM   #13
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Thanks for all the input, everyone. We will definitely look into some of them. We leave for Alaska on Wednesday, but it will take us over a week to Dawson Creek, BC due to a couple of stops along the way. Once we get on the Alaska Highway I will post regular updates whenever we have decent internet.
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Old 05-29-2016, 05:29 AM   #14
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I've been to Alaska once on a cruise. Always wanted to go to Chicken Alaska. Gold mining country. Are you Prospecting any gold while your there. I'm a long time prospector. Panner, high banker, sluicing; this was one of my best weekends ever sluicing in NC. Most of the time I barely find enough to pay for the gas to get back home. LOL.
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Old 05-29-2016, 06:48 AM   #15
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We are not sure what all we are doing up there besides taking in the scenery and fighting off mosquitoes. We just take things as they come.
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Old 05-30-2016, 09:32 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mark5w View Post
Stay away from wax. Bugs actually stick to wax.
Huh? Do you remember that physics 101 class dealing with the coefficient of friction?
Just not true.
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Old 06-08-2016, 04:18 PM   #17
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Rain-X. Anyone tried this? I've used it on my windshields and my motorcycle and it seems to help a bunch. It actually makes it easy. I've not used it on anything but glass or chrome, so I'm not sure what to think about the diamond plate or the painted metal siding.

The other thing to think about is to try and make the inevitable clean up a since you WILL get hammered by bugs and unless your camper is teflon.... you're going to scrub. If you can, get some hot water and coat down the areas. I used a spray bottle with some light soap (Simple Green), and hot water. Let it soak for a few. Then scrub with a rag and usually the bugs come right off.

I use Simple Green for everything. I'd put it on my breakfast eggs if I could.
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Old 06-08-2016, 05:42 PM   #18
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Hubby tried the wax and we have a bug collection to show for it, we are currently in Edmonton, AB, heading to Dawson Creek tomorrow. We will look for a bug screen for the truck to protect the rads while there.
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Old 06-08-2016, 05:53 PM   #19
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Huh? Do you remember that physics 101 class dealing with the coefficient of friction?
Just not true.
If you read up on Carnuba wax you'll find out that it only last around 6-8 weeks and is affected by the heat and weather worse than any other product.

Another reason I prefer a polymer. I'm not going to protect my rv every 6-8 weeks.
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Old 06-09-2016, 06:57 AM   #20
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Lone oak..You must not have seen my post about the hardware store and basic screen for a door. get it long enough to go from the lower fascia under the bumper(plastic clamps will hold it there or gorilla tape )to the rad cover under the hood. clamps or tape or the weight of the hood holds it there....couple bucks and it is good for the trip.
when you get to liard(sp) hot springs..stay there even if it in the parking lot across the street.....well worth the bathe in the real hot spring.
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It was a rainy few days at Algonquin Prov park...tarps kept us dry.
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2015 White Chev Silverado 2500HD 4x4 (6.0 l gasser)
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