Keeping the windscreen wipers on the motorhome in good condition
Everything about cleaning, care and replacement
Clear visibility from the motorhome cockpit is essential, especially in rain, snow or hail. If the windscreen wiper streaks, you must act quickly. I show you how to clean, trim or replace windscreen wipers on your motorhome.
Table of contents
Buying windscreen wipers
If you want to buy new windscreen wipers, you have to choose between three designs:
- In the case of bow-type windscreen wipers, the wiper blade is clamped in a steel frame. Windscreen wipers with classic bracket technology do not cost much and are easy to fit. However, the cleaning performance is worse compared to the other types of wipers. The metal of the steel frame can also freeze solid at sub-zero temperatures.
- Flat bar wipers do not need the upper bar and are therefore often more durable and quieter. This set of wiper blades costs more and can only be fitted with some effort. However, the wiping performance is better.
- Hybrid wipers combine the aerodynamics of flat bar wipers and the perfect contact with the windscreen of traditional bow wipers.
Thanks to adapters, you can convert bow wipers to flat bar wipers.
If you buy the wiper blades locally, you will find all the vehicle models for which these wipers fit on the packaging. If you buy the wiper blades online, you can search either by vehicle model and year of manufacture or by using the HSN-TSN number from the vehicle registration document.
Cleaning windscreen wipers
To prolong the life of the windscreen wipers, it is important to clean them twice a year. If dust, sand or small stones accumulate on the wiper blade, the wiping effect can diminish. It is also important to keep the windscreen clean at all times. This is how you clean the windscreen wipers.
Fold the wiper arms upwards for cleaning. The manual for the vehicle will help with this. There you will find out whether the windscreen wiper arms can simply be folded up or whether they have to be moved to a certain maintenance position.
Protect the windscreen with cardboard, a towel or a blanket. If the wiper bar moves down uncontrollably, it can damage the windscreen.
Clean the wiper blades with a damp cloth that does not lint. You can use a little glass or window cleaner for this.
Also clean the part of the windscreen on which the wiper rests.
Now dry the wiper blades and the windscreen with a dry cloth.
Trimming wiper blades
If the windscreen wiper continues to smear after cleaning, the contact between the wiper blades and the windscreen is disturbed. Either because the material has become brittle or because deposits, such as insects, have formed. One way to fix this problem is to trim the wiper blades.
There are special devices for this, so-called wiper blade cutters, which work like a cutter knife with an ergonomic casing. Insert the wiper blade into this casing and scrape off the top layer, including any deposits. The wiper blade is smooth again afterwards and can lie perfectly on the windscreen.
Here you can see how to trim the wiper blades:
Before and after cutting, the wiper blades must be cleaned.
Replacing windscreen wipers
Some manufacturers recommend changing the wiper blades after half a year at the latest. This may be the case with cars that are moved every day. However, if you only use your motorhome a few days a year, you can change the wiper blades as needed. UV light in particular causes unused wipers to age and become brittle. If they still leave streaks despite cleaning, you should replace them. How to change the wiper blades on your motorhome:
Fold up the windscreen wipers: the vehicle manual will help with this. There you will find out whether the windscreen wiper arms can simply be folded up or whether they have to be moved to a certain maintenance position.
Protect the windscreen with cardboard, a towel or a blanket. If the wiper bar moves down uncontrollably, it can damage the windscreen.
Loosen the fastening mechanism of the wiper blade. Wiper blades are either clamped or plugged in and secured with safety clamps. Make a good impression of the fastening mechanism of the old wiper blade and fasten the new one later in the same way.
Now pull the old wiper blade out of the guide rail, clean the guide rail and push the new wiper blade in until it snaps into place. Now you can put the fastening clamps back in place.
Special features of windscreen wipers on motorhomes
Often the windscreen wiper system of motorhomes is overtaxed with the demands of the vehicle. This is because the original wiper system of the chassis manufacturer is usually installed in this vehicle class without being adapted to the vehicle. But motorhome drivers sit higher up and the small wiper arms do not always manage to keep the entire field of vision clear on the very large windscreen. The passenger suffers most of all.
One way to eliminate this problem is to replace the installed wiper system with a counter-rotating wiper system. Because motorhomes need large wiper arms, wide wiper blades and a powerful motor to drive both.
Conversion of the wiper system on the motorhome
A two-arm counter-rotating wiper system can remedy this. Specialised workshops can carry out this conversion. A completely new wiper system, including wiper motor, air duct and new wiper arms, is installed. The work will take about two days in the specialist workshop and will cost you at least 1,000 Euros.
Here you can see how differently the windscreen wiper systems work.
Two-arm counter-rotating wiper systems cannot be installed in vehicles with standard driver assistance systems, as well as in vehicles with maxi chassis including large brake system.
Tips for a long windscreen wiper life
- If the vehicle is stationary for a long time, you can relieve the strain on the wiper arms by placing a cork underneath. This way, the wiper blades do not constantly press on the windscreen.
- After a vehicle wash with wax, you should remove wax residues from the windscreen wipers and the windscreen so that they work without streaks.
- Do not let your windscreen wipers wipe on the dry windscreen.
Conclusion: permanent care necessary
As windscreen wipers are constantly exposed to environmental influences, they need special care. This is the only way to guarantee that you have a perfect view of the outdoors in any weather.
