When your preferred place to camp is out in the boondocks, away from typical amenities found in an RV park like potable water and somewhere to dump your holding tanks, you become more observant of places that offer these services during your travels.
So, after enjoying some scenic travels along dirt roads following a thunderstorm on our ATVs and motorcycles, we were in dire need of a self-serve car wash to clean them off.
Cleaning the machines – Note the large parking area out back – Photos via author (Dave Helgeson)
Arriving in the town of Glasgow, Montana and doing a little online research, we found Scottie Express Wash that offered a large place to park, unload the machines and give them a bath. I was also relieved to see their drain system was set up to accept the gobs of gumbo mud we were about to deposit along with our quarters in the coin-operated pay box.
What really surprised me was to find they also offered an RV dump station, not just a regular dump station, but a covered drive-through dump station in their tallest drive-through bay.
Not only can you wash your RV, but you can dump your holding tanks at the same time without having to move your rig, how convenient!
Drive-though dump – Convenient
Finding unique dump stations in unexpected locations, just another adventure in RVing!
You will find Scottie Express Wash at 102 8th St. N in Glasgow, Montana. Immediately behind the carwash is a large parking area capable of holding multiple RVs, along with a city park which makes a great lunch spot and/or place to walk the dog, plus a grocery store where you can resupply your RV just across the side street to the south.
See also: This Boondocking Spot Reminded Us Of The Old Days
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
That’s great. I wish there was a car wash like this where I live
any thing like this on the East coast?
Every car wash should have the platform that allows you to get “above” the vehicle to wash the roof. It’s especially useful for an RV and HD pickup!
They should franchise these across the country!
Found RV size wash bay at very nice Casino campground near Minneapolis, one in Imperial Beach, CA, and at Travis AFB.
I wish this was available in more places. This is awesome!
There is a RV size self service wash in Lincoln City, Oregon.
They do have drive thru car washes for RV’s. There was one on HWY 74 in Romaland (Hemet), CA that closed. It was in a RV Storage place and a dump available also. Wish I knew of others.