Fleet Wash Equipment Question

J

John S.

New member
I am here to ask the pro's! Here is the scenario: You have a fleet of 467 trucks to wash. You will be washing half of the fleet per week. What type of rig would you use and where would you buy the rig from? I underdstand the basics, I think. No less than 4 gpm @ 3000 psi. DI or RO water. Tank. Chemicals (Two step?). Reclaim system. I have an opportunity to make a bid and I just wanted some expert advice and also to support some of the trusted pros here who are in equipment sales. I appreciate the help!
 
Well I along with other suppliers on here can sell you equipment and chemicals. I personally would prefer higher flow and use less pressure relying on the chemicals to do the work for you. Two-stepping is something you should be reading into as that's (in most cases) what's going to make the trucks look great and keep you from scrubbing your arms off! As far as reclaim goes...... you'll need to figure out if you can dispose of it on site etc etc....

Join the UAMCC as I and other suppliers have great discounts for members including for what you are looking for. Aside from that you'll tap into a great "help" group of people.
 
If it were me, and I was to start fleetwashing again, I am thinking that I would go for a two step system. I can always spot a fleet of trucks that has been two stepped properly vs. a truck that has been brushed washed, or soaped and rinsed. There really is a difference. As for suppliers, I know Blane Krugrud from Bioclean, sells equipment that does that, but I think that there are definitely others.
 
Largo make a nice 2 step hot pressure washer. I would probably get one if I was to go back into fleet washing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
I absolutely would do a two step system....and like every one else I can also sell you the equipment that would be perfect for this, along with a couple of other options that will make your life easier, 55 gallon fuel tank, true two gun setup, (here's a tip, never try to run two guns off one pump, spend a little more for a true one pump per gun setup, and you will spend less on repairs), we also can provide training for you so you don't spend days/weeks fumbling around with running a system correctly and ultimately lose the job, I have heard and seen this happen in the past.
 
Before I would spend a dime, I would go out with a crew that washes trucks that is within a few hours of where you live or whatever you can do to see if you even like washing trucks. Lots of people get into pressure washing every year and then a lot decide they don't like the work, hours, getting dirty, muddy, sprayed with chemicals when the wind direction changes quickly, working all different hours based on the jobs, etc....

After you did that, you will know one or two ways that the company you went out with washes trucks and you can modify what they do, copy it or look for something else but this way you can see what they do, how efficient they are, what level of quality they offer, etc....

Then I would start calling vendors and see what they offer, what prices, if they have good soaps and brighteners (many, many vendors don't have good soaps and don't just take their word for it as they will lie to you to sell you anything to make a buck) but then there are some good vendors out there also like Russ at Southside, Brad at Midwest Cleaning Solutions, Blaine at Bioclean Systems that have lots of knowledge, can help you with systems and offer great chemicals.

Like the guys mentioned, there are many ways to wash, soap through the pump, bucket/brush/rinse, 2-step, downstream with switches/solenoids, switch at the gun, etc.....

It would really suck to go and spend money on a system that you had no idea of what it was, no experience in that system or worse, you listened to a vendor that was not only full of hot air but had no experience in truck washing in his/her life to talk about but they sure will sell you exactly what you need with no clue of what you are washing, what system you have/will buy or what experience you have.

Everyone has opinions and there is a lot of great knowledge out there, just be careful of who you talk to and don't spend a dime before talking to others out there.

Remember that the local vendor probably has good shop skills to fix your machine but might not want to work on it if you did not buy it from him, watch out for those guys as they will hold a grudge against you because they did not sell you the over-priced rig and watered-down chemicals to go with it for your new venture.

Don't believe everything you hear out there as there is some great info but a lot of mis-information, especially when it comes to environmental cleaning and issues.

Good luck.
 
Will this be an everyweek gig or just washing all of them once and thats it. Are they all day cabs or sleepers or what. I would say an 8gpm and two step from what I have learned otherwise you are costing yourself alot of time. If that is an everyweek gig then that is alot of money off one account. Of course that depends on what you are charging.

You don't need high psi for fleet washing but a higher gpm unit is better. Taking more of a chance of peeling decals or paint with the higher psi.
 
Large water tank 1000 gal at least. Hot water you will need it in the winter. Two step machines are nice if you have a large fleet like that it would be a worthwhile investment. (You can get a heater for two step machines).

Recovery will depend on what your area and job site require. If you do have to recover look at a gas powered system for reliability. You may want to mount it on a stand alone trailer to drop at a pickup point (where the water would collect). That way you can wash without having to stop and constantly move your stuff.
 
I can't tell you guys how much I appreciate the help. Unfortunatley, this company decided to go with a larger company for their fleet washing. Thats ok though. I learned an awful lot about this side of the business. I think I am going to do a little networking and find a smaller fleet to "cut my teeth on". Thanks again for the help.
 
Rance said:
Better money on smaller fleets? Can you elaborate on this a little? Thanks.
Click to expand...


In my experience...... You'll get more money per truck for a small fleet than a large one. A company with 6 trucks will pay way more per unit than someone who has 300 units. You won't be competing with the big guys as for the most part they don't want the small accounts. Might be different but that's the world I live in.
 
Mike is right, chase the small guys, less competition, can charge more per unit, and more flexibility. Only issues that you can run into is more work billing and chasing people, the jobs can be spread out which means more travel. Its better to start small then try running at such a big contract right off the start.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top