How Big Is Your Fleet Wash Rig

pb4ugo said:
Am I off in my math? 1500 gallons of water would weigh approx 12000 lbs., two skids and related equipment would come in at 2000 lbs., the truck itself would be about 10000 lbs., for a grand total of 24000 lbs. Add in a couple 300 lbs. guys and you still have slightly over 1000 lbs. of headroom until the 25950 rating most sub CDL trucks carry. Where do you view him as being over?
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Read his original post a little better and you will understand, here it is:

Thanks for any replies - I was thinking about a 24 ft box truck but I don't know if that is over kill or not ? I want to be able to hold are contaminant mat, reclaim equipment, waste water tanks, clean water tank, as well as 2 hot water skids - and other misc. items, For the people who have 18-20 ft truck or trailers, did you wish you had more room? Or are you happy with what you have. I would like to be capable of carrying at least 1500 gallons of used wash water, plus a fresh water tank as well.
Do any of you run the problem of maxin out your weight limit of your vehicle or is it no problem for you??

Now Do the math more accurately: 1500 gallons of water @8.33 pounds per gallon is 12495 pounds, say the truck is 10,000 pounds like you mention, the 2 hot water skids will weigh around 2000 pounds, but he mentioned 1500 gallons at least and a fresh water tank so let's say a medium size tank of 225 gallons (1874 pounds)and that brings the total up to around 26,369 pounds and that is not including hoses, guns, wands, recovery pumps, extra fuel to keep on hand for long jobs, hose reels, the recovery equipment he wanted, the mat, the driver and a passenger, the chems for the job, the other misc. stuff, etc.... Just stating the obvious.

You never want to drive around close to the maximum weight of the truck anyway, it is not good in case the scales are off and they are sometimes and usually not in your favor but once in a while.

Sometimes it is easy to overlook some of this stuff, I probably did not list everything but I think I am in the general area.



_________________
Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
361-853-2513<O:p</O:p
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O:p</O:p
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O:p</O:p
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
 
The fresh water and grey water tanks will probly never be full at the same time.
 
Christopher said:
Sometimes it is easy to overlook some of this stuff, I probably did not list everything but I think I am in the general area.
Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
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Chris,
that is exactly my point. Sometimes when you're just looking at the "big stuff" it all looks OK until you start adding up the weights of all the support pieces, which at the time don't seem to weigh that much individually, now add up real fast. Some of the extra things he wanted to include are not light either. Like you said: Why push the envelope? Not to be forgotten is the fact that the suspensions on the newer trucks are built very "light-duty". When we build a truck, we immediately strengthen the frame and springs since they were not designed for that type of shifting weight. It drastically lessens the chances of the driver of that truck being caught off-guard :eek: by shifting water weight going around a corner or stopping at an intersection. Guys, remember this: These are our friends and family members out on the roads. How would YOU feel if they were injured, or worse yet, killed because some guy was negligent and thought "Oh, that'll be good enough!":confused: :(
 
bears said:
The fresh water and grey water tanks will probly never be full at the same time.
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Initially you wouldn't think so but a person may not have a sanitary sewer discharge site readily available to them and very well might have them all full or at least close to it for a period of time.
 
Biodude said:
Initially you wouldn't think so but a person may not have a sanitary sewer discharge site readily available to them and very well might have them all full or at least close to it for a period of time.
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Good point, what if they are having repairs being done on their pipes or it is clogged and you have to haul the dirty water away? Stuff like this happens and you need to be prepared for all kinds of situations.



_________________
Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
361-853-2513<O:p</O:p
prostaff@superiorpowerwashing.com<O:p</O:p
Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O:p</O:p
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
 
pb4ugo said:
Am I off in my math? 1500 gallons of water would weigh approx 12000 lbs., two skids and related equipment would come in at 2000 lbs., the truck itself would be about 10000 lbs., for a grand total of 24000 lbs. Add in a couple 300 lbs. guys and you still have slightly over 1000 lbs. of headroom until the 25950 rating most sub CDL trucks carry. Where do you view him as being over?
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Your math is good but with lunch and a full chem load and gas we are about 150 over so we always stop a little short on water.

Blaine is correct you have to be careful in these situations careful planning and experience + a scale can really make a difference. It doesn't hurt to have an overzealous cop pull you over every 2 weeks for a bout 3 months to do DOT inspections, scaling, msds checks...you learn quick that way what you can and cannot do.
 
Thanks to all for your responces on this thread - Very eye opening.
 
Christopher said:
Blaine, are you going to be at any Round Tables this year? Vegas???

You could bring and demo one of your trucks or if you have a guy that is close by to bring his and show how your system works in front of a crowd.
_________________
Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
361-853-2513<O:p</O:p
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Hey Chris,
The trucks and cleaning system we have developed have been over 40 years in the making and are proprietary, so we have a policy of not doing what you are asking, unfortunately. :( We have had numerous companies and individuals try and steal our technology so we're a little skittish now. :eek: However, we do demo our cleaning system and give tours at our place of business on a regular basis for those that would be interested in upgrading to it. It is just for washing fleets though so only a select few want to seem to concentrate on a specific part of the pressure washing industry it seems. Although I won't want to turn down a trip to Vegas! I love it out there but I'm probably little different than most. I fly into there and we rent a car and I take the family all over Arizona and Nevada because I love seeing those areas. I have probably bumped into Ron Musgraves and that young Mr. Scotty Stone and didn't even know about it! At least now I could identify Ron but Scott remains a mystery to me......:cool: :confused:
 
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