Poll: What type of pressure washing rig do you use?

[mdspowerwashing]

Hi, I was just looking to see what type of pressure washer you guys use - Portable pressure washer , Trailer mounted rig, Box van/ truck mounted, or other.

I have a trailer mounted rig (delco 5.5gpm hot water) with 525 gallon tank, and I also have a portable 13hp 4gpm cold machine. I've been thinking lately, I do mostly house washing and decks, I usually pull my 18 foot pressure washing trailer. For most, if not all my jobs, I could just use the portable 13hp pressure washer. Do most you guys have trailer rigs, or just use a portable pressure washer?

I'm actually thinking of just selling the whole trailer mounted rig, and keeping my portable 13hp 4gpm machine, x jet, nozzles, wand, chemicals, ladder and just using it. Its kind of a pain to lug around a 18 foot trailer and back into some tight places, not to mention the extra wear on the truck, and decreased fuel milage. What do you guys think? Sell it or keep it? I know its nice to have 5.5gpm and the hot water, but I just don't seem to do a lot of concrete cleaning where I need the hot water.

Thanks, Matt

[Jimmy M]

If your luck is any thing like mine, just as soon as you get rid of it you will run up on an opportunity that will require it. i have a cold water 4 gal min mounted on my trailer that will be nice to have if my main unit breaks in the middle of a job say like after you shoot the acid on a brick wall you are cleaning. I tried rinsing with the small machine after getting used to 5.5 gal machine and I could not believe the difference an extra 1.5 gpm made.

[PLD]

I went from 4gpm portable in a truck to a 5.5 skid on a trailer. Ocassionally, I have need to use the 4gpm machine still. The difference in ease and speed is phenomenal. I would NEVER go back willingly. Never.

FWIW, I do 100% residential with about 20% driveways.

[Steve Kiser]

I am on a 12' trailer right now, but am thinking of putting inside a van when I upgrade to a hot water skid this year with a 50 gallon water tank, and I am going to mount my 325 water tank on a small trailer to tow behind when I need the extra water.

[Mathew Johnson]

I have a 5.6 gpm gear drive mounted in a 1 ton van with a bunck of equipment and my deck restoration stuff and a backup unit.

I have a hot water skid and a 4gmp gear drive backup unit in a trailer with my recovery equipment and a 325 gallon tank. we are puttng a filtration/recycle system in the trailer next week also. I will be doing a lot of work in the next few months where recovery is a must

[Mathew Johnson]

Originally Posted by mdspowerwashing

Hi, I was just looking to see what type of pressure washer you guys use - Portable pressure washer , Trailer mounted rig, Box van/ truck mounted, or other.

I have a trailer mounted rig (delco 5.5gpm hot water) with 525 gallon tank, and I also have a portable 13hp 4gpm cold machine. I've been thinking lately, I do mostly house washing and decks, I usually pull my 18 foot pressure washing trailer. For most, if not all my jobs, I could just use the portable 13hp pressure washer. Do most you guys have trailer rigs, or just use a portable pressure washer?

I'm actually thinking of just selling the whole trailer mounted rig, and keeping my portable 13hp 4gpm machine, x jet, nozzles, wand, chemicals, ladder and just using it. Its kind of a pain to lug around a 18 foot trailer and back into some tight places, not to mention the extra wear on the truck, and decreased fuel milage. What do you guys think? Sell it or keep it? I know its nice to have 5.5gpm and the hot water, but I just don't seem to do a lot of concrete cleaning where I need the hot water.

Thanks, Matt

Matt, Let me know if you are going to put it up for sale.

thanks

[CCPC]

Originally Posted by mdspowerwashing

Hi, I was just looking to see what type of pressure washer you guys use - Portable pressure washer , Trailer mounted rig, Box van/ truck mounted, or other.

I have a trailer mounted rig (delco 5.5gpm hot water) with 525 gallon tank, and I also have a portable 13hp 4gpm cold machine. I've been thinking lately, I do mostly house washing and decks, I usually pull my 18 foot pressure washing trailer. For most, if not all my jobs, I could just use the portable 13hp pressure washer. Do most you guys have trailer rigs, or just use a portable pressure washer?

I'm actually thinking of just selling the whole trailer mounted rig, and keeping my portable 13hp 4gpm machine, x jet, nozzles, wand, chemicals, ladder and just using it. Its kind of a pain to lug around a 18 foot trailer and back into some tight places, not to mention the extra wear on the truck, and decreased fuel milage. What do you guys think? Sell it or keep it? I know its nice to have 5.5gpm and the hot water, but I just don't seem to do a lot of concrete cleaning where I need the hot water.

Thanks, Matt

I think in your situation the best thing would be to drop the 525 water tank, and down size too a smaller trialer with a nice 25-50g float tank to back up your water supply. There's no logical reason to carry around a tank of that size, when all you do is residential. 12' trailer should allow for plenty of room without the tank.

[CLASSICPW]

It's funny, I just bought a rig from Scott(Flimmy) and it sucks so bad hauling around this trailer, but i love it. It is so much easier pulling hose off a reel and turning a key. I used to haul off a cold water machine off a truck, unroll 100 ft of hose and 75 ft of supply and have to constantly pull that damn cord to fire it up. Now I have the unloader pumped back into the tank so the washer can run for hours without pulling the trigger. I hate pulling the trailer,but it saves so much labor that it's unreal.

[RPetry]

Portable Hydrotek CP35005VH cold water, with a 4.5 GPM AR belt driven pump. Only work on wood, so the machine is fine. Agree with Jamie though about loading and unloading the unit, unwinding hose etc. Takes time to set up and breakdown.

Unfortunately, live in a neighborhood that prohibits commercial vehicles and trailers. If I decide to grow the business, will have to rent at another location.

[Jim Carroll]

why not buy a small open trailer, set up with a reserve tank and reels and your portable machine for residential and keep your large enclosed trailer. you could probably get a 10-12' open trailer for around $700. I have a 10ft and it is pretty easy getting in tight spots. You can plumb your small machine just like your big one.

[GymRat]

Originally Posted by Jim Carroll

why not buy a small open trailer, set up with a reserve tank and reels and your portable machine for residential and keep your large enclosed trailer. you could probably get a 10-12' open trailer for around $700. I have a 10ft and it is pretty easy getting in tight spots. You can plumb your small machine just like your big one.

The problem in my area, is with an open trailer is equipment sometimes find legs and walk away. Its also nice to just close your trailer door at the end of a day and not worry about the weather.
I believe it to be a safety issue with chemicals and fuels on a open trailer that children and pets may get into.

[Ron Musgraves]

In Arizona most units are on open trailers, we have no need to protect anything form the climate except the sun.

My fantasy machine would be mounted on a 18 foot flatbed diesel. I have three diesels but none flatbeds. My ford 400’s cant seem to get by a gas station.

I had a couple Chevy’s over the years and never really like them.
I pick up a couple a few years back at and auction. They have been less maintenance and less fuel to operate. Being a ford guy this is very tough to admit. Keep in mind I’m talking Chevy one tons Not half ton pick ups. Ford is much tougher than Chevy’s half tons.

I have still about 11 trailer units that I’m slowly getting rid of. I rent pw also so I will always keep a couple trailer units. When the trucks break down you can always tow a trailer.

If I lived back in the cold country I would want all aluminum trailers. No wood and certainly not steel. Of course all enclosed stuff to keep equipment protected.

[PLD]

Originally Posted by CCPC

I think in your situation the best thing would be to drop the 525 water tank, and down size too a smaller trialer with a nice 25-50g float tank to back up your water supply. There's no logical reason to carry around a tank of that size, when all you do is residential. 12' trailer should allow for plenty of room without the tank.

I concur. I'm 95% resi and I have a 5x14 with a 275 tote tank and it works great. I have a 5.5 skid, a 4gpm roll around (tied down), a 2x4 tool box, and roof for lances, buckets, 3 hose reels, etc. I had a 525 (still for sale - bargain basement), but it had too much of a foot print. I may yet go down to a 125'er for a float, but no smaller as I often run 2 guns (9gpm).

[Ron Musgraves]

I do new home tracks and I will not allow my tech to take trailer in residential areas any longer.

Its just about the safety, if the trailer are enclosed then this is a different story.

[tunatussle]

I carry a 4gpm 3000psi machine that sits on the tailgate of the pickup and works well for houses and machinery. I carry in the same pu a smaller 2000psi machine that I lift out and carry to do a deck area. With the pu I am able to get into very tight driveways and do not have to worry about traffic. Most if not all the houses and commercials I do have city water so there is sufficient pressure from the client.