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Okay so, prior to retirement I ran a mobile fleet truck washing business, and it grew after we franchised. Of course, along the way we made a number of terrible mistakes, some of the most unfortunate mistakes we made had to do with the efficiency, equipment, and the general layout of the mobile washing rigs. Rather than relive those mistakes, perhaps I should explain the importance of having a solid plan before you put together a mobile truck washing rig, in case you are considering on getting into this business.
Now then, below I have listed some important tips in designing a truck wash rig, and these are things you need to think about before you go much further;
1. Budget Costs
2. Calculate Rig Size
3. Know the Weight Limits
4. Consider Water Tank Capacity
5. Figure Out the Equipment Power Needed
6. Estimate the Most Efficient Location for Equipment
7. Determine the Most Profitable Type of Customers You Will Seek
Look, anyone can build a super beautiful truck washing rig with diamond plate, polyurethane paint, tricked out rims, and spend $50,000 the process. That wouldn't be difficult, and there are many equipment vendors that will be glad to take your money, or better yet they'd like to sign you up on a lease, because they probably get a percentage of that as well. Nevertheless, you should consider your available capital budget and stick with that.
Next, you need to consider the vehicle that will be towing the trailer, and how much it can take. If you get a trailer which weighs too much after you fill it up full of water, you may go through brakes, and a new transmission not to mention several rear ends in the process. Don't ever forget that water weighs 8.2 pounds per gallon, so if you have a thousand gallons of water, you're already looking at 8200 pounds before you put any equipment on the trailer, not to mention the weight of the trailer itself.
Okay so, now you need to consider the firepower. You could get a 10 gallon-a-minute machine putting out 4500 to 5,000 PSI and at a heat of 180-plus degrees for the water. But that would be overkill, and you need to remember your budget. Also, you need to remember the type of customers you will have also. How big are their fleets, how dirty are their trucks, and how many people will be working on your crew. You should design your rig in such a way to service your most profitable customers in your market mix in the most efficient way.
Indeed, if you have any other questions, ideas, or case studies on this topic then please shoot me an e-mail. Over the years I've designed and engineered at least 50 different rigs for washing fleets of trucks, trains, boats, aircraft, and cars. And like I said, not all of them worked out as well as I thought. I hope you will consider all this and think on.
Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 24,222 articles by July 22, 2011 at 2:22 PM is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..