Mobile truck wash business

If I had to do it again, it'd be $250 a truck and trailer. Logging trucks get pretty filthy lol.

 

If I am home on a Sunday when the wash guy comes around, it costs me about $100 (cdn-~75usd) for a truck and reefer. He and his wife do an awesome job. Better than anywhere else, no streaks, just perfect, every time. They have a f250 and trailer and probably a 1000 gallon water tank in there. If I go to a place and the wash is poor quality, I don't hurry back. If it's very poor, I never go back. A big new wash opened up near home, I tried it, same price 100 for t/t, lots of bugs left still up high on front of reefer. This is after they "touched it up" also. A decent rain would have done a similar job. I haven't been back.

Moral of story. Do a quality job, and customers will beat a path to your door.

 

Mobile guy shows up w 3/4 guys. They all work at the truck wash during the day. Charges the same as the Truck wash charges but does it at my yard. Also offers polishing services, and will discount for multiple units.
Quality is bout the same as the truck wash/ sometimes they miss spots- I think that's mostly bc they end up doing it in the dark.
Box Truck w 500 gallon water tank in it, generator, several pressure washers, lots of brushes and every soap and chemical the truck was has.

 

You will also have to keep in mind with all of the currant environmental regs now in place with a lot states, that mobile washing may prohibited in certain areas.

Some states require that you pull the equipment on to some sort of catch pad or basin and recover the run off water. This is dur to the grease and other contaminents in the runoff.

Some companies will require that you have a million dollar liability insure coverage and/or a bond to be able to service their account.

Before you invest in any equipment check your local and state regs.

If everything is cool. then the best of luck to you.

 

I use to have Fleetwash come to my yard to was 3 26' box trucks.

They would come on the weekend, but would only pressure wash and not dry, so we come in on Monday after the water has baked in the hot sun a day or two, and would need a grinder to get the water spots off! lol

Stopped using them, I even offered to pay extra to have the windows wiped down, but they said they don't do that.

Found another guy that worked by himself and did a really good job, but he sold the truck and business to some kid who blew the engine and didn't have the funds for repair.

Now I just go to Danny's or Blue Beacon, whichever has the shortest line.

 

I used to have a mobile power washing company for 5-6 years. There is no money in fleet washing. My local ryder Shop contacted me bc the company they used were terrible. They only pay $25-$30 per truck and trailer, and you have to recover your water per EPA. Get caught not recovering water and huge fine. That varies state by state. I told ryder, for those prices, you only get a quick rinse job, no soap, no scrubbing, matter of fact that’s garden hose and spray nozzle pricing. My machine doesn’t get started for less than $100/hr.

I concentrated on businesses that needed Concrete cleaning, gum removal, graffiti removal. I averaged over $130/hr with my machine. I gave it up after 5-6 years bc people started cutting rates. My last chain of 30 stores asked me if I could match a new bid they got for $60. I told them no. They hired other company. 2 months later they called back and begged me to come back. To keep this short. I said no.

There is a lot of money to be made, if you hustle, but you can get burned if not careful. I would truck 2-3 weeks a month and power wash one week a month. The power washer made $4000-$4500 that week bc of my contract stores. Just could not get enough business to stop driving.

I had a 3500 psi / 6 gpm hot water machine mounted in a 26’ enclosed trailer with a 550 gallon water tank feeding it.

I’ll give you and everyone out there a little tip on vehicle washing. Put Jet Dry in your rinse water, yes the same jet dry for dishwashers. Spot free rinse. Never hurt the paint on my vehicles or the car lot vehicles we washed.

Good luck

 

Super valuable information right her , thank you for your post.
I had a good freind who did exactly what you did. He pressure washed everything in sight. Did a wonderful job on our stuff but after about 5 years he just couldnt cut it. Business is hard , really hard.

 

It’s like lawn care, seasonal. Around here painters and lawn care people are doing it to branch out. It was very profitable with that I was doing but again, very specialized business

 

The truck wash I USED to use was $120.00 and I had to wait in line. Now I have a company that comes to my house and washes my truck and trailer, this includes the engine frames on truck and trailer. Hand brushed every inch and then pressure washed. The company I have now is $110.00 and I don't wait. They use all biodegradable chemicals, don't make a mess and don't use my water even! It's a WIN WIN for me.