Fleet Washing Start UP

Hello everyone, I am new in the power washing business, currently researching. I currently do some window cleaning. I recently purchased a used 4 GPM 4000 PSI pressure washer with a 30 foot pressure wash hose, handle and tips. I would like to begin washing semi truck/trailers in my area. I am on a shoestring budget and not much money to play with or invest but am ready to grind it out. Just looking for input on what else I would need to get the job finished. I don’t have a buffer tank yet and plan on using a garden hose for now. What kind of soap do you guys recommend? Just looking to start simple and get things rolling as spring has arrived and I’m sitting on my arse broke. Also trying to figure out what to charge for a truck/trailer wash. Any input would help thanks.

What has your 3 minutes of read time gleaned for you out of the hundreds and hundreds of posts about fleet washing? Would hate to repeat what you have already researched.

6 Likes

Right on

Hi welcome to the PWRA, just read, read and read this forum in your spare time, best investment you can make

3 Likes

Don’t even bother trying to wash a fleet with your setup. You need hot water, a buffer tank, brushes, long lances, and probably a lot of garden hose. We have to run 600ft for one of our clients to get out to where they actually park their trucks. You’ll go more broke trying to make money at fleet wash prices with your setup right now.

2 Likes

I was just going to target owner operators right now instead of fleets.

I have washed a fleet before with cold water. Just needed to scrub. Made $100 per hour. I made full use of 100 ft of garden hose and 200 feet of pressure hose.

Regarding owner operators- BEWARE. They will be used to paying a truck wash $30 to wash their entire truck with trailer, and the ones that are willing to pay more are going to be borderline OCD.

I have learned many things from reading InnocentBystander’s posts. By far and away the most valuable to me? Stick with vinyl siding. It’s easy, it’s simple, it pays well, and it’s what most people want anyway. I still do the occasional deck (soft washing, pressure just isn’t worth the hassle), the occasional driveway, the occasional Combine, the occasional fleet… But all my signage reads “…specializing in vinyl siding!” So, my personal opinion for your balanced consideration… Screw fleets. If you can make enough doing siding, stick with that.

6 Likes