Introduction etc. - Boothe Dugan

Trailer Builds
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Hey all,

My name is Boothe Dugan, and I am the owner of a small pressure washing business in Shreveport, LA “Delta Pressure Washing Services”

I have enclosed a picture of my rig.

I currently work full time in construction, doing development work for a local developer and homebuilder, where I project manage infrastructure work (water, sewer, streets, drainage, utilities) for 2 new neighborhoods under development and ongoing management of an established neighborhood. I have enjoyed my work, but I have always wanted to be my own boss. Also, I don’t exactly remember how I found my way into pressure washing, but I really love it. I have done a number of jobs, surface cleaning pool decks, flatwork (driveways/sidewalks, etc.) a housewash, and fence cleaning. I also recently used my pw to do a “jetter” application in some area drains for the neighborhood I oversee. (also bought an m5 - got a stucco housewash I am looking to use it on later this month and want to use for roof cleaning as well).

Anyway, I’m reaching out to get some feedback on my rig, and also to get some advice on my business going forward. I am really feeling the desire to go into this full-time, but with a wife and 3 kids to take care of am a little intimidated at the initial leap.

My rig: 10,000# trailer setup (18’) with a 525 gal. tank. 1 hose reel with 150’ hose, 1 hose reel with 100’ garden hose that feeds 525 gal tank. (I can fill the tank from a metered source for free whenever I need). I got a heavy duty trailer because I was figuring on investing in a HW machine down the road, combined with a large tank that allows me to work remotely without a water source, makes for a lot of weight. I currently have a Simpson Water Blaster 4gpm 4200 psi belt driven machine locked/strapped to the trailer. I plumbed from the 525gal tank a 3" line that tapers down to a wye’d 1" line that I can feasibly hook 2 machines to for water source. Each 1" has it’s own ball valve, and a large 3" valve from the tank.

I have priced multiple CW machines and HW machines. I was originally thinking about a HW 5.6 or 8.0 gpm (3500psi) machine, but then I have seen others on here ask/discuss why the need for a HW machine if just doing flatwork/housewashes. So I started looking at similarly spec’d CW machines. I have bid a commercial job (Large Healthcare facility) with a contractor I know well that I feel would justify/necessitate a HW machine. The question is, is it worth the investment going forward? Can a HW machine be run cold, or be used in the exact same applications as a CW machine?

I welcome any thoughts/feedback. I expect to hear a lot about overkill on the tank/trailer. But, keeping in mind the connections I’ve made in the construction industry, the large tank would give me the ability to wash equipment out in the field to prepare it for maintenance if necessary.

Anyway, thanks for your time. I really value this forum as a resource for gaining knowledge in the industry. I have spent hours reading about people’s experiences and setups, and watching video to glean best practices. Sorry for the long intro, and thanks for being there.

PS any thoughts on signage? the decals are peeling from the tank.

Cheers,

Boothe

https://scontent.fmem1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/39453633_2140912392789295_4925194712362516480_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent.fmem1-1.fna&oh=afdf178e30870d276f3086beaa485661&oe=5C96FDE4

2 Likes
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Reels on the wrong/more difficult side. Get the appropriate straps for the tanks, especially if that tank is full.

Unless your doing commercial concrete, or heavy equipment with all the grease id imagine, hot water isnt needed.

Do you have a back gate in trailer? Put signage there if so. Decals do look good on the tank though.

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Hey Donut, thanks for your reply. I guess the length of the post turned away most. I have noticed that I have my reels on the not ideal side of the trailer, and I have considered getting the metal bands for the tank as needed. I don’t have a gate on the back of the trailer, but I do have a decal on the back of the tank. Any thoughts on 5.x vs 8.0 gpm machines? I currently run a 20" surface cleaner w/ my 4/4k machine and it spins it very well.

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Gpm is king. 8gpm is definitely the way to unless you’re doing good cleaning, fleets, or something similar. Chains will work on the tank

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What he said :point_up_2:t2:.

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Yep I went from 5.5 to 8 and it’s a huge difference.

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I’m quite surprised your 4gpm will feed that 20". It was suggested I go with a 16" and no larger for mine.

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Like donut said get those hose reels curb side and in the air. If you have a drop gate on that trailer chop it off to the height of you rails. I feel like a HW 8gpm is a smart investment for someone wanting to PW full time. I think most full timers are drawn to alittle commercial work for the “steady” income. Thats just me though. Doing roofs is also very profitable. You can build a nice 12volt setup for about $1000. Might want to get to know a fabricator to build you some ladder racks for your setup. You can also hang your hose reels from them along with many other things. Infinity can build you a nice one for a few bucks.

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Im in the same boat as you. I have 2 kids and a stay at home wife. If im not working at TSC im with racer and if im not with racer im PWing myself. What kind of hose you running looks like Simpson hose.

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You’ve invested enough already to spend the extra 3k on the HW. Sounds like you may have some commercial work that it may come in handy for. Go with the 8gpm and the HW if you’re serious about it. Just a few jobs and it will pay for itself. I’ve only used my hot water a few times and I have no regrets. I’d rather have it and not need it much then vice versa. On the other hand you could go without it and turn down the jobs until you see the demand, upgrade a hot box to your rig. Regardless go with 8gpm or better. I’ve been in business for a yr and I’m still learning so take my advice for what it’s worth.

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I actually have 2 hoses coupled up, 100’ with a 50’ extension, all 3/8” pw hose purchased from Northern Tool. Pretty good hose for a great price.

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It does it, and does a great job. I have a 20” GP Hammerhead w/ a greasable zerk, and it does very well.

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Harold, thanks for your response. What do you use for your primary machine? You mentioned you use your HW here and there, what do use majority of time?

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I have the same SC. Did yours vibrate alot when you first used it

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I can do you one better than that. One of my nozzles was completely blocked upon delivery. But they did give me two spares, so I just replaced it with one of those and it has been running like a top (knock on wood) ever since then.

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I ordered two pressurepro machines at the same time. Both were 8 gpm one hot water and one cold water. The hot water model came in and the igniter tips were touching dumping fuel all over the coil insulation. The dealer repaired it and fired the machine up and guess what happened? Yep, it caught on fire :fire:. So they replaced the insulation and all was good. The cold water unit never got shipped so I said forget it. I told him to begin with I needed it by a certain date due to having job scheduled. We went to Nashville traded the hot water unit for a 5.5 hydrotek and got an 8 gpm gear drive cold water and have been tickled to death with both of them. We surface clean and rinse with the water dragon and soap and pop gum with the hydrotek. If I only had one machine though I’d get 8gpm hot water

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I have two. 5gpm cold, 8gpm hot. I use the 8gpm daily. I use the 5gpm if I need a hot mix with the xjet, for stucco mainly. I also use the 5gpm on parking lots just to rinse while the 8gpm is surface Cleaning. The main application that I use hot water for is oily concrete which is mostly commercial, but some residential. Outside of oily concrete it will help with paint and gum removal. Everything else is cold water. The more gpm the better. 8 is perfect, although I find myself thinking about 10-12 now that I’ve gotten accustomed to 8.

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My pressure pro came with a flaky film in the gas tank brand new. I’ve went thru a lot of fuel filters and from time to time I’ll have to blow out the fuel line. The manufacturer set me up with my local dealer to fix it, but I don’t really get a long with the dealer. They have an attitude with me bc I didn’t buy there 12k 7gpm hotsy. Not to mention they told me one thing on a rental, and charged me anyway. Long story short, they said I have to drop it off today and they won’t get to it for at least three weeks. So I’m just waiting for it to slow down. I may just do it myself. Nothing has made it past the fuel filter. It’s all in the tank and lines.

Pressure pro has some quality control issues.

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Thanks for the info Harold. That is really good to know since I was considering a PressurePro Unit. You hear anything about Largo? A buddy of mine does this back in my hometown area and uses their machines. He highly recommends. They’re out of Decaturville, TN.

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Can you use pressurized air to blow out the tank/lines? I would think disconnect fuel line and drain all gas back to jug and then give it a good blow out with compressed air.

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