I can’t make up my mind which way I’d be better off. I have a 78”x16 foot trailer that has 5200 lb axles under it. I traded for it a while back. It needs a floor tires wheels lights and rewired. The tongue is slightly bent which is why the previous owner welded angle iron to it to brace it. It’ll cost me about 2500. To rebuild it correctly adding brakes and cutting the tongue out and having a new one installedHow safe would that be? I just want to make sure it’s safe. If I’m not carrying water I’ll be at about 2500 lbs not counting the weight of the trailer. With water about 5300 lbs. or I can get this new 83x16 ft car hauler that is rated at only 5000k payload for $2500. Opinions please and why.
I don’t know what you will be washing but both are way to long for residential work and you could never efficiently wash apartments using something that long.
I agree. I traded my 16ft for a 12ft tandem axle. The 16 was way to long for residential. Was near impossible to work in neighborhoods with it.
I’ve always done 70% flatwork 30% residential. But this time I only want enough flatwork to provide a steady income for winter. I don’t mind getting up at 3:30 and heading to work in order to be done in time but the all nighters I am getting to old for nor do I want them anymore. The remaining work I’m going for is residential and commercial. I see your point it would be easier with a smaller trailer but I’m trying to fit everything on one trailer. Hot water unit, two tanks,cold water unit, reclaim unit, roof unit(set up like racers) you get the picture. A 14 ft would be ideal and I had even thought about doorway tanks but I’m nervous about their stability. If I could secure them correctly a 14 would work. But I’ve spent hours doing floor plans on graph paper and a 16 is tight and I really don’t want two trailers. I’m going to see what kind of platforms I can build to free up enough floor space for a 14 footer that would be easier. I thought about smaller tanks than the 325 gal but running 8gpm 200 would be two small I’m afraid. Thanks for your input
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I don’t think I’d spend $2500 to fix up that old trailer. I bought a brand new 16" dual axle with brake for $1550. That included upgrading to the heavy duty c channel frame. I had to drive 200 miles to get it but it came from a small family owned trailer manufacturer who has been building trailers for 35 years. Try and find a small trailer shop instead of paying for a big brand name. When looking at a big brand name trailer and the one I got it looks to be built every bit as good as any other. They even hand painted pin striping on it.
I also think you’d be happier with side rails instead of using a car hauler. It gives you more areas to mount equipment. I bet you could get a somewhat custom built trailer for $3000.
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I run 2 eights off of 125 gallon tanks. I have one truck with a 65 gallon tank running two 8’s. All depends on your water source. You got way to much trailer for residential
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I mean my truck has a 6 foot bed and I have everything I need stowed away in it. Minus a couple hose reels mounted to the front of the truck! I don’t know what I would do with that much room!
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As long as you are not cleaning parking garage’s, you can always build up. Stack what you can.
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I think that’s what I’m going to do. I found a 14ft that I like. It’s 83” wide so I’ll have room down the side if I go with hydroteks 270 gallon tanks. They’re only 34x48 and can still get two across the axles. My skid will be about 18” from the front of the trailer and 18” in front of the front tank. I’ll still have room in the back for a cold water unit and reclaim unit. I’ll mount a plate that will have to hang off the back about 6” to bolt my reels to. Racer pointed out ( and I’m glad) that electric reels can’t be mounted upside down. Plus they’re 60lbs each empty. I’m planning on getting the trailer in about a week and once my wife’s previous employer turns her exit paperwork in to the 401k group they’ll cut a check and I can get the equipment. I probably can’t get everything at once but I’ll start with the skid,tank, reels, surface cleaner etc. I’m glad IBS and others said something about the 16ft I hadn’t thought about maneuvering neighborhoods with it.
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I thought about a trailer but decided to get an older service body work truck. Getting painted at the moment and should get it back next week. 96 f350 7.3 diesel 200k miles.
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I’ve done that before and really liked it. But when the truck goes down you’re out of work unless you have a spare.
I love a 7.3 the last one I had racked up over 350k and was still running strong. Traded it for a Tahoe z71. Sold the z71 to my son when I decided to return to pressure washing and bought a dodge with the hemi. I really like the dodge but wish I had my 7.3 back. Yours isn’t even broke in good if it’s been taken care of
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