Getting everything together to go mobile. Had a few questions.

G

Grunnsetning

New member
I was wondering how many gallons, on average, you mobile guys use per car and/or truck?

I am trying to decide what size tank I should get.

Thanks a lot for the help.
 
Wieght wise, unrestricted pretty much.

A F250 that i am putting air bags to help it out.

I am more restricted by space. I can put almost any size but i need room for everything else.

I was going to build it all on to a removable skid that i can winch out.



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I was also hoping to put a camper top to secure it all. That's why I say I am room limited. If I didn't do the top I would have alot more height to work with.



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yeah, that truck will handle it.

I used to recommend 25 to 30 gallons per vehicle, but found that some could get by with less, others used more, so it's a crap shoot as far as I am aware.

Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
yeah, that truck will handle it.

I used to recommend 25 to 30 gallons per vehicle, but found that some could get by with less, others used more, so it's a crap shoot as far as I am aware.

Grumpy
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Thanks, I was thinking 50 per to be safe regardless of the size of the vehicle.

So I am thinking a 115. I have access all around town to different refill spots if need be.

I have a 3400PSI briggs pressure washer that I can turn down to save water also.



Thanks for the info.
 
DO NOT, let me repeat that, DO NO use more than around 1700PSI, Actual is less of pressure at the nozzle end!



No reason to use more, I found in testing with Ford and their people ,that one that has more than around 750PSI coming out at the nozzle (angle, etc of the nozzle is important as well) you have a STRONG chance of creating damage to the paint, especially on the bumper facisa's or vehicle repainted.



It is also possible that above this pressure, start blowing off trim, etc from the body.



One can even damage wheels with excess pressure.



Under the hood, HELLO!, the electronic's, very expensive and they are designed to withstand normal pressures of water generated while driving, and on some vehicles it is possible to cause the replacement of some $2,000.00 plus components.



That's enough "heads-up" for now.

Grumpy
 
We were able to do washes with about 3 gallons per car. Though this was when I worked for a pure speed/profit Mobil wash company. We'd do 20 washes in 3 hours with 2 people at $20 a POP including vacuum interior and Windows. I'd say you could get by with 5-10 gallons per vehicle to be safe.



Also, the pressure of the washer really doesn't matter if you use common sense. You can spray a 5000 PSI washer right at your face if you stand 5 feet from it. It is all distance related.
 
Ahhh, yes!

The famous "mobile scratch" crews.

Dealers and many people don't care about things that those here do.

Just get the dirt off, a few streaks as possible for the money.

Grumpy
 
Oh yea I completely agree with the PSI statement. Pressure washers can do a ton of harm.

But I rather have a stronger washer running 30% than a weak one running 100%.

But regardless thanks for the heads up.
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Ahhh, yes!

The famous "mobile scratch" crews.

Dealers and many people don't care about things that those here do.

Just get the dirt off, a few streaks as possible for the money.

Grumpy
Click to expand...



You may say that but we did a surprisingly good job. It was fast paced and we didn't get every little nook and cranny, but i'd say the work was better than your typical drive through car wash.
 
Sorry if I offended you, was referring to the mobile washes that wandered about the car lots in SoCal years ago, doing lot car washes.



Often felt sorry for them, as they would cut the price per car to get the work, and it could be as low as $3 a car, another crew came in and cut them to $2.75, the lot manager sold the other guys down the river, no matter how on time, etc they were, to save 25 cents.



A week or so later, here came another, $2.50 and on and on.



Not a business plan to use for retirement.



Grumpy
 
Ron Ketcham said:
Sorry if I offended you, was referring to the mobile washes that wandered about the car lots in SoCal years ago, doing lot car washes.



Often felt sorry for them, as they would cut the price per car to get the work, and it could be as low as $3 a car, another crew came in and cut them to $2.75, the lot manager sold the other guys down the river, no matter how on time, etc they were, to save 25 cents.



A week or so later, here came another, $2.50 and on and on.



Not a business plan to use for retirement.



Grumpy
Click to expand...



No problem! :) Though i couldn't imagine anyone trying to live on $3 car washes!!!!!!! Ouch!
 
First thing you need to find out is how much water does your pressure washer flow. If your pressure washer flows 2gallons per minute, and it takes say 15 minutes of actual washing time to clean a vehicle, then you'll need 30 gallons per vehicle. My pressure washer in my last van flowed 3gpm at 1200psi so I carried a 80 gallon tank just in case the vehicle was dirtier than normal. Last thing you want is to run out of water.
 
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