A lot of businesses invest in trailer mounted pressure washer rigs to expand their business because they are easier and cheaper to set up. But very few people invest in truck mounted equipment instead. Let’s see why you might want to choose truck mounted equipment over a trailer-mounted setup.

Truck mounted rig

What are the downsides of having your company vehicle to drive? It’s cheaper, but it can become a liability for your business. You add risk (your kit is attached to a getaway vehicle and what if the truck breaks down?) and lack flexibility (is it a work-only truck or will you use it on the weekends?).

Good

• Lower upfront cost. Providing you already own the truck, there is just the equipment, and getting it fitted in this back.
• More convenient getting started. No hooking up hitch and dealing with backing up trailer.

Bad

• Less flexible. I should mention that I don’t have a truck, so this is one of the worst parts of my commute.
• Less flexible. If you need to leave your workstation for a brief period of time, you should always pack away your belongings beforehand.
• Business risk. Your business will depend on the truck running properly (more risk than a trailer which is just steel on trucks).
• Constrained space. Space is limited in the back of the truck, so we had to make some tough decisions for the map of pressure washing equipment.
• Theft. Higher risk of theft because of several reasons. First, a thief would be able to steal it from a getaway vehicle. Second, it would be easier to sell your truck than a highly specialized pressure washer trailer.
• Worse option for expansion. Business expansion is more expensive and high-risk than starting with a new product.

Trailer mounted rig

Costs more upfront but is more flexible (now and long-term), draws more business leads and provides better option for aggressive expansion.

Good

• More Mobile. Trailers can be parked on-site and the truck can become mobile or flexible (if you need to go to the shop to grab more chemicals, you can always leave the trailer on-site).
• Flexible. Trailer can be hooked to other truck if regular truck breaks down.
• Easier to secure less risk of being stolen. Trailer is less attractive to thieves and easier to add security than a truck.
• Better for attracting customers. Trailer? Maybe not worth time to think about it. I mean, a trailer draws more attention and looks more professional. But how often do you look twice at a carpet cleaning van, pest control truck, or a painters truck? There’s one known exception: the landscapers trailer. What about a sharp-looking trailer with advertising as a lawn mower mechanic? Trailers make the person who owns them seem like they are invested in their business.
• Better for business expansion. Building a pressure washing business with the use of trailers instead of truck mounted rigs is ideal because there are many benefits to doing so. You save time and money by not having to purchase new trucks, and you eliminate many of the day-to-day hassles that come with owning one.

Bad

• More expensive up-front. There are many good reasons for starting a pressure washing business with trailers instead of truck mounted rigs, but the two most important are the lack of maintenance required (you buy a trailer and that’s that) and lower cost. The investment is much lower because you don’t have to purchase a vehicle, fuel, and maintenance, as well as other things like installation and insurance.
• Highly specialized. I don't know if this is true, but I heard that a mobile pressure washing trailer is only for pressure washing. I think the idea is that you won't be unloading your water tank and heavy gear on the weekends to use the trailer hauling fridges and mattresses around.

Trailer Essentials  

A mobile pressure washer trailer is not for multi-purpose use. It can only be used for pressure washing, and you won't be using it carrying fridges and mattresses on the weekends.

The pressure washing equipment

Hot water capabilities

If you have a lot of people working on the job, hot water is a must. Time is money, and it seems like the single best way to add efficiency. Hot water has a lot of heat to it, which can break up and remove organic material.

Triplex plunger pump

The biggest direct drive triplex plunger pumps provide 4.5 gallons per minute at 5,000 pounds per square inch. The model from CAT Pumps at these specs requires a gas engine to provide approximately 20 horsepower.

Hose reels

There’s 4 main types of hose reels found on pressure cleaning trailers:

1. Hand crank – Use your own muscle to crank the hose up into the reel.
2. Spring driven – You pull the hose out and give it a quick tug to activate the spring and it automatically reels hose in.
3. Electric driven – Push button to activate electric motor that reels hose in.
4. Pivoting combined with one of above retracting methods – The pivoting hose reel is a hose reel mounted to an arm to allow rotation of around 150-degrees.

Fuel tanks

Commercial engines need to be able to burn lots of petrol, which is why they need an onboard fuel tank. This also applies to any hot water system that relies on kerosene, oil, or diesel. It’s important to make sure your setup has fuel tanks before using it.

Water tank

The trailer pictured above has a 200 gallon water tank for 50 minutes worth of water for a 4 GPM pump. But if you have an 8 GPM pressure washer, you need a 480 gallon water tank.

Pressure Cleaner Trailers from Jetwave Group

Looking for a high quality and durable pressure cleaner trailer? Look no further than Jetwave Group. Our pressure cleaner trailers are built tough and designed to withstand even the most demanding cleaning jobs. Plus, we offer a variety of models to choose from so you can find the perfect one for your needs.