Specifying Your Fleet Wash Rig for Optimal Performance

Start With the Fleet, Not the Machine

Before you choose components, document the following:

• Number and type of vehicles: trucks, trailers, heavy equipment, buses.

• Typical soil: road film, diesel soot, grease, mud, livestock waste.

• Washes per day: and the time allowed per unit.

• On-site water availability: versus mobile work.

• Wash water recovery: determine if it must be recovered.

  
  

Burner Selection

Heat breaks down grease and oil far faster than pressure alone. Most fleet work operates at temperatures between 180°F and 200°F.

| Burner Type | Best For | Considerations |

|---------------------|-----------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|

| Diesel-fired | Mobile rigs, remote sites | Most common; highest heat output |

| Gas/propane-fired | Fixed wash bays | Cleaner exhaust indoors (with venting) |

| Electric-heated | Indoor, low-emission sites | Lower heat rise; high power demand |

Burner output must match GPM. A burner sized for 4 GPM will not maintain temperature at 8 GPM.

Pump and Flow

For fleet cleaning, GPM matters more than PSI. Flow rinses soil away; pressure loosens it. Most fleet rigs operate at 3,000–3,500 PSI with a flow rate of 4–8 GPM. Belt-drive triplex plunger pumps running at lower RPMs hold up best under daily duty.

Tank Sizing

For mobile work, size the tank based on your longest job between fills:

Tank gallons = GPM × minutes of spray time per job × 1.2 (safety margin)

For example, a 5 GPM rig spraying for 60 minutes needs roughly 360 gallons.

Reels and Multi-Operator Setups

• Single operator: one 150–200 ft reel.

• Two operators: dual reels plus a pump and burner sized for combined flow.

• Chemical application: add a separate low-pressure chemical line if you apply soaps before washing.

  
  

Plan for Water Recovery Up Front

If you wash on customer sites, recovery equipment (vacuum, berms, filtration) is much easier to integrate during the build than to add later.

FAQ

What PSI do I need for fleet washing? Typically, 3,000–3,500 PSI, paired with 4–8 GPM and hot water.

Is hot water necessary for trucks? Yes, for grease, diesel soot, and road film. Heat significantly reduces cleaning time.

Can I add a second operator later? Only if the pump, burner, and plumbing are sized for it. Plan for this during the build.

Ready to spec your rig? Text us or call 800-897-7515 for a custom configuration built around your fleet.

Conclusion

Choosing the right fleet wash rig is essential for efficiency and effectiveness. By focusing on your specific needs, you can avoid costly mistakes. Remember to consider the dirt type, water availability, and operator count. This approach ensures you get the best equipment tailored to your operations.

Don't hesitate to reach out for expert advice. Let's make your fleet cleaning process seamless and compliant.