Pickup or Box Truck - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Josh Wills · Freshmen Member

Pickup or Box Truck

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Since we live in Western PA I chose to run a box truck and we love it! This model works great for our company PAsoftwash Roof & Exterior Cleaning. Now that we have added other services, the extra room for a few more hand picked chemical and systems has been a lifesaver having the box truck.

We are going to mount a drop down ladder rack on top because the pass thru enclose box I built that allows me to slide my ladder all the way into the box still means we have to step around it if we need to jump in prior to unloading at a jobsite.

I like an enclosed truck due to the elements and just neater when we pull up

Having said that, our next truck will be in a pickup truck. Best of both worlds.

I really like the fact we did not get a full size box truck because it is so easy to maneuver in residential areas.

Eric Seitz · Sophmore Member

17 box truck, I love mine. It will hold a 32 ft ladder on the inside with no problems.

AC Lockyer · Administrator

I drive (lol) everyone towards pick up trucks however buy what is in your budget that will keep you out of deb. Just NO ttrailers!

AC

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Eric
It's your fault i got one!

Steve Salley · Junior Member

AC I love the pickup truck setup too, We just do so many other things too.

I will say though I really like the setups the guys are putting together. We will definitely put our pickup truck back in service too.

Josh Wills · Freshmen Member

Thanks for the replies everyone. I definitely agree the cradles look awesome in a truck bed though all of the extra enclosed space would be nice as well. I will keep looking for deals!

John Smith · Lead Tech Certified

Box truck equals more advertising space for your wrap also. You don't have to worry about the elements either because it is always inside.

Steve Salley · Junior Member

YUP

AC Lockyer · Administrator

I will also note that bleach in a box truck can spell trouble. Fumes trapped in truck box eat everything up. Also DOT might be an issue. Watch your GVRW, you may be flirting with needing a CDL.

AC

Danny Cronauer · SoftWash Systems Certified

I love the truck, I am all about speed and maneuverability. Time is money.

Josh Wills · Freshmen Member

Those of you that have/prefer trucks, half tons or 3/4? Thanks again!

Eric Hemming · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

I had a box truck and i sold it for 8 ft V6 f150 I am getting over 17mpg fully loaded with the skid and buffer tanks. The box truck was only getting around 8 mpg. Also the box truck i had was 10000 gvw and had a duel axle and was hard to stay under weight. DOT said I had to go though the scales b\c of the duel axles. They healed my box truck there for 3 hours because i was over weight. Not fun!

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Eric Hemming wrote:
I had a box truck and i sold it for 8 ft V6 f150 I am getting over 17mpg fully loaded with the skid and buffer tanks. The box truck was only getting around 8 mpg. Also the box truck i had was 10000 gvw and had a duel axle and was hard to stay under weight. DOT said I had to go though the scales b\c of the duel axles. They healed my box truck there for 3 hours because i was over weight. Not fun!

bingo!

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Jeff Newman wrote:
Hello, As I am just starting out and live in the Boston area, without the luxury of a garage I did not want to mount my soon to be picked up SWS skid in an open pickup truck bed.

I just purchased a new Haulmark Passport trailer with barn doors, GVRW 7000 lbs dual axle. 7'x14', white with plenty of vehicle interior hieght, room and storage. Not to mention the exterior white future vehicle wrap space. This fits my budget and gets me going with a quality trailer and setup. Some challenges as manueverability, rinsing and keeping it properly vented remain but will be part of the safety plan and always in check.

Down the road I would like to get a small box truck as you all are mentioning.

Joshua, cool picture..I have one like it plus the video from 15,000 feet !

V/R Jeff

Soth Shore Soft Wash, LLC

call me 407-832-1108 you will have an issue. AC

Michael Derose · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

I use a truck and trailer and I love it. I can keep everything enclosed in the trailer and I can have my full array of supplies and my trusty power washer available at all times. I also mounted a set up in the back of the truck which provides the ability to get into tight areas.

Bill Booz · Junior Member

I vote pickup. Over time you will see what happens to enclosed, it takes a few years. A friend of a friend died in one of those fueling a machine. Watched another guy pass out from acid inhalation in an enclosed trailer on a tag removal job in DC. That was a fun day.

Jim Prom · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

If you use a "topper" on your truck,make sure it has side opening "contractor" windows for access to controls and ease of filling chemicals and to help with ventilation...oh and a ladder rack is a must. If you have a SWS craddle you will need to remove the ladder racks to fit under the topper.

Steve Salley · Junior Member

thanks Jeff

I agree 100% with all the issues discussed by AC and company about enclosed.

However, we live and treat and clean roofs and exterior home surfaces in PA and so that presents other challenges than where is the surfboard going to fit?

I will include some picture of layout.

My van is an 02 chevy 3500 with a supreme box on the back. One great thing abour a supreme box is they are fiberglass sided so alot less metal to corrode.

I gave $3500 for it and to date with some minor repairs and suspension upgrades and our full wrap we are still under $8500. So, Uncle Sam said he will help too...

I have invested in some unique pieces to the puzzle soon to arrive to solve the access issues.

What if you could pull your entire hot water skid out the back of the box on a rolling platform and then no muss no fuss inside.

We are also going to mount drop down ladder hooks on top so the floor stays wide open

I still have my pickup, 7x14 trailer, and a recumbent trike so we will have the perfect rig one day soon. :)

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-- Edited by Steve Salley on Saturday 4th of May 2013 11:21:33 PM

-- Edited by Steve Salley on Saturday 4th of May 2013 11:25:22 PM

-- Edited by Steve Salley on Sunday 5th of May 2013 11:39:06 AM

Josh Wills · Freshmen Member

Thanks again for all of the replies. For those of you that use a box truck. Do you carry big water tanks inside of it or just equipment? If you do carry tanks how do you do it? Thanks

Steve Salley · Junior Member

Tomorrow I will take some pictures of our setup. Not fancy but gets it done for now.

Josh Wills · Freshmen Member

That would be awesome. Thanks

Jeff Newman · SoftWash Systems Authorized Professional

Jim/Steve, thanks again for your time and the useful information.

V/R Jeff