My humble little Soft Wash and pressure cleaning rig has been pretty damn good to me over the years and I decided it’s time to put some love back into it. I stripped it down and decided to do a complete rebuild.
It's just your basic 6x8 trailer with a black plastic tool box up front that holds the pump, batteries and a few supplies. It originally had two 55 gallon drums and last year replaced with two 65 gallon leg tanks. I roll up all the hoses by hand (chemical and water) and when it comes to the ladders … I strap them down in the bed of the truck after every job. I used a 1 ½ ” PVC down tube and 1” poly braid hose that feeds the inlet side of my pump. When one tank went dry or if I had to switch over to a tank with a house wash mix, I would have to pull the down tube out, to switch over to the other tank.
The past few months I have been talking with members right here at the National Soft Wash Alliance for some tips on how to improve my generic trailer, that is geared more towards shingle and house Soft Washing than hard surface pressure washing, and what can I do to a trailer to make more efficient.
For the big guys out there, this might seem meaningless but for a small fry like myself, it’s a major milestone and a boost that I needed to move me in a forward direction! The feedback I received here, sent me into overdrive and I’m going for it!
Tear down/re-build in full force!!!!
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 01:57:44 AM
Capital Roof Wash said
Feb 11, 2014
It's time for a face lift!!!! (new tool box on the trailer)
That's cool Ray, I hope it gives you many hours of quality service.
Capital Roof Wash said
Feb 11, 2014
Thanks Zach! I abused it for a few years. Now it's time to give back! Not only giving back to the rig but to guys who want to upgrade. When I'm done and you like what you see, feel free to call me for any tips and if you don't like what you see, don't call me!!! Call Art! (he takes complaints better than me).
The hardest part so far is taking the step to start tearing it all down! I have been wanting to do this for over a year but just haven't had the balls to do it. Once the reciprocating saw started singing, it's was game on!
Getting the frame welded for the ladder rack in this picture. It's GAME TIME and no turning back!
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 02:06:51 AM
Looks like you are having fun! I always loved building rigs, except when you are short something and you need to take yet another trip to the depot... Lol
Capital Roof Wash said
Feb 12, 2014
I hear that Zach. I bought enough material to build 3 rigs just so I don't have to go back. When I'm finished, I'll have more money in returns than what the trailers worth but saved the time and gas that it would have taken to go back 15 times..or I'll just keep it all for a project down the road! LOL
My wife says get rid of it and return it but I just come back with .... Go through your closet and get rid of or return all those clothes and shoes. End of conversation!
Jeff Wible said
Feb 12, 2014
Hey Ray, I re-do my trailer and the inside of my van every year. I thought everyone did,Ha,Ha,.. That's part of the fun, redesigning, putting your ideas to work. I repaint everything, replace fittings where needed, replace the hose reel manifold etc.. Winter gives me time to pay attention to the details and tweak things to "Just Right"
Don't hurry, take your time to think and re-think your steps and how one thing affects another.
Jeff
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 12, 2014
Ray try to have fun with the rebuild
I know how it feels to get the sawzall out and start cutting. My rebuild is still no done . I need to finish a few small odds and ends and I will be done. A rebuild makes the start of the season feel like everything is brand new again.
Dan Dykstra said
Feb 13, 2014
Once the rebuild is done you will be so anxious to get started using it that you will find yourself acting like a kid in a candy store. Something about a rebuild just gets the jucies flowing for the upcoming season.
Brian C Jackson said
Feb 13, 2014
Dan Dykstra wrote:
Once the rebuild is done you will be so anxious to get started using it that you will find yourself acting like a kid in a candy store. Something about a rebuild just gets the jucies flowing for the upcoming season.
+1
John Aloisio said
Feb 13, 2014
If my wife got rid of all her extra clothes and shoes, what would she do for the two hours before we go out somewhere? She would have twenty five different outfits to put on and take off, until she actually wears the first one she had on......kill me!
Andy Hinson said
Feb 13, 2014
It will pay for it's self many times over.
Art O said
Feb 13, 2014
One day I'm going to build my own Skid. Just for the Fun of it!
Capital Roof Wash said
Feb 14, 2014
It's coming along and I have a few more pictures to take but these are the latest. I screwed up with the reel placement though. I should have put them on the right side but the new metal tubes have been painted and the tanks have been plumbed with new ball valves down at the bulkhead fittings. (before I used a poly braid/PVC down tube). Also, the chemical reel has brass manifold fittings and hopefully will last me through the season. It's a good place holder until I can fork over a few bucks for a Titan reel after this build. LOL
The top frame has welded eye bolts for the ladders up top and extention poles to be strapped down. The eye bolts that were drilled through the tubes on the first go around, were just asking to cause some stitches to the head! So we cut the threads off the eye bolts and welded the eyes to the top of the frame (I'll take some pics later).
I cut off 2/3 of the tail gate ( it's great to have a friend with a plasma cutter!) and added the diamond plated tool box. The box was smaller that the frame and it would have dropped to the deck of the trailer. So we welded a few 90's to the side rails and bolted it to the angle iron. I could have just gone with a full size box but I'm on a limited budget and had this one in the shop.
I'm adding a plastic, angled "Tough Box" that's made for trailer tongue's and that is where the pump and batteries are going. The diamond plated box wil hold fittings, pressure washing hose, wands, extra pump and misc. supplies.
I need to take more pictures of the build but here are a few. It's alot farther along than these pictures show and it's real close to start paying some bills.
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Friday 14th of February 2014 01:14:41 AM
Hey Ray, I re-do my trailer and the inside of my van every year. I thought everyone did,Ha,Ha,.. That's part of the fun, redesigning, putting your ideas to work. I repaint everything, replace fittings where needed, replace the hose reel manifold etc.. Winter gives me time to pay attention to the details and tweak things to "Just Right"
Don't hurry, take your time to think and re-think your steps and how one thing affects another.
Jeff
Jeff ... you have ballz of steel my friend! I could never do this every year. Next year I'm just gonna call Art and fly him down to do my modifications from here on in!
John Aloisio said
Feb 14, 2014
Looking good Ray.
Jeff Wible said
Feb 14, 2014
Hey Ray, once you get the major changes outta' the way,..it's easy to re-do every year,... But yes,..it can be daunting until you get it mostly designed,..then it's just tweaks and paint, new fittings, etc....BUT it's always nice to begin each season with a fresh look.
Jeff
Capital Roof Wash said
Feb 14, 2014
Thanks John! And Jeff, great advice (highlighted text)
Jeff Wible wrote:
Hey Ray, I re-do my trailer and the inside of my van every year. I thought everyone did,Ha,Ha,.. That's part of the fun, redesigning, putting your ideas to work. I repaint everything, replace fittings where needed, replace the hose reel manifold etc.. Winter gives me time to pay attention to the details and tweak things to "Just Right"
Don't hurry, take your time to think and re-think your steps and how one thing affects another.
Jeff
When I mounted the diamond plated box to the top of the rails, I was in a hurry and cut holes in the back of the box for the PVC inlet and the chemical hose outlet. In that scenerio, the pump was sitting about half the leg tank height. I wanted the pump to be level with the bulkhead fittings so the head pressure would feed the pump instead or the pump having to pull the solution from the tanks. That's how I ended up with the toungue monted box. It worked out in the long run because now I have a dedicated pump/ battery box and a dedicated tool box.
Capital Roof Wash said
Feb 16, 2014
FINISHED!!! For the most part it's finished and needs a few odds and ends. I'm setting up an on board charger for the batteries so I don't have to pull them off the trailer to charge them like I did before. Now, I can just plug directly into the box and charge them.
I'm pretty anal and not comfortable yet with flying down the interstate (I-10) going 65 mph with extension ladders and pole brushes on the new rack on top. Before I had them ratcheted strapped, weighted down with pressure washing hoses, garden hose and other equipment in the bed of the truck.
Here's a few pictures and I'll take a few more of the dedicated pump box on the tongue of the trailer. I like the fact that I can now switch between tanks with a twist of a valve and switch between a roof mix and a house Soft Wash mix with a twist of a ball valve. Even better yet is rolling and un-rolling hose. It doesn't look like it but that is 225' of 1/2" poly braid on that reel (and 200' of 3/4" industrial garden hose on the other).
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Sunday 16th of February 2014 01:53:09 AM
Lookin' good Ray!
For your pole brushes is thee room to allow them to stand up along the trailer sides,..like landscapers do with shovels and rakes,..they just slide into a tube. Also, I just use chains for my ladders on my van rack,...they don't fight back like bungies do and they're not as a big a pain as ratchet straps. BUT, they do rattle more because the chains aren't holding the ladders down tight,...but they never fall off.
Jeff
Art O said
Feb 16, 2014
Nice Ray, Good Luck with it.
waxman18324 said
Feb 16, 2014
Ray,
Try these from west marine. We use them on our work trucks for our 40, 32 and 20' ladders and for my bass boat. For hauling the extension poles we use a 4"x 10' pvc tube mounted horizontally along the side of the square tube ladder rack. The front end has a round cap and the rear end has a screw on cap. We can fit three extension poles in the tube. We have a notched piece of pvc mounted vertically for to hold our pressure washer wands.
Hank
Art O said
Feb 16, 2014
Thanks Hank, That maybe what I'm looking for to strape stuff down in my truck.
Liberty SoftWash said
Feb 16, 2014
Looking great Ray.
Zach Maynard said
Feb 16, 2014
Looks sweet Ray!
Diamond Roof Cleaning said
Feb 16, 2014
Ray looks good. I am starting my rebuild this week. Hopefully we get good temps this week.
Capital Roof Wash said
Mar 3, 2014
Diamond roof Cleaning wrote:
Ray looks good. I am starting my rebuild this week. Hopefully we get good temps this week.
Mike, how's the re-build going? No doubt all those snow storms these past few weeks have you more focused on snow removal than tearing down your rig. Talked to my dad up in Rhode Island the other day and he was talking about getting another 2-4 inches like it was nothing. He said after all the past storms this winter, a few inches is just a light dusting in his eyes... lol
Here's a few pics of the upgraded rig starting to pay for itself. (Not to rub it in or anything but the high for the day was 71). There is a lot of wasted real estate on the sides that is beggingging for some signage. Doug Ruckers rig is giving me some ideas how to fill those voids though!!!
Trailer looks great Ray.. and the 71° comment was rubbing it in...
Capital Roof Wash said
Mar 4, 2014
Brian C Jackson wrote:
Trailer looks great Ray.. and the 71° comment was rubbing it in...
Thanks Brian and I confess, I'm guilty on the rubbing it in comment. Hang in there my northern buddies! The time changes this weekend (spring forward), the days are getting longer and the tempetures are going to start rising.
Spring is right around the corner and you will break out of your hybernation only to be soft washing and pressure cleaning animals once again!!!!
My humble little Soft Wash and pressure cleaning rig has been pretty damn good to me over the years and I decided it’s time to put some love back into it. I stripped it down and decided to do a complete rebuild.
It's just your basic 6x8 trailer with a black plastic tool box up front that holds the pump, batteries and a few supplies. It originally had two 55 gallon drums and last year replaced with two 65 gallon leg tanks. I roll up all the hoses by hand (chemical and water) and when it comes to the ladders … I strap them down in the bed of the truck after every job. I used a 1 ½ ” PVC down tube and 1” poly braid hose that feeds the inlet side of my pump. When one tank went dry or if I had to switch over to a tank with a house wash mix, I would have to pull the down tube out, to switch over to the other tank.
The past few months I have been talking with members right here at the National Soft Wash Alliance for some tips on how to improve my generic trailer, that is geared more towards shingle and house Soft Washing than hard surface pressure washing, and what can I do to a trailer to make more efficient.
For the big guys out there, this might seem meaningless but for a small fry like myself, it’s a major milestone and a boost that I needed to move me in a forward direction! The feedback I received here, sent me into overdrive and I’m going for it!
Tear down/re-build in full force!!!!
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 01:57:44 AM
It's time for a face lift!!!! (new tool box on the trailer)
Thanks Zach! I abused it for a few years. Now it's time to give back! Not only giving back to the rig but to guys who want to upgrade. When I'm done and you like what you see, feel free to call me for any tips and if you don't like what you see, don't call me!!! Call Art! (he takes complaints better than me).
The hardest part so far is taking the step to start tearing it all down! I have been wanting to do this for over a year but just haven't had the balls to do it. Once the reciprocating saw started singing, it's was game on!
Getting the frame welded for the ladder rack in this picture. It's GAME TIME and no turning back!
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Wednesday 12th of February 2014 02:06:51 AM
I hear that Zach. I bought enough material to build 3 rigs just so I don't have to go back. When I'm finished, I'll have more money in returns than what the trailers worth but saved the time and gas that it would have taken to go back 15 times..or I'll just keep it all for a project down the road! LOL
My wife says get rid of it and return it but I just come back with .... Go through your closet and get rid of or return all those clothes and shoes. End of conversation!
Don't hurry, take your time to think and re-think your steps and how one thing affects another.
Jeff
Ray try to have fun with the rebuild
I know how it feels to get the sawzall out and start cutting. My rebuild is still no done . I need to finish a few small odds and ends and I will be done. A rebuild makes the start of the season feel like everything is brand new again.
+1
If my wife got rid of all her extra clothes and shoes, what would she do for the two hours before we go out somewhere? She would have twenty five different outfits to put on and take off, until she actually wears the first one she had on......kill me!
It's coming along and I have a few more pictures to take but these are the latest. I screwed up with the reel placement though. I should have put them on the right side but the new metal tubes have been painted and the tanks have been plumbed with new ball valves down at the bulkhead fittings. (before I used a poly braid/PVC down tube). Also, the chemical reel has brass manifold fittings and hopefully will last me through the season. It's a good place holder until I can fork over a few bucks for a Titan reel after this build. LOL
The top frame has welded eye bolts for the ladders up top and extention poles to be strapped down. The eye bolts that were drilled through the tubes on the first go around, were just asking to cause some stitches to the head! So we cut the threads off the eye bolts and welded the eyes to the top of the frame (I'll take some pics later).
I cut off 2/3 of the tail gate ( it's great to have a friend with a plasma cutter!) and added the diamond plated tool box. The box was smaller that the frame and it would have dropped to the deck of the trailer. So we welded a few 90's to the side rails and bolted it to the angle iron. I could have just gone with a full size box but I'm on a limited budget and had this one in the shop.
I'm adding a plastic, angled "Tough Box" that's made for trailer tongue's and that is where the pump and batteries are going. The diamond plated box wil hold fittings, pressure washing hose, wands, extra pump and misc. supplies.
I need to take more pictures of the build but here are a few. It's alot farther along than these pictures show and it's real close to start paying some bills.
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Friday 14th of February 2014 01:14:41 AM
Jeff ... you have ballz of steel my friend! I could never do this every year. Next year I'm just gonna call Art and fly him down to do my modifications from here on in!
Looking good Ray.
Jeff
Thanks John! And Jeff, great advice (highlighted text)
When I mounted the diamond plated box to the top of the rails, I was in a hurry and cut holes in the back of the box for the PVC inlet and the chemical hose outlet. In that scenerio, the pump was sitting about half the leg tank height. I wanted the pump to be level with the bulkhead fittings so the head pressure would feed the pump instead or the pump having to pull the solution from the tanks. That's how I ended up with the toungue monted box. It worked out in the long run because now I have a dedicated pump/ battery box and a dedicated tool box.
FINISHED!!! For the most part it's finished and needs a few odds and ends. I'm setting up an on board charger for the batteries so I don't have to pull them off the trailer to charge them like I did before. Now, I can just plug directly into the box and charge them.
I'm pretty anal and not comfortable yet with flying down the interstate (I-10) going 65 mph with extension ladders and pole brushes on the new rack on top. Before I had them ratcheted strapped, weighted down with pressure washing hoses, garden hose and other equipment in the bed of the truck.
Here's a few pictures and I'll take a few more of the dedicated pump box on the tongue of the trailer. I like the fact that I can now switch between tanks with a twist of a valve and switch between a roof mix and a house Soft Wash mix with a twist of a ball valve. Even better yet is rolling and un-rolling hose. It doesn't look like it but that is 225' of 1/2" poly braid on that reel (and 200' of 3/4" industrial garden hose on the other).
-- Edited by Capital Roof Wash on Sunday 16th of February 2014 01:53:09 AM
For your pole brushes is thee room to allow them to stand up along the trailer sides,..like landscapers do with shovels and rakes,..they just slide into a tube. Also, I just use chains for my ladders on my van rack,...they don't fight back like bungies do and they're not as a big a pain as ratchet straps. BUT, they do rattle more because the chains aren't holding the ladders down tight,...but they never fall off.
Jeff
Ray,
Try these from west marine. We use them on our work trucks for our 40, 32 and 20' ladders and for my bass boat. For hauling the extension poles we use a 4"x 10' pvc tube mounted horizontally along the side of the square tube ladder rack. The front end has a round cap and the rear end has a screw on cap. We can fit three extension poles in the tube. We have a notched piece of pvc mounted vertically for to hold our pressure washer wands.
Hank
Mike, how's the re-build going? No doubt all those snow storms these past few weeks have you more focused on snow removal than tearing down your rig. Talked to my dad up in Rhode Island the other day and he was talking about getting another 2-4 inches like it was nothing. He said after all the past storms this winter, a few inches is just a light dusting in his eyes... lol
Here's a few pics of the upgraded rig starting to pay for itself. (Not to rub it in or anything but the high for the day was 71). There is a lot of wasted real estate on the sides that is beggingging for some signage. Doug Ruckers rig is giving me some ideas how to fill those voids though!!!
Trailer looks great Ray.. and the 71° comment was rubbing it in...
Thanks Brian and I confess, I'm guilty on the rubbing it in comment. Hang in there my northern buddies! The time changes this weekend (spring forward), the days are getting longer and the tempetures are going to start rising.
Spring is right around the corner and you will break out of your hybernation only to be soft washing and pressure cleaning animals once again!!!!
Ray spring is not that close was 3° this morning