SLROC Forum

Hi,

The worst bit of off roading(when I did it) was washing the car when I got home. Sometimes I had piles of it.
Would a mobile pressure washing service work.

It would require -

1. pressure washer
2. generator
3. IBC (big tank) full of water
4. possibly a water feed pump (not sure if a washer will work with only a head of water)
5. trailer
6. tow car

What do you think, would this service be used. The initial outlay would be high but could be recovered if the service was popular.

cheers

Geoff

what about engine driven pressure washer
eliminates the generator and possible the feed pump
you could also go bin washing

I was going to offer this very service to members at events. But the cost would have been quite big for me. I live beyond Dundee so getting to and from events with a large van and equipment would be costly. There is pressure washers that will draw the water from a barrel and mine certainly done that. But you will need a lot of water. I carried 1000 litres daily. Best thing I can suggest as I'm not able to provide this service is too call around the mobile valeters in the areas your visiting and get quotes and numbers of members wanting their cars washed.  Shame I'm not doing this anymore as I would have done it cheaper for members.

so buy a 4x4 bin washing van, problem solved

Only if your offering a start up loan. I sold my van and machines to buy my discovery. Don't have a trailer big enough either.

I can see the benefit of this it also would help with the public perception of us all dumping mud on the public road as we leave the sites.
Last year we had a street sweeper at Torpichen, must have cost a few bob

One wee issue I see is say 40 vehicles queing up to get washed before going home.

I suppose it could be less if it were optional and folks just wanted to wash their own at home but then again that would dilute the revenue pool for such a venture / investment.

Good idea Geoff,rather than a generator and electric pressure washer a small engine driven washer would suffice,I had one when Michael was doing the comp safaris,used a 205 litre drum of water carried in the trailer,(most washers will suck water up once primed) I also remember using the water out of a cattle trough at Slamannan!  

even hire one speedy do trailer tanks with engine pressure washers

If I were to consider reinvesting in a pressure washer and tank. How many members would be interested in having the mud cleaned from their landy/s? I'm possibly looking to go back into valeting so this might help talk me into it.

A chap on site runs his valeting from back of a van. Diesel washer with hot water option (that reall shifts the muck) and a large vat of water. Ideally if we could get a tap at the sites to fill the bowser so your not dragging it full.
He's currently reading the landy mags for prices of a 90. But he needs to sell the nissan first. 
Maybe see he would bring his van to some of the local events and let him do some driving ?

thats the best way. ask the local valeters for prices.

Before everyone gets carried away with this, please bear in mind that landowners might not appreciate piles of soggy muck left near the entrance to the site. Equally of issue, would be SEPA's (inevitably dim) view of operating a car wash in a field, oily water run off, pollution risk and such like. I only mention this as I am the unfortunate soul that has had the pleasure of dealing with SEPA and other similarly unsympathetic bodies over matters like this in the past in relation to our club activities and believe me, we really don't want to get their attention again!

Alan

Great point. I was thinking about the excess water but not the oil or anything.

brings back memories of oil in the water at cambusbarron ford

Before everyone gets carried away with this, please bear in mind that landowners might not appreciate piles of soggy muck left near the entrance to the site. Equally of issue, would be SEPA's (inevitably dim) view of operating a car wash in a field, oily water run off, pollution risk and such like. I only mention this as I am the unfortunate soul that has had the pleasure of dealing with SEPA and other similarly unsympathetic bodies over matters like this in the past in relation to our club activities and believe me, we really don't want to get their attention again!

Alan

Good point Alan, it was a rubbish idea anyway