Blue Beacon Truck Wash

[RickW]

We have always hand washed the Monty. This past trip we drove we drove thru a construction zone/goat trail while it was raining/snowing. To say our setup was filthy is very much a understatement. We were not looking forward to the task of washing the trailer in near triple digit temperatures when we got home. While stopped for food/fuel in Amarillo we spotted the Blue Beacon Full Service truck wash. Decided to give it a try. In 15 minutes a 5 man crew washed the Volvo, Jeep and Montana. Now this was not a hand wash but a pressure wash like at the coin style car washes. The whole setup looked new when we pulled out.

According to my receipt it was $25 to wash the Montana and another $8 for the Rain-X. The only thing they do not wash is the roof and personally I do not want them up there. Well worth the money and took very little time.

We had never thought of or considered using a full service truck wash in the past but I think it is safe to say we will visit a Blue Beacon or similar service again in the future. I wanted to pass this information along in case others had not thought of using a truck wash either. We felt it was a good deal for the time/money especially knowing how long it takes both of us to hand wash the unit.

[DQDick]

I've always wondered about those and haven't taken the time to find out. Will try one now. Thanks for the info!

[Chasnracin]

I think it is a great idea too. Things that make me nervous about Joe with a power sprayer are the rain gutters and awnings. But hey, if it saved you hours, it's worth it! On the list...check.

[camper4]

We have used them several times and really like them. Wish there was one near our home base.

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

I wonder how the graphics on an older trailer (2007) would hold up under a pressure wash? We had new graphics installed in May of 2011 and they are already starting to peel. We'd love to have a Blue Beacon place clean our rig after we leave Matagorda, but the pressure wash situation concerns us.

Carolyn

[RickW]

quote:Originally posted by Wayne and Carolyn Mathews

I wonder how the graphics on an older trailer (2007) would hold up under a pressure wash? We had new graphics installed in May of 2011 and they are already starting to peel. We'd love to have a Blue Beacon place clean our rig after we leave Matagorda, but the pressure wash situation concerns us.

Carolyn

I will admit that was a concern of mine too. They were more aggressive with getting in to the nooks and crannies of the truck and far more gentler with the trailer. My graphics are also starting to peel when washing by hand so I know the pressure washer is speeding the process up some.

On the truck they did clean the frame where exposed and stuck the pressure washer between the duels to clean the inside duel best they could. Anything I pointed out they were quick to fix/clean. I still had dirt in the caulking in the seams of the trailer. I did not want them to try and clean it with the pressure washer so I just waited until I got home (400 miles later) and cleaned the seams by hand with a wash mit. Only took me 10 minutes. Next time I might bring the wash mit with me and tell the crew leader that I have a big tip for the crew if they wash the seams by hand.

[seahunter]

Good to know this worked Rick. I had posted this question a few months ago, but no one had tried them yet. I know it might not be perfect, but to save several hours of hand washing, especially with a bad back seem well worth the $20-$30!

[JeffBusarow]

I've used them 3 times last year. They will use just brushes if you tell them not to pressure your decals or sealed seams. Avoid them on weekends when truckers are idle and line up to get their rigs washed. Usually on weekday mornings the lines are short.

[snfexpress]

We have used similar places in the past and always remind them to go easy around the refrigerator, hot water and heater vents.

[Hooker]

Guess I'm old fashioned, I always do it myself, don't care how dirty the rig is or how hot is is outside. Last summer, in the middle of the heat wave, I hand waxed the MH. Took me six mornings...I quit for the day after that...but it's done and I know it's done right.

[Art-n-Marge]

I had no idea of the price. I always figured $100 and up. I am gonna have to find one of these. It sounds like if you suggest areas of concern they are accommodating. The big benefit is it takes me a couple of days and I'm willing to pay that price for the time saved.

[RickW]

Art the $25 price was just to wash the trailer. To wash the truck was another $35. Another $20 to Rain-X truck and trailer and $5 to clean the motor.

With it only taking 15 minutes for a 5 man crew to do something that would have taken me all day I felt the price was worth it.

[seahunter]

And what a deal the Blue Beacon price is... CW for example is between $3.49 and $8.95 PER FOOT for exterior cleaning! So a 40' fiver would be $139.60 for just a wash and dry, and $358.00 for a wash, wax, and window cleaning! If you add carpet spot cleaning, you're looking at $11.95 to $14.95 per foot...

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by seahunter

And what a deal the Blue Beacon price is... CW for example is between $3.49 and $8.95 PER FOOT for exterior cleaning! So a 40' fiver would be $139.60 for just a wash and dry, and $358.00 for a wash, wax, and window cleaning! If you add carpet spot cleaning, you're looking at $11.95 to $14.95 per foot...

Just to make sure you aren't comparing apples to oranges, the Blue Beacon price was for spray washing, where the CW price is for hand washing. Still, would I pay someone $140 to wash our trailer? Not as long as my health and body holds out!

[scductman]

Rick I have also used them a few times when I ran out of time before a trip. I think they do a good job for the price 35.00 truck and trailer at home in SC but I won't let them do the rain-x on mine any more I don't like the way it looks on the truck.
Bobby

[ray fischer]

I pay a guy that comes to the seasonal site $120.00 to wash,scrub the roof with Dicor cleaner, treat with Dicor roof guard, use wash and wax on trl and clean awning. It takes him 5 to 7 hours and saves my body for more fun things. The last time I did it it took 2 or 3 Chiropractor visits to recover.

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by ray fischer

I pay a guy that comes to the seasonal site $120.00 to wash,scrub the roof with Dicor cleaner, treat with Dicor roof guard, use wash and wax on trl and clean awning. It takes him 5 to 7 hours and saves my body for more fun things. The last time I did it it took 2 or 3 Chiropractor visits to recover.

That's a heck of a deal! Tell him to come to the fal rally and he'll have enough customers to last the whole week, with me being first in line!

[DonandJudy_12]

We have also used Blue Beacon and indy truck washes- Some truck washes have an overhead spray wash and rinse for the roof that is not a severe pressure- As others have said, the wash crew can use less pressure around sensative areas- We use these commercial washes just before we arrive at our summer or winter resorts- JMHO- Don

[exav8tr]

I used to put a plastic bag under the refer cover and taped the outside outlet. Had bad luck with one company that over sprayed those areas.

[fauch]

I dont know about in your area, but when we are home in Baton Rouge, I get a guy over to the house who specializes in boat and RV cleaning and detailing. He hand washes and hand waxes the entire rig for 300.00. When he leaves and the rubber dries on the roof, i spray it with Protect-All.
He also does interiors, but this is something that we keep up daily when in use and have not had him do this.. I also rub all of the decals with Turtle Exterior Trim treatment/restorer. He does a good job of hand application of the wax without getting it on the decals. If it is raining, I wait until the roads are dry before towing it to the storage building. We use this service in spring and fall. I wash with mild car wash soap between his washes and waxes.
Glass, awning and slide toppers are included in his wash