Trailer wash out problems.
I run Walking Floors. They have many more places for debris to hide than other trailers. While I understand shippers wanting clean equipment to load we are finding it very difficult to find washout facilities that have a clue. Every place I have ever been uses cold water. Most have less water pressure than I would expect. None of them use any soaps or cleaners. A lot of times I could actually clean these trailers better with high air pressure. These facilities won't listen and the washout is a waste of money. A good portion of the shippers could care less if the trailer is actually clean, they only want a copy of the receipt. More people, however are starting to inspect and I think this will increase as the government gets more involved with new rules. I went to my local truck wash today in Phoenix and they washed the trailer three times before excorting me off the property and in my opinion it will take me 2-3 hours in my own facility to get the little places clean. I have one shipper that requires special care with clean trailers. They have an air station and special area for clean out. You do the work, they inspect the trailer, and you keep cleaning until they are happy, but when it is over they sign for the clean out. I love it as an owner as I then have no liabilty, my drivers don't like the time or getting a little dirty. Personally I think that more shippers that actually care about a clean trailer need to set up their own facility. The last 3 washout places we sent trks to the drivers ended up spending several hours with pokers and air to get clean enough to present the equipment for loading. These washouts aren't all that cheap either.
What do we as an Industry do?
Art Pfluger
What do we as an Industry do?
Art Pfluger