Side Rails...or Enclosed Trailer?

Blue Carpet

Blue Carpet

New member
I am need a 5 x 8 or 6 x 10 trailer for a heated skid with a 150 - 200 gallon tank to be used in Nebraska. I have a building it should fit in. I'm considering an enclosed trailer, but am concerned about heat ventilation and maybe access inside the tight spaces. I'm a carpet cleaner expanding into pressure washing so most of you know better than me. What is the best setup?
Thank you!
 
I personally like my enclosed trailer because it keeps everything safe and not a whole lot of tie down you need. However I use a hot water and you have to have an exhaust system that allows the smoke to escape. Otherwise your trailer could catch fire. Now I have a little cheaply one that points the smoke out of the door that solves the problem. But there are other trailers people have that are quite expensive that have phenomenal exhaust system, I was fortunate enough that I have hydrotek that did all the work for me. Some of these men have built their trailer totally from scratch on their own and have turned out better trailers then what I have. Don't get me wrong I like what I have. But you either built it yourself or pay someone else to build it for you. I like enclosed, but there are benefits to enclosed and opened, just need to find out what work for you.


<a href="http://s1321.beta.photobucket.com/user/SoCalKpow/media/073_zps7b30c956.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1321.photobucket.com/albums/u557/SoCalKpow/073_zps7b30c956.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 073_zps7b30c956.jpg"/></a>
 
SoCalKpow said:
I personally like my enclosed trailer because it keeps everything safe and not a whole lot of tie down you need. However I use a hot water and you have to have an exhaust system that allows the smoke to escape. Otherwise your trailer could catch fire. Now I have a little cheaply one that points the smoke out of the door that solves the problem. But there are other trailers people have that are quite expensive that have phenomenal exhaust system, I was fortunate enough that I have hydrotek that did all the work for me. Some of these men have built their trailer totally from scratch on their own and have turned out better trailers then what I have. Don't get me wrong I like what I have. But you either built it yourself or pay someone else to build it for you. I like enclosed, but there are benefits to enclosed and opened, just need to find out what work for you.
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I am also seriously considering a Hydrotek SC series. Hey if it works that's all you need. How much extra was it to have that exhaust put on?
 
Welcome and I'm not sure a 5x8 will have the suspension for all that. You might want to get some idea what everything is gonna weigh in at. I know the water tank is close to 1200 to 1400 pounds when it's full. then you have the weight of the skid and all the equipment. Better to be safe than sorry. Also go 2 feet bigger than what ever you think is going to work. you won't regret it.
 
Blue Carpet said:
I am also seriously considering a Hydrotek SC series. Hey if it works that's all you need. How much extra was it to have that exhaust put on?
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Sorry site's been quirky all day. But yeah hyrdrotek makes the best power washers. Just stay away from the vacuum systems. And as for my exhaust, Hydrotek was kind enough to do it free for me.
 
Welcome Greg . Greg even if you had a #3500 lb axle, after you load your trailer down with ALL your equipment and chems and fill that Poly Tank your going to be pushing the limit of a single axle. Been there, done that. Get a double axle and you'll have no worries. And Randy B is right. If you think you need a 6 x 10 , you better get a 6 x 12. You'll want that extra 2 feet of real estate. Good Luck. Peace
 
Like Randy mentions, you really need a larger trailer than a 5'x8' for many reasons.

I would not go with a single axle trailer as the weight of the hot water skid will be from 700 to 900 pounds by itself without fuel in the tanks and water in the coil, that will add up to another 200 pounds depending on the size of the coil and fuel tanks.

The trailer itself weighs so you deduct that from the total capacity and you will know what you can put on/in it.

That water tank when full with the hot water skid and other tools/supplies hitting a pothole can easily bend an axle on a single axle trailer, I would seriously go with a tandem axle trailer, besides the added strength and capacity, it is harder to fishtail the trailer when backing up.

There have been many threads about this in the past and some great advice, use the search button to read what some of the professionals have advised others to do, it will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the long run.

The best professional hot water skids are Hotsy, Landa, Alkota and Largo from what I have learned from the pro's out there that use them day and nite, then you have the Aaladin, Hydrotek and the others that are available with many names, dealers putting their names on generic machines, etc........ The first four are more expensive than most others out there but are very well put together and have lasted with guys out there running them many hours a day for many years.

Good luck.
 
I ran the exhaust myself with a little help from an hvac guy. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1359645668.826029.jpg
 
I had my mechanic bend it and weld it in. There is also a rubber vibration mount to keep it from breaking the welds. This is my 7x14 trailer and sometimes wish I had gone bigger. I also have a 6x12 cold water resi unit. That one is a good size for driveways.
 
Christopher said:
Like Randy mentions, you really need a larger trailer than a 5'x8' for many reasons.

I would not go with a single axle trailer as the weight of the hot water skid will be from 700 to 900 pounds by itself without fuel in the tanks and water in the coil, that will add up to another 200 pounds depending on the size of the coil and fuel tanks.

The trailer itself weighs so you deduct that from the total capacity and you will know what you can put on/in it.

That water tank when full with the hot water skid and other tools/supplies hitting a pothole can easily bend an axle on a single axle trailer, I would seriously go with a tandem axle trailer, besides the added strength and capacity, it is harder to fishtail the trailer when backing up.

There have been many threads about this in the past and some great advice, use the search button to read what some of the professionals have advised others to do, it will save you a lot of time and aggravation in the long run.

The best professional hot water skids are Hotsy, Landa, Alkota and Largo from what I have learned from the pro's out there that use them day and nite, then you have the Aaladin, Hydrotek and the others that are available with many names, dealers putting their names on generic machines, etc........ The first four are more expensive than most others out there but are very well put together and have lasted with guys out there running them many hours a day for many years.

Good luck.
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See that's part of my problem, I will be driving a Ford E150 6 cylinder already hauling a truckmount carpet cleaner with hose reel, so I already don't feel comfortable towing 200 gallons much less a dual axle trailer. Yes I need one, but will usually haul about 50-100 gallons unless I absolutely need 200. That is why I want a power washer that allows me to reduce the GPM if I can't keep up with 7-8. My budget is already screaming, so I probably will start out sacrificing on the trailer so that I can get a nice 8 GPM unit. I didn't realize I could bend an axle though...I was thinking of my transmision and motor.
 
I agree the Hydro Tek is top of the line. We have had two for six years and run them five nights a week and have had only minor problems. Last year I purchase a Hydro Max which is more middle of the line and it has run well also in fact I would say it equals the Hydro Tek at about 60 % of the cost. They are built in Calhoun GA and they do sell a trailer set up with wands, reels, hoses, chemical tank, water tanks, ect. I also think they will bring them to you but I not sure how far out. I have a friend that brought one set up and they took it to them just outside of Memphis TN. http://www.bcesystems.com/Tandem AxleTrailerPackages.html Here is their link if you want to check them out.
 
Blue Carpet said:
See that's part of my problem, I will be driving a Ford E150 6 cylinder already hauling a truckmount carpet cleaner with hose reel, so I already don't feel comfortable towing 200 gallons much less a dual axle trailer. Yes I need one, but will usually haul about 50-100 gallons unless I absolutely need 200. That is why I want a power washer that allows me to reduce the GPM if I can't keep up with 7-8. My budget is already screaming, so I probably will start out sacrificing on the trailer so that I can get a nice 8 GPM unit. I didn't realize I could bend an axle though...I was thinking of my transmision and motor.
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The city I live in has serious issues with roads and potholes.

I have bent 4 axles in the past 5 years because of the potholes and a 3/4 full or completely full water tank when driving.

The trailer repair guy told me to never load your trailer more than 80% of it's capacity because when you hit a pothole, the force is multiplied on that part of the axle and it is not rated for that much weight.

I hear what you say for the E150, you need a lighter trailer so you don't burn up the transmission or engine.

Say you decide on a 6'x10' single axle trailer that can hold 3500 pounds, but the weight is about 700 or 800 pounds for the trailer itself. Add about 700 pounds for the hot water skid and another 200 pounds for a couple hose reels, hoses and misc. tools. You are up to about 1600 pounds already. Now add 100 gallons of water at 8.33 pounds per gallon (833 pounds) and you are up to 2400 pounds on that trailer.

You might end up putting some more tools, chemicals and other things in there eventually but right now you are about the weight of a small car so think about your van pulling a small car around all day long, do you think your engine and transmission can handle this on a daily basis? Just something to think about. I would make sure it has good trailer brakes or you will wear out your van brakes in a couple years.

Just some things to think about when planning this out.

If you don't have a towing package on the van, I would get a hitch professionally installed with the brake controller installed in the cab to control the trailer brakes so when you get the trailer, all you have to do is connect it and plug in the electric wire plug and you are set.

Good luck.
 
I think you need to upgrade your van. An e-150 is just over taxed with all the stuff that a carpet cleaner normally carries.
 
Christopher said:
The best professional hot water skids are Hotsy, Landa, Alkota and Largo from what I have learned from the pro's out there that use them day and nite, then you have the Aaladin, Hydrotek and the others that are available with many names, dealers putting their names on generic machines, etc........ The first four are more expensive than most others out there but are very well put together and have lasted with guys out there running them many hours a day for many years.

Good luck.
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What about this 12v 5.5 GPM 3500 PSI Hydrotek? SS35006VG http://hydrotek.us/series-ss.htm
 
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