Big Rig Basics
24 TrucKers News January 2010 J eff Byler and his wife Kelly operate Jeff's Large Truck Detailing and Truck Wash in Bethel, Pa. Jeff explains that it's the dirt, as well as the ice-melting chemicals used on the roads, that cause all the parts of your truck to become dull and corroded. So, he says, The cleaner you keep your truck, the less corrosion you will see. Obviously, regular washing is critical. Do it every two weeks in winter, if you can. When winter comes, it's ideal if you can time the washes right after storms or after driving along pre-treated roads. Dry roads pre-treated with chemicals can be especially harmful, he says, because the calcium chloride and other ingredi-ents form a dust that gets all over everything. In addition to regular washing, having the truck cleaned professionally, or equipping your garage so you can do this yourself, every few months or at least once a year will keep the vehicle looking youthful and ready for profitable resale. Fighting Corrosion Thorough cleaning helps safeguard your equipment from destructive natural and artificial agents Big rig Basics JohN BaxTer 1 Use a pressure washer to clean the frame and other undercarriage parts. Use a water temperature of at least 100 F in warm weather and of 140-150 F or more in colder weather. Once temperatures get down in the teens, don't try washing. 2 Combine the pressure washer with a water softener, as Byler has done with a portable unit he uses to service customers at their locations. Pressure washing won't work right unless the water is soft. Soft water allows the detergents to dissolve in the water. Otherwise, they can't do their job. Depending on operating conditions, even pressure washing with soft water and detergent may not get the job done. If you run your own trailer, be aware that trailer manufacturers generally recommend occasional manual scrubbing to remove accumulated salt and calcium chloride.