What does a truck wash do?
- An exterior wash is the standard job: tractor, trailer, wheels. Add-ons are polish, tire shine, engine bay, and underbody for road salt.
- Trailer interior washouts are for dry vans and reefers that have to be clean for the next load. Food-grade loads often require a washout receipt; keep it.
- Tank washes are a different business. A tank wash cleans the inside of a tanker and issues a certificate. Not every truck wash does them, and the ones that do say so.
What should you tell the wash?
- Tractor only, or tractor and trailer.
- Trailer type.
- Whether you need a washout, and what the last load was.
- Whether you're staying in the cab. Most washes have you stay in the truck.
What does a truck wash cost?
A tractor and trailer exterior wash runs roughly $60 to $100 at the chains. Interior washouts are $40 to $80 depending on what was in it. Polish and extras add $20 to $60. Fleets with accounts usually pay less and get billed.
When are truck washes open?
Chain truck washes run long hours, many around the clock, because they sit at truck stops. Independents keep shop hours. The listing shows what's on file.