Totalkare: does your workshop need a washbay?
Workshop equipment provider Totalkare has outlined its perspective on the benefits for fleets of installing in-house vehicle washing facilities.
“Regular vehicle washing is essential for every fleet,” said Totalkare.
“But as your company grows (and your fleet grows with it), the costs of outsourcing can start to seriously add up. And before you know it, you’ve spent more on the service than the cost of your own washbay.”
Forward-thinking workshops are planning ahead by investing in their own heavy vehicle washbays to keep fleets in top shape for a number of reasons, the company says.
Professional fleet appearance
“When your fleet’s out on the road, your company’s being represented,” said Totalkare.
“Not just by your drivers and workers – but the vehicles themselves. Each one of your vehicles is a travelling advert for your business. They’re carrying your branding all across the country. That means they need to be just as presentable as everything else you show to the public – your website, your premises, and the appearance of your staff.
“So if you’re not keeping your fleet looking spick and span, your customers will notice. And it won’t be a good look.”
Vehicle longevity
Appearances are important, but there are more practical reasons to keep your fleet clean with your own vehicle washbay, says the firm.
“When dirt and grime build up on your vehicles, it doesn’t just sit there. It speeds up the corrosion and deterioration of your vehicles – both the paint and finishings, and the components themselves.
“That’s especially a problem for the chassis: the underside of your vehicles is where most of the muck from travelling lies. But it’s also the area where most of the critical systems and mechanisms are.
“That’s why smart workshops don’t just invest in a washbay alone: they pair an in-house washbay with a vehicle lift that’s built for wet work – like our Wash Bay Mobile Column Lift, or the galvanised models of our Y-Mech or Heavy Duty Four Post Lift.
“When you can safely lift vehicles inside your washbay, you can give your teams full access and visibility to the underside of your vehicles.
So they can give each vehicle and its components the thorough clean it needs – and help to limit the damage and the costs of frequent repairs.”
Driver safety
“With heavy loads and long trips, commercial drivers are already vulnerable to fatigue and exhaustion,” the company continued, “and when their vision is affected by the condition of their vehicles, it’s an extra stress to an exhausting journey – which could lead to an increased risk of accidents.
“But it’s not just about drivers looking out through mucky windows. A clean vehicle has a double effect on the safety of your fleet on the road: as well as helping the vision of your own drivers, a clean vehicle and its bright headlamps helps to make your fleet more visible to other road users, too. So your drivers are more aware – and people are more aware of them.”
Cost and time savings
While some workshops and fleet owners rely on third-party washing services from outside companies, investing in your own washbay could end up costing you less, Totalkare contends.
“On top of the costs of the vehicle wash services themselves, you’re also taking your vehicles and drivers out of commission,” said the firm.
“They’re travelling to another site with a washbay, and they’re burning extra fuel. They’re working around the schedule of an outside cleaning company… when they should be out on the road bringing in revenue for your company.
“But with your own heavy vehicle washbay, you’re getting more value out of what you’re already paying for.”
After the upfront investment in an in-house washbay, adds Totalkare, vehicles can be given a washdown as frequently as required.
“You’ll be able to match up your washing and maintenance with the downtime of each vehicle’s work schedule. So there’s no wasted time, and no lost revenue. And the best part? You’ll be doing it all with your own premises and utilities – so you’ll have full control over the costs involved.”
