A railcar repair facility in west-central Indiana needed a self-contained hot water wash unit that carries its own water, reaches all the way around a car, and keeps equipment protected between jobs. Hot And Mighty built an enclosed 7x14 hot water pressure washer trailer with a 3,000 PSI, 8 GPM hot water machine, a 525-gallon water tank and dual 200' hose reels.
The customer: a railcar repair shop
The customer is a railcar repair facility operated by a national railcar leasing and repair company. Railcar work involves grease, oil, product residue and road grime on large surfaces, and often in yards where water hookups are limited. The facility manager wanted hot water, high flow and plenty of water carried on the unit, in a trailer that could be moved wherever the work was.
What we built: an enclosed hot water pressure washer trailer
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Trailer | 7' x 14' enclosed, 5,200 lb axles |
| Pressure washer | Hot water, 3,000 PSI, 8 GPM |
| Water tank | 525 gallons |
| Hose reels | Dual reels, 200' of hose on each |
| Fill line | 100' fill line on its own reel, plumbed directly into the water tank |
| Floor | Sprayed-in Scorpion truck bed liner |
| Walls and ceiling | PVC panels |
| Application | Railcar cleaning |
Why these features matter for railcar cleaning
- Hot water at 8 GPM. Heat breaks down grease and oily residue far faster than cold water, and 8 GPM of flow rinses large surfaces quickly.
- 525-gallon tank. The unit carries its own water supply, so the crew can work in the yard away from hydrants and spigots.
- Dual 200' reels. Two operators can work at once, and 200' of hose on each reel reaches the length of a car without moving the trailer.
- 100' fill line on a reel. Refilling the tank is fast and tidy because the fill line is plumbed straight into the tank.
- Bed liner floor with PVC walls and ceiling. The interior is sealed against water, chemicals and grime, so it's easy to hose out and holds up to daily use.
- Enclosed trailer. The equipment stays protected from weather and theft, and the unit is ready to roll between locations.
Custom built in South Bend, delivered by freight
Hot And Mighty is mainly a custom build shop. Most customers need something specific, and this unit is a good example: the customer asked for a 14' trailer with heavier 5,200 lb axles and a layout matched to their work. Each package is assembled and plumbed at our shop at 23146 West Ireland Rd, South Bend, IN 46614. We test it before it leaves. This one went out by freight carrier straight to the customer's facility. Customers can also pick up in person and get free training.
Frequently asked questions
Why use hot water for railcar and industrial cleaning?
Hot water softens and emulsifies grease, oil and heavy grime, so surfaces get clean faster with less detergent and less scrubbing than cold water.
How big a water tank do I need on a pressure washer trailer?
Multiply your total flow by the minutes you need to run between refills. For example, one 8 GPM gun running continuously uses about 480 gallons an hour. A 525-gallon tank gives a crew about an hour of continuous spraying, and more when spraying is intermittent.
Should I choose an open or enclosed trailer?
An enclosed trailer protects equipment from weather and theft and gives you a cleaner work area. An open deck is lighter and gives faster access to components. If you work year-round or store the rig outdoors, enclosed is usually the better choice.
Need a hot water wash trailer for your fleet or facility?
See similar builds like the General TA3 MCS-3008 enclosed trailer and our other custom trailer packages. If runoff is a concern at your site, ask about adding wash water recovery. Call 800-897-7515 or text us through the chat on this site for a custom quote.
