Buy a gas engine if you want the lowest price and run a few hours a day; buy diesel if you run long days, want one fuel for the engine and the burner, and can spend about $10,900 more on the same platform; buy propane if your shop already runs on propane. On our Slider skid, the gas Honda build lists at $18,670 and the diesel Lombardini build at $29,530, listed starting prices on hotandmightydirect.com as of October 2026.
The engine drives the pump. The burner heats the water. They're separate choices, and the engine you pick sets your price, your fuel logistics and how the rig fits your workday. Here's how our current builds compare.
What do gas, diesel and propane pressure washer trailers cost?
| Build | Engine | Output | Operators | Platform | Listed starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slider MCS-3506 | Gas, 630 cc Honda | 5.7 GPM @ 3,500 PSI | 1 or 2 | Skid, 335 gal tank | $18,670 |
| Slider MDS-5357 | Diesel, 26 HP Lombardini | 5 GPM @ 3,500 PSI | 1 | Skid, 335 gal tank | $29,530 |
| General TA3 MCS-3008 | Gas, 725 cc Kohler | 7.8 GPM @ 3,000 PSI | 1 or 2 | Enclosed 7' x 16', 535 gal | $39,490 |
| General TA3 5053 PGPD | Propane, 25 HP Kohler | 5 GPM @ 3,500 PSI | 1 | Enclosed 7' x 16', 335 gal | $38,970 |
| General TA3 MCS-3006 Diesel | Diesel, 15.5 HP Kubota | 5.6 GPM @ 3,000 PSI | 1 or 2 | Enclosed 7' x 14', 535 gal | $46,890 |
| Open TA5 MDS-8307K | Diesel, Kubota | 8 GPM @ 3,000 PSI | 2 | Open 6' x 16', 900 gal | $47,820 |
| Open TA3 MDS-10307 | Diesel, two 28.2 HP Kubota | 20 GPM @ 3,000 PSI (two washers) | Up to 4 | Open 7' x 14', 535 gal | $72,490 |
Listed starting prices on hotandmightydirect.com as of October 2026. Options, recovery equipment and delivery change the total, so every build gets a written quote.
When is a gas engine the right choice?
Gas is the budget pick. It keeps the starting price down and suits crews that wash a few hours a day: contract cleaners, small fleets and equipment yards. The Slider MCS-3506 puts a dual-gun hot water washer on your own truck or trailer for $18,670, and the enclosed General TA3 MCS-3008 gives two operators 7.8 GPM for $39,490.
The trade-off is fuel. The engine burns gasoline, while oil-fired burners typically burn diesel, kerosene or No. 2 fuel oil, so you carry two fuels. Our guide to choosing a hot water pressure washer heat source explains the burner side.
When should you pay more for diesel?
Diesel makes sense when the rig runs long days, every day: fleet washing routes, heavy equipment, railcars and industrial sites. Buyers also like keeping one fuel on board for the engine and the burner. The Open TA3 MDS-10307 is diesel powered and diesel fired.
Expect to pay more. On the same Slider skid, the diesel build lists $10,860 above the gas build, and it gives up a little flow (5 GPM vs. 5.7 GPM) and the second gun. Choose diesel for the duty cycle and fuel logistics, not for extra cleaning power.
Who should buy a propane-powered rig?
The General TA3 5053 PGPD is propane fired and propane driven, so the engine and burner share one fuel. It carries two 100 lb bottles for the burner, a 33 lb tank for the engine and a vaporizer that keeps propane lines from freezing in cold weather. It fits operators who already buy propane in bulk and want to keep one fuel across their equipment.
How do gas, diesel and propane compare side by side?
| Question | Gas | Diesel | Propane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Lowest | Highest for the same platform | Close to gas in our enclosed builds ($38,970 vs. $39,490) |
| Fuels on board | Gasoline plus burner fuel | One fuel for engine and burner | One fuel for engine and burner |
| Best duty cycle | A few hours a day | Long daily run times | Steady use where propane is already on hand |
| Example build | Slider MCS-3506, $18,670 | Slider MDS-5357, $29,530 | General TA3 5053 PGPD, $38,970 |
Does engine choice change cleaning performance?
Not by itself. Cleaning speed comes from flow (GPM), pressure (PSI) and water temperature. Pick the flow and number of operators first, then choose the engine that fits your workday. Our PSI vs. GPM guide covers sizing, and Hot Water Pressure Washer Trailers Compared: 4 to 25 GPM lists every build by flow.
What else should you decide before you buy?
- Recovery. If runoff can reach a storm drain, plan for a recovery vacuum. See adding wash water recovery to your pressure washer.
- Cold weather. Enclosed trailers can take our cold weather package for winter washing.
- Platform. A skid fits your own truck or trailer; an enclosed trailer locks up the washer.
We keep trailers and washers in stock for quicker builds, and every quote includes the build time. Rigs are delivered nationwide by freight, or you can pick up and get free training; delivered units get recorded and live remote training.
Frequently asked questions
Is a diesel pressure washer worth the extra cost?
If the rig runs long days and you want one fuel for the engine and burner, usually yes. If you wash a few hours a day, a gas build at a lower listed price often makes more sense.
What is the lowest-priced diesel hot water rig you list?
The Slider MDS-5357 skid, at a listed starting price of $29,530 as of October 2026: 5 GPM at 3,500 PSI with a 26 HP Lombardini diesel and a 335 gallon tank.
Can a propane pressure washer work in winter?
Our propane build includes a vaporizer to keep propane lines from freezing in cold weather. Pair it with an enclosed trailer, or ask about the cold weather package.
Can you build a different engine into the trailer I want?
Usually. Hot And Mighty is mainly a custom build shop; the Open TA5 package, for example, can also be built with a single operator 5 GPM diesel washer with a Kohler or Kubota engine. Ask for a quote.
Get a quote for your build
Tell us what you clean, how many hours a day you run and how many operators you need, and we'll quote the right engine. Text us through the chat on this site or call 800-897-7515, Monday to Friday 9 to 5 EST. Hot And Mighty has 50+ years of experience building hot water rigs to spec, delivered nationwide.
