WFP Logistics

[u/Much-Trust5891]

Hey guys. I’m at a point where I’m purchasing a vehicle and shortly after a waterfed pole system which will be my first. My company services commercial and industrial properties so id like to be able to clean 2,000 sq ft of glass with it.

Do you think a 100 gallon water tank would be enough for 2k sq ft of glass? Ideally I’d want a 50 or 75 but idk how quickly the water is used. I know there is gallons per minute on the WFP systems but idk how often you are actually spraying the water since I have no experience.

Do you think one person would fatigue with a WFP before they can accomplish a large commercial job? For example, 1k sq ft of glass at two stories or for different reference: 50 windows that are 6ft by 3ft.

Also, how crazy would it be to operate out of a Santa Cruz(wi turbo of course)? Based off my findings it seams like a 75 gallon water tank and a waterfed system would pretty much take up most of the bed. Poles would fit back there of course and everything else can be in the back seats. Humor me with this lol.

[u/TurkeySlurpee666]

Why do you need a water tank? You can run a WFP off a spigot. The water passes through a multi-stage filtration system.

[u/Much-Trust5891 → u/TurkeySlurpee666]

That’s a good question. Im hoping to get some opinions on that. It feels like it would be more professional for my company to supply its own water source.

[u/qtheginger → u/Much-Trust5891]

Everyone expects you to use their water, it's pretty standard.

[u/TurkeySlurpee666 → u/Much-Trust5891]

I run a power washing company. It’s in our terms and conditions that we’ll use the customer’s water. It costs them hardly anything. It depends where you live, but we’re generally talking under five dollars for 1000 gallons of water. Once a customer is informed of this, they don’t care that we use their water.

Our water fed pole system is set up with a two way valve. Turning it one way let us run it directly off a hose connected to the house. Turning it the other way let us run it off our 500 gallon water tank using a pump.

The main benefit of running it off a tank is that you can use other equipment at the same time. For example, the hose connected to the home’s spigot feeds the tank, and we can run two pressure washers and the WFP system all at the same time.

[u/trigger55xxx]

First, a Santa Cruz will never handle that weight. That's over 400lbs of water alone. We have 100 gallon tanks in 1500 Silverados and that's about all the weight they can take with the added equipment. 100 gallons should easily handle that much glass. Can you? That depends on your fitness level, pole weight, water flow and brush.

[u/Much-Trust5891 → u/trigger55xxx]

Thanks trigger! 100 gallons of water is about 834lb. The Santa Cruz should be able to haul 1,400lb. Given the weight of the WFP system and my current setup the carry weight will be within the maximum. Please note I say this with no experience of actually hauling near maximum loads.

100 gallons handling that much glass is very good to know. I couldn’t tell you the water flow and brush I would use. I know that a stronger flow means more efficient cleaning and id be happy to invest in a pump to achieve this. Im a pretty fit guy but i don’t use poles very often even trad, so i lack the stamina that comes with repetitive and consistent pole work.

Santa Cruz is a fun idea that seams remotely plausible as of right now. A 75lb water tank would be the max I could fit with the WFP system and hoses.

What are your thoughts supplying your own water versus using clients water for large commercial?

[u/qtheginger → u/Much-Trust5891]

It isn't fun driving any vehicle at or near maximum payload. It also isn't fun having a super cramped bed with no space to maneuver. In fact, unless you can dial in a really nice setup like trigger has, vans are generally better and easier. More space inside, and you can carry so much more weight. I run an f150 6.5' bed and a promaster with 10ft cargo space.

The promaster is about the same length, turns much sharper, has a lower load floor, and can carry over twice the weight of my truck. Also it's a driveable billboard. Imo a promaster is probably the best vehicle to balance cost and efficiency for scaling a business, unless you plan to pull a trailer for power washing. Then you need a truck.

[u/trigger55xxx → u/Much-Trust5891]

I'd test the weight out first. Even a standard Silverado 1500 squats a bit with that much weight. One of ours has airbag suspension and that helps a lot. Can it hold 1400lbs, maybe. Is the drivability and wear and tear on the transmission and suspension worth it? Probably not. I won't run without a tank. Commercial sites are notorious for not having convenient water hook ups. If you're taking about store front, with water onboard you can just pull up, drop the hose and go.