Blue Beacon Truck Washes

[Lily&Me]

I ran the Interstate thru one of these on the way home from New Mexico, and they did a really excellent job.....cleaned the body, of course, also the tires/rims and added a RainX top coating....all for $25.

About half of their locations have an undercarriage wash, and they have a handy little locator app.

Locator App



Maggie

[AWCHIEF]

Neve seen one but have heard good things about using them.

[moosetags]

Hi Maggie,

Do you think that Blue beacon could handle our truck with the truck camper on board, along with Lucy in tow?

Brian

[lewster]

Brian, I used them regularly when I had my 40' pusher motor home. Just be careful about the pressure they use from their pressure guns.

They do good work at reasonable prices.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Hi Maggie,

Do you think that Blue beacon could handle our truck with the truck camper on board, along with Lucy in tow?

Brian

Yes.

Their bays are big enough for a semi....should not be a problem.

I stood and I watched them clean the Interstate, as I was a little concerned about the pressure....also because I wanted to make sure they got the bugs off ...and didn't notice any problem.

They did a really good job cleaning the tires, too, which I liked.

Nice to have things all clean and spiffy, and to sometimes not do it yourself.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Do you think that Blue beacon could handle our truck with the truck camper on board, along with Lucy in tow?

Blue Beacon handles semis up to 65 feet long and 14 feet tall; their wash bays are huge! They can handle anything smaller with no trouble.

With an Interstate, all you have to do is make sure you turn off your propane-fueled appliances if you drive with them turned on, and make sure the windows and roof vents are closed— the MaxxFan hood may be rain-proof, but it's not spray-wand-proof— and tell them not to spray directly into your furnace exhaust. Taping over the furnace exhaust beforehand is not a bad idea, but just telling them about it is usually good enough.

[AtomicNo13]

Their aluminum brightener is nice.
Use it on my Grumman canoe!

[m.hony]

I get the truck 'n' trailer washed at Blue Beacon. Been getting wash jobs there for at least 10 years, maybe more.
You do need to tell them to be careful about the water pressure. Their spray gun stripped some of the fake plastic chrome off of the trim molding strip at the bottom of the entry door to the Airstream.
I usually get the rig washed at the Blue Beacon in Shreveport on the way to Texas. I have used others- Hammond, LA, Tuscaloosa, AL-

[graysailor]

How about the brushes? I used then for 40 years in the trucking business but have been reluctant taking my AS in there to get washed. I suppose one could ask them just to use the pressure wash and not the brushes.

[Lily&Me]

It's not an automatic, where you drive thru, there are guys holding wands to do the cleaning.

I don't know that brushes there are even an option.

The spray did a really good job of cleaning.....my Interstate was pretty well crusted with bug remains....took them all off, and without any real effort on the part of the guys, so they must use a really good cleaning solution.


Maggie

[EarlM]

I wouldn't want any Alum Brightener on my AS trailer!

Earl

[demijac]

Why no aluminum brightened? Is your reasoning same or different with vintage aluminum and current aluminum?

Thanks.

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by EarlM

I wouldn't want any Alum Brightener on my AS trailer!

Earl

Yes, inquiring minds want to know why.

Brian

['55 Airlight]

Originally Posted by EarlM

I wouldn't want any Alum Brightener on my AS trailer!

I have long wondered about truck washing techniques on vintage aluminum. Maybe the acid wash (which truckwash aluminum polishers like to use before doing an aluminum tanker -- or a vintage aluminum trailer) gets behind the rivets and isn't fully rinsed away. Maybe it stays up in there and, well...continues working behind the rivet. Aluminum brightener sounds like a bad idea, for several reasons including the one above.
Michael

[Hiho Silver]

Originally Posted by graysailor

How about the brushes? I used then for 40 years in the trucking business but have been reluctant taking my AS in there to get washed. I suppose one could ask them just to use the pressure wash and not the brushes.

The Blue Beacons I've been to do use brushes, I don't think the pressure gun alone would get the dirt and grime off my trailer, without some friction. They wet down the trailer first, then use the brushes. The correct way is to make sure the brushes don't have anything on them by washing them off first. I don't use the "citrus" aluminum brightener, I read some where it could do damage and cause leaks, and I don't want to take a chance. They charge $24.50 for my trailer, here is a link for the price list RVMotorcoach Wash Prices

[AWCHIEF]

Apparently not located in my area according to their web site. If I am in the vicinity of one and have the time might have to give them a try. The prices seem very reasonable.

[unifreck]

Blue Beacon is far better than any other truck wash I've ever used. The Rain-ex is well worth the extra money and helps shed water for weeks. Only had one problem at the Phoenix facility they were having problems with the water purification system and had to hand dry vehicles, spoke to the president of Blue Beacon who was unaware of problem and then sent me a credit for free wash. She was very appreciative of call. Have frequently seen area managers at locations doing quality checks. Great company.

[Lily&Me]

The one I was at was done by hand, with wands, and did not have the undercarriage wash, so they may not all be the same.

As I recall, they went over the Interstate with a low pressure cleaning liquid, then high pressure.

They got it very clean, so whatever they were doing.....it worked.


Maggie

[streamintrip]

As the owner of a 'Big Truck'(2014 KW T660) and Flatbed, I have used BB for years. Some BB's have undercarriage washes, but not all. My experience with our Airstream is that I always request them to wash off their brushes first before using them and they are glad to do so. The RainX and citrus work really well, and I have never seen, read or heard of any adverse issues with the citrus. I have always found that they are especially thoughtful when I bring our Airstream in all over the country, and they are accommodating to special requests.

[AtomicNo13]

The brightener is a natural citrus based product. Been using it for years with no ill effect.