50 Ft Car Trailer

WindyCity

WindyCity

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I was at the trailer dealership today ordering my brand new 5x8 enclosed trailer for my detailing business, and after talking to the salesman he asked what I need the trailer for....Mobile detailing I said. Well his eyes lit up and said he has a job for me...A customer of his bought a 50 ft enclosed car trailer 4 months ago and wants to have the trailer place detail it. Well they actually dont want anything to do with it but they were going to have the kid in back clean it up for him so instead they would rather me do it since I know what I am doing.

My only concern is I have never done a job this big the trailer is actually 50 ft long! As said before it is only 4 months old so it doesn't need any polishing just wax. But the rig needs cleaning too, it is a crew cab dually with a fifth wheel on it. This thing is friggin huge! The condition is not too bad, it is not trashed just dirty....but the guy did tell me that the owner in real fussy. He uses the rig to haul around custom cars, supposedly he has a few custom built cars by chip foose and boyd coddington.....Real high dollar stuff. So this might be a real good customer.

What would a detail on something like that cost? I am guessing that it would take me 2 to 3 days to do it. No polishing just a real good cleaning and a coat of wax? I will do it at the trailer dealership but I have never done a job this big so i dont want to overcharge and lose it but i dont want to screw myself.

:buffing:<~~~~~how I feel about how much to charge this guy!
 
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BTW the trailer is slate grey and the truck matches of coarse!
 
I too would love to see that trailer.

I don't know how much you'd charge, but I guess work out approx how much the chemicals that will be used are going to cost, then how "tough" you find it to work on, and base it on that.

Good luck, I can't wait for pics!!!!!
 
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Most people when detailing an RV/Boat usually charges per foot. Some where around $15-25 for a wash and wax type of deal. I suppose you could go off those prices as a trailer is pretty similar shape wise to an RV.
 
i normally charge around $40 for an RV wash. But that does include me getting on top and scrubbing the top down, too. Plus windows, wheels and tire dressin. I haven't dont a 50ft yet, but I might take the washing price to $45 or $50 just because. For a wax or sealant I normally stick to $10-15/ft. Depending on how tall it is and how "tricky" it looks to wax. Also whenever I'm talking price with them, I prefer it to be in person cause when you tell him 50ft x $10 = $500, watch his reaction and adjust accordingly, lol. Plus also consider what product you are gonna put on the trailer. If its high quality, stick to your guns with the high price. If you are gonna do a quick wash with an OTC wax, drop the price for him.

Just my .02
 
On my 24' enclosed car trailer it take me about 3 hours to apply a coat of wax using a PC. That's taking my time because I'm never in a hurry when I detail my own stuff. I would suggust using a good paint cleaner or product with good cleaning abilty first. The factory paint job on these trailers is not the best. Mine tends to be black streaks where water runs down from the roof. Getting the paint nice and clean is the hardest part. Waxing one the nice flat pannels is easy but there's definitely a lot of them on a 50' enclosed car trailer.
 
Thanks for the info Gary.....BTW your trailer is beautiful!
 
Well I havent heard anything yet........hopefully I will get it and if I do you all will definately get pictures!
 
wash and wax there are to ways to do it, 1 wash it then spray wax fast and easy but will not last long. 2 wash and then use sealer let dry and then buff off with yelo mid cut at 2 speed 7 1/2 pad.makita last I use a topper aquawax duragloss 952.Then wipp with mf.The key is to get it real clean before you start with sealer.1 cup bleach 1 cup degresser to 5 gl of water. I use big sponge and wipe by hand evey inch.Then hose off as you go dont let it sit for every long.A must work wet wet the trailer and keep wet at all times till done with wash.
 
Word of WARNING:

I took on one of these trailers for a client and got burned pretty pad. It was lightly oxidated and I thought I could do a quick one step in half a day.... nope. 7.5 hours later I finally got it to an acceptable level.

Whatever amount of time you think you might spend on this, double it.
 
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