Trailer Wash Out

Today I had to get my trailer washed out at a Blue Beacon. Since I’ve been doing reefer work, I’ve probably had to wash out about 6 times and it’s usually been a pretty quick and routine process.

Today the truck wash was packed. When I got there, I was the 10th truck in line. It took 3 hours of waiting for my turn.

My question is for you experienced reefer drivers. If you have to wait that long, do you get compensated for that time? Is it like detention time? What is customary in a situation like this? I’m going to ask my FM tomorrow, just trying to do a little homework on the subject before then.

When I ran 53 footers and needed a trailer washout, it was quite common to sit two to three hours waiting for my turn. I've always worked at small companies and while we got detention at shippers and receivers, nothing for sitting waiting for a washout. Now I don't have to worry about it trailer washout, just washing my truck twice a month. So I hit two or three favorite places around 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. and usually get through without any problem. All but one place where I picked up fresh beef or pork have their own washouts 😁

Laura

Sorry can't help answer your question as I've never had one.

But funny you mentioned this, I passed a Blue Beacon today and saw the line was around the building and was wondering how long it takes to get through it.

Now I know... a long time

I've waited in line two hours or more bobtail before at a BB. No, you don't get paid for this time. Perks of our industry.

Only 6 times? I'd say consider yourself lucky. At Prime it was not uncommon to need a washout a couple times a week. It made trip planning a pain in the butt. Best bet is to get a washout before taking a break if possible. That way you don't have to guess how much time you need to set aside to make it to an appointment. I'm sure you know this by now.

I have spent an ungodly amount of time waiting for washouts.

I have also spent $190 on a really fast leaf blower, so that I can get the pallet schmutz to the end of the trailer to sweep it out with the mini broom. (Do NOT just blow that 💩 onto the ground. Pick up after yourself dangit!)

Some of our shippers require wash receipts, others we just have to have a clean trailer. My rule of thumb is, if it's raw product that I delivered, or am picking up, then wash no matter what it looks like. If it's case pack, precooked, on pallets, AND my next load is the same parameters, then I'll do a blow out.

I also find the mom and pop washouts via our company app, OR hit BB at 2-3am. It really sucks doing reefer sometimes.

Only 6 times? I'd say consider yourself lucky. At Prime it was not uncommon to need a washout a couple times a week. It made trip planning a pain in the butt. Best bet is to get a washout before taking a break if possible. That way you don't have to guess how much time you need to set aside to make it to an appointment. I'm sure you know this by now.

RD, you are right. I consider myself lucky to have had so few wash outs. Most of my loads are like NaeNae described as only needing to be swept out, not washed. Blood is the thing we have to watch for. Even if a little blood leaked, we are required to wash out.

Going through that 3 hour line at BB got me to thinking that I should have given the driver behind me $20 to honk at me whenever I needed to move up. That way, I could have gone to sleep and got in about 10 catnaps of 15 minutes each. Next time, lol