Modifying SS Bay to allow RVs and small trucks/buses

[Roz]

I am thinking about removing the roof to one of my SS Bays as I only have 10' ceilings with a 9' clearance. Walls are cinderblock. Thinking of asking a contractor to take a chainsaw so to speak to the roof on the last bay, close up the attic on the side now exposed, and add some I beams extending from the apex of the attic (around 15' height) to the outside wall for added support (although wall is probably solid) and to allow the hose lines to be run to the middle of the bay instead of from the new end wall.

Anyone do the same and have advice on the idea?

Thanks....Jordan

 

[MEP001]

I would advise against it for several reasons:

1) People who own RVs are for the most part retired and are on a fixed income. They don't like to spend money.

2) I've talked to a lot of people with an open bay. They get very little use other than big trucks that leave a mess. Of course these are in Texas where the busiest wash months are in the summer.

3) You might not be allowed to remove the roof above a drain to sanitary sewer.

 

[Roz]

Valid issues that we discussed. The driver for this change is a company nearby that has small buses (10-12 person) who is looking for a closer wash for their buses. A few drivers already come to my place since we are closer than alternative place and pull in front of the bay sideways to clean the bus half at a time. They spend at least $20 each time per bus and are the nicest people (ie they clean up after themselves!). They try to come when place is not busy but murphy's law sometimes happens and they are blocking two bays. Contractor may have a simple roof solution to deal with rainwater which I think is the only true issue I need to address - taking the idea slowly so it is thoroughly considered. Thx

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I had an open bay for years. It took in a fraction of what the covered bays did and attracted ten times the mess. Keep in mind, anything that will fit in there can and will be washed. It's always nice when they have a backhoe or some other type of earth-moving equipment up on a trailer so it's nice and high. That enables them to make the mess reach places much farther away than your bay hose will reach when cleaning it up. Lower clearance means less mess. If you can make the clearance high enough for their buses and low enough to prohibit semis, consider it. If it's high enough for a semi you will live to regret it.

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I would advise against it for several reasons:

1) People who own RVs are for the most part retired and are on a fixed income. They don't like to spend money.

2) I've talked to a lot of people with an open bay. They get very little use other than big trucks that leave a mess. Of course these are in Texas where the busiest wash months are in the summer.

3) You might not be allowed to remove the roof above a drain to sanitary sewer.

Maybe we're an outlier, but I've noticed the exact opposite. I get a decent amount of RV washers at my wash and they spend. I'd get more if the previous owners designed the building to have an easier exit from the bay for those with long Class A's and 5th Wheels. I've also notice that the one wash with an outdoor bay, with tall platforms, is always occupied.

 

[Mel(NC)]

My wash had an open bay when I first bought it. The bay actually did very well. However, as other people have mentioned, big rigs would use it and blow grease off of the fifth wheel all over the parking lot. Customers would step in it and track grease into their cars. It was just not worth the headache. There are a lot of interstate trucking firms close by so I have a lot of big rigs in the area. I could see where it would work in the right environment.

 

[Greg Pack]

No, just no.......

 

[2Biz]

I think its all about location, location, location....My wash is in a rural area with lots of farming. I have an outside truck/semi bay and I don't have the issues with grease others are speaking of and I get plenty of semi's. The outside bay attracts trucks since its bigger which helps the inside bays stay cleaner for other customers...The truck bay is my second busiest bay, so sometimes I think it can "Round Out" a carwash....Yea, sometimes it can be a pain to keep clean...But that is true with all the bays...

 

[Roz]

I think you are right about location being the key factor. From my limited experience with small buses and small trucks those owners have been the neatest people as they tend to clean up after themselves. The owner who take their trucks and ATVs off road leave a huge amount of mud in the bays. No room for semis or anything too long so main customer would be the companies that run the small buses. They are about 10' in height so if I make the height 11' or 12' I should eliminate semis and just get the smaller trucks. I think it is worth experimenting.

Can always change back, the Amish contractors do great work at very reasonable costs.....Will let you know how it goes. Thanks to all.

 

[2Biz]

Here is picture of my truck bay I took today...There was a Hummer in the bay...My in-bays are not as big as they need to be and the doors are only 9' wide...The CW was built in the 60's and this was the way they did it back then...So the truck bay makes it possible for the oversize utility vehicles and trucks to get in and out easily. I get a lot of delivery trucks and ambulances too. Without this bay, I would not be able to service all these types of vehicles....Something to think about...

 

[Roz]

Thanks for the photo, I gave the photo you have on FB to my contractor so he knew what I am talking about. I think we should be fine as we do not have the space for nor have semis in the area.

 

[Greg Pack]

If you discharge to the sanitary sewer you might want to check with the appropriate authorities. Our local sewer nazis would have a duck fit if they found rain water draining to the sanitary sewer.

 

[soonermajic]

Pretty cool looking.

 

[DiamondWash]

Pretty cool looking.

That was the wash I was talking to you about a week ago and the same design for the outside bay idea you were interested in.