Gas or electric power washer?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

roadshow

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2015
Posts
692
Reaction score
240
Ram Year
2012
Engine
Hemi 5.7
which do you prefer, and why? My last one kicked the bucket so I need a new one. I wouldn't bother getting another because I prefer to hand wash my truck with soap and microfiber cloths to get it really clean but I still need one to power mud etc off of my ATV
 

SilverStreak88

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Posts
3,950
Reaction score
1,608
Location
Houston, Texas
Ram Year
2007
Engine
5.7 Eco Gasser
I've always bought gas for portability, but they're high maintenance if you don't use them a lot and don't store properly. I bought an electric on sale for $120 I think, it's 1800 PSI and does everything I need, won't blow the paint off either.
 

Pull Ya

U.S. MARINE VETERAN
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Posts
15,788
Reaction score
23,068
Location
Cedar Creek, Tx
Ram Year
2015
Engine
5.7 Hemi
I have a gas powered but I use it more around the outside of the house than I do on the truck. Gas is more of a pain in the ass to store properly over the winter or long periods of not using it.
Jay
 

Hemipower392

Senior Member
Joined
May 8, 2013
Posts
928
Reaction score
439
Location
College Station, Texas
Ram Year
2014
Engine
I'm missing 2 cylinders
I work at a golf course and we use our gas power washing probably 15 times a day. The stupid thing breaks all the time and I wish we would switch to an electric one, a guy came and gave us a quote to install one and said they were a lot more reliable
 

brandonjansen

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Posts
1,701
Reaction score
1,013
Location
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Ram Year
2012 Ram 3500 Laramie Limited
Engine
6.7 Cummins - Tuned and Deleted
Gas no question simply because of the higher pressure. I use mine on my truck year round to give it a good rinse before washing during the winter and to clean the undercarriage year round. Not to mention is far more useful around the house for cleaning concrete, siding, wood, etc.
 

SilverStreak88

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Posts
3,950
Reaction score
1,608
Location
Houston, Texas
Ram Year
2007
Engine
5.7 Eco Gasser
Gas no question simply because of the higher pressure. I use mine on my truck year round to give it a good rinse before washing during the winter and to clean the undercarriage year round. Not to mention is far more useful around the house for cleaning concrete, siding, wood, etc.

Hell, no, do you have a regulator on it? You'll take the paint right off if you get to close.
 

brandonjansen

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Posts
1,701
Reaction score
1,013
Location
Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Ram Year
2012 Ram 3500 Laramie Limited
Engine
6.7 Cummins - Tuned and Deleted
Hell, no, do you have a regulator on it? You'll take the paint right off if you get to close.

I use a very wide angle nozzle when using it on the truck so it doesn't concentrate a lot of pressure into one specific area and then just stay far enough away from the paint. No issues at all on any of the vehicles we use it on.

If a pressure washer is taking paint off then the paint is the problem, not the pressure washer. It's time for new paint.
 

SilverStreak88

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2015
Posts
3,950
Reaction score
1,608
Location
Houston, Texas
Ram Year
2007
Engine
5.7 Eco Gasser
If a pressure washer is taking paint off then the paint is the problem, not the pressure washer. It's time for new paint.

I guess I can agree with you there, I've heard from folks that the 4th gen paint isn't very good (to an extent). They say that in certain sunlight angles you can see bare metal.
 

Gymkata

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2012
Posts
473
Reaction score
172
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Get a powerful electric pressure washer. I previously had a gas pressure washer but I didn't use it all that often and even though I maintained it (to a certain extent) it kicked the bucket much sooner than it should have. I recently bought a 2300? psi electric model and it has plenty of power to clean my siding, deck, sidewalks, etc.
 

Rustycowl69

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2015
Posts
857
Reaction score
171
Ram Year
2001 ram 3500
Engine
V10
My son works at a pressure washer store.He repairs ALL kinds of pw's, heated, unheated, gas, electric, big & small. He says the money is in the pump construction, and the system bypass/unloader. Generally, you get what you pay for. His favorite brand is Mi-T-M. I had never heard of it, either. They're usually superior in terms of design, material, and durability. The clincher for him is the ease of service/repair. He showed me their small portable, bought mostly by professional detailers. It was about 1-1/2' long, and about 9" square, maybe 25#'s. Built like a little brick $hithouse. I can see why the detailers like it. Maybe one of these days I'll get one for Xmas or a b-day present. Are you getting all of this, my favorite son?
 

Rockit

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Posts
248
Reaction score
75
Location
Vero Beach, FL
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7
I have a small electric one that I purchased used for $40 a few years ago and it has been working fine for me , no need to spend more cash . I mostly clean dirt bikes with it but every now and then I do hit the truck with it.
 

tipnitty

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2014
Posts
969
Reaction score
732
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
This is good info, been wanting one for a long time.
 

Ram75

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2015
Posts
243
Reaction score
118
Location
South Jersey
Ram Year
2019 Tradesman
Engine
Hemi 6.4
I been racing motocross since I was a teenager. I prefer gas for cleaning my bikes and pops ATV because the electric one that I tried out just didn't have the power to get the caked up mud off.
 

JaredRAM2015

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2015
Posts
142
Reaction score
57
Location
Kilgore, TX
Ram Year
2015
Engine
HEMI 5.7
I bought a walmart chinese el cheapo special, gas powered. Damn things cleans off the brick and concrete around the house. It also does a good job of cleaning all the equipment and cars. Had it a few years now, still cranks on a pull or two and runs strong, no leaks.
 
Top