Abstract: A trailer or container washing system includes a wheeled-cart adapted for being driven into and out of a container, such as a meat-hauling trailer. Water is supplied to rotating nozzles and a spray bar mounted to the cart. A valve system, including a a unique valve control, is provided to supply different volumes of water to the nozzles and spray bar during a cleaning process which includes pre-wash, floor cleaning, wash and rinse cycles. The cart is preferably mounted on a moveable or stationary dock for being located at the opening to the trailer or container and novel dock configurations are disclosed herein. One such dock includes an adjustable tip-pan for receiving water and debris draining from the container. Other features of the present invention include a novel hose reel, a specially designed system for controlling the winding and unwinding of the water supply hose as the cart moves into and out of the container, and a valve for diverting water from the nozzles to the spray bar.

Abstract: A motor driven carriage includes nozzles for directing a cleaning solution to the inside of a trailer on an inward trip and means for stopping movement of the carriage as it approaches the front wall of the trailer. The return cleaning trip is delayed until the rinse water has cleared the cleaning solution from the supply hose. Several alternative dock arrangements are described whereby the carriage-mounted cleaning system may be used for cleaning trailers backed up to opposite sides of the dock, for trailers driven along-side the dock, or for cleaning a plurality of trailers each backed up to the same side of an elongate dock. The heating water and rinse water supply, storage and heating systems of the invention are described, as are the systems for permitting recirculation of water with the various dock arrangements.