Can I Take My Truck or SUV Through a Touchless Car Wash?
If you drive a full-size truck, SUV, or lifted vehicle, you've probably wondered: will my vehicle even fit through an automatic car wash? The good news is that most touchless car washes are designed to accommodate larger vehicles — but there are a few things you should know before you pull in.
Height Limits: What to Know
Most in-bay automatic (IBA) touchless car washes have a clearance of 7 to 8 feet (84 to 96 inches). This accommodates the vast majority of stock trucks and SUVs:
Stock Heights of Popular Vehicles
- Ford F-150 — 75-78 inches (fits easily)
- Chevy Silverado 1500 — 74-78 inches (fits easily)
- RAM 1500 — 77-78 inches (fits easily)
- Toyota Tundra — 78 inches (fits easily)
- Ford F-250/F-350 — 79-81 inches (fits most washes)
- Chevy Suburban — 74-76 inches (fits easily)
- Ford Expedition — 76-77 inches (fits easily)
- Jeep Wrangler (stock) — 73-74 inches (fits easily)
Vehicles That Might Have Issues
- Lifted trucks (2-6 inch lift) — Can push total height to 80-84+ inches
- Roof-mounted accessories — Roof racks, light bars, cargo boxes add 4-8 inches
- CB or amateur radio antennas — Can add 2-4 feet
- Ford F-450/F-550 — Dually models can be wider than some wash bays
Tips for Washing Large Vehicles
Before You Go
- Know your vehicle's height — Check your owner's manual or measure from ground to the highest point (including antennas, roof racks, etc.)
- Call ahead — Ask the car wash about their height clearance. Most are happy to tell you
- Remove accessories if possible — Fold down antennas, remove roof cargo boxes
At the Wash
- Read the posted height limit — Every car wash posts this at the entrance
- Watch for clearance bars — Most car washes have a hanging bar at the entrance set to the maximum height. If your vehicle touches it, don't proceed
- Fold in your mirrors — Wide trucks and SUVs should fold their side mirrors, especially at narrower wash bays
- Retract your antenna — If you have a retractable antenna, make sure it's down
Why Touchless Is Better for Trucks and SUVs
Touchless car washes offer specific advantages for larger vehicles:
Better reach. The high-pressure nozzles in a touchless wash can reach areas that brush washes struggle with on taller vehicles — like the roof, upper cab, and the tops of truck caps.
No brush damage to accessories. If your truck has bed rails, running boards, fender flares, or aftermarket bumpers, brush washes can catch on these and cause damage. Touchless systems avoid all physical contact.
Better undercarriage cleaning. Many touchless washes include a dedicated undercarriage wash that sprays up from below — crucial for trucks and SUVs that kick up more road debris.
Safe for tonneau covers and bed liners. Brush washes can scratch tonneau covers and damage spray-in bed liners. Touchless washes clean them safely.
What About Lifted Trucks?
If your truck is lifted beyond the car wash's height limit, you have a few options:
- Self-serve car wash bays — These have no height restrictions since there's no overhead equipment
- Hand wash — Many detail shops specialize in trucks and lifted vehicles
- Touchless washes with higher clearance — Some newer touchless installations have 9-foot clearance or higher
Find a Truck-Friendly Touchless Car Wash
Search our directory to find touchless car washes near you. Many of our listings include information about self-serve bays and vehicle size accommodations. Look for washes that specifically mention truck or RV bays.
Your truck deserves a scratch-free clean — just like any other vehicle.