AR390SS vs Karcher self-priming feature for winter car washing

[TwoCoasts]

Hi All,

I just ordered my first pressure washer, an AR390SS, to use mainly for washing my car, especially during the winter to get road salt off the undercarriage. But after placing the order, I realized that the AR does not have a feature the Karcher machines have that may be useful: the self-priming ability that lets the Karcher machines draw water from a static source like a bucket. I'm now wondering if I should cancel the AR order and get a Karcher instead to get this feature.

If you've used this feature of the Karcher machines, how useful do you find it? Or if your machine doesn't have it, how often do you wish it did?

During the winter I turn off the water supply to my outdoor taps, but I could turn it back on temporarily when the temperatures get above freezing to use the AR pressure washer without the self-priming feature. That process would take just a few minutes. Or I could instead get the Karcher machine, fill up a couple of five gallon buckets of water inside the house, and carry them out to the driveway to use instead of a hose.

Any thoughts from those with experience using either type machine for similar scenarios?

Many thanks!

[Muddyoldgoat]

I have a Karcher X series and have attempted to use it from a tank without success. This was with a 25' hose and it was not able to get primed. May have been a different story if the tank was higher.
I use a shurflo water pump in my trailer to feed out to the pressure washer. Works fantastic so that may be an option for you.

[215Detailing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evFTeRxtEEo

[215Detailing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evFTeRxtEEo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PB01B0kn2BM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dP7hnwofanc

[TwoCoasts]

Thanks to both of you for the comments and the video links. All very instructive. My takeaway is that even using a Karcher instead of the AR, I'd need to provide pressure at the inlet (whether from my domestic water supply, a pump, or gravity) for the machine to work properly. And if I set up a pump or elevated tank, the AR might work just as well as the Karcher on that same type of water supply.

Adding that up, I think I'll sit tight with the AR390SS I ordered--it has already shipped, and given my situation it's probably easiest just to turn on the water supply to my outdoor taps when needed, rather than set up a pump or elevated tank.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me figure this out.