Mobile Detailing: Small Pickup vs Cargo Van

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Niko Molina

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Once I decide to pull the trigger to purchase a vehicle for mobile detailing Spring 2016, I'm going to have to make a good purchase based upon my needs.

I will at times, daily-drive it to my 9-5 job. I commute 80-miles a day to/from work so MPG would be important in my choice. My vehicle will have my detail logo & information on it so I'll be advertising (moving billboard) my business just driving to/from my 9-5 job.

The ability to construct a solid rig that will get the job done effectively is obviously also a concern. I've seen guys make rigs out of pickups and guys make them out of cargo vans.


Price range would be $5,000 max for the vehicle itself.

Small pickups being Chevy S-10, Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Ford, Ford F-150, etc. etc. in the early 2000's to late 1990's.

Cargo vans, they're all pretty much the same lol. Would be looking at early 2000's to late 1990's vans as well.
 
After the unfortunate loss of my trailer, I'm going to go the pickup route. I already have a F150 w/ a6.5 ft bed on it. Going to pick a canopy and build a custom slide out unit that i would be able to slide right out of the bed and onto stands in the garage. With the exception of a water tank, I can remove everything to prevent theft and reduce weight for better mileage. If I had to buy a truck I would look at Rangers with the 3.0 V6 - bulletproof engines, good on gas too....
 
Firehouse Mike said:
After the unfortunate loss of my trailer, I'm going to go the pickup route. I already have a F150 w/ a6.5 ft bed on it. Going to pick a canopy and build a custom slide out unit that i would be able to slide right out of the bed and onto stands in the garage. With the exception of a water tank, I can remove everything to prevent theft and reduce weight for better mileage. If I had to buy a truck I would look at Rangers with the 3.0 V6 - bulletproof engines, good on gas too....
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Aha, so we have a vote for the pickup.


I'm personally leaning towards the pick up as well but I'm completely open-minded to the idea of the cargo van and perhaps other suggestions.
 
Any of you guys have pictures and/or write ups/logs of pickup-based detailing rigs?

Looking for ideas & inspiration.
 
You want a van unless you'll be using the vehicle for something else. The smallest sized truck I would go with, without using a cap would be an f-150. I just bought a 2009 F150 Crew Cab for the same thing. I needed the truck functions outside of the business once in awhile, but the BEST use of your money is on a mobile van, if it's only for detailing.

For my F-150 I'm going to be using a 70-100 gallon low profile water tank, (2) 2000 Honda Inventers, small kranzle electric PW and any other large bulk equipment in the bed of the trunk under the tonneau cover. Behind the front seats of the truck is ~60 cubic feet of storage. I can fit 9-10 70+ gallon containers modularly stored in the back to maximize space. It's going to be a good setup for mobile and being able to remove the stuff easily to work at my garage or to use the truck as something else. If I need another mobile rig in the future it will 100% be a van, it's just easier.
 
I have been mobile for about 10 years now. I've worked in Florida (where I live) and in NC when I was in the Marine Corps. I have always and will always use a truck. A few reasons:

1) it is easy to convert into a decent looking daily driver. It isn't 100% dedicated to detailing.

2) It is easier to maintain than a van (no huge roof to keep washed/waxed)

3) it has more curb appeal than a van and is cheaper to wrap if you decided to go that route.

4) It is much easier to put a rig in there because it is open and doesn't accumulate exhaust fumes.

I also build/sell mobile detailing trailers. When people ask me if I do skids, I often tell them why I prefer the trailer. I just think that a truck/trailer combo is the ultimate in economy. It allows you to use a daily driver as a work truck and still have something to take the wife and kids out to dinner with.
 
I went a little less conventional and went with an HHR Panel.

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Here's the ongoing thread (it's still a work in progress, but in the limited amount of free time I have, I'm slowly improving it) http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ew-hhr-panel-my-mobile-detailing-vehicle.html

I got the idea from another forum member, here's his thread: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rs/76233-hhr-panel-mobile-detailing-unit.html

Like I said, it's less conventional and could only be used with one passenger if you wanted (there are no rear seats) but most vans are the same. It's much better than all of those you mentioned on gas mileage, very secure since there are no windows so people can't see all of your stuff, tons of space for logos/marketing, never have restrictions on parking or maneuvering, and way more fun to drive than the others you mentioned (personal opinion of course:D). You could also probably pretty easily find one in your price range and most likely much newer than the years you were mentioning. I got mine (2007) for just under 7k but it had under 50,000 miles; there were many in your price range that had roughly 80,000 to 100,000 miles.

Good luck with the search, just keep your options open, you never know what might work out for you.
 
I would say go for a small pick up. Toyota/nissan with a 6 foot bed. The resale vaule is always there compared to cargo vans etc. I have a AR.E. dcu topper used off Cl.I did add some leaf buddies to help with extra weight.
 
STPETEDALE said:
I would say go for a small pick up. Toyota/nissan with a 6 foot bed. The resale vaule is always there compared to cargo vans etc. I have a AR.E. dcu topper used off Cl.I did add some leaf buddies to help with extra weight.
Click to expand...

nice setup, like to know more about your pressure washer and more photos if possible
 
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Please excuse the mess it actually looks nice when cleaned up. I've had 4 different set up detailing vehicles and this has worked out the best for me. Parking is scarce most places I go to so trailer is not an option. I have a MITM 3500 psi belt drive unit with a AR pump/honda GX390 engine. The bed slide lets me access everything and pulls out approximately 4ft. I have a 100 ft pressure washing hose/ 100ft air hose/ 100ft garden hose. I do hav experience a small 65 gallon water tank (10minutes tostrap back in and hook up) if needed.The topper is wrapped and easily removed and reinstalled on new truck with 6ft bed if needed.
 
I've been mobile most of my detailing years. I've done the truck & trailer thing when I had a 90-gal water tank, large generator, gas pressure washer & all my other supplies.

These days I've simplified what I take with me. Since I do all my work at customers' homes, I've ditched the water tank, generator & gas PW. I use ONR for 99% of my washes. I'm going to add a small air compressor to bring with me in the near future, which I have room for.

There are pro's & con's to all the options you mentioned.

With a van, you're always hauling around your stuff, particularly the big items like a water tank, generator, & pressure washer. This isn't ideal if you're concerned about MPG's. However, it does allow you room for all of that.

With a truck & trailer, you can bring all the big stuff but "un-hook" it anytime you want to just drive your truck.

With a pick-up truck only, space is at a premium and you'll want to unload your stuff anytime you're not "on a job", but it's nice to not have to pull a trailer.

With all that said, I like my setup now but in the future I will probably look into something like a Ford Transit Connect van. I think this would be the best of all worlds, for my particular situation. One thing to remember is that you'll want a vehicle you can easily keep clean so you present a good image when you pull up to a customer's home.

Hope this helps!


EDIT: I only detail part time. When I'm not detailing, I use my truck as my main vehicle as well as for typical "truck work". That's why a truck is a good option for my personal situation. You have to find what works best for your situation.
 
STPETEDALE said:
Please excuse the mess it actually looks nice when cleaned up. I've had 4 different set up detailing vehicles and this has worked out the best for me. Parking is scarce most places I go to so trailer is not an option. I have a MITM 3500 psi belt drive unit with a AR pump/honda GX390 engine. The bed slide lets me access everything and pulls out approximately 4ft. I have a 100 ft pressure washing hose/ 100ft air hose/ 100ft garden hose. I do hav experience a small 65 gallon water tank (10minutes tostrap back in and hook up) if needed.The topper is wrapped and easily removed and reinstalled on new truck with 6ft bed if needed.
Click to expand...

Nice, thanks - like the HUSKY tool bag
 
If I did a pickup, I wouldn't be using a trailer. I'd be using the bed.

Would look for an S-10/Colorado or a Ranger/F-150 with an EXTENDED BED. Perhaps a Toyota/Dodge/Nissan but I'd rather Chevy/Ford.

It would HAVE to be white because my logo is 'blue-on-white' color scheme.

However I feel like the truck has more curb appeal and is nicer to daily-drive...but the cargo van is more functional as a detailing vehicle. But then again who wants to DD a cargo van lol

But the cargo van has MUCH more room for logo/number/info/etc. to be put on in the form of decals.


Such a decision lol
 
That is a nice set up. I couldn't/wouldn't have my equipment on display for someone to snag unless it's parked inside at night. They do make toppers for those reading Bodies if im not mistaken ?? I took some better pics for what I consider a compact efficient detailing set up. I have a 4 cylinder automatic. It handles the extra weight fine. The bed slide works out great for bolting down washer.
 
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