Mobile guys van setups???

[ghost28]

I do understand your concerns about not having enough space. I sometime have that problem too. Since I do book my details in advance,I try to only carry what I'll need to do the job. eg; If it's and interior only job, I do not take the pressure washer, or exterior only no extractor. But all of my equipment is paid for so I do the MIW! ( Make It Work) My thoughts are when you invest alot of money,then you have to go out and Detail. Hopefully you already have clientele. I just know that starting a business was enough pressure,then to have to pay for equipment, products, license, gas,advertising, etc, etc. Just my thoughts.
Van Payment, insurance, you get the idea!

i hear ya loud and clear......fortunetly i own 90% of the equipment i need and the other 10% i am going to buy either way.....i am trying to avoid the whole NEW van thing by finding something in reasonable shape and not that old.....i am going to pay cash for that and actually lose my current car payment when my lease is up in a few months...so the way i see it the only difference is that my life will be easier since i will have ALL of my stuff with me at all times....the truck insurance is likely going to be the same....

my current clientel base is growing thus the reason for the upgrade....the only other thing i am going to take on is some advertising once the van is completed so i can service my customers properly....

by the way....do you have liability insurance??? i have been looking into it and i keep getting the same responses....no ins companies want to write a MOBILE operation and they will not touch anybody doing MARINE work and thats at least 50% of my business....

 

[Showroom Shine]

Yes I do have insurance that covers me ,my business and my home. I have had it for a while. I think the company made a mistake,but now that I have the paper work stating they will cover me. I always stay up ahead of payment time by 6 months.

 

[ghost28]

would ya mind PMing me with the ins carriers name??

i have to get ins otherwise its gonna be a no go to set up the van....i cant take that chance....especially the way people here in NY are so damn sue happy....

 

[Showroom Shine]

Depending upon where you live, have you thought about a pickup truck with the mount type installed in the bed. You could do alot of the instalation yourself and save big time. Google mobile detail units to get your ideas. I have a pick up truck with everything in the back enclosed. As soon as I find out how to down load the pic from this new camera ,I'll try to post a pick of my set up!

Took my pics this morning while loading up. I will post them first thing tomarrow. AC went out in the house,headed to Moms for the night!

 

[Showroom Shine]

Depending upon where you live, have you thought about a pickup truck with the mount type installed in the bed. You could do alot of the instalation yourself and save big time. Google mobile detail units to get your ideas. I have a pick up truck with everything in the back enclosed. As soon as I find out how to down load the pic from this new camera ,I'll try to post a pick of my set up!

Hope you can see all these. My buffer & steamer bags are on the cab rear seat!

 

[Bunky]

You have a lot of tools packed in the bed-- generator, vac, pressure washer plus a lot of bungee cords.

Nice compact set up.

 

[Showroom Shine]

You have a lot of tools packed in the bed-- generator, vac, pressure washer plus a lot of bungee cords.

Nice compact set up.

Thanks Just added a McCulloh Steamer. This tool really makes cleaning interiors alot faster. Also with very little product use!:dblthumb2:

 

[gumbedamit]

I use a full length 2002 Econoline 250 w/200 amp alternator. My rig is completely electric. I have a bank of batteries under the truck with a custom welded rack. I have a total of 500ah of power and a 5000 watt/50 amp inverter. The pressure washer draws the most juice, but I don't ever have to start my truck after a full day of washing, 15-20 vehicles.
2-9X9 Canopies
4-125ah deep cycle batteries
Northstar 2000psi pressure washer
300 gallon water tank
AIMS 5000 watt power inverter
Generic water pump to feed the pressure washer
This is the heart of my system, it's quiet, no need to carry any gas and NO POLUTION!
As far as your detailing equipment, that's up to you. I don't think the cost of setting it up this way was too much off from a traditional gas setup, but there is something to be said when you don't have to run a generator for extended periods of time.

 

[gumbedamit]

i have no problem installing everything semi permanent into a van but a pickup is no good for me...i would love it but i feel theres just not enough room to do what i want....

i agree with work coming from people seeing the truck....that is one of my reasons for a dedicated truck....

when i set up at peoples houses i have a road sign i put up and i have gotten a ton of work from that alone.....

i am going on a mission today to look for vans..

FYI: I bought my Van for $4500 2002 Ford E250 150K I have an Expedition with over 250K with the same engine and no problems with it.

 

[tuscarora dave]

I use a full length 2002 Econoline 250 w/200 amp alternator. My rig is completely electric. I have a bank of batteries under the truck with a custom welded rack. I have a total of 500ah of power and a 5000 watt/50 amp inverter. The pressure washer draws the most juice, but I don't ever have to start my truck after a full day of washing, 15-20 vehicles.
2-9X9 Canopies
4-125ah deep cycle batteries
Northstar 2000psi pressure washer
300 gallon water tank
AIMS 5000 watt power inverter
Generic water pump to feed the pressure washer
This is the heart of my system, it's quiet, no need to carry any gas and NO POLUTION!
As far as your detailing equipment, that's up to you. I don't think the cost of setting it up this way was too much off from a traditional gas setup, but there is something to be said when you don't have to run a generator for extended periods of time.

That is genius, I am going to be setting a van up soon and already have all the gas equipment but may consider slowly converting to your system. Sounds like a way to cut out a lot of headaches.

 

[gumbedamit]

That is genius, I am going to be setting a van up soon and already have all the gas equipment but may consider slowly converting to your system. Sounds like a way to cut out a lot of headaches.

Thanx, There was a lot of thought and testing going in and it works. If you have any questions about how to set it up, please feel free to ask. The hardest part was running the 1awg cables throughout the truck. You run your wires, install your isolator and you're pretty much good to go. When the truck is not in use, I connect the batteries up to a 40amp smart charger, keeps the batteries conditioned and takes the load off the truck alternator. So far, I've not had any issues. Now my tree hugger speech. A pressure washer,( gas powered engine, generator) puts out up to 40 times more pollutants than a modern car.
Did I say how quiet it is....

 

[tuscarora dave]

You run your wires, install your isolator and you're pretty much good to go.
Did I say how quiet it is....

The Quiet part is what got me interested but the breathing of the exhaust all day and the getting gas all the time is a concern too. Not to mention the pollution to the environment.

Do you have a schematic of how you have it wired? and what is an isolator? Thank you. TD

 

[gumbedamit]

The Quiet part is what got me interested but the breathing of the exhaust all day and the getting gas all the time is a concern too. Not to mention the pollution to the environment.

Do you have a schematic of how you have it wired? and what is an isolator? Thank you. TD

An Isolator is a switch that connects the 2nd battery system to the alternator and isolates it from the primary battery. There is a connection to the ignition side of the truck and to the isolator, when the truck is running it sends current to the 2nd battery group for charging, when the truck is not running, no charge and no battery drain on the primary battery. You never have to worry about draining your primary battery and you can deplete the secondary battery system. I don't have a schematic, but I can put one together for you.

 

[tuscarora dave]

Thanks I understand now, like a copper disconnect type throw switch. Thanks if you could I would appreciate. a very simple doodle type drawing would be fine even I suppose. Thanks for the info and I won't need it anytime soon.:dblthumb2:

 

[Showroom Shine]

Well, I finally took pics of my Detail Truck. I did this loading up for the days details. I have a 60 gallon water tank in the back. I took that pic first. I then added my generator, pressure washer, heated Extractor, wet/vac,and products. I also have a Flex,PC, and Rotory. I purchased this equipment piece by piece. One at a time. Everything is in the truck,including 2 buckets for ONR washes.I also have a tent that rides on top of my water tank for the hot sunny days. It is all fully inclosed.So it can't be seen unless I'm on a job. I back the truck in my garage. I don't have to unload if I'm beat after a day of detailing. The pics didn't come out that great,but you get the idea,I hope.

For you mobile guys. I still have basically the same set up. I now have it in the Escalade SUV. It does not have as much room as the EXT,but now that I have a steamer. I do not have to carry as many chemicals. I am also looking into purchasing a high grade steamer from Kleen Kar. Until I have a bit more cash to search for a building. I will continue to be mobile.

 

[johncora30]

heres my van

 

[Phathooddetail]

I use a full length 2002 Econoline 250 w/200 amp alternator. My rig is completely electric. I have a bank of batteries under the truck with a custom welded rack. I have a total of 500ah of power and a 5000 watt/50 amp inverter. The pressure washer draws the most juice, but I don't ever have to start my truck after a full day of washing, 15-20 vehicles.
2-9X9 Canopies
4-125ah deep cycle batteries
Northstar 2000psi pressure washer
300 gallon water tank
AIMS 5000 watt power inverter
Generic water pump to feed the pressure washer
This is the heart of my system, it's quiet, no need to carry any gas and NO POLUTION!
As far as your detailing equipment, that's up to you. I don't think the cost of setting it up this way was too much off from a traditional gas setup, but there is something to be said when you don't have to run a generator for extended periods of time.

Would love to see a picture of your setup, you might even start a trend.

 

[johncora30]

Would love to see a picture of your setup, you might even start a trend.

me too