Mobile Rig. What to pick?

OTSDetail

OTSDetail

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Looking to go mobile this coming year. Nothing large scale so I dont need a full size vehicle. Would also be an occasional driver. Looking for a Crossover/small SUV for this year. But I'm also looking at a Subaru Forester (first pick), the legit Transit Connect (still a little high on price for mileage I want), and a Volvo V70 ish. Price needs to be around $10k or less. <80k miles. Would prefer AWD or at least 4wd. Any other ideas? HHR panel is always on the list too but those damn things are rare!! I'm at a loss for what other options I have. If you're within a few hours of Richmond, VA and looking to dump a vehicle, I'm your man.

Thanks guys.
-Matt
 
Maybe a small trailer is what you need.The Subaru is quality line that up with a small trailer and your good to go.The transit will suit you fine,but after 90k it's going to nickel and dime you.Dont know much about volvos except they seem to run forever but parts for that and the transit are very expensive.The transit is European and parts as well are really expensive for the smallest thing like a reservoir coolant cap.50.00 and took 4'days to get here.The cooling fan is 563.00 without labor and so on.looking to get a Nissan product like a used nv2500.found one great deal they sold it.The dealer was 100 mi away.Going to wait if something pops up around my area.
 
GSKR said:
Maybe a small trailer is what you need.The Subaru is quality line that up with a small trailer and your good to go.The transit will suit you fine,but after 90k it's going to nickel and dime you.Dont know much about volvos except they seem to run forever but parts for that and the transit are very expensive.The transit is European and parts as well are really expensive for the smallest thing like a reservoir coolant cap.50.00 and took 4'days to get here.The cooling fan is 563.00 without labor and so on.looking to get a Nissan product like a used nv2500.found one great deal they sold it.The dealer was 100 mi away.Going to wait if something pops up around my area.
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Yeah I may end up building a trailer to tow behind for water and generator, but most of my clients don't mind if I use theirs. I dont really ever go anywhere that doesn't have water or electricity, but I'd love to be able to pick up some business accounts and be fully self-sufficient.
 
I have a 2000 Ford Expedition. The first generation Expys have hard mounts in the back for seats. I have removed all the seats except the driver and front passenger. Inside I have a dual fuel generator, by Champion. On propane it is 6300 watts. Also have a 20gal DeWALT air compressor, 5.7 CFM at 90 psi. I also have a 37 gallon water tank, plus pressure washer. I even have a quick jack that lifts a whole vehicle up at one time. On the roof I have a Thule. This carries my shop vac and all my towels, pads, and Tornador.

My Expedition has 225k miles on it and it is strong, and reliable. I avg 13 mpg with all the weight.

Should you want pics let me know.
 
Major vote for the HHR, but you already knew I'd say that. Hope your able to find one as they're perfect for what you've described.:xyxthumbs:
 
I'm a fan of the HHR. While I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet, I love the size and style especially when painted and decals applied. Google "HHR mobile detail" and look at the images. There are some awesome looking vehicles to inspire you to go HHR.
 
My pick would be a ram promaster city...little bigger than a hhr and more head room... honestly the larger cargo area will pay off by being able to carry more stuff when you want to add services

A trailer is ok but can be a pain when you want to back it into tight driveways or areas. I had a 5x8 and would have rather had a ram promaster instead... much less of a footprint in tighter areas

If you purchase a vehicle I would highly recommend setting it up to have a small water tank in it. Once you have water and a generator you are set and you can detail anywhere. I had my trailer set up so nice that even if the customer had water I just preferred my own set up since it was quicker and more efficient. Plus if you have a generator you don't have to worry about blowing customers circuit breakers in their houses with the carpet extractor


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jarred767 said:
Major vote for the HHR, but you already knew I'd say that. Hope your able to find one as they're perfect for what you've described.:xyxthumbs:
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Not even the least bit surprised you'd say that lol
 
Sharply Dressed said:
I'm a fan of the HHR. While I haven't pulled the trigger on one yet, I love the size and style especially when painted and decals applied. Google "HHR mobile detail" and look at the images. There are some awesome looking vehicles to inspire you to go HHR.
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Yeah, thats always on the list, but finding one with the mileage i want and price is nearly impossible. Hard to find in general.
 
WindyCity said:
My pick would be a ram promaster city...little bigger than a hhr and more head room... honestly the larger cargo area will pay off by being able to carry more stuff when you want to add services

A trailer is ok but can be a pain when you want to back it into tight driveways or areas. I had a 5x8 and would have rather had a ram promaster instead... much less of a footprint in tighter areas

If you purchase a vehicle I would highly recommend setting it up to have a small water tank in it. Once you have water and a generator you are set and you can detail anywhere. I had my trailer set up so nice that even if the customer had water I just preferred my own set up since it was quicker and more efficient. Plus if you have a generator you don't have to worry about blowing customers circuit breakers in their houses with the carpet extractor


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Full size would be way too big for me. Dont have enough stuff nor do I mobile enough to warrant it. I'll still have my place now just for convenience factor I'd like to be mobile too. Now if mobile ever took off for me, I'd obviously upgrade. But I'm not gonna pay that much for a vehicle that I wont use. Much less could I afford feasibly. But the trailer parking aspect and all that is one of the reasons I've always wanted a transit connect or something similar. Can fit it all in one space and get plenty of advertising space. No trailer needed.
 
I meant to post the other day. If you're like me, mobile but not toting a massive amount of water, almost any sedan will do. Although I feel an SUV looks a little more professional, and of course a dedicated van or trailer setup would be more so. And signage will help too, and I see you're working on that.

I've started out with a Forester and it served me well. My Cherokee has been about the same. Just a little more height inside, but the extra space is really not used. I do like using the back as a working area/bench and the extra height of the Jeep makes it a little more comfortable to use.

I've used my WRX on several occasions and really didn't feel too limited. I can fit my big old shop-vac, my nice compact Honda generator, a couple of buckets filled with water if necessary, and my numerous boxes other supplies, plus my work platform.

Optimal? No

Professional? Meh

Still make money? Yes
 
dcjredline said:
They are not full sized.

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Ah. I did not do my due diligence. I thought you guys were talking about the HUGE like full size Ram vans. The comparable to the regular Ford Transit. I see. Maybe I'll take a look at one of those too but I'm not a huge fan of Dodge. And them being newer is going to be out of my price range unless high mileage which I don't want/need. I do like the exterior look of them though.
 
Mantilgh said:
I meant to post the other day. If you're like me, mobile but not toting a massive amount of water, almost any sedan will do. Although I feel an SUV looks a little more professional, and of course a dedicated van or trailer setup would be more so. And signage will help too, and I see you're working on that.

I've started out with a Forester and it served me well. My Cherokee has been about the same. Just a little more height inside, but the extra space is really not used. I do like using the back as a working area/bench and the extra height of the Jeep makes it a little more comfortable to use.

I've used my WRX on several occasions and really didn't feel too limited. I can fit my big old shop-vac, my nice compact Honda generator, a couple of buckets filled with water if necessary, and my numerous boxes other supplies, plus my work platform.

Optimal? No

Professional? Meh

Still make money? Yes
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Yeah most of my customers are home-based and will let me use their water/electricity, so I dont necessarily need to tote around everything. But I'm sorta trying to justify my purchase in a way as a good family car and a good double duty work vehicle when I need it. The option still remains to build a small trailer to tote a water tank and generator to save interior space. I have a 2005 ford focus and 2002 explorer I use occasionally when the time comes to be mobile. It works. I just need something low mileage and a little less shitty than both of those lol. I dont plan on picking up any corporate contracts anytime soon (although the option remains if I purchase the correct vehicle) but right now I'd be content with a home-based client or one or two at a time where I can tote a 35-55 gallon tank with me and get through them both.
 
I say get a van. even if you planning on not bringing much. you can put lot's of stuff in a van and lock it up. ladders, scaffolding and the like won't fit in a small car. also your not filtering your water? you need a DI filter, big or small. Tap water is no good.
 
OTSDetail said:
Yeah most of my customers are home-based and will let me use their water/electricity, so I dont necessarily need to tote around everything. But I'm sorta trying to justify my purchase in a way as a good family car and a good double duty work vehicle when I need it. The option still remains to build a small trailer to tote a water tank and generator to save interior space. I have a 2005 ford focus and 2002 explorer I use occasionally when the time comes to be mobile. It works. I just need something low mileage and a little less shitty than both of those lol. I dont plan on picking up any corporate contracts anytime soon (although the option remains if I purchase the correct vehicle) but right now I'd be content with a home-based client or one or two at a time where I can tote a 35-55 gallon tank with me and get through them both.
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Some may not a agree but here is my take on this.you need a van you can work out of a Cherokee but it's not as professional looking.people are intended to go with someone with a nice setup cause they feel they are committed.A nice clean looking van will get you calls at a traffic light.30 gallons is nothing probably can't even detail a car with that you will struggle with time if your not organized.I see transits all day long for 6 to 7 k with 90k on them.look around other than your state.fla is one of the big car capital states 17 auto auctions.you simply can't do it in a car.I barely manage in a transit.
 
As they say you have to spend money to make money.Hope you find the right vehicle for detailing.If you need someone to scout out a van for you I have no promblem helping you.
 
GSKR said:
Some may not a agree but here is my take on this.you need a van you can work out of a Cherokee but it's not as professional looking.people are intended to go with someone with a nice setup cause they feel they are committed.A nice clean looking van will get you calls at a traffic light.30 gallons is nothing probably can't even detail a car with that you will struggle with time if your not organized.I see transits all day long for 6 to 7 k with 90k on them.look around other than your state.fla is one of the big car capital states 17 auto auctions.you simply can't do it in a car.I barely manage in a transit.
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30 gallon tank may be able to get two cars done I have a 35 gallon tank from tractor supply, had half full and did my wife's DODGE DURANGO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA1cFKI_ahA hope this helps
 
215Detailing said:
30 gallon tank may be able to get two cars done I have a 35 gallon tank from tractor supply, had half full and did my wife's DODGE DURANGO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA1cFKI_ahA hope this helps
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I had a 40 gallon tank in my trailer and comfortably washed 2 cars conventionally and had a little water to spare. I had to be conservative with spraying it so i didnt waste it

One thing to remember about purchasing a van is that if things don't work out you can always sell it and recoup most of the cost


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