Mobile Rig. What to pick?

All I'm saying is don't be afraid to try and make money with a less than ideal setup. You can always upgrade later when you can afford it.

Like I said before, of course a dedicated van or trailer setup is going to look more professional. But I've never been scoffed at(at least to my face) or turned away.

Your quality of work is what will get you return business and referrals.
 
I will never forget the time I was working on a pilot and a other mobile detailer was working on a escalade.we were in the same parking section and he was driving a decent 1500 Chevy express.a lady popped out of nowhere and wanted her cobalt detailed.Guess who she came to first.you are correct about reputation but a super clean van wins all the time.
 
GSKR said:
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.
Click to expand...

Looking for a transit really if I'm gonna buy one. That or a HHR Panel. 90k miles is a little high for what I want, but if its strictly for work and not multipurpose thats fine. I'd love something in the 60-70k mile range.

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
Click to expand...

I just picked up the same one actually.... Very rarely do I do more than one car at a time. If I get to that point where I'm doing more, I'll just upgrade.
 
For the time being, I actually decided to build a trailer to store water and a gen/PW. I attached a picture below. As stated above, very rarely do I do more than 1 vehicle at a time so a 35 gallon tank should be fine. I've never used that much on any complete detail in my life. But I guess it's all in what you sell/upsell. For all of my normal correction details (for the time being anyways), I still get people to bring their cars to me. Just easier that way since I'm not lugging around everything. This will mainly just be for the standard wash/wax, maintenance washes, and things where I wont be needing a whole lot of anything. It's a cheap start and should work well I think. Always room to upgrade later should I need to. It's, obviously, still a work in progress but in about 2 weeks or so it should be complete with branding and all that jazz.

trailer.jpg
 
OTSDetail said:
For the time being, I actually decided to build a trailer to store water and a gen/PW. I attached a picture below. As stated above, very rarely do I do more than 1 vehicle at a time so a 35 gallon tank should be fine. I've never used that much on any complete detail in my life. But I guess it's all in what you sell/upsell. For all of my normal correction details (for the time being anyways), I still get people to bring their cars to me. Just easier that way since I'm not lugging around everything. This will mainly just be for the standard wash/wax, maintenance washes, and things where I wont be needing a whole lot of anything. It's a cheap start and should work well I think. Always room to upgrade later should I need to. It's, obviously, still a work in progress but in about 2 weeks or so it should be complete with branding and all that jazz.

trailer.jpg
Click to expand...

I like you set up, two question where did you get trailer, if possible price of trailer............garry dean just came out with a hybrid pressure washer sprayer (Garry Dean: Its a cross between a pressure washer and a low pressure system) (The difference is how the unit breaks down the water droplets so you can get 1/2 a gpm with 1100 psi) electric motor linked to an AR PUMP at 1/2 a gallon a minute and 1000psi seriously thinking of purchasing for under $1000.00
 
For 900.00 you can get a Honda that will last and a 100 gallon tank all on a skid and be ready for anything.I understand your point about getting started very small,but there is nothing worse than buying things twice.you will spend more time on a car with limited equipment.But if it suits you than that's awesome.
 
GSKR said:
For 900.00 you can get a Honda that will last and a 100 gallon tank all on a skid and be ready for anything.I understand your point about getting started very small,but there is nothing worse than buying things twice.you will spend more time on a car with limited equipment.But if it suits you than that's awesome.
Click to expand...

Any info and photos/videos of said unit, company website to look into this (might fit in the DURANGO) ?
 
215Detailing said:
I like you set up, two question where did you get trailer, if possible price of trailer............garry dean just came out with a hybrid pressure washer sprayer (Garry Dean: Its a cross between a pressure washer and a low pressure system) (The difference is how the unit breaks down the water droplets so you can get 1/2 a gpm with 1100 psi) electric motor linked to an AR PUMP at 1/2 a gallon a minute and 1000psi seriously thinking of purchasing for under $1000.00
Click to expand...

This is the 40x48" Northern Tool trailer. Same one from harbor freight its just black instead of red. HF is cheaper. Thought i could get this one for $40 more than HF (really wanted black) but in store it was retail 279.99 instead of the 239.99 online. I will be welding this one together as opposed to bolting, which will eliminate the decking sitting 1/4" off the rails and bowing. If it works out, I have room and the means (perks of having a welder) to add on to the size to make it bigger and better. Plywood will be painted black or bed-linered. Eventually adding black diamond plate instead of plywood for a more "official" look.

GSKR said:
For 900.00 you can get a Honda that will last and a 100 gallon tank all on a skid and be ready for anything.I understand your point about getting started very small,but there is nothing worse than buying things twice.you will spend more time on a car with limited equipment.But if it suits you than that's awesome.
Click to expand...

Yes I agree nothing is worse than buying twice, but this is also more of an attempt at expanding than a full on mobile detail operation. I still do most of my details here... like 98% of them. If it ends up working out the way I hope, then I'll have the means to upgrade pretty quick if need be. The pressure washer on there isn't the one I'll be using, was just using it for size comparison/measurements. the one I'm getting is about $400 and the gen is the honda 160 2700 watt for about $600. should fit real nice on the trailer. Although I may pick up the HF predator 4000 or whatever it is in the mean time. I should have a "decent" set up for sub $1000. Which is good for the occasional mobile detail I do and growing.

I also don't have a need for a 100 gallon tank right now.. nor do I have a place to put one. If I got a dedicated detailing vehicle, then I'd totally build it bigger and better. But until then this will have to do.
 
I have had the same HF generator give me issues on several occasions.

My Honda one works like a champ. It is worth the money for the reliability of it.
 
Transit Connect, 1st gen is the way to go. I drive one at work and they are bullett proof. I'm sure you can find one with 100k for under $10K if you look.

We also have 3 HHR panels, 105K to 201K and if you covered the odometer you couldn't tell which was which. Not as much room in these as the Transit Connect but it's also a little better on gas. My TC gets anywhere from 25 to 29 mpg in mixed driving, less now in the winter ofocarse. The 2.3L engine in the 1st gen has been around forever, no issues there. Can't say we've had any major problems with our 2 but the older one dropped a cylinder at 176K but that was before I got there. They change the oil every 10K with Peak syn and I remember over 4 years ago getting there the current oil change went 18K, that doesn't happen anymore!

Good luck to you and your business and one more thing, the TC uses particular tires due to load rating, not expensive but you need to know what's going on your van and/or what's on it already. It takes 40 psi in the front and 49 psi in the rear.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
OTSDetail said:
For the time being, I actually decided to build a trailer to store water and a gen/PW. I attached a picture below. As stated above, very rarely do I do more than 1 vehicle at a time so a 35 gallon tank should be fine. I've never used that much on any complete detail in my life. But I guess it's all in what you sell/upsell. For all of my normal correction details (for the time being anyways), I still get people to bring their cars to me. Just easier that way since I'm not lugging around everything. This will mainly just be for the standard wash/wax, maintenance washes, and things where I wont be needing a whole lot of anything. It's a cheap start and should work well I think. Always room to upgrade later should I need to. It's, obviously, still a work in progress but in about 2 weeks or so it should be complete with branding and all that jazz.

trailer.jpg
Click to expand...
Becareful over bumps that looks real bouncy and light.
 
GSKR said:
Becareful over bumps that looks real bouncy and light.
Click to expand...

Watched plenty of videos and read reviews about it. everyone says its rides nice. it should be around 6-700lbs loaded so it shouldnt bounce around. even when empty it shouldnt too much. it weighs about 180 as it sits now.
 
Mantilgh said:
I have had the same HF generator give me issues on several occasions.

My Honda one works like a champ. It is worth the money for the reliability of it.
Click to expand...

I do agree. I plan on getting the honda 160 (as stated previously) super reliable system and all that jazz. People swear by the Predator, but I'm not sold on it. The only reason I'd get that is because its suitable size but still would probably end up getting the 160. Just a way better gen.

Klasse Act said:
Transit Connect, 1st gen is the way to go. I drive one at work and they are bullett proof. I'm sure you can find one with 100k for under $10K if you look.

We also have 3 HHR panels, 105K to 201K and if you covered the odometer you couldn't tell which was which. Not as much room in these as the Transit Connect but it's also a little better on gas. My TC gets anywhere from 25 to 29 mpg in mixed driving, less now in the winter ofocarse. The 2.3L engine in the 1st gen has been around forever, no issues there. Can't say we've had any major problems with our 2 but the older one dropped a cylinder at 176K but that was before I got there. They change the oil every 10K with Peak syn and I remember over 4 years ago getting there the current oil change went 18K, that doesn't happen anymore!

Good luck to you and your business and one more thing, the TC uses particular tires due to load rating, not expensive but you need to know what's going on your van and/or what's on it already. It takes 40 psi in the front and 49 psi in the rear.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

1st gen transit connect is what I've always wanted since they first came out... although I hear when fully loaded a lot of people complain about them being grossly underpowered.. which I could agree with making sub 200hp weighing over 4k when full loaded. I'd love a new ecoboost one but I don't like the looks as much and they are well out of my price range.
 
I have a feeling that's gonna be a liability looks to light and one good bump is all it takes becareful.
 
OTSDetail said:
I do agree. I plan on getting the honda 160 (as stated previously) super reliable system and all that jazz. People swear by the Predator, but I'm not sold on it. The only reason I'd get that is because its suitable size but still would probably end up getting the 160. Just a way better gen.



1st gen transit connect is what I've always wanted since they first came out... although I hear when fully loaded a lot of people complain about them being grossly underpowered.. which I could agree with making sub 200hp weighing over 4k when full loaded. I'd love a new ecoboost one but I don't like the looks as much and they are well out of my price range.
Click to expand...
Fully loaded with water 60 mph people will blow horns and cut you off.On the lookout for a Nissan nv 2000 used.parts for transits are out of control.Buy a foreign van more reliable.Ive bought over 120000 in new econolines and one diesel f250.They simply don't last and start giving you problems at or around 50k.The worst one I had was a brand e350 diesel at 37k the trans and ac broke.If you look around there are a lot of hino trucks out there.
 
GSKR said:
Fully loaded with water 60 mph people will blow horns and cut you off.On the lookout for a Nissan nv 2000 used.parts for transits are out of control.Buy a foreign van more reliable.Ive bought over 120000 in new econolines and one diesel f250.They simply don't last and start giving you problems at or around 50k.The worst one I had was a brand e350 diesel at 37k the trans and ac broke.If you look around there are a lot of hino trucks out there.
Click to expand...

I've been contemplating picking up a rare JDM suv/truck and using it as a detailing vehicle. Would be pretty cool I think. Being a car guy, I'd love to have something RHD and rare, and it would also serve a practical purpose.
 
Just becareful always remember that little trailer is hooked to you at all times.
 
I remember this one from J's garage.

069f52b0061bd6aff393dac692144484.png



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OTSDetail said:
I've been contemplating picking up a rare JDM suv/truck and using it as a detailing vehicle. Would be pretty cool I think. Being a car guy, I'd love to have something RHD and rare, and it would also serve a practical purpose.
Click to expand...

Good idea. A lot of those older models are low on power just make sure it can pull your trailer/stop
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top