Mobile Van still in progress!

Kristopher1129

Kristopher1129

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Alright guys. The exterior of my mobile van is pretty much done. Aside from vinyl lettering on the passenger side. Just gotta order it, and put it on.

Anyways, here's the inside of it right now. I know...there's nothing in it really. Those cabinets came with the van, as well as ladder racks on the roof. The equipment I have so far is a 3500 watt generator, an electric pressure washer, water pump, Aztec Hot Rod extractor, and two 12x12 EZ pop up shelters. I still have to get a water tank, and an air compressor. I know a lot of you will say, you don't need a generator and water tank most of the time. But, I just want no limits when it comes to the mobile van.

So, here's a couple pictures. One, is the current state of the inside of my van. Two, is one set of my custom squeeze bottle holders my buddy is making me to mount on the back doors. That way, when I swing them open...I have easy access to all my bottles...

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Any ideas, thoughts, comments, are welcome. I just want this thing ready to roll for April the absolute latest. So any help to guide the way is appreciated! :xyxthumbs:

What do you guys think about Rhyno lining the floor??

Ha, I just realized the thread title says Mobile can, not van. I'm drunk, and it's late. Oops.
 
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Re: Mobile can still in progress!

The van looks great! The bottle holder is real nice. Right now I'm working out of my tsx, going work on two 2sk tomorrow.

How big of a water tank you going get?

My trunk is full with electric power washer, my buckets, leaf blower, towels, a basket full of wax/soap and cleaning products, duffle bag with DA and scratch removal kit.

I need a van or a pick up truck next year but I have to work with what I got. Most of these people asking for price about detailing are far away from my house 1+ hours.
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

Is your buddy going to make mounting brackets for the bottles racks? Make sure they are deep enough too, so they don't jump out of the rack while driving. Maybe affix some velcro on the bottom of the bottles so your buddy doesn't have to change the holders. Looks cool though. When you get the water tank/storage container make sure you have a way to secure it in the center of the van as close to over the rear axel as possible. Remember, anything not secured properly will become a projectile in a wreck or hard cornering/braking. Whatever planning and layout you do now will expedite and future equipment going in and therefore your van will have less down time and you may have more free time in the future. Just my thoughts that could help you not have to redo the whole setup just to add something later or fix a center of gravity/weight balance issue. Good luck with the mobile detail.
 
Is that really true I still find it hard to believe if a customer hires a mobile detail person they would let them use their water and electricity??

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk
 
By the way great bottles holder, rhyno lining the floor sounds like a good idea. I wonder if is expensive because I'm planning in tearing out my floor carpet from my 93 Chevy s10blazer and applying rhyno lining

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

Love the bottle holder, and Rhino lining would be good, when floor gets wet you wont be busting your butt! :xyxthumbs:
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

Love the bottle holders. That's a great idea.

How big of a water tank you looking to get? Just curious because I know it's van and all but your going to have a lot of stuff in there. Hows the suspension on that van? Water tanks can weigh ALOT! And with the water shifting in the tank as your driving it is going to put a lot of stress on the suspension. So, if it's not in tip top shape you may experience some issues once your up and running.

You may want to invest in some heavy duty shocks and if there are leaf springs in the back (which I think there are but could be wrong) you may want to look into beefing those up some by adding an additional spring.
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

I think you guys need a thread started, everyone can post photos of their Set-ups I see we did it once before but not a lot of photos there. I think that would help everyone get ideas.
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

Maybe shelving on the rear doors, so when you open the back up you can have some of your most commonly used products right there in your face. But maybe that would be too much extra work.
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

Looking good man - know your excited! The only thing I wonder about is the ?electric 1600 power washer? - Is that what you said you are using? I thought about getting one but are they really going to hold up to the workload? Never used one and know they are pretty inexpensive - but how long can they last? Water tanks aren't that expensive - I think $200 if I remember correctly for a descent sized tank.... I have also seen them on craigslist for 50 to 100$ from farmers using them - may save you some money there.
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

Meghan said:
I think you guys need a thread started, everyone can post photos of their Set-ups I see we did it once before but not a lot of photos there. I think that would help everyone get ideas.
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:iagree::iagree::iagree:
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

slickooz said:
The van looks great! The bottle holder is real nice. Right now I'm working out of my tsx, going work on two 2sk tomorrow.

How big of a water tank you going get?

My trunk is full with electric power washer, my buckets, leaf blower, towels, a basket full of wax/soap and cleaning products, duffle bag with DA and scratch removal kit.

I need a van or a pick up truck next year but I have to work with what I got. Most of these people asking for price about detailing are far away from my house 1+ hours.
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I was planning on a 100 gallon water tank. Don't know if I'm gonna need that much water. But I don't have to fill it all the way if I don't. Thanks buddy!

ShaunD said:
Is your buddy going to make mounting brackets for the bottles racks? Make sure they are deep enough too, so they don't jump out of the rack while driving. Maybe affix some velcro on the bottom of the bottles so your buddy doesn't have to change the holders. Looks cool though. When you get the water tank/storage container make sure you have a way to secure it in the center of the van as close to over the rear axel as possible. Remember, anything not secured properly will become a projectile in a wreck or hard cornering/braking. Whatever planning and layout you do now will expedite and future equipment going in and therefore your van will have less down time and you may have more free time in the future. Just my thoughts that could help you not have to redo the whole setup just to add something later or fix a center of gravity/weight balance issue. Good luck with the mobile detail.
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Thanks man. Yeah, he's making some for the spray bottles as well. We actually discussed exactly what you said. They need to be deep enough so they don't jump out. He brought a couple different designs into my shop, the one I chose will be perfect. It's pretty much exactly like the one pictured, just deeper, and will fit the spray bottles. He's also making me something for my 5 gallon refill buckets. :xyxthumbs:

ExoticAutoDetai said:
Is that really true I still find it hard to believe if a customer hires a mobile detail person they would let them use their water and electricity??

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk
Click to expand...

ExoticAutoDetai said:
By the way great bottles holder, rhyno lining the floor sounds like a good idea. I wonder if is expensive because I'm planning in tearing out my floor carpet from my 93 Chevy s10blazer and applying rhyno lining

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yeah, from what I've gathered...most the time they allow you to just use their water and electric. I asked around on the forum before, and the majority said they ended up tossing their tanks. Not sure how expensive rhyno liner is...I'm going to find out though. I would really like it on the floor. Thanks man!

SeaJay's said:
Love the bottle holders. That's a great idea.

How big of a water tank you looking to get? Just curious because I know it's van and all but your going to have a lot of stuff in there. Hows the suspension on that van? Water tanks can weigh ALOT! And with the water shifting in the tank as your driving it is going to put a lot of stress on the suspension. So, if it's not in tip top shape you may experience some issues once your up and running.

You may want to invest in some heavy duty shocks and if there are leaf springs in the back (which I think there are but could be wrong) you may want to look into beefing those up some by adding an additional spring.
Click to expand...

I did think about that. I think it will be plenty strong enough for the tank though. I was planning on a 100 gallon tank. I'm not gonna use the tank ALL that much. At least I don't think so. Depends on what my accounts are I guess. We'll see. If I have to beef it up a bit...I will. Thanks!

Ted S. said:
Maybe shelving on the rear doors, so when you open the back up you can have some of your most commonly used products right there in your face. But maybe that would be too much extra work.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what we're doing with the bottles holders. They will be mounted on the rear doors. Shelving did get brought up...just still a work in progress. We talked about removing those cabinets inside the van, and putting our own shelving in. We'll see! I'll post pics as time goes on.

B&B Tennessee said:
Looking good man - know your excited! The only thing I wonder about is the ?electric 1600 power washer? - Is that what you said you are using? I thought about getting one but are they really going to hold up to the workload? Never used one and know they are pretty inexpensive - but how long can they last? Water tanks aren't that expensive - I think $200 if I remember correctly for a descent sized tank.... I have also seen them on craigslist for 50 to 100$ from farmers using them - may save you some money there.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the pressure washer...I have no idea, ha. Thing may break down in no time. It does have a warranty I think. So, I got that goin for me. If I have to upgrade...I got no problem with that. But it's a start.

I did find a water tank for around $200 with shipping. I looked around on craigslist...but couldn't find what I wanted specifically. I'll keep an eye out though...ya never know! Thanks man! :xyxthumbs:
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

I have a 55 gal water tank in my truck bed. I use around half for a detail. I won't lie I think 100 gal is a bit overkill. But I have only a 4 cylinder so I couldn't push around 100 gal with out killing my motor. And the suspension handles it just fine. Well I need new shocks ;)
 
Re: Mobile can still in progress!

MaximumMD said:
I have a 55 gal water tank in my truck bed. I use around half for a detail. I won't lie I think 100 gal is a bit overkill. But I have only a 4 cylinder so I couldn't push around 100 gal with out killing my motor. And the suspension handles it just fine. Well I need new shocks ;)
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Yeah, I know for most jobs I will not need 100 gallons of water. I just want the option, just in case. Especially if we are doing 4-5 washes, or something of that nature. Obviously for one detail that's way too much. But like I said, we don't have to fill it all the way up. If we have to fill it up though...the option is there.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Yeah, I know for most jobs I will not need 100 gallons of water. I just want the option, just in case. Especially if we are doing 4-5 washes, or something of that nature. Obviously for one detail that's way too much. But like I said, we don't have to fill it all the way up. If we have to fill it up though...the option is there.
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Well now I am wondering if to get an astro or a dodge RAM van of the 90s I been thinking in starting with the customer providing water and electricity then il see if I need the tank.


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Re: Mobile can still in progress!

ExoticAutoDetai said:
Well now I am wondering if to get an astro or a dodge RAM van of the 90s I been thinking in starting with the customer providing water and electricity then il see if I need the tank.


Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk
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Well for me...I'd rather have my equipment inside my van. That way I don't have to worry about someone snatching something out the bed of my truck.

I contemplated the trailer method. But I just didn't wanna have to hook up to my trailer every time I wanted to move my detailing equipment. Plus, I'd have to park it in my shop when I'm not using it...it would just be in the way. At least in the van...it can be outside locked up, then parked inside at the end of the day. Just easier for me all around.

You could always get one of those truck bed water tanks...and just stick it in when you need it. That's if you go the truck route anyways. :xyxthumbs:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Well for me...I'd rather have my equipment inside my van. That way I don't have to worry about someone snatching something out the bed of my truck.

I contemplated the trailer method. But I just didn't wanna have to hook up to my trailer every time I wanted to move my detailing equipment. Plus, I'd have to park it in my shop when I'm not using it...it would just be in the way. At least in the van...it can be outside locked up, then parked inside at the end of the day. Just easier for me all around.

You could always get one of those truck bed water tanks...and just stick it in when you need it. That's if you go the truck route anyways. :xyxthumbs:
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Dodge ram van is a van lol is just bigger than the astro but v6 or v8

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Re: Mobile can still in progress!

ExoticAutoDetai said:
Dodge ram van is a van lol is just bigger than the astro but v6 or v8

Exotic Auto Detail via tapatalk
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Oh my bad. I thought you said a truck, ha.

I personally think the Astro will give you plenty of space. I know some will say it's not big enough for what they wanna do. But, I don't see it being a problem. I could see if you were hooking up a wash system with an engine and everything. But I'm just gonna us an electric PW.

A full size van IMO isn't really necessary. But, it's all personal preference.
 
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