Question for mobile detailing guys with small vans?

TrustJesus

TrustJesus

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Hey guys, I know most of you detail cars and carry water tanks inside. I know some of you detail out of cars and don’t carry water tanks, which can also answer this, feel free to come answer.

So guys if you have a small van like transit connect, Promaster city

•What size water tank do you carry?
•How many cars can you realistically due?
 
As you know, I’m not a professional but these are good questions that I’m curious to see answered. If that’s your van in the avatar, it looks nice!
 
Yes, it’s our little business I’m trying to build. I was asking because, last thing is to run out of water doing a detail lol. That would be embarrassing
 
Help this man if you can, and have time, please. He’s a good guy trying to get started.
 
Thank you, No big deal. Lol I think I’ll just go with something smaller that way I won’t put too much weight on small van. I need to raise prices a bit, (and see how it goes. God bless...

Acura did you see the message I sent you?
 
There was a guy who used to post here a lot awhile back - GSKR or something like that. It was those four I initials, but I'm not sure the order is correct.

He had owned at least one Transit Connect. I think he had problems with durability from too much weight because of water.

Good guy with a lot of experience. You might try to get in touch with a PM.
 
Thanks ducks fan, He has his storage full and won’t accept message

Thanks for replying
 
I would say that it depends on the flow rate of your power washer. A gas powered unit will have a flow rate of around 2.8 GPM. An electrically powered unit will have a flow rate of around 1.5 GPM. For a small car you may run the washer on and off for a total of 15 minutes, then you will consume 42 gallons of water. A 100 gallon tank will get you through 2 cars. A full 100 gallon tank will be 833 lb plus the weight of the tank.
Maybe an actual mobile detailer can chime in but that is the way I would look at it.
 
Thanks for a answering, well here is my current setup.
I was going buy a 65 gallon water tank
•Ryobi 1.2 falling per minute minute it’s electric not gas
• portable generator

thanks for replying
 
TrustJesus said:
Thanks for a answering, well here is my current setup.
I was going buy a 65 gallon water tank
•Ryobi 1.2 falling per minute minute it’s electric not gas
•Generc portable generator
Click to expand...

If you ran the Ryobi for 15 minutes straight that would only consume 18 gallons of water. The 65 gallon tank would get you through 3 cars and the weight of the water in the tank would be 541 lb.
 
Yes sir, I’m just go for it before I let doubt and confusion set it. Your reply helped out believe it or not.
 
I run a 2.6 gpm Honda gas with 110 gallon water tank. I rarely fill it up. With it completely full I can get six jobs out of it, maybe 7 but I rarely do more than 2-3 vehicles per day as my jobs tend to be on the larger size.
 
Hey Jon, do you run a water pump to prime pressure washer?? Or you just gravity feed the system?
 
I run an on demand shurflo pump. Gravity feed is terrible and no pro should rely on that.
 
Gravity feed does suck. Shurflo makes a pump to run off 12V. But I'm sure Suds has a generator and a "regular" pump.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
I don't have a van, but I do have a trailer with a 100 gallon water tank. I think a lot of it depends on your wash technique and your pressure washer. I have gas powered pressure washer 2400 psi, 2.4gpm, I use less than 20 gallons per car. I've washed and detailed five 21 foot cargo trailers and still had a decent amount of water left in the water tank.
 
Thanks for taking time to reply


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline
 
Today I loaded up work van, with at least 450-500 pounds and it drove heavy. I don’t feel comfortable carrying a 65 gallon water tank. That’s 540 lbs. then I loaded 220 lbs (trampoline) and it seemed more manageable.

I’ve decided to go waterless wash and carry only 35 gallon water tank which is 290 lbs for more peace of mind.
The water tank will be fore more dirty vehicles and cleaning rims and what not.

I still do not understand how the shurflo pump works.
Do I have to buy a 12V batter or can I connect it to my generator when I get one?
 
TrustJesus said:
Today I loaded up work van, with at least 450-500 pounds and it drove heavy. I don’t feel comfortable carrying a 65 gallon water tank. That’s 540 lbs. then I loaded 220 lbs (trampoline) and it seemed more manageable.

I’ve decided to go waterless wash and carry only 35 gallon water tank which is 290 lbs for more peace of mind.
The water tank will be fore more dirty vehicles and cleaning rims and what not.

I still do not understand how the shurflo pump works.
Do I have to buy a 12V batter or can I connect it to my generator when I get one?
Click to expand...

I don't know about your average generator. But, the Honda 2000 has a 12v outlet (not sure of the amps though).
 
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