Show your mobile van setup!

Cruiser57 said:
Hope you have better luck than I did. Went through 3 generatore before I got fed up and splurged for the Honda. I now have two, one for a back-up, but again I've been at this for 10 years and it does take time to get to a point where you can buy higher end equipment, but you will get there.:dblthumb2:
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I have the money for the higher end equipment. I just personally feel the price tag is just WAY too high for a generator in general. I can't bring myself to pay over a thousand dollars for just a generator. I mean just the 2000 watt is around $1300. I paid about $450 shipped for my ETQ and it's 3500 watts.

If I see a used one for cheap, I'll snatch it up, ha.
 
Did I leave that out? ha, oops. I bought a Stanley 1.4 gpm electric pressure washer. I definitely don't expect to get years and years out of it. But, it had great reviews...and it will due for now.
 
I paid $600.00 each for the 2500 Honda's at a farm supply locally. I have seen Hondas go for well over a thousand. I figure I spent well over a thousand on the 3 bad gens with purchase price and the service bills to keep getting them repaired. I'm going on 6 years with these with minor servicing.
 
Cruiser57 said:
I paid $600.00 each for the 2500 Honda's at a farm supply locally. I have seen Hondas go for well over a thousand. I figure I spent well over a thousand on the 3 bad gens with purchase price and the service bills to keep getting them repaired. I'm going on 6 years with these with minor servicing.
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I will probably get one after I make the money back that I've put into setting up mobile. Once there's a profit coming in...that changes things. But I hope this generator stays true for at least a couple years.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Did I leave that out? ha, oops. I bought a Stanley 1.4 gpm electric pressure washer. I definitely don't expect to get years and years out of it. But, it had great reviews...and it will due for now.
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Will you need to run a pump off the tank or will gravity feed be enough? Also what wattage do you need to be able to run a shap vac, 4 gallon compressor, steamer, and extractor?
 
sullysdetailing said:
Will you need to run a pump off the tank or will gravity feed be enough? Also what wattage do you need to be able to run a shap vac, 4 gallon compressor, steamer, and extractor?
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I've been told it's possible to just do a gravity feed. But I think a pump will just make things easier, and more efficient. As far as the wattage, I'm not really sure. I went with the 3500 because from what I've read that should be more than enough to do what I have to do.
 
One thing to point out with cheap generators is they ARE LOUD! if you get the honda EUs you will pay a lot for them but trust me it is so nice to have a generator that is QUIET! Especially when you are in a tight area (townhouse complex) and the generator is running for 3-4 hours! The 3000 eu is so quiet that you can barely hear it running. You will learn to appreciate it.....
 
WindyCity said:
One thing to point out with cheap generators is they ARE LOUD! if you get the honda EUs you will pay a lot for them but trust me it is so nice to have a generator that is QUIET! Especially when you are in a tight area (townhouse complex) and the generator is running for 3-4 hours! The 3000 eu is so quiet that you can barely hear it running. You will learn to appreciate it.....
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Oh I know. I'm not doubting the quality of those Hondas trust me. I was definitely in the market for that super quiet generator. But the one I have has been muffled. So it will be "quieter". What quieter actually means...who knows.

The way I see it, is that this will be the first year for the mobile addition of the business. I just wanted to stay affordable. Spending over a grand for a Honda is just one of those things I'd rather do once I've got a customer base built up.

Maybe next year. But for now, I'm better equipped than 95% of mobile detailers in my local area. I say 95% only because there might actually be somebody out there with a tank and generator. But I haven't seen it. I know of one business...but he's much more south.

After this first season...I will weigh my options. If the profit is there...I will absolutely not hesitate to get a high end generator just to have the silence, and reliability. I'm with ya! :cheers:
 
Okay, here you go. I've been promising to post these pics for awhile.

50 gallon tank, 3000 watt generator
MobileSetup6.jpg


Storage bins, buckets, foam cannon, applicators & sponges
MobileSetup7.jpg


3 gallon 2hp air compressor, Optimum Opti-Gun, work platform
MobileSetup5.jpg


Product bottles
MobileSetup1.jpg


Extra air hose & water hose, Chemical Guys blower
MobileSetup4.jpg


Pads & microfibers
MobileSetup2.jpg


All tucked away beneath the tonneau cover on my Silverado
MobileSetup8.jpg


Items missing: 3-step ladder, 5hp 4 gallon shop vac, 1550psi pressure washer, carpet extractor.

This is my daily driver so no additional insurance costs and a nice tax write off for gasoline at the end of the year. :xyxthumbs:
 
Nice man! Hey, how does that ETQ generator work for you? I bought an ETQ as well. I got the 3500 watt model. It was fair priced and had good reviews...so I figured what the hell? But, I haven't used it yet.

I like your setup man. That's probably the neatest pickup setup I've seen. :dblthumb2:
 
Once i get some of the stuff i ordered ill post up some pics of my rig and ill show u how i fit two truck boxes a 30gal tank and a pressure washer, a huge 3500w power inverter and still get 30 mpg city in a Honda Fit. I think a compressor is soon to come also cause i just saw the Tornador video lol
 
Transcendent said:
Once i get some of the stuff i ordered ill post up some pics of my rig and ill show u how i fit two truck boxes a 30gal tank and a pressure washer, a huge 3500w power inverter and still get 30 mpg city in a Honda Fit. I think a compressor is soon to come also cause i just saw the Tornador video lol
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Wow, I did not think you were going to say a Honda Fit, ha. Nice!!!

I will definitely be posting up pics of my setup once it's at least getting under way. I'd like to post some pics and get suggestions from you guys who have been mobile for a while. Cause believe me, I've been detailing for a quite a while. But when it comes to this mobile stuff...it's like starting over again, and I respect you guys input for sure. So, I'll post up what I got...and let you guys rip into me, haha. :dblthumb2:
 
i already have a honda 3000eu generator that i bought 4 yrs ago because i live in south fl where the hurricanes like to visit :)
 
Kristopher1129 said:
Nice man! Hey, how does that ETQ generator work for you? I bought an ETQ as well. I got the 3500 watt model. It was fair priced and had good reviews...so I figured what the hell? But, I haven't used it yet.

I like your setup man. That's probably the neatest pickup setup I've seen. :dblthumb2:
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Thanks for the comp Kris. Yeah, the ETQ performs well. It allows me to run what I need when I need it. I got it back during the holidays for $250 shipped to my door. Weights 95 lbs. and is roughly 3 db louder than the 2000w Honda, so it's very quiet.
 
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A friend just offered me a 6200watt generator for $350 should I take it. We fired it up in his warehouse and it wasnt that loud at all what do you guys think
 
sullysdetailing said:
A friend just offered me a 6200watt generator for $350 should I take it. We fired it up in his warehouse and it wasnt that loud at all what do you guys think
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That's way more than you need for detailing, but in case you need it to power some appliances during/after a really bad storm also...you got it. I went with a 4500w for that reason.

I'd say go for it!
 
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