Do I really need a "new van" for a direct drive???

[jcooper]

I understand distys and manufacturers wanting to only install direct drives in new vans.

However, new vans are 32k. I can get a used 2500 for 21k with under 10-15k miles.

Will a van with 10k miles really affect the install of a direct drive?


Also, if I plan to carry water occasionally(winter) do we need a 3500?

 

[hogjowl]

Yes

 

[shadygrady]

No. But you should find a compatible donor van with the fewest miles/kms as possible. If you are transferring an older unit, make sure you account for even the smallest parts or pieces to facilitate the move smoothly. Case in point was a small 45 degree fitting that would get my EGR tubing around the location of my driveshaft on installation of my AquaTech to my 2001 Chev. Mission accomplished because of my inventory of parts on hand.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

The machine will outlast the van.

 

[SamIam]

The machine will outlast the van.

They always do!

 

[Nate The Great]

Ask @bob vawter ... Church vans, salvaged yards, it don matter... They put a man on the moon...

 

[Newman]

Once you start carrying water, you will not go back. Do yourself a favor and get a 1 ton. Butler regularly installs new units into low mileage vans.

Maybe whoever you were speaking with needed the commission from selling a new van to make his boat payment?

 

[jcooper]

Once you start carrying water, you will not go back. Do yourself a favor and get a 1 ton. Butler regularly installs new units into low mileage vans.

Yea, it will sure make -7 feel a little better! Thanks, Chris.

Maybe whoever you were speaking with needed the commission from selling a new van to make his boat payment?

lol!

 

[Russ T.]

Whatcha lookin' at Jerry??

 

[Russ T.]

I've seen Saiger mention some ways to save on a reconditioned Butler...

I'd be giving them a hard look.

 

[Russ T.]

Pretty soon Hagopian will be shedding the weak from their flock.

I'd consider that too!

 

[NobleCarpetCleaners]

totally agree with NO. Your local distributor for Hydra,Kleanco and Sapphire will have no problem with that.

 

[jcooper]

Whatcha lookin' at Jerry??

Everything!

Current vans got 150k on it and getting rusty, the tm has 2600 on it and at some point going to need 2-2500k worth of engine installing(leaking).

Could just fix it and throw it in a transit, hope other shat don't break.

This job would be sooooo much better with a direct drive and a water tank in winter.

Having no payment is nice, but I'm getting burnt out..... And it's not even busy!

 

[Charlie Lyman]

Everything!

Current vans got 150k on it and getting rusty, the tm has 2600 on it and at some point going to need 2-2500k worth of engine installing(leaking).

Could just fix it and throw it in a transit, hope other shat don't break.

This job would be sooooo much better with a direct drive and a water tank in winter.

Having no payment is nice, but I'm getting burnt out..... And it's not even busy!

I look at the payment this way: my payment is $891 per month. That $891 investment makes me 13-16k a month in return. I don't have to worry about my equip not working. I just work. The payment is worth it.

 

[Chris A]

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/5974856094

Just saw this on CL today, pro 1200se for 10k less than a new one with 75 hours, bet you could get it cheaper too

 

[Bob Pruitt]

Having no payment is nice, but I'm getting burnt out..... And it's not even busy!

Usually end up with a better vehicle warranty on the new van through Butler and then they give the machine 10 years of coverage. Something else to factor in the decision.
Investment tax write off is more logical to the IRS on new purchases as well...but that would be a question for your Accountant.

 

[Russ T.]

I was terrified when I took on the payment for my used Cleanco. It has been great. We spend so much of our lives running these vans and machines. The van is such an important piece to your biz.

You will love any of the top PTO's. Just look for a good deal!

 

[BIG WOOD]

I was terrified when I took on the payment for my used Cleanco. It has been great. We spend so much of our lives running these vans and machines. The van is such an important piece to your biz.

You will love any of the top PTO's. Just look for a good deal!

When the time comes to switch to a van, it'll be a Cleanco, Hydramaster, or Butler direct drive. There's just not enough room to mess with if it were a slide in. But if it's gonna be a slide in to go in my vehicle, that vehicle will be a box truck.

As for the Used or New van...if you go used, purchase an extended warranty on the drive train if you can. You can buy 30k mile vehicles and purchase an extended warranty up to 100kmiles. So it's as good as new for only an extra $1500-$1700 on top of the purchase price

 

[steve_64]

I love my WM even though it needed a lot of small repairs and some bigger ones

Maybe someone on the board has a semi retired PTO they would unload cheap.

 

[shadygrady]

The 2001 Chev 2500HD that i transferred the unit to had only 34k on it, and came out of Pearson International Airport, almost 100% rust-free. Cold air/cruise/tilt. My mechanic installed the forward drive shaft and i completed blower/waterpump/tanks/hose-reels and shelving myself for less than $7CDN. Winter project last year.

 

[rick imby]

When the time comes to switch to a van, it'll be a Cleanco, Hydramaster, or Butler direct drive. There's just not enough room to mess with if it were a slide in. But if it's gonna be a slide in to go in my vehicle, that vehicle will be a box truck.

As for the Used or New van...if you go used, purchase an extended warranty on the drive train if you can. You can buy 30k mile vehicles and purchase an extended warranty up to 100kmiles. So it's as good as new for only an extra $1500-$1700 on top of the purchase price

Having sold extended warranties they are most likely void with a PTO put in. Also the max payout on most extended warranty is $3-$5k and the warranty will cost you a grand. ---A horrible Bet.

Very few aftermarket warranties are worth even one quarter of the money you pay for them.

 

[shadygrady]

I would forego the extended warranty, put that money towards any repairs that might come up.

 

[ronbeatty]

If I was young again and full of piss and vinegar, I would lease a new Butler and get a new one every 3 years. Just run it and turn it in at the end of lease.

 

[Nate The Great]

If I were closer to Butler I'd do the same....

 

[Russ T.]

If I was young again and full of piss and vinegar, I would lease a new Butler and get a new one every 3 years. Just run it and turn it in at the end of lease.

It would be really nice to have a shiny new Butler every 3 years. You'd pay almost 30K out of pocket though, every 3 years. The wrap costs about $3500 near me.

It comes at a real cost, I'm not saying it's not worth it. You will hopefully make enough in those 3 years to easily justify it.

It would probably make more financial sense to get something paid for and spend your extra cash on marketing...if the plan is to grow.

You're taking your taxable income down in both cases. Equipment in one and marketing in the other.

 

[jcooper]

Just saw an ad on craigslist for a 2003 butler and gmc van for 19k.....

That's 14 years he got out of it and still 20k. If he payed it off in 7 years, he got 7 years no payments(and 20k)...! Even if he got 500$ for it that's still great!


At the same time... I'm sure he has went through a trans and who knows how many other issues. Still... I'd do whatever mr tax man tells me, but I like things paid off.

 

[ronbeatty]

My justification would be, you work with it, or on it. You could probably get into a new Butler for less than $1000 a month no matter if you lease it or buy it. The resale on them is good and if you are willing to work 40 hrs a week or more you can easily make the payment.
I ran two Butlers for 25 years, doing the same thing Mark Saiger does. Moved to the bigger units to be more efficient with less drama.

 

[Desk Jockey]

If I was young again and full of piss and vinegar, I would lease a new Butler and get a new one every 3 years. Just run it and turn it in at the end of lease.

I'd do exactly the same...only with women.

 

[Desk Jockey]

The 12 year old Prochem Performer I traded in on our new Prochem Everest only had 4,500 hours on it. It was primarily used for WDR with some very rare carpet cleaning.

@ $95.00 an hour machine rate it made us nearly 1/2 million dollars. Even crazier is my distributor will clean it up, paint it, rebuild the pump and she will run another 5 or 6 thousand hours for the next guy.

#1 for a reason is more than a slogan!

 

[AshleyMckendree]

I bought a 1 year old GMC with 5k miles on it for my 1200SE.

Saved well over 10k vs new