Owner Operators Do You have a Back up?

SixShooter · Jul 1, 2014

For you guys on the truck, what do you have for a back-up?

Do you have a second van stashed somewhere?

Do you own a porty?

Do you know of rental equipment like a porty, that would be good enough to use on the job in a pinch?

I’m seriously considering scaling back down to one truck (from a high of 5) and just considering my options.

Also, if you use a portable as a back-up, how do your return customers respond when you use a portable instead of a truckmount?

Doug Cox · Jul 1, 2014

I really don't have breakdowns where I can't finish a job. I over maintain my machine to the point that it is very reliable. Most problems I can see coming and I can fix them before they become a problem. I do all repairs myself, so I rely on nobody.

Mikey P · Jul 1, 2014

Back to the real world..

Have at least two of everything, three if you have chimps.

Mikey P · Jul 1, 2014

Oh and since I bought the EDIC portable back in February my guys and I are amazed at how we got by with out it for so long.

Every truck mount guy should have one around.

SixShooter · Jul 1, 2014

So you have 2 or 3 vans?

Is one a dedicated backup?

Jim Martin · Jul 1, 2014

I know I sleep better knowing that if something happens I have a back up..........

Bjorn · Jul 1, 2014

spare truck mount and van just waiting

Mikey P · Jul 1, 2014

SixShooter said:
So you have 2 or 3 vans?

Is one a dedicated backup?

Two trucks and one portable..

And enough friends that I could get a loaner with one or two phone calls

And enough enemies that I could get a new truck even quicker..

Mikey P · Jul 1, 2014

So when do we get to hear about what went wrong last week?

Dropping your drawers is the best way to join this circus

adamh · Jul 1, 2014

2 vans one porty

Many times it has come in handy

Charlie Lyman · Jul 1, 2014

I just got a backup yesterday.

....

Mike Draper · Jul 1, 2014

I just purchased a nice backup/ apartment van. It'll help me during my busy season. You never know when someone could crash into you. Doesn't matter how dependable your truck us.

SixShooter · Jul 2, 2014

I had 2 fully equipped vans stolen. I'm sick just thinking about it.

Mikey P said:
So when do we get to hear about what went wrong last week?

Dropping your drawers is the best way to join this circus

Lee Stockwell · Jul 2, 2014

SixShooter said:
I had 2 fully equipped vans stolen. I'm sick just thinking about it.

Ouch!

Mikey P · Jul 2, 2014

Oh shit.

Group hug is in order

Lee Stockwell · Jul 2, 2014

Mikey P said:
Oh shit.

Group hug is in order

Yeah, the "Thanks" button just didn't seem appropriate...

Able 1 · Jul 2, 2014

In the last three weeks my back up has been a full runner, makes me a little nervous.. Though knowing your tm's in and out can help.. I never miss a job EVER!

You could eat off Cox's tm after what 10 years?

SixShooter · Jul 2, 2014

What's a "full runner"?

SixShooter · Jul 2, 2014

SixShooter said:
What's a "full runner"?

Whats' a "full runner"

Zee · Jul 2, 2014

SixShooter said:
I had 2 fully equipped vans stolen. I'm sick just thinking about it.

Were the two vans stolen at the same time, same location? Where did this happen? Where do you normally park your vans?

What's going on here, that we hear so many carpet cleaning vans being stolen or stripped off of equipment in SoCal? What the hell?

Dolly Llama · Jul 2, 2014

My "backup" is Chis Adkins
He's saved my bacon by doing a job we couldn't get to in a timely manner

POS porty and shake'n shine machine for backup
Hacked out an empty today with shake m shine
7TH floor 1 bd rm apt in good shape

I feel a little guilty. .but I'll get over it when I cash the check. ...

LTA

Desk Jockey · Jul 2, 2014

Hacked out an empty today with shake m shine
7TH floor 1 bd rm apt in good shape

For shame!

Mikey P · Jul 2, 2014

If you shook and shined with a Trinity 6.6.6.0 you would have removed more soil than any other method.

EPT testing says so.

What if you spray down Larry's new miracle solvent and pa66e6 a carpet?

Desk Jockey · Jul 2, 2014

Brake cleaner and a pad........

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Derek · Jul 2, 2014

got a backup OP and then a Trio if the Cimex were to break down. as for the van, i'd rent one for a day / week from Lowes or some such place for $30-$50 per day.

Ed Valentine · Jul 2, 2014

Bill;

".....if you use a portable as a back-up, how do your return customers respond when you use a portable instead of a truckmount?" ---They shouldn't comment anything negative if its the right portable (/TM) machine. Perhaps a small generic they might question.

This was a great thread and after reading, it brought back memories of a few seminars and a few common sense (at least I thought so...LOL!) questions I used to ask, like:

"Realizing that your machine which you heavily rely on, produces your bread and butter, Raise your hand if you carry an: "extra" vac motor; an extra pump head, or parts; an extra switch.............etc or any other part(s) just in case your machine goes down?"

The unbelievable thing was out of approx. 45 cleaners, only 2 raised their hands!!!!! The rest laughed! Wow, what great business people we are as Professional Carpet Cleaners!

When I asked; "How many of you carry a spare tire on your van just in case you get a flat tire?" Only 2 (laughed) and didn't raise their hands. Man, these individuals probably rely on their women to push their trucks if they break down!!--LOL.

I'll bet that some of them carry an extra 12 pack!

best to all;
Ed Valentine
cross-american.com

Captain America · Jul 2, 2014

2 truckmounts...use them interchangeably
Tweeked naamco's with kero heat. 30 hp. & 33 hp generac...45 blowers
Belt driven easy to work on.....use electric pumps 1.5 gallons per min...easy to replace...home depot..carry an extra inthevan
Haven't been to a truckmount shop to have them worked on in over 5 years
Just get the local mechanic to replace belts and the generac lawn mechanic to install engine...pressure washer guys work on heater
The cap

SixShooter · Jul 2, 2014

Derek said:
got a backup OP and then a Trio if the Cimex were to break down. as for the van, i'd rent one for a day / week from Lowes or some such place for $30-$50 per day.

Do you mean you would rent a portable in a pinch?

SixShooter · Jul 2, 2014

Zee said:
Were the two vans stolen at the same time, same location? Where did this happen? Where do you normally park your vans?

What's going on here, that we hear so many carpet cleaning vans being stolen or stripped off of equipment in SoCal? What the hell?

I parked the vans out front of my shop in an industrial complex.

The thieves broke into my shop through a skylight and knew exactly where to find the keys to the vans and some cash and knew where the video cameras were, etc.

Definitely an "inside job". I'm 90% sure I know who did it. An ex employee. There are too many details to tell you as to why I think this. The problem is proving it.

So I don't think this was related to the other thefts in So Cal. But who knows?

Willy P · Jul 2, 2014

Ed Valentine said:
Bill;

".....if you use a portable as a back-up, how do your return customers respond when you use a portable instead of a truckmount?" ---They shouldn't comment anything negative if its the right portable (/TM) machine. Perhaps a small generic they might question.

This was a great thread and after reading, it brought back memories of a few seminars and a few common sense (at least I thought so...LOL!) questions I used to ask, like:

"Realizing that your machine which you heavily rely on, produces your bread and butter, Raise your hand if you carry an: "extra" vac motor; an extra pump head, or parts; an extra switch.............etc or any other part(s) just in case your machine goes down?"

The unbelievable thing was out of approx. 45 cleaners, only 2 raised their hands!!!!! The rest laughed! Wow, what great business people we are as Professional Carpet Cleaners!

When I asked; "How many of you carry a spare tire on your van just in case you get a flat tire?" Only 2 (laughed) and didn't raise their hands. Man, these individuals probably rely on their women to push their trucks if they break down!!--LOL.

I'll bet that some of them carry an extra 12 pack!

best to all;
Ed Valentine
cross-american.com

I sell results. It's just that simple. 90% of my business is repeat and referral. I must be doing something right with my porty.
I do have all the spare parts. Vacuum motor, pump, switches,thermostats etc. I don't carry them on board, but at home.

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