Trailer mounted TM

[CleanEvo]

I just joined this board and all I can say is WOW...lots of great information.

I've been in the business for 16 years, the last 2 years on my own. I run a Ninja portable, rotary, crb, Cimex. When I started I could not afford a TM and really thought I would do this business without one. Now I'm getting tired of making excuses on some jobs, both carpet & T&G... I need a TM.

I'm going to go the trailer route due to the fact I like the truck I have now and no need to get a van at this time. I would appreciate any advice regarding a set up like this as well as suggestions for equipment.
Thanks,

Aris van de Loosdrecht

 

[easy1dave]

Had a friend do the same thing.6 Months later he is looking for a van to put the truck mount in,I think any one would get tired of pulling an backing a trailer around,So much easier to use a van.But give it a try you all way can change.

 

[bob vawter]

Trailers give a non-professional look to your operation....at best!

It's great ta look mrs Phifilton in the eyes an' say....Yes Mame...we DO use Truck Mounted Equipment!!!

 

[TimP]

If you have any credit what so ever. I'd look into buying a butler. They advertise 599 a month payments, at that cost you can't hardly looose.....if that's the real deal. If you can't spare 599 a month to pay for that then you need to be in a different business. However my payment is way higher than that.....I wonder if I could sell my cds and get into one??

 

[Gary T]

There is nothing wrong with trailers, as long as you keep it clean and it is nicely lettered. I have 2 trailers and get nothing but compliments. If you have employees who are going to pull the trailer, that is a different story. I've been pulling trailers since before I could legally drive, so I don't even think about it. If you haven't pulled them much that may be something to think about.

 

[Dolly]

I think you would be much happier with a truck mount in a cargo van or box van.

One positive thing about a having it in a Trailer is if you get a dual wheel your truck can pull so you have room to work in.

2nd positive thing is if you live in a cold place, you can disconnect the trailer in you garage to keep it warm.

I take to task about it not looking professional

I have had a lot of positive attention and many times calls because it stood out amongst the crowd and genrates calls for cleaning.

Make sure what you really want and then go foreword.

By the way backing it up is not a walk in the park when your new at it, but, it grows on you and then it is sort of fun. It took me over a year to master it, but now I can get it in and out of almost about anywhere.

 

[hogjowl]

If I lived in a cold climate, I'd probably park my VAN in the garage. May be there's something about the garages in Mississippi that keeps vans out, and only allows trailers in.

Look ... there is a reason why you almost never see any professional carpet cleaner pulling a trailer.

Don't make the same dumb mistake a few others have made just because they won't admit publicly that they made a mistake. Get a van mounted TM, and go make some money.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I agree will Dolly-lene pulling is relatively easy, backing up is a chore!

I suck at it! I even have a backup camera in my pickup which helps tremendously when hitching up, but still doesn't do me any good when backing up.

 

[Dolly]

Geeze Marty

Don't you ever really read the context of my posts.

I suggested a cargo van or a box van for a truck mount.


It is not all negative to have a trailer.

I made no mistake for my situation having a trailer, I don't have a truck mount.

I is not colder in Alabama than Mississippi, and if you really, really, read my post, I said IF you live in a cold climate. Like North?, Like where it snows and gets below 30 and then some?

Like, He may decide he don't want to run around all the time with a truck mount?

Just given him some choices from a different point of view from some

WHO DOES ENJOY HAVING MY SET UP IN A TRAILER AND WHY.

Geeze............

 

[hogjowl]

You're certainly right Darlene.

I have trouble "getting" the context of your posts.

But, give me credit, I keep trying.

 

[bob vawter]

Well yes mame...we has the Truck Mounted equipment only it's in a trailer.....no....no....it don't run off the truck...it' almost as goo...errrrr hellow......hellooooow...

Guess she wanted a REAL Truck Mount!


There should be a smart test to get on this board.......!

 

[Desk Jockey]

Darlene you'll have to send him pictures, sMarty doesn't read all that well!

 

[Dolly]

What good would that do, he apparently does not understand what I write so a diagram with photo's would only confuse him.

I stand by my decision of having a Trailer with a ramp door in the back.

I pick no equipment up. I roll it in and I roll it out. If I had a van I could not do that with other equipment one would have even if I had a truck mount.

I am not against truck mounts and had my share of them.

I like my set up I have and it works good for me. Anything that works well for someone and they enjoy doing their job with what they have and is happy and satisfied should not have negative darts thrown at them just because they don't have what you have.

To each his own.

Sometimes bouncing ideas and questions out help a person decide , that is what this man it doing.

He'll decide what he likes and what he will be happy with in the end.

He is collecting data in the process of his final decision.

Sounds reasonable to me.

 

[bob vawter]

"Sounds reasonable to me."

Well THAT'S reassuring!

 

[CleanEvo]

Tanks for all the advice...much appreciated.

I see the benefits to both trailer or van. The trailer will fit into my garage very nicely.

Up here, lots of very well to do and very high end service companies use cargo trailers...they are not considered low end at all...in fact, probably the opposite (mine will be very nice). I don't really want to drive a service van...I like my suburban a lot and it's my family vehicle as well. Besides...it's would to cost me to get out of the lease...ouch!

I also like the idea of being able to leave my tech at a job and be able to go and do a quote...or another job with my Cimex or vlm equipment...or golf anyone?

We have a very reputable Hydromaster dealer up here...anyone have experience with the Boxxer 421 or 427?

 

[Sticky]

butler

If you have any credit what so ever. I'd look into buying a butler. They advertise 599 a month payments, at that cost you can't hardly looose.....if that's the real deal

I do not think that is good advice. It is a good price don't get me wrong but I would never buy one. Where are you going to get service work done? Warranty work? You going to drive from the other side of the country to get warranty work done...not likely...

It's like this...you can buy a cheeseburger from McDonald's for a dollar....the problem is that after you buy it you have to eat it....

 

[bob vawter]

Buy a Direct Drive that don't break down......then you can say that you have a TRUCK MOUNT!

 

[danpauselius]

CleanEvolve:

I have used a van, box truck, 16 ft. enclosed trailer, a portable, TM, OP, and as of a couple days ago ... a rotary (on carpet). From my experience, you'd be better served with a van and a TM.

I only used the trailer for restoration work. But I couldn't imagine the headaches of using on every job and I am damned good at backing up trailers. I currently have a 17 ft. cube van. If it weren't for the restoration work, I'd rather have a van.

A pick-up truck and trailer screams "Landscaper" where I live. For the polished, professional look, I'd go with the van or a cube van. Trailers are only cool when there's a big azz hydronic drying machine inside.

 

[hogjowl]

Admit it Chavez. You don't understand half of what she says any better than the rest of us.

And, to top it off, you're now responsible for making her sin by saying mean and hateful things to me. She'll now have to go to her preacher and confess her sins and he'll then have to try and understand just what the hell she's saying and try and not ask the wrong question, or say the wrong thing that might hurt her tender feelings, or fidget after an hour or two of her crying, babbling and sniffling conversation. Can't you see the stress your razzing can cause this poor, unsuspecting man of God?

You should really be ashamed of yourself.

 

[Guest]

Unlike 90% of the responses from the Geeksquad so far, I actually used a trailer for about 3 years here. For me it was just fine. Warm weather climate and relatively flat land with no hills.

You definitely need to rhino line it and I'd re-inforce the walls with thick plywood to hang stuff on. Gas tank mounted on outside and you're good to go.

Mine was a Pace American 10x8, I think that was size anyway. There was way more room in the traler for a TM, waste tank, reels, and even room for a floor machine/cimex. My extended van now is so cramped I wish I had the room of the trailer.

I got sick of hooking and unhooking every night after work and also having a small gas tank. As for appearance, my logo'ed trailer and truck looked as nice or nicer than any van in our area.

 

[bob vawter]

EXCUSE ME.....you had a trailer mount.......NOT a TRUCK MOUNT! For something to carry a lawnmower motor around in....i guess a trailer would suffice....but for a true Direct Drive Truck Mount.......

you need a truck!

 

[steve g]

unless you have a diesel truck I think you will find the gas bill alone pulling a trailer will eat you up look for 6-7 mpg pulling it with a gas truck, I get 12 with my dodge diesel, for me it works, I unhook the truck for personal use, I have something that will tow the largest of campers or boats, 4 wheelers basically all the toys I want for a given outing, I also have the bed of the truck to put water damage debris for disposal. I love it, but its not for everyone, it takes up more room in the driveway, the tandem axle eats tires and has flats all the time, if you are not good at towing a trailer or have a tech driving it better watch out, the place I used to work at the techs where constantly hitting things with the trailers.

if you are looking to get into a truckmount, often some of the best deals out there are used van and truckmount combos, if you look hard enough and shop enough you can get the van nearly for free, a couple friends of mine bought a prochem legend and sub mount water tank with less than 2k hours in a 89 chevy van for 5k, the machine is in excellent shape with all the goodies, hoses, wands, reels, water softner, all it needed was a green glide, if you ask me the unit and accessories alone was worth 5k, if you want something with a nicer van plan on spending a bit more, but for 10k I think one could find a decent used combo for sale, check ebay etc

 

[Dolly]

I never really paid a whole lot of attention to the gas mileage pulling my trailer. But, I can get 364 miles on a 26 gal tank.

I don't think it is bad with a V8 engine. Like everyone else, we all feel the fuel pinch.

I figure I am loosing about 3 miles to the gallon pulling my trailer , that's about 78 miles short of not pulling it.

 

[rotorob]

Smart Test. Is it truck-mounted, or, van-mounted/powered? If there were any truth in advertising, I think most would look at the vehicle and determine that a van and a truck are two different species.
This is probably the first indicator that ours can be a very misleading industry.

 

[danpauselius]

I got 4 mpg with my 5.4L E350 when pulling the trailer. I felt violated every time I stopped for gas.

 

[Dolly]

Ouch !

Wonder how much it costs in fuel for the guy's with the big truck.

It has to be steep especially running the Truck mount.

 

[floorguy]

I got 8 mpg with my 84 1 ton pulling a 14' trailer..

now i have a 97 chev van. with ramp (I do a lot of "other" floor work)

and i pull a 10' trailer....soon as i can ITS GONE...and on to a box truck, plus ill maybe keep the van for my buff jobs..

but i want a 16' box truck, so i can have enough room to put my floor equipment into as well...for if i have multiple things to do at a job...and maybe clear out some space in the garage to...

I have been around enough people the last little but, and helped them working out of a box...and its about 20X better then the damned trailer..

oh btw they both need to be plugged in...no garaging for them

 

[Gary T]

Isn't really just a matter of personal preference? And as for being unprofessional, I've seen plenty of vans and box trucks that I wouldn't let within 100 yards of my driveway.

Sure it can be a pain to tow around, and gas mileage may suffer a bit. But for a guy just starting out, it may just be the ticket for the first few years. You can always pull the TM and put it in a box truck or van when finances warrant or when ready.

I can walk around in my trailer and very easily access any piece of equipment I need. I don't have to bust my nuts to get the 175 out. I don't have to use ramps or 2 guys to get the porty out. It looks great, I can leave it at a job and it can continue to work if need be. Insurance is cheap, there is only 1 engine to worry about. I can go a 12 hour day without a refill.

I will never own a van, possibly a box truck this spring, but never a van. Way too cramped.