Starting up a mobil unit and have a few questions

You might have another good point there. I originally was looking for something like an econoline van. for a nice all in one unit. But I haven't had much luck finding one in a decent price range that didn't need a lot of TLC.



Anyone ever own both brick and mortor location as well as a mobile unit? Dosen't need to be at the same time. Just trying to get a feel for the differences to expect. I'm planning on putting a preimium charge for the mobil unit. Like by the hour (seems to be the norm for the mobile guys here) Anyone see fault in that considering I have set prices at the shop? Worried I might create a conflict of interest. But I keep telling myself I'm aiming for an entirely different clientel with my mobile set up over the usual DD's that come into the shop.
 
'I have owned and operated my mobile detailing business since 2005 and I have experienced everything you can think of when it comes to the Mobile Detailing experience!\r\n\r\nSo....\r\n\r\nI understand that you\'re wanting to possibly start a Mobile Detailing business, aside from your facility/shop.\r\n\r\nYou have options, it just depends on what you\'re initially trying to accomplish (i.e. Residential, Marinas, Fleet, RVs, Dealerships, etc..)\r\n\r\nI started out with a 5 X 10 enclosed trailer w/o a side door .... HUGE MISTAKE!\r\n\r\nThere was NO air vents, and the fumes from the machines were horrible! I got rid of this trailer and went to a 6 X 12 w/ a side door, and it had PLENTY of room No matter what type of work I planned on doing.\r\n\r\nI had a 150 gallon water tank that I purchased at a Feed store (the same ones that are sold at Tractor Supply, but cheaper...I paid less than $200 for mine)\r\n\r\nAnyhow....\r\n\r\nover the last couple of years, I have noticed that the enclosed trailers are good, but you have to take care of them, or they will go to crap fast!\r\n\r\nAlso...if you do end up with an enclosed trailer, make sure you change out the interior sides/walls with some thicker paneling, 1/2 to 3/4 inch plywood works good!\r\n\r\nI currently have a 5 x 8 flat bed trailer ($795) built a small enclosure around it with a top and back door that fold out ($200 worth of material), it has a 125 gallon water tank ($150), honda power washer 2750 psi ($400), Troy Bilt 5550 Generator ($630), I don\'t currently have a hot water extractor, but I have a Rug Doctor w/ the Upholstery attachment ($750), 2 PC\'s (7336\'s...$200 for both), 100 ft of skid free power washer hose ($100), Hose Reel ($175), small portable air compressor ($40), and I have some other little things here and there.\r\n\r\nAnyhow....\r\n\r\nI am actually changing everything around next month.\r\n\r\nI purchased a Commercial Topper for the back of my truck bed, and I will be mounting a 100 gallon square detailing tank ( from a company online called plastixusa dot com, for $155 plus shipping and tax), the generator I\'m getting is a super quiet honda 2000 and it retails for $1000...but its worth it, it\'s only like 45 lbs! troy built power washer 2500 psi, $300, hose reel, 200\' of power washer hose, 2 guns, 1 for power washing, and 1 for Pre-Soaking, small compressor, vacuum, and carpet cleaner. all of my supplies will go in the back seat ( I drive a quad cab ). \r\n\r\nSo...everything will be comfortably mounted int he back of my truck, with a good quality topper that will color match my truck, and I will be putting a Wrap on the bed and topper!\r\n\r\nit\'s going to cost me about $3,500.00.....but it will be an awesome setup!\r\n\r\nThe reason I\'m doing this....\r\n\r\nIt\'s hard to get in and out of certain areas with a trailer...I don\'t care if its a 5X8 or a 7 X 16.....you will find issues here and there when doing your customers vehicles.\r\n\r\nI know I rambled on, and jumped around here and there, but ultimately, you\'re going to do what you\'re going to do, whether you take anyones advice or not. Just be patient when deciding, and go from there...\r\n\r\nSince I have been in this business I have had 4 trailer setups, and have spent over $25,000 on equipment and trailers since 2005!! Not to mention the Hotsy unit that I had that cost me $10K!\r\n\r\nGranted, I did get some of this money back when I sold stuff....but never what I originally paid for the stuff.\r\n\r\nTake Care & Good Luck,\r\n\r\nJJH\r\nATX.MD'
 
Jakerooni said:
Yep. I've decided to start a mobil unit based out my fixed location shop. Got a good crew all hyped up about it. But I have a few questions for the mobil guys.

Awesome and good for you. Hope all goes well with your plans!





First off the trailer- Been following the other trailer set up threads so I have some good clues.. But. Size wise. I'm looking at 6'x10's and 7'x12's. Only online though. Is there's a choice prefence? Is one or the other either too big or to small? I plan on being completly self sufficent unlike the other mobil guys aroud here that show up to a job site with a milk crate of products in the back of their car and have to use the owners electricity and water and then charge them for it. So I need the room for a water tank and a generator as well as all the other goodies.



Honestly, I would go with a 5x8. A 5x8 can be as small or as big as you make it. It is all about using the space wisely. Plan it out, use shelves, use the walls, use the ceiling, etc.. It's all about how you lay out your equipment. When I purchased my 5x8, I really wanted a 6x10. Now that I have used my 5x10 for over a year, I do not know if a 6x10 would be able to get in some spots that I have to go to. I would opt for a trailer with a side door and a double doors on the back. Not one big one like I have. I really needed one in a pinch and just bought mine. I made it work though.(No side door and one large rear door)



Next the water tank. Is the freshwater reseve tank from and RV enough? What is the norm to use and where does one find it? What kind of gallon size. My P/W does about 2.3/gpm I don't need to go stupid but I don't want to cut myself short. (ie I don't need a 500/gal tank but would a 60/ gal be enough?)



Not sure how big the reserve tanks are on RV's, but I get by with a 65 gallon tank without problems. You have to ask yourself too, how many cars can you do in one day? 3? Would you really need a 150 gallon tank to do 3 cars? I can easily do 3-5 cars with my 65 gallon tank, depending on how dirty they are of course. I like to leave with an empty tank, just less weight I have to pull home. I have a few clients where I do fleet washes and run out of water into the job, but I fill up with their water, at their location.





I already have a air compressor, tons of extra product and supplies, shop vacs, wheels and D/A's, garden hoses, extension cords, and air-lines. I don't have obviously the trailer the generator or the water tank. What size generator should I be looking at? Any good name brands to consider, Thinking I want a compact extractor as well. My Mytee Grand Prix 100hp is just to big to lug around all over the place. I need something that will perform up to at the very least that level of extractor but in a smaller compact size.



For a generator, look at the name brands. Don't skimp on equipment that you NEED. The last thing you want is for your generator to not work during a job. You get what you pay for. Spend a little more to have top notch equipment, and you will actually save money in the long run vs. buying cheap equipment after cheap equipment. Look into ones with good warranties. For the size, you'll always want to buy bigger than you need. Always think ahead. If you buy a generator, and want to buy bigger equipment down the road, will the generator you have be able to power it? Take you largest equipment, say your extractor, than add about 1000 watts to it, than add more.:D I get by with a 5500 watt Generator for now, and it powers my extractor without hesitation.

Now for extractors, again, don't skimp on price. I picked up a Mytee HP60, which is about the biggest I would get for being mobile. It is light enough for one guy to load it and unload it (empty of course). Don't buy small and wish you bought bigger. Time is money, and the better and faster the equipment, the faster you can do the work and head to another job.



My timeline on this is to collect all the stuff for the build out this month. Start my build out and initial advertising next month. Get my first set of contacts finalize the build out and then send the trailer in for wrapping, and train the crew on anything specific they may be weak in and heavily advertise the mobil unit in March and be fully up and operational by mid april. Any advise in reaching this goal is greatly appreciated.



All I have to say is good luck. Don't rush anything. Take your time, plan everything out, set up your trailer to be efficient. The last thing you want to do is to spend extra time fumbling with things in the trailer trying to find something. It may take a few trails and errors, as it has to me, but you'll get it. Stay motivated as it may take a little while to get up and running.

Any other questions, fell free to ask away.
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:dance :dance :dance :dance
 
good advise guys keep it coming. Still having some issues tracking down a trailer in the affordable pricerange. Everytime I find one it's gone before I call on it. I know timing is everything and soon enough I'll get lucky on it. Picked up some more halogens professional series from Home Depot. Working out very nicely. Starting hinting around to certianm people about going mobil to get the buzz going. Got my sign guy on the hook to get the wrap going as soon as the trailer gets finalized. So far everything is still falling mostly into place.
 
I just started my mobile detailing business and way it goes fast. I went to this garage (first customer) under big officebuilding for detailing a Ferrari (two days work) and in 3 hours I had 10 other cars waithing for full detailing with high price. I was supprised how easy it is to start doing money but I quess I was lucky to get contact to this office clark. Some times it is easy to get customers.. :)
 
Jake, I have just started my mobile business in the uk. We tend to do things a little different over here. For a start we tend not use trailers, we generally use a mid size van that comes fully equipped. If you havent got your own shop, where do you leave all the kit at night?, at least its all locked away in the van! Secondly you have loads of advertising space on your van, I know its extra money but well worth spending the money on. I have a twin power Honda gen, its very quiet and serves the purpose. Water wise I only have a basic 45gallon bison, I find I can do 2 large exec or 3 small cars out of this easily, the pressure washeronly uses 6litres a minute anyway. I have gone for the people at work market, so they dont have ready access to power or water in the office block. Usually its the manager or directors cars I do, so you will mainly get the prestige market car. As you have employees, giving them vans means they are truly mobile, set the van up on Monday, contact by phone for jobs see them at the end of the week when they need replenishing? This leaves you free to work at your fixed location.
 
Jakerooni,

There are so many variables to what you are looking for. A van is good for getting around in tight driveways or into condo complexes. A trailer works for me personally because when I'm done for the day I can just drop the trailer and drive my truck around for errands. The trailer I'm using now is a 7x12 tandem axle trailer custom made by United trailers out of Indiana. I also had three other doors installed for ease of getting hoses and such out. It is all in what you want. How much equipment will you have with you? I carry my pressure washer, air comp., reclaim tank, water tank generator, two 10x10 tents, and all the chems I need. Your doing the right thing by asking for advise.

You don't want to rush into it. Make sure you know what you want. Good for you for doing your home work.
 
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