Thoughts on using a Pressure washer Van Set up

If you have chemicals in the van then I would not do that, too many chances of spilling and breathing those fumes and more than likely getting into a wreck.

Breathing the gas, SH, acids, caustics, etc... is just not good for your lungs.

Imagine driving on the highway and your gas can is leaking or your bleach is leaking, soon you will not be able to breathe and if you can, you pull off the road and try to deal with it and probably be stuck there a while until the fumes go away so you can breathe again in the van.

Too many chances for an accident if you bring chemicals into the van.

If you had a partition separating the cab from the rest of the van then that would be ok, a lot safer.
 
Mike V said:
We buy all of our Chem delivered in bulk and have a 500 gallon tank at our yard where we keep our trailers and trucks.

I would love a van like that...any flatbed really.
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Have you seen the flatbed for rent at home depot? Ive came across a few on craigslist and ebay from 9-11k with 50-75k miles.

They are one ton single cab fords but they only have the 5.4 engine and single rear wheels. They have aluminum beds with with flip down sides as well.
 
apple said:
Have you seen the flatbed for rent at home depot? Ive came across a few on craigslist and ebay from 9-11k with 50-75k miles.

They are one ton single cab fords but they only have the 5.4 engine and single rear wheels. They have aluminum beds with with flip down sides as well.
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Those are pretty sweet. I have an F-250 Dually Flatbed for my landscaping biz, might get one for the PW side.
 
not to mention the damage the corrosive fumes do to the electrical system.
 
Mike V said:
I have a line on an E-250 Work Van......needs minimal TLC.

Want to use this for residential work, stick a hydrotec in there and let 'em go to work.


Who is running a Van? Any pics of the setup inside?
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I have only had one Van set up with a pressure washer, I loved it before I went to one ton diesel Flatbeds. I would do a Van again, I actually like the equipment enclosed. Just the safety issue was more expensive venting everything. Carrying Chemicals was difficult also.

I wish I could actually find the photos. all Fuel was vented to the sides, only ever had them confuse the diesel once with regular fuel.
 
AZ PowerWash Pros said:
A lot of the companies that clean hoods out here have vans... I see them driving around all the time. Great exposure with the logos on the side but I would stick with flat beds and trailers...
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I did the Vans years ago but the fumes were a problem. The other thing was the thought of an accident. I had a 250 and 350 ford vans that had a ton of stuff inside that even though there was a cage behind the seats stuff was going to fly in there if we hit something. Pick up trucks, Flatbed and open or enclosed trailers worked best for us.
 
For the sake of a safety argument.....I wonder what is worse...a thin piece of glass between the cab of a pickup and all the stuff in the bed.....or a metal cage in a van?

I'm going with the metal cage.


I have moved on from the Van idea, bought a couple other vehicles.
 
Mike V said:
For the sake of a safety argument.....I wonder what is worse...a thin piece of glass between the cab of a pickup and all the stuff in the bed.....or a metal cage in a van?

I'm going with the metal cage.


I have moved on from the Van idea, bought a couple other vehicles.
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Mike you never seen a role over. I deal with them on my "Other Job". Stuff falls out of a pick-up where a Van is stays in there with you if your sea tbelted and yes a Pickup truck should have a cage over that back glass but we all know that people with Vans most likely keep some type of liquid in there for there Cleaning applications or whatever and that to will stay in there with you and probably end up on you.

On accident ends I deal with them... stick to what you know.
 
I agree with the consensus. I work out of a van currently and I'm not super happy with it though I like having everything enclosed. Looking to get a small trailer to carry the chems and the power washer.
 
Thats a Nice ride Mark
Mark 8262 said:
I absolutely hate driving a van, BUT it has been very good for business. I get a lot of calls from my van and have been told by customers that they went with me because of the professional appearance.

A couple of weeks ago while eating lunch I received a call from an attorney who said he just passed my van and asked if I would quote his home. While doing his home his neighbor asked me to do his also $800 between the two homes. Last week I was on my way to quote some condos. I stopped at McDonalds to use the restroom and someone followed me in and said he saw my van and asked if i would follow him to his house and give him a price (got the job) after I left there and was going to my appointment I received another call from someone who said they just passed me and asked if I could go by her house and give her a price (got that one too) $750 for those two. Yesterday while leaving Office Depot a lady stopped me as I was driving away (I am pressure washing her house and guest house tomorrow) $$$ not yet determined.

This happens fairly often. I spent $300 for the lettering on my van it's not fancy but it is very clean and effective.
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After starting with a van, then getting a couple trucks/trailers, we've come full circle and run out of sprinter/full sized transit vans now. I love working out of them.
 
We are looking into getting an enclosed trailer for our next setup. We currently have open trailers and like them, but the equipment is exposed to the elements and we see quite a bit of wear and tear. For those of you with experience what do you think of an enclosed trailer? Do you like them? I just got an estimate for what we would like in an enclosed setup and its pricey. I'd like to know if its worth the expense.
 
I did just the pickup to begin with, then went to open. I've had my enclosed for 15 years now. Other than the obvious higher cost of the enclosed, the two tradeoffs I'm not crazy about with the enclosed is, HOT in the summer and dealing with the hose reels. Other than that, I love the enclosed!!! My newest pw is going on 16 yrs old and since its been kept in the enclosed, it looks like 2yrs old!!!

Mike
 
Advice Needed

Yes I have a lawn service and i am start doing some driveway cleaning on my down time. I would like to is this pressure washer a good start up one: STANLEY FATMAX 3400 PSI, 2.5 GPM Gas Pressure Washer. Thanks Tony
 
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