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77748 View Drop Down
Journeyman
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Joined: 12/August/2004
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Points: 298 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 77748 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/January/2006 at 7:30pm
doug
King of the One Liners
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Posted: 21 August 2004 at 9:12am | IP Logged Report Post Quote doug
Shocks anf lift blocks are not going to cut it.  For extra weight on the front you may need larged coils in the rear extras leaf springs will help out.  You must remember you are going excee the GVW of this van.  Be prepared to replace brakes, ball joints and stearing parts more often.  As far as a fresh water tank  I would consider an on board water softener we have one in each truck. Water is not light 100 gallons 100o lbs. If you are putting 200 ft. of hoses that is not going to leave you much room.  Just food for thought we use 1 ton GMC extended vans, but we have slide in units.  Don't go to all the trouble to install this in a light van only to find you need a heavier duty van.  Just food for thought.Guitar
doug
King of the One Liners
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Posted: 22 August 2004 at 9:04am | IP Logged Report Post Quote doug
77748:  Iam not trying to discourage you or ridicule you.  It will mean less down time if all these problems are solved before the tm is installed.  You cannot make money when the truck is in the shop.Guitar

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The Great Hardini
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Posted: 24 August 2004 at 11:40am | IP Logged Report Post Quote Carpetologist

As I mentioned before dealing locally with the proper installer is generally the best advice. Now purchasing the Hydramaster Spitfire on my website is also good advice as long as you can feel comfortable with a service company in your area. Generally people who sell Fords shake their head at GM products. This is natural. But, I can assure you this Spitfire is in excellent condition at a woping savings. You should be able to get your investment back very quickly.

We are not by any means knocking the Charger as we also sell them and new is always the best way to go if you do not have a budget problem.

Yes the Spitfire is smaller but still an excellent entry level unit for starters. As far as your van goes it is generally the weight of the water you are carrying as opposed to the weight of the TM. But your van should be at least a 3/4 ton capacity or you will be having van problems down the road.



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I didn't listen to these wise men and I paid for it!!! Do it right the first time. Doing residentials you will find yourself in weird driveways with all the weight your tranny will slip sooner than later and not to mention all the other probs.
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MR. STEAMER View Drop Down
True Patriot
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Only in the GTA

Joined: 03/March/2004
Location: Canada
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Points: 14544 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MR. STEAMER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/January/2006 at 8:47pm

yup

go heavy duty go 1 ton... have have 2 trucks a 2500 and a 3500 and I'll tell you the 2500 doesn't handle the load no where near as good as the one ton
www.mr-steamer.com
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nightrider View Drop Down
Marketing Master
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Points: 4656 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nightrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/January/2006 at 8:52pm

I suppose you guys know better than I do, but I won't stop my quest to know why a smaller truck won't cut it.

                               Nightrider
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77748 View Drop Down
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Points: 298 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 77748 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/January/2006 at 9:54pm

Found this Mr. Nightrider  which is one of your your posts (scaring me now)your quest should be simple. Get the Astro and you will also have a degree in Nightwalkin   Idea

I AM JACK, A CERTIFIED TECHNICAL ADVISOR OF PRE AND POST AIR QUALITY CONTROL SUPERVISOR WITH A BACHLOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE, AN ENGINEERS DEGREE IN THE MANUFACTURING OF CARPET AND A IICRC TRUE BLUE ONE OF A KIND KING OF THE HILL BULLsh*tTER STORY TELLER AND PART TIME CARPET CLEANER...........WHERE EVERY CARPET CLEANER IS ANOTHER CARPET CLEANERS NIGHTMARE        



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Advantage View Drop Down
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Joined: 22/May/2005
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Points: 158 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Advantage Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28/January/2006 at 10:36pm

Reguardless of what anyone says, check the load rating on the Astro.  Then add up the weight of your gear, all of it.  Next give yourself some extra weight for stuff you might carry occasionally.  See if it works out.

There is a guy around here who runs a Spitfire in an Astro with no onboard water and an auto pumpout.  He coils his hoses in the back cause he doesn't have room for the reels.

I wouldn't want to do it.
CCT, UFT, OCT, CRT, RRT, WRT, SMT, FSRT, JTC, JSR, JWR, MTC a great life, if you don't weaken.


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77748 View Drop Down
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Points: 298 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 77748 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29/January/2006 at 12:54am

 

I own two Chevy Astros and both have had the same problems they are simply weak overated . Hell I even beefed up the suspensions. I supposedly saved gas. Within the last month got 1 chevy 2500 and one 3500. I feel like the real deal. Atro looks like a little kid next these new vans and they are the extended. Dwarfed them. Whatever the weight is when you are running 80 90 % weight capacity you are looking for problems.



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nightrider View Drop Down
Marketing Master
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Points: 4656 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nightrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29/January/2006 at 1:03am

Told you I was full of crap, but do you listen........nooooooooooooooooo

                                Nightrider

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77748 View Drop Down
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Points: 298 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 77748 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29/January/2006 at 1:07am

 

Your alright Nightrider! Pretty cool sense of humor!

Thanks for not taking my responses in a negative way!

This forum is the best I have learned alot from it !!!



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nightrider View Drop Down
Marketing Master
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Points: 4656 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nightrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/January/2006 at 3:21am

77748 I checked the specs on the Chevy Astro and it said that the payload is capable for 1600 lbs

It has the Vortec 4.3 V6

250lbs,Torque @ 2800rpm.

Sounds good to me so far.

NOw if you ride empty and have only a waste tank and connect direct at the customers ( providing you do alot of commercial ) the Astro would be ideal.

If you do more residential, then have a 70-100 gallon fresh tank and a 40 gallon waste with an auto pump out.

Does any of this make sence............ or am I really out in left field and should stick to marketing.

                              Nightrider
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Ed Valentine View Drop Down
Carpet Cleaning Specialist
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Points: 770 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Valentine Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/January/2006 at 10:51am

The Chevy Astro van with Vortex 6 cyl. engine are some of the best made, IMHO.

We had two of them and they ran, ran, ran, each acummulating up to 240,000 miles without one major problem. Ofcourse, up to the day we sold them, they looked brand new. Always cleaned and waxed them.

Good Fortune to all;

Ed Valentine
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John L View Drop Down
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Joined: 29/November/2004
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Points: 4013 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John L Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/January/2006 at 3:42pm

Got'ya beat ED.... lol !!!  My Astro went 358,000 miles before the intake gasket went out....  Also the usual repairs  alternator, starter....

 
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pilediver View Drop Down
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Joined: 03/December/2005
Location: Sidney BC Canad
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Points: 3235 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pilediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/January/2006 at 8:58pm

One of the problems with Astro Vans is they have graphite springs in the rear.  When you overload a regular steel leaf spring it still works ok. Overload a graphite spring and they bottom easier and are prone to snapping.  The other problem on Astros is they are prone to pitman and idler arm wear and heavy loads will only accelerate these problems. 

If you were to run the truck over its legal weight and you have a commercial registration on the vehicle it could be reasonably argued by the insurer of the van that it was not being operated correctly and that could cause your insurance to not pay a claim.

IMO, if you keep your foot out of the trottle on the 1 tons they are not all that bad on fuel.  If you want longevity on the unit (truck or cleaning unit) take care to service it.  Change oil and lube by the running hour not the ordometer.  Change trany fluid and coolant every year.
http://www.expertcarpetcare.ca>Carpet Cleaning in Victoria BC
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nightrider View Drop Down
Marketing Master
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Points: 4656 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nightrider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/January/2006 at 10:20pm

Whats a heavy load ? The springs don't get affected unless all the weight is directed to the rear of the cabin.

All weight distribution should be front to center of cab.

Ball joints & Pittman arms are weak to begin with, that includes all Chevy products including the series 1500, 2500, 3500 heavy duty Trucks.

GM shouls take a lesson from Ford and use Kingpins.

The Vortec V6 4.3 is capable of towing over 5000 lbs

                                Nightrider
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pilediver View Drop Down
Carpet Cleaning Guru
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Joined: 03/December/2005
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Points: 3235 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pilediver Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30/January/2006 at 10:44pm

According to the GM website Astro has a cargo capacity of 1647lbs.  That is not a lot of weight. 
http://www.expertcarpetcare.ca>Carpet Cleaning in Victoria BC
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