First, let me say that this choice can depend a lot on where you are located. I am in central FL and the houses here are mostly of newer designs and there are not any electrical issues to deal with. If you live in an area where electricity is a big problem due to older houses, you have to weigh this factor in. Another factor here is that most of the houses are one story and the landscape is flat. In areas with lots of stairs, a portable can be a pain in the a$$.

 

Ok, so lets rule out the electricity and landscape issues and concentrate solely on the machines. With the release of the RV360i, combined with a few of the high powered portables of today, I can honestly say that it does not make any sense at all to use a truckmount as your primary unit. If you are fortunate to have the means to own more than one van, by all means having one of each is ideal. Sometimes a truckmount is simply easier to use and sometimes a portable will save some headache. As far as cleaning quality goes, it is not an issue. With my Certified Pile Lifter, RV360i and Mytee M5 with booster, I can do a much better job than ANY truckmount using a wand. The RV360i is a far bigger advantage than a TM is and the Mytee combination allows very similar dry times to a TM. A Recoil with booster should give similar results.

 

In the past, things were different but times are changing. We only use our truckmount vans on special instances at this point and have received nothing less than raves from our customers.

 

For those about to enter the business, it does not make any sense to spend 10 times the money on a truckmount. Having said this, a portable user has to do his best to make his van setup as efficient as possible. We use the Mytee electrical adapter and zip-tie two 25' electrical cords together to make portable setup fast and easy. We also have quick connects on the waste hose as well as the incoming fresh water hose. Personally, I don't believe in one-man crews and if you are using a portable, it is even more important to have a 2 man crew.

 

Consider the strategy of survival in this business. While many of your competitors are spending about $1000 a month on gasoline, not to mention some are making a $500 monthly equipment payment, they are under far more pressure than you if you are using a portable and a more fuel efficient van. I use a Mercedes Sprinter, which gets 22-24 mpg overall, about double that of a domestic van. With the truckmount gulping down a few gallons per hour, I am saving about $700 a month just on fuel, per van.

That's exactly what Doug Heifferman said last time I took one of his classes.

 

Originally posted by Atlantis   I've also been contemplating the amount of gas I use to use. I'd say about 2 gallons an hour x 8 hours a day = 16 gallons/day x $3/gallon = $48/day x 15 days a month (leaving out 5 working days just to leave room for slow days and no days) = $720/month in savings! Cons to gas truck mounts (cost per month on gas). LOL! Hmmmmm. Those recoils look great though!

 

Only a fool would try cost cutting to make money, have you ever seen a chef sell off or don't use his kitchen equipment because it cost to much to operate to generate his business.

 

If you do have a Sprinter as a truckmount, I know you're a foolish businessman, but not using it and market business for it's operation and then posts a thread on KleenKuip that a portable makes you more money just confirms that you're an idiot without a clue of the world around you.

 

                                                     Nightrider

 

If I am such a dumb businessman, why am I one of the only survivors in my area since I moved here in 1995? Why don't you and I compare assets and net worth and see which one of us comes out ahead, Mr Know-it-all? Who even mentioned marketing? Do you honestly think that most customers care at all about the difference between a truckmount or portable? If one guy gets their carpet perfectly clean and it dries very quickly, do you think they are going to second guess what equipment he used? The fact is, performance between a truckmount and a high powered portable is close enough that other factors become more important.

 

My guess is that you are a typical blue collar grunt who is riddled with insecurities and quite possibly, runaway alcoholism. Your unprovoked rage is quite telling and I would be lying if I did not admit to enjoying the fact that I was the cause of this particular meltdown of yours.

 

I learned many many years ago, that people who boast about what they have.......... HAVE NOTHING.  That's what you have, if you want to prove me and this forum wrong, post a pic of your fantasy truck with this months front page of a newspaper, and let's check on your credibility.

 

                                                        Nightrider

 

By the way Doug, how is retirement.....are you keeping well.  Do you still do anything as far as work is concerned or just relaxing and working around the house. We all want to know what the King of the one-liners is up to. Or did you post just to add another feather in your 32,500 post hat. lol ( that's alot of posts )

 

                                                         Nightrider

 

                                                           Nightrider

Trust me, you don't want me to show proof of what I have or it will likely make you cry and feel like an internet jerkoff.

 

1 customer in a few months? Wait until you use them for 25yrs.. By the way can you show all of us pics of your setups? Post it in the CarpetCleaningHangout under

forum_posts.asp?TID=2094&title=pics-of-your-rig-tools - Pic�s of your Rig/Tools....  

 

Do you by chance promote for John Lababa? Seems like you do!

It is very simple minded to make such an assumption just because I recently bought an M5 and booster. I even criticized both in some areas, although my overall impression of the machines is very good. I do not know John LaBarbera at all.

I am pissed they did not use a truckmount.

My carpets are soft from the cleaning BUT a couple of areas where we walk with no shoes or socks still show a loss of texture that I am sure would have come out with the high heat of a truckmount. The carpets were also damp in a couple of areas overnight.

There is no doubt in my mind that TM is where its at. However you need to reach a different pricepoint to make it profitable.

 

Hey, Just asking a simple question to a simple minded person?

 

 

It is very simple minded to write a statement and follow it with a question mark. Let me guess; you did not get such high grades in English class. For the record, we have been enjoying excellent dry times with the Mytee M5 + AirHog Booster.

#top">

orbot for encapping. The places I clean and where

I need to put my vehicle it just works out better.

Nick