How do you guys without trailers carry your things around??

K

kleraudio

New member
Hey everyone, I need a new system....



I dont have a trailer and am sick of carrying around 1/2 a million plastic storage containers to details, how do you guys organize your stuff for mobile detailing without a trailer??



Pics would be greatly appreciated, i would like to cutdown on all these storage boxes so i can get setup faster and leave faster when everything is done.



Jim
 
I've been mobile for 16 years and haven't had a trailer. I've never felt the need for one. I've used many vehicles (small cars, large cars, full size trucks, small trucks). Currently using a S10 with standard size bed. I've watched many detailers working and some spend enormous amounts of time setting up. I've watched some spend more time setting up then it takes me to do a wash. I don't use any storage containers. I do have two small gym type bags (free with $100 meguiars purchases) that I had my PC, pads, polishes, invertor, clay and odds and ends. I use a drawstring fabric laundry bag for my towels. I keep the two bags, the towel bag inside my truck. I also have my two 1000watt bucket heaters, a small handheld bissell steamer (steam and clean), extra 50ft cord and 6-8 gallons of products (behind seat) for refilling. I do mostly weekly washes now so on most stops only thing I have to grab is the towels I need for the car. The bag sits on the passenger seat so it's a matter of just reaching in and grabbing what I need.



In the bed I have 50gallon tank, 2 plastic bottle holder caddy type things, pressure washer, generator, 2gallon sprayer, 5 gallon bucket, step stool, water pump, hose reel, 1 gallon water container, 1/2 gallon of gas and my rigid 4050 4gallon vacuum. My 12v water pump feeds the pressure washer or a 50ft reel of air hose that is bolted to bed. I mainly use ONR and only use the hose or pressure wash a few times a month. Everything is put in the same place and if something is on top of something else whatever is on top is first thing I need. One caddy holds around 10 bottles of various stuff. The other caddy holds the stuff I use on wheels, tires wells. Nothing is in covered containers. I hate to spend time setting up and cleaning up so pretty much I don't have too. I don't take much out of the truck that sits on the ground. When I'm done with something it goes back in it's place. The only thing that is left out after using is the vacuum. Since vacuuming is one of the first things I do I put it in last so that nothing is setting on top of the hose or cord.
 
I was thinking about going with a truck bed mount, but did not want my equipment exposed. A camper shell was out because I would not be able to get to things in the back of the bed.



I went with a trailer. I like to have everything in the trailer. When I had my small trailer, I could only fit so much in it. I hated having to stock my trailer every night for the next job that needed something different. Since I went with my bigger enclosed trailer, I can take a little of everything......just in case.



I also like that everything in my trailer is stationary. I open the doors and go to work. Everything is right there, just pull it out...
 
I just posted this in another thread, but it applies here as well I think.



My system:



(2) 5 gallon buckets with sealed lids



(4) huge husky tool bags



= 1 bag for wash supplies ShMITTS, pre-dosed ONR, pre-dosed conventional soap, clay, waffle weaves, wheel and misc brushes (inside a container in the bag), QD, wheels cleaners, plastic blades etc.

= 1 interior bag. Spotter kit, interior brushes, cyclo brushes, steamer attachments, vac attachments, interior dressings glass cleaner, magic erasers, applicators etc.

= 1 polish bag. Cyclo, PC, sometimes a rotary. My entire line of polishes,glazes and waxes in travel size containers

= 1 bag for any random stuff I think a certain job might require. Sometimes just more towels etc.



all products are transfered in portable containers for maximum portability. I used to get scared I would run out of certain things, but I got it pretty much nailed how much to carry now.



- I use the wash buckets after washing to throw dirty towels in. Greasy grimey in one, polishing/QD/wax towels in another



Don't get me wrong I still have a steamer, Rigid vac, and extractor to haul, but the toolbag method works best for me for everything else. I usually have everything at my fingertips that I might need at the time in the designated bag. When I am done with Washing/ polishing/interior, I put that bag away and forget about it. More organized, less mess!



Jeremy
 
hey thanks alot guys for the responses, Jeremy, do you use the customers power then?? Thats what im leaning towards right now.



Thanks



jim
 
kleraudio said:
hey thanks alot guys for the responses, Jeremy, do you use the customers power then?? Thats what im leaning towards right now.



Thanks



jim
Click to expand...



most of the time, yes



I do have a generator, but I really don't care to fire it up in someone's neighborhood early in the morning. I have never had a problem with using customer's power. Actually they seem to prefer that to a generator running all day. Once in a great while I do not have access to water so the ONR really does come in handy. The more I use the ONR the more I actually prefer it though. I do get funny looks washing a car with it though!



The only time I get a little scared is when I fire up the extractor and other equipment like my steamer, polishers, bucket heater etc. Sometimes I will only have one outlet and have to plan accordingly to make sure I dont draw too much power. I hate the idea of tripping someone's breakers.



Jeremy
 
I have an 05 Chevy Colorado CC with a 6ft bed. I have a soft roll up tonneu and a locking tailgate. So far I have no problem using the truck, as far as space for equipment. I also use my truck for personal use. Heres my run down...



4000 watt gen. (two 35ft cord reels mounted on it)

15 Gal. water tank and pump (use mostly ONR, but converted a small agric.sprayer)

32" delta tool box mounted up front on the side (sprays,vac tools, extra cords,etc.

2 step ladder

Husky elec.1800psi pressure washer (60ft hose reel,mounted on gen next to cord reels)

5gal. water cont.with spout

5.5hp Craftsman Vac with 10ft hose

Two small plastic cont. for towels (locking lid type)

One small plastic cont. for waxes,polishes, and misc. chemicals

Mytee Lite II extractor (only carry around when needed,just put in front seat)

Two wash buckets (3 gal.each)

Small Craftsman tool box....(carries Cyclo and pads)



Thats about it. I do keep an inventory of chemicals,towels, polishes etc. in my gargage. So I only carry what I need for the weekend or during the week. I had considered a trailer, but my neighborhood has an homeowners assoc. and they do not allow any type of trailers to parked in front of your house. I like the truck method, it allows you monuver into tight spaces, like at office buildings and small residential streets.
 
bdaly84 said:
I like the truck method, it allows you monuver into tight spaces, like at office buildings and small residential streets.
Click to expand...





I've often wondered if detailers with trailers run into problems with space. I have several customers that I couldn't do if I had a trailer. Different areas maybe tight parking lots are less common. When I had my F150 with 8ft bed I had a few places that it created problems.
 
PhaRO said:
I've often wondered if detailers with trailers run into problems with space. I have several customers that I couldn't do if I had a trailer. Different areas maybe tight parking lots are less common. When I had my F150 with 8ft bed I had a few places that it created problems.
Click to expand...



Yes, it does make life easier. Plus I dont have two tag renewals, two insurance premiums, and soforth.
 
I re-size ALL my chemicals into 24oz and 12oz spray bottles. The polishes, sealants, etc. are in 8oz. sample bottles. These are all stored in 2 milk cartons (am going to need one more).

I have two 5gal. pails that store all my detailing tools along wtih a large bath towel. I lay the twoel on the ground and set all my tools on this, then use the 5gal. pails as my water buckets.



I also have a Ridgid 4gal./5HP wet vac, Karcher 1400PSI PW, 50ft. hose, 100ft. extension cord, and 45ft. of PW hose (rolled up in one of those orange hand reels used for extension cords.) I also have quick connects for EVERTYHING.



Set up is easy and quick when you are ORGANIZED.
 
That's why I bought a 94 Hilux with a flexiglass top on it. Tonnes of room

I sleep in it sometimes
 
I would like to see pics of the coupe setup also. All I have is a 4 door Civic and am trying to figure out how to fit everything. I'm going to be using customer electric and water, so I won't have to carry the generator, so that still leaves a lot of room in the trunk. So far I have all of my chemicals and towels in a clear plastic box with a closeable lid on it and two 5 gallon buckets. With those in the trunk, I could still have room for a vac if it isn't too tall, other wise, in the back seat it will go.
 
So most customers agree with the idea that your using their water and electricity? What would you all say as far as ratio wise (1:1=50% electric 50%generator?)
 
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