Thinking about going with an SUV/Trailer set up...thoughts?

Hey all,

I'm new here but from what ive been reading this looks like a cool detailers spot for sure. Some may know me from AG or MOL or Autopia. I'm 25, live out in Az and do mobile detailing.

I've been doing my mobile detailing out of a little Taurus for the past few years...this past year business has caught on a bit more and i think its time to upgrade from the Taurus.

This will be my business vehicle but also personal vehicle. I at first was going to go the van route, but i wanted something that looked a bit cooler than the van and something i could drive around and not have to worry about unloading all my things if i wasn't going to a job.

So i've been thinking about going with a Tahoe or Yukon, i just really like how they look, plus with a V8 it would be less stress for them to pull a smaller trailer behind it. The SUV is first though as i don't have enough $ to do both right now...hell i'm even short on having enough to do the SUV lol, but ive gotta make the leap. I figure i'd have some basic advertising on the SUV, maybe something on the back window.... like company name/# and website and leave it at that.

But for the trailer i figured i'd still keep it simple, just with bigger lettering and my logo once its finished being designed.
Just wondering if anyone else has gone this route and what their experiences were with it. I really see this as being my BEST shot at having constant advertising, and if i have a nice looking ride thats in great shape thats 24/7 advertising...and even more advertising when i finally get the trailer.

Thoughts?

 

If you want something sturdy, that's good looking, practical and is reliable, why not consider a Toyota 4Runner? Regardless of which one you choose, it's a great option to have as a work tool and advertising tool as well. Personal use is an added bonus

 

Here are some pics of my last van set up. Was a little hard on gas so an Astro van may be a better choice. You want to get noticed, drive through subdivisions in a van like this reaaaalllllyyy slowly. Everyone notices! LOL

 

I just took a look, only downfall is they only come in V6. I know thats better gas mileage, but i dont know how it would hold up for towing?

I recognize those bad boys! Savanah right? My pops has an Express (same thing). That was what i wanted to go with initially, but since it is going to be a personal vehicle as well, and the fact that finding one of these things under 100k miles is hard as hell (for a decent price), I'm leaning more towards the SUV idea.

I do like your set up, nice and organized. I love the PW reel. Looks like a pricey set up but very nice

 

Well, it's a 4.0 L V6 that produces 270HP and 278 ft-lbs of torque. It has a rated towing capacity of 5000 lbs, and I doubt the small trailer you were thinking of weights that much I was just throwing the idea out there since it is reliable, cheap and will consume less gas than the V8's.

 

lol NOOO dont think i'll be towing that much. It really has a 5000 lbs tow capacity on a v6? Do you know if the seats fold down? I was just looking at the Mazda CX9's...they look very cool...good gas mileage and very sporty...plus all seats fold flat

 

Realistically, with the Astro, you won't need a trailer. That set up in the Savanna came directly out of my Astro. The only reason I went to the Savanna was it only got a few MPG less than the Astro but had a ton more room. Also, the Astro is built on a truck chassis and would have no worries towing your trailer. I'm assuming you'll be looking at a 5x8?

 

Realistically, with the Astro, you won't need a trailer. That set up in the Savanna came directly out of my Astro. The only reason I went to the Savanna was it only got a few MPG less than the Astro but had a ton more room. Also, the Astro is built on a truck chassis and would have no worries towing your trailer. I'm assuming you'll be looking at a 5x8?

 

Well thats what i was saying...originally i wanted JUST a van...period...put everything in it like you did...and thats the end of the story. But this is also going to be my personal vehicle, and even though i dont really go a lot of places, i dont want to always be runnin around in something that looks like a work vehicle, i'd like something nicer looking for personal runs...thats why i was looking at a nice SUV of some sort...with a trailer. Then when im out for personal stuff i just leave the trailer in storage, but when im out for work, i just hook up and go. And yeah i think a nice 5X8 would be all i need.

 

A 5x8 will work fine. If you need any suggestions for layout or set up, let me know. I've built 4 vans so far and am about to do a Chevy S10 so I may be able to offer some advice.

 

I might take you up on that . I mean im able to fit everything into the taurus now...so im sure i can figure out most of what i need to do. But maybe i can give you a list of things i have and you can advise little goodies you've found useful when setting yours up. Like i know id like some sort of a bottle holder for the door...rubber maid containers would be a must have also. Im unsure about the water tank at this point..if i can make some good $ on slow days just doing washes though it might be a good investment to just get a little guy...i just have to see if i can get my foot in the door with some businesses and up my price some from the $25-35 that i usually charge.

Any advice you can offer in terms of setting every thing up id be glad to listen to..

 

I'm currently in sort of the same situation that you are accept i've been using my uncles ford ranger since he rarely uses it for work. Only problem i have with that is it just doesn't look professional to me and it isn't my truck. What i'm thinking of doing is trading in my current car: 09 Honda Accord EX-L V6 Coupe (which i love) and getting a business vehicle as i rarely drive my car. I live in a Condo and so lugging my stuff up and down daily gets old real quick. Having a van is great as it's like a gigantic billboard that you can advertise on and it will keep all the gear nicely. I'm looking at a similar setup to one of the other members on this forum who has a Nissan NV Cargo van which is fantastic as they have a model that you can stand up in the back of the van . . . . . i went down to check them out. Trailers are good as well i guess. I've thought about going that route but i just think that having a van would be that much better vs towing something and you can write the van off and the mileage you drive vs a trailer setup.

 

Another thing to consider is whether or not you will NEED to haul water. The reason I say that is I had my van set up with water in all the years I've done mobile work, there has only been one instance where I couldn't hook up. If you don't NEED to carry water, you can get away with a much smaller, more fuel efficient vehicle. Right now I am using my Passat Wagen until I get another truck. I can take everything I need in the back of my wagen without folding the seat down. You may be able to get away with the SUV and no trailer.

 

Good information Ken. I may need to contact you myself LoL. I posted a thread up in this section regarding having a fixed location vs going mobile. I don't want to hijack this thread though so i'll stay on subject. Trailer vs Van/Suv/Car setup . . . . . i think a van or trailer would look that much more professional. AZ must have some nice cars.

 

Given the option, I would use a van. Whether its a cutaway with a 10 or 12' box, one like Jimmy's new Nissan or a Ford Transit. Bob Willis had a good point about a pickup in that all the products and their fumes stay away from him. A sealed bulkhead in a van would accomplish the same thing. It rains a bit here LOL so having a van means I can jump inside out of the weather to put on/take off my rain gear. This is what I'd really like, but with a 10' box,not the 12' pictured.

 

Van............. DO IT!

 

Yes Van . . . . . do it! I'm really digging the new Nissan

 

That Safari Box Van looks nice as well, as for the NV they have a divider option so if I go that route I would get that installed. Fumes from solvents can be really bad to inhale short term ............and long term there will be a price to pay.

 

The Savana above is a cutaway so the box is completely separate from the cab. No way for nasty fumes to get through although its too late for me. Save yourselves!

 

drive with the windows down