Truck or Van - Poll
- Thread starter Minuteman
- Start date
Dave Olson
Workin North of 60
Hello Minuteman,
What do you mean "Small Rig"? Truck or van!
Dave Olson
What do you mean "Small Rig"? Truck or van!
Dave Olson
Russ Johnson
Equipment Expert
Trucks??? Dave ain't got no trucks.
A gas/diesel hot water unit is around 800lbs ,give or take and a water tank with say 325 gallons is around 2600lbs plus,add the 2 hose reels with hose,wands chemicals etc and your around 5000lbs without the weight of the trailer(which should be a tandem axle trailer with electric brakes,a single axle is really too lightweight,especially if your carrying water). I would make sure your truck is a 1 ton whether it is a truck or a van.
I prefer a box truck or cube van,due to it's storage capacity,weight carrying ability,and protection from the elements and theft.I have a UD diesel box truck with an 18 foot box,a 6 cyl turbo diesel,525 gal fresh water tank,a 325 gal reclaim/recycle tank,wash water recycle system,10kwatt watercooled kohler generator,1 gas/ diesel hotwater skid unit,and a electric/diesel hot water portable unit,three hosereels and all the assorted items laddders,wands, tool boxes,air compressor etc.the truck has a 17,500 gvw and I am usually a little heavier than that(have to watch those DOT weigh scales!)I usually dont carry more than 400 gallons of water though and sometimes alot less than that.I also have a ford cube van with a 10,000lb gvw as a back up with a gas /diesel hot water skid and a 300 gallon tank.
Now Dave Olsens equipment makes mine look like a single axle trailer being pulled by a jeep!Lol! Just kidding,but it has taken me a few years to put these rigs together,but just starting out you still want to look as professional,and more important be as safe as you can be.I have seen guys pulling single axle trailers with big water tanks with mini pick up trucks with the back almost dragging the ground from the weight ,swaying down the road.A disaster waiting to happen.There is a big difference in towing ability between a half ton truck and 1 ton,the springs, axles,rears,and brakes are much more heavy duty and will last longer,and more safely tow a heavy trailer.My preference though is a box truck.Once you drive one of the cabover style box trucks and see how comfortable they are to drive,and the great turning radius,even compared to a cube van you will be hooked.The diesel engine makes a big difference in longevity and fuel mileage the exhaust brake saves wear and tear on your brakes,and helps alot on long downgrades.Honestly though some guys have started out with cold water machines in the trunk of their car or in the back of their pick up and went on to build successful businesses with multiple professional rigs.But whatever you plan to start with make sure it can handle the weight you plan to carry.Remember,sometimes what seems okay on flat level ground under normal conditions is a different story if you have to stop in a hurry,or have a long steep hill to go down where you have to stop at the bottom,and you cooked your brakes on the way down and cant stop.Hope this helps and good luck on whatever you decide.
Jim
I prefer a box truck or cube van,due to it's storage capacity,weight carrying ability,and protection from the elements and theft.I have a UD diesel box truck with an 18 foot box,a 6 cyl turbo diesel,525 gal fresh water tank,a 325 gal reclaim/recycle tank,wash water recycle system,10kwatt watercooled kohler generator,1 gas/ diesel hotwater skid unit,and a electric/diesel hot water portable unit,three hosereels and all the assorted items laddders,wands, tool boxes,air compressor etc.the truck has a 17,500 gvw and I am usually a little heavier than that(have to watch those DOT weigh scales!)I usually dont carry more than 400 gallons of water though and sometimes alot less than that.I also have a ford cube van with a 10,000lb gvw as a back up with a gas /diesel hot water skid and a 300 gallon tank.
Now Dave Olsens equipment makes mine look like a single axle trailer being pulled by a jeep!Lol! Just kidding,but it has taken me a few years to put these rigs together,but just starting out you still want to look as professional,and more important be as safe as you can be.I have seen guys pulling single axle trailers with big water tanks with mini pick up trucks with the back almost dragging the ground from the weight ,swaying down the road.A disaster waiting to happen.There is a big difference in towing ability between a half ton truck and 1 ton,the springs, axles,rears,and brakes are much more heavy duty and will last longer,and more safely tow a heavy trailer.My preference though is a box truck.Once you drive one of the cabover style box trucks and see how comfortable they are to drive,and the great turning radius,even compared to a cube van you will be hooked.The diesel engine makes a big difference in longevity and fuel mileage the exhaust brake saves wear and tear on your brakes,and helps alot on long downgrades.Honestly though some guys have started out with cold water machines in the trunk of their car or in the back of their pick up and went on to build successful businesses with multiple professional rigs.But whatever you plan to start with make sure it can handle the weight you plan to carry.Remember,sometimes what seems okay on flat level ground under normal conditions is a different story if you have to stop in a hurry,or have a long steep hill to go down where you have to stop at the bottom,and you cooked your brakes on the way down and cant stop.Hope this helps and good luck on whatever you decide.
Jim
Last edited: