| are two options in selecting a carpet cleaning | | | | cruise control, tilt steering wheel, power windows, |
| truck. The first option is an extended van and the | | | | CD player, and an AM/FM radio. |
| second is a box truck. Extended vans have a | | | | The extended van comes in either ½ ton |
| cargo size of 12' not counting the driver and | | | | or one ton styles. Also a choice of sliding side |
| passenger area. Their dimensions are 12' x 7' x | | | | door can be a feature which adds ease of |
| 4.3' (length x width x height) a total of 232 cubic | | | | accessing equipment. Both vans and trucks come |
| feet. The disadvantage of a carpet cleaning truck | | | | with V-8 engines. |
| this size is that one will be making several trips | | | | The greatest reason in selecting a carpet cleaning |
| from the work site to bring all of the equipment | | | | van or a box truck is the purpose of the business |
| needed to complete the job. Costs in addition to | | | | and the capacity of the truck or van. If the focus |
| fuel will reduce one's profit margin. | | | | is commercial, cleaning carpets in hotels and office |
| When the carpet cleaning business owner wants | | | | buildings, a carpet cleaning box truck would be the |
| larger extraction cleaning equipment, the box | | | | choice. If the business is going to be mostly |
| truck is the way to go. Box trucks come with 3 | | | | residential in scope, the the carpet cleaning van will |
| box sizes, 12' or 14' or 16'. A 12' trucks dimensions | | | | serve the business nicely. Carpet cleaning trucks |
| are 12' x 7' x 8' (length x width x height) and that | | | | can offer hotter water for the extraction |
| is 672 cubic feet. The box comes in two | | | | equipment as well as greater water pressure. |
| composition styles, FRP or Fiberglass Reinforced | | | | Why? On board extraction equipment can |
| Plywood or insulated aluminum. A side door can | | | | generate hotter water because their water |
| even be added for convenience. | | | | heater can produce up to 65,000 BTU. The carpet |
| The interior of the box can be fitted with all the | | | | cleaning truck will carry its own water supply and |
| equipment needed to for a carpet cleaning, | | | | the extraction equipment will produce greater |
| restoration business. Interior and exterior lights | | | | vacuum when it comes time to remove the |
| are available, as well as racks along the perimeter | | | | solution. |
| for air movers and dehumidifiers. Adjustable | | | | The carpet cleaning truck van has to use portable |
| shelves are available on both sides of the interior. | | | | extraction equipment which has to rely on the |
| An overhead attic is available on all box truck | | | | water supply of the residence and the water |
| sizes. | | | | pressure of the residence. |
| Other standard features include 65,000 BTU | | | | So, when deciding which vehicle to purchase, in |
| heaters, aluminum tread plate floor and drains, the | | | | addition to budget, the size of the job one can do |
| side door is 48” and the rear door is | | | | as well as water temperature and extracting |
| 42”. The cab's features include cloth seats, | | | | ability may be an issue. |