| While carpet cleaning vans are the preferred vehicle | | | | downright crowded when used for steam extraction |
| for most cleaning companies, sometimes you just | | | | cleaning via truck mount machines. In addition to the |
| need more room. If you find your van getting a little | | | | truck mount equipment, you also need room for the |
| to crowded you may want to consider using a 'box' | | | | water tanks, hoses, lines, cleaning wands and |
| truck. | | | | chemicals. While cargo vans are usually sufficient for |
| A box truck is a vehicle usually ranging in size from | | | | this task, there is usually little room left over after |
| 14 to 24 feet that carries a separate cargo area i.e. | | | | accommodating this equipment. |
| box, that sits atop the chassis or truck frame. The | | | | The real challenge comes when you want to offer |
| cargo area is separate from the cab and usually there | | | | additional cleaning services to your customers. |
| is no access from the cab to the cargo area. The | | | | Common up-sell services might include carpet repair, |
| cargo area is accessible via a rear garage-type door | | | | odor control, floor cleaning, leather cleaning and |
| that rolls up. The most common use for these kinds | | | | conditioning and fine fabric care. Each of these |
| of trucks is for moving vans, rental trucks e.g. Ryder | | | | services has additional equipment and space |
| or U-Haul and for appliance or furniture delivery. | | | | requirements. These take the form of more tools, |
| Box trucks are made by a wide range of companies. | | | | other cleaning wands or brushes, additional chemicals |
| GMC, Freightliner, International, Isuzu, Ford, Nissan and | | | | or dyes, etc. The ability to carry all of this equipment |
| the list goes on. They're also available in diesel or gas | | | | for each cleaning job allows the operator to sell |
| models so the decision to consider a box truck will | | | | additional services to the customer that can be |
| take a considerable amount of homework. However, | | | | performed on the spot vs. scheduling another visit |
| once your homework is done, there are a plethora of | | | | and possibly losing the sale. |
| sites on the Internet to research, review and | | | | Each carpet cleaning business must assess its own |
| purchase a new or used box truck. | | | | needs with regard to the services it wishes to sell |
| From a carpet cleaning perspective, the advantage of | | | | and the equipment required. Once this is done, a |
| a box truck is the additional space it can provide for | | | | proper decision can be made on whether a box truck |
| all your cleaning equipment. Vans can sometimes get | | | | or a van is the right solution. |