Truck, Cargo Van or Minivan?

Hey I have read over a bunch of threads discussing this and it seems the majority of the more successful and professional window cleaning business use cargo vans such as chevy express. I was hoping to get some more personal advice.

My vehicle will double as my personal vehicle and work vehicle.

I am limited in storage space at home. An enclosed vehicle would save me from unloading and worry about theft from box of truck.

I am on a somewhat tight budget. The less I spend on the vehicle the more flexibility I have for marketing and new equipment.

I feel a truck or windowless cargo van would be the most professional looking.

A Minivan is more economical, cheaper to buy, cheaper insurance and better mileage.

A Cargo van allows for amazing storage space and easily transports 32ft ladder.

Both the minivan and cargo van allow for more vinyl lettering and advertising on the sides.

Any other factors im over looking? As of right now I am thinking I will have to settle with a minivan or astro, mainly for the reason I don’t want to use too much of my budget for a vehicle.

Last year I used a ford ranger which is too small and too dangerous to transport 32 foot ladder. The year before that, my first year, I used a ford explorer SUV which I also found to be a bit small and unprofessional looking.

What were the main factors that led you to the vehicle you are currently using? Was it kind of like what ever you could find a good deal on at the time or were you certain you wanted a pickup etc.?

Edit: Also for anyone that has used or is using a minivan, can u suggest a superior type? ex. Uplander, caravan

Cheers!

Get a full size van…But I never had a problem with a 32’ ladder on a ford ranger, always push it as far foward with about 2 1/2 feet off the back but gots a van now …Sweet !

Right now I’m using a Chevy Silverado as my work truck and personal vehicle. I just got in January, I needed a new personal vehicle and a work vehicle, I wanted a Chevy Express but couldn’t find something affordable with the backseat in case I needed to bring the kids in my vehicle.

I have a cover for the back that is secured from the inside and the tailgate locks, so no problem with snow/weather or theft from that end. I just ordered ladder racks and a tool box so I’m ready when the nice weather gets here.

My goal for this year is to make enough in profit where I can purchase a cargo van strictly for work and work only.

It may not be ideal, I know my truck isn’t my # 1 choice for a WC vehicle, but it will have to do now since this will be my first official year in business and adding a third vehicle wasn’t the most cost effective way to get the year started.

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What kind of budget are you looking at. What tools do you lug around now and what type of add ons are you planning. You need to be as realistic with yourself as you can be. Weigh your options and make a decision.

Exactly^^^

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I am in the same position. Currently use a small SUV and am considering upgrading to a truck. Any recommendations on a reliable make/model for decent mpg?

You have 2 very different things you are dealing with. A work vehicle and a daily personal driver. A cargo van is probably the best for a business but do you want to drive that as your daily personal vehicle. In your case I’d say a mini van is your better choice as they are plentiful and can be very cheap to purchase and drive. Some of them mini’s have easily removed or folded stow and go type seating. I’d look for one like that.

This year I traded for a Ford Ranger simply to cut the monthly payment down as we are buying a house and needed to reduce income to debt ratio. So far I love the Ranger. I have a ladder rack and it’s fine for me but I only have a 24’. I rent a 32 when needed. I put a 28’ on it last week and no problems.

I hear you on the being realistic with yourself part!

My price range is comfortable between $2000 - $4000, I could swing up to $6000 -$7000 for the vehicle but would rather put that money towards other things and keep a nice comfortable cushion for operating expenses.

I have seen some quite decent minivans, i.e 2004, 140,000km (not miles :p), ready to be transferred and put on the road for around $2500.

Do you guys think there is a big difference between a caravan and a chevy astro as far as space, image and convenience to tools etc. ?

I am hauling around 24ft ext ladder, 16ft ext ladder, multipurpose 17ft little giant (knock off), 6ft step ladder, 3 ft step ladder, gardiner clx pole, 1/2 cubic ft di tank, 50 feet or so of garden hose and about 100ft of 3/8" air hose (wfp supply hose), 18 foot ext pole, 8 ft ext pole, small stand off, and the usual 3-4 buckets, squeegees, mops, rags and stuff. On occasion I will bring out the 32 foot ladder if I need it but it would be nice if I could carry it around everyday without a worry. Also I do pressure washing from time to time when customer request and I borrow a friends 2’x2’ pressure washer.

Edit: as for add on’s as I said I would love to carry 32ft ladder regularly. Also thinking about actively marketing pressure washing services. Would like to build some screen repair pull out platform but no rush.

I hear you on that! I have put a lot of thought into that… do I want to look cool or be productive… a nice f-150 with a cap would be ideal but a little pricey for a nice one that wont break down. If im pulling up to a party in a minivan or cargo van so be it! I have gotten over that fear :p, and anyways if I get it lettered up it will be good advertising bringing it to shopping malls etc :slight_smile:

“What were the main factors that led you to the vehicle you are currently using? Was it kind of like what ever you could find a good deal on at the time or were you certain you wanted a pickup etc.?”

…For me it was budget mainly and second it was size. As I don’t carry much I don’t
need a big vehicle. I picked up a small 4 cyl, 10 year old Dodge Dakota, put a ladder rack on it
for a 24’ ext ladder and a Little Giant and a side mount tool box on each side with a big plastic
tool box in the bed. That was 3 years ago and now I’m looking for a newer pickup with a utility
top, or small van like the Ford Transit.

You’d do great in a used Honda element

I started my company with a Chevy 3500 Truck. I switched that to a Chevy Express 1500 about a month ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s more comfortable to drive and I don’t have to worry about anyone stealing my tools.

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This seems to be one of the great questions that face window cleaners and just like everyone has different tastes in their personal vehicles, everyone will have a different opinion on this subject.

As for my company I like the flexibility of a pickup truck. My first was a Toyota pickup (this was 23 years ago) I put a rack on it and used it for everything. Today we still use small Toyotas for our route work and one doubles for residential. We put a cap on them in the winter but take it off in the warm months so that it’s easier to work out of.

Whatever your needs and budget make sure that you letter your vehicle and advertise. Nothing better than a mobile billboard for your business!

John Martin
Waukesha Window Cleaning and Power Washing
Waukesha, WI

john@waukeshawindowcleaning.com

In this price range you’ve got a ton of choices with a minivan. Spend 3000 on a used caravan, then another 1000 on lettering and graphics and you’d be good to go.

Do you guys think there is a big difference between a caravan and a chevy astro as far as space, image and convenience to tools etc. ?
The Astros are great, they’ll run forever, but they’ve been out of production for a long time. So finding one is really hard because people don’t like to give them up. But you can’t spit without hitting a caravan. Plus when you need parts, the junk yards are full of them.

I am hauling around 24ft ext ladder, 16ft ext ladder, multipurpose 17ft little giant (knock off), 6ft step ladder, 3 ft step ladder, gardiner clx pole, 1/2 cubic ft di tank, 50 feet or so of garden hose and about 100ft of 3/8" air hose (wfp supply hose), 18 foot ext pole, 8 ft ext pole, small stand off, and the usual 3-4 buckets, squeegees, mops, rags and stuff. On occasion I will bring out the 32 foot ladder if I need it but it would be nice if I could carry it around everyday without a worry. Also I do pressure washing from time to time when customer request and I borrow a friends 2’x2’ pressure washer.

Edit: as for add on’s as I said I would love to carry 32ft ladder regularly. Also thinking about actively marketing pressure washing services. Would like to build some screen repair pull out platform but no rush.
With your inventory list, it sounds like a full size cargo would be good for you.

I don’t like minivans, but for the price, gas mileage, and the amount of space you get they just can’t be beat. I’ve debated trucks, cargo vans, and minivans over and over, but I keep coming back to minivans.

They’re easy to find for sale, cheap to buy, cheap to insure, cheap to maintain, easy to drive/park, and you can haul a ton of stuff in them. Throw a ladder rack on it, and you can haul a 40’ ladder (I’ve done it). I built a little platform for the rear of mine and the little giant goes under it, then the stack ladder beside it, ext ladder on the roof, the wfp equipment goes in the middle seat, long poles and wfp poles go along the floorboard and you’ve still got room left for other gear. Plus if you logo it, take the family out for dinner in it and you get a ton of exposure. And the minivan locks all your stuff up nice and tight.

But if you want to haul two or more ext ladders, or if you want to keep the ladders on the rack, go with a cargo van. The minivan rear gate won’t open fully when it’s hauling ext ladders. I’d only ever throw the ladder on when the job required it.

Jeep wrangler

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You could always get on of these…



NIce!!!

That’s a classic piece of German engineering. I actually want to restore one and use it for window cleaning. I had several VW’s many years ago


I am thinking about my minivan as im upgrading to bigger van. If anyone have any interest in it send me private message. Its 2011 grand caravan with set up for window cleaning.