There is an ongoing debate or whether a mobile auto detailer or mobile car wash should use a trailer, van or truck unit. Many have different ideas of what would be best. One industry professional, Jeff Hass with 20 years experience believes that trailer units are best and he has developed some of the nicest detailing trailers in the World. www.Detrailers.com . I on the other hand agree with his summation and also see in some cases a van unit might be preferable or even a truck unit. Let¡¯s say you want to use to a truck unit for reasons of space when parking or because you work in an area where your customers have really long single car driveways and backing up is not an option. Here are some thoughts on what you might consider for a truck unit:

Diamond Plating

Your truck bed should be custom made and stand out so that you will not see another one like it. When we custom make our beds, we put on lots of aluminum diamond plate for two reasons:

It doesn¡¯t weigh as much as steel

It looks fantastic.

You might consider this too for your company. Everyone will be impressed by it¡¯s looks. You need to keep it shiny. You can polish it using aluminum wool; the finer the better. You can find aluminum wool at Smart and Final. It is a long thin flat sponge like metal piece. Use some sort of metal polish with it. Don¡¯t use stainless steel wool unless you can¡¯t find aluminum wool because the steel gets imbedded and rusts. When finished, sprinkle on some baking soda, rub it in with a towel, then blast it with hot water and dry it off. Just the fact that your truck looks good will attract people with Harley Davidsons, street rods, ski boats, aircraft or specialty jobs in mind. It¡¯s worth the time to keep your rig detailed out.

Storage Boxes On Bed

The boxes on the bed of your truck should be painted to match the vehicle and company color scheme. The handles on the boxes are chrome and look sharp. You should keep the boxes clean and wipe off all road tar promptly. Boxes should be neat and organized on the inside. Make sure products don¡¯t spill inside. This will cause a terrible odor and mold and mildew buildup. Everything should be in its proper spot. If a customer asks for something specific and you open an orderly storage box in front of them, they will be impressed. Keep the boxes waxed on the inside as well waxed as the exterior of the truck itself.

Trash Control

Trash should be removed from the truck each day. You should keep the yellow, red or blue plastic trashcan on the truck at all times. Most people have trash in their cars; empty water bottles, newspapers, fast food wrappers, receipts, etc. You can find almost anything in people¡¯s cars. Believe us, we have stories. At the end of a good car wash day you will have an ample supply of trash and recyclables. If you don¡¯t pick it up, you will have it all over the truck. Make sure your workers also deposit their trash and food items in the trashcan. If you see a homeless person poking through a dumpster for recyclables, tell your crew to go get him and give him the aluminum cans out of the truck trashcan. If you spot trash while walking up to an office or on your way back to the truck, pick up where rude people have left off. Always think spotless! Every little thing you do will leave impressions in people¡¯s minds. You never know when you might pick up a piece of trash right as the property manager drives up.

If you will follow these ideas for your work truck or on a trailer you build your self or buy from the Industry Leader Detrailers.com (I am not affiliated with that company) you should think about using diamond plate for accent trim, image and function. You must always keep the trash away from the inside of your unit as it takes away from your image of being professional car care specialist, mobile car washer or auto detailer. Storage boxes will improve efficiency and keep everything tidy for enhanced public relations and customer perception. Think about it.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/