Choose where water and power come from
| Setup | What you need to confirm |
|---|---|
| Customer’s water and power | Permission, suitable connections, safe access, and enough hose and cord |
| Customer’s water, your power | All water checks, plus a power source with enough output and runtime |
| Your water and power | Tank, pump, power source, safe mounting, refills, and full vehicle load |
| Rinseless wash | A suitable product, soil level, method, and plan for dirty water and towels |
Rinseless washing uses a product made to clean without a final hose rinse. It is not suitable for every dirty vehicle. Follow the label and offer only work the method can complete.
Using customer utilities can let you start without buying a tank or generator. State those needs before booking. Have a plan to reschedule if the site is unsuitable.
Check the work site
Ask about parking, shade, access, water, and power. Check local rules for dirty water, noise, and commercial work. Confirm the plan for collecting and disposing of wash water before you arrive.
Rinseless products do not remove the need to handle dirt and chemicals correctly. If the site needs recovery equipment, include it in your plan and price.
Ask about fresh paint, wraps, film, and coatings. Check their care rules before choosing a wash method or date.
Count the whole vehicle load
Water weighs about 8.34 pounds per US gallon. A full 50-gallon tank holds about 417 pounds of water, before the tank itself. These are planning estimates.
Also count people, shelves, the tank mount, hoses, pumps, tools, chemicals, batteries, and all other cargo. Include collected wastewater. Use the Water Tank Planner to add the weights and compare refill needs.
Check the vehicle’s tire and loading label for the limit on people and cargo. Check its certification label for total vehicle and axle limits. Read the owner’s manual and any labels added after a conversion. Do not use an empty-vehicle brochure figure as approval for your loaded van.
Have a qualified installer plan tank mounting, load placement, and plumbing. Weigh the completed vehicle and each axle. A calculator cannot approve a vehicle build.
Size the power supply
List the tools that may run at the same time. Check their running power and extra power needed at startup. Then check runtime, charging or fuel needs, cord ratings, weather protection, and circuit limits.
A battery power station produces no exhaust during use, but still needs enough output and stored energy. Follow its charging, temperature, and weather limits.
A fuel-powered generator can cause fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. Never run a portable generator inside a van, home, garage, or other enclosed space, even with doors open. CPSC says to use it outdoors at least 20 feet from homes, with exhaust facing away. Keep exhaust away from doors, windows, vents, and people. Follow all generator instructions, including refueling and weather rules.
Load tools in work order
Keep frequently used items easy to reach. Secure every item for travel. Store chemicals within their labeled temperature limits; a parked van may get too hot.
Keep clean towels covered and separate from used towels. Carry enough for the planned jobs and let washed towels dry before storage.
Check whether an upgrade pays for itself
Record driving, setup, work, and cleanup time. Include parking, tolls, fuel or charging, and refill costs. Set a service area and minimum price that cover the full job.
Use the break-even calculator to estimate how many jobs could repay new equipment after costs and your pay. Use your own figures. Extra water or power does not guarantee more bookings.
Do this next
Build your mobile equipment plan. Before taking paid work, complete the local rule, insurance, and tax checks in the business guide.
Sources
- USGS: water density — Our 8.34 lb per US gallon estimate uses its density data. Actual weight varies slightly. Checked September 11, 2026.
- NHTSA: vehicle load labels — People and cargo limits differ from total vehicle weight limits. Checked September 11, 2026.
- CPSC: generator and carbon monoxide safety — Outdoor use, distance from homes, and exhaust direction. Checked September 11, 2026.
- EPA: stormwater systems — Polluted runoff can enter waterways without treatment. Checked September 11, 2026.