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"Pruck" A Prius work truck

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Danny3xd (), Apr 14, 2021.

?
  1. No, They just want/need service

    8 vote(s)
    61.5%
  2. Yes. you would look like your a handyman and not at all profecional.

    1 vote(s)
    7.7%
  3. Other and I will explain.

    4 vote(s)
    30.8%
  4. I don't vote in polls

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    My 2010 Prius is now my work truck. I am going back into drain cleaning. (like roto-rooter) The equipment for basic services is 3 machines. A large, expensive Ridgid K-750. About 240 LBS. With cable and cutters.

    I guestimated fuel savings around $6,000 per year. Also my love of the thought of trying to help with the enviormental aspects. It's actually my marketing approach. "Lean Mean and Green Drain cleaning"

    Tools are about ,but less than 400 LBS. Thats about 2 or three passengers depending on girth. Have had a lot more weight with no problems. So as not to hyjack this thread, gonna start one specific to doing this;

    this;

    [​IMG]

    View attachment 208712 198 LBS. For drain lines of 3 to eight inch lines. K-750 Drum Machine | RIDGID Tools. I use it for 3 to 8 inch lines.(tree roots, heavy blockages.

    Next machine a size down is for 2 to 4 inch lines;

    [​IMG]

    80 LBS. Mostly used for floor drains and large commercial kitchen drain lines.

    The tub and small line cabling machine is this rediculas machine I got for 100 bucks and looks like a fancy squirt gun but works awesome. 30 LBS. The same set up is 4 to $800. Not kidding. It's like putting the word "marine" on a product. Just 4 to ten times the cost in many cases.

    The added weight is just all the odd tools.

    What are your thoughts? I drive up to your home or comercial favility driving a prius and your up to your socks in "ick"
     
    #1 Danny3xd (), Apr 14, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2021
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would appreciate my rooter showing up in a prius :D
     
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  3. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Hey, if it works for you then go for it, so long as cargo space is sufficient for your gear and it easily accessible.
     
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  4. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    Bisco! Been a while and I was hoping you were still around! Hope alls well with ya. Family and friends OK with the covid? Got my sister's Dad. Nice guy, too. But think he sailed with Noah and had a lot of problems. Funny as heck. You'd see him nodding and smiling as he turned his hearing aids down and off.

    Anyway, thanks for the feed back!
     
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  5. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    I was again surprised at the room. It all fits, yup.

    Thanks for the feedback, PGH!
     
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  6. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    Given the responses so far. I am feeling much better about the "Pruck" concept. But it is early.

    Aside from saving $6,000 a year. It's $6,000 a year.

    Most exciting part and day of a new business (and the last for a year or 2, LoL) is starting out and day one. Tool shopping and the figuring out marketing are a lot of fun. I had a drain cleaning business before and really stumbled threw it. Hope I figured out what I don't know this time. Main thing is as an emergency service, advertising at my level is a waste.I ended up selling the phone number for $900. It was 1998 and that was cheap. But was a buddy. Who promptly lost every big client I had. I mean in less than 2 weeks! A lot of plumbers think the customers are lucky to have them. (Do plumbers believe in God? Yes. They are very self confident")

    Waiting on one last part that UPS has lost. Then I have 40 cold calls to make at real estate management and mechanical services companies.
     
  7. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    Pruck - LOL

    I would expect lower prices using a car as a truck for construction/ home repairs.
    In my area, Prius' are used as the vehicle for the estimators, not the repair personnel.

    Your Prius would also fail as a transport for lumber/ piping as need may be.

    Yet, if purely as a sewer/ drain cleaning service and the trunk fits (even mounts/ secures) that machine professionally, perhaps adverting decals over the Prius body could offset any negativity.

    "We all have to start somewhere" has been said, so why not?

    Good luck and again Prunk - LOL.
     
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  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Wouldn't bother me, but admit I'm not the norm when it comes to some things. I also remember contractors claiming they'd lose customers if they knew they were driving a hybrid back when two-mode GMs were a thing.

    Lack of signage on the car might turn me off, but that is more so with large companies.
     
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  9. GregersonIT

    GregersonIT Member

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    Really wouldn't bother me too much as long as your equipment stayed outside. However, the pickup counter argument is as I imagine those drains are frequently filled with things like molds that could be vicious on your health if it should somehow work it's way into porous parts of your vehicle and spread via air into your lungs every time you drove negating any possible savings due to health bills and lost time with loved ones. Do you have a way/process that can greatly deter this from happening inside a prius prime while carrying this equipment vs just leaving it in the back of a pickup and getting a sunbake to kill most things?
     
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  10. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    And...can you strap down the heavy tools so a wreck at speed won't result in the back of your head getting roto-rooted?
     
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  11. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    I agree with Trollbait regarding signage. Plonking a sign on each side would add a professional look and be good advertising as well.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's a prius around here that will come to your house and pick up your dog poop for you :rolleyes:
     
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  13. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

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    By the time I see your car, you're already here. Just do good work and they'll remember that, not the car
     
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  14. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    Great thought, TB. Crazy about the loosing biz over driving hybrids. Now it's a marketing plus.

    Yes, I agree with the signage. But that leads to another choice, option. Many companies that do what I do and market to management companies deliberately don't have identifying signage. In effect, they are what ever company that sent them. Most home owners only need drain cleaning once every 7 years. And is something that is only used on rare occasion. What I would like to do is have the car "wrapped" like or a version of my business card for this. Well, just the side doors and rear window tint. I don't know if it would be appropriate to show a picture. (don't mean to promote or any lack of respect for the forum)
    upload_2021-4-15_21-38-57.png
    But as a separate entity from companies I sub for, was thinking if I went the , with this, and it costs a lot of money. route. Make the car spectacularly audacious, car wrapping, promotion - Google Search

    But might be able to grab some free advertising on a slow news day......? Ben E. McKeniever

    Man, I am glad I asked you-es folks. And thank you for the input. (Just realized, the companies I sub for might have a problem. (Being "normal" an' all. (snicker)

    Wheigh .B Normal! If I ever meet Mr, Ms. Normal, I have some serious questions! Mostly, why do be people accuse me of not being he, they, them. In addition, as a majority of one, how does this entity have so much clout and influence!
     
  15. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    triple posted for some reason
     
  16. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    triple posted for some reason
     
  17. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    Great point, Kenny.
     
  18. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    Oh yes, PT. Major conern and considered it carefully.

    ..and thank you!
     
  19. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    From what I have been reading, thats becoming a pretty good business. I would think a great starter biz for college kids. Really low investment. Web page, lil shovel, bag and go!
     
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  20. Danny3xd ()

    Danny3xd () Member

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    Was thinking about that Greggerson. Freash air is actually easier than in a van. Power windows in the cargo area. Aside from a tarp liner and possibly a partition. I don't really know as yet. I never had a problem with a van. But lots of room and air with one on non-absorbing metal.
     
  21. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Removing the cargo area carpet, and then putting in an all weather mat is likely a good idea.
     
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