Why Slide-In Units Make Sense for Every Business

Photo courtesy PolyJohn

What if your portable restroom company could reduce downtime, seize new opportunities, or quickly pivot in emergencies? With a slide-in vacuum tank system, you can turn a pickup truck into a waste collection vehicle to service hard-to-reach job sites or affordably expand operations.

Although many startups and small companies often choose slide-in units over pumper trucks for their lower costs and ease of use, these systems provide the operational flexibility that companies of all sizes need to stay ahead of the competition. Here’s a closer look at how slide-in vacuum units function and why PROs choose them to make their businesses more versatile, efficient and budget-conscious.

Key Highlights of Slide-in Units for PROs

Vacuum slide-in tank systems are fully self-contained units with almost everything needed for collection and disposal (minus the actual portable toilets and supplies). They can offer long-term reliability without high upfront costs.

Consider these core features:

• Standalone engine and battery power: With a single unit that works even if your truck is turned off, you can handle remote jobs and work in low-lighting situations using pressure or vacuum modes to remove, clean, and manage waste disposal.
• Transferable: PROs can move slide-in units between trucks or securely store them. Some manufacturers design these units with built-in forklift pockets and full-length, reinforced skid plates, allowing owners to move the system quickly and safely.
• Different-sized tanks: Slide-ins can fit on various trucks and models, with smaller units suitable for tight spaces, mid-size tanks appropriate for super-duty trucks handling overflow, and large units on work trucks or flatbeds for rough terrain.
• Durability: In addition to the stability that full-length skids provide, vacuum units should have key features like rubber sill protectors on the bottom, edges, and corners. These improve stability and reduce wear and tear on the truck and unit.

Portable Slide-in Tanks: Servicing and Maintenance

A well-equipped slide-in unit streamlines portable restroom services. The systems may include a suction hose and wand for vacuuming waste, a long garden hose for cleaning toilets and refilling with fresh water, and some even have supply holders.

Larger openings on slide-ins simplify preventative maintenance tasks and make them easier to clean out. Your teams can hose them out, inspect the inside, and remove them from the trucks for service.

Why PROs Choose Slide-ins

The lower cost of slide-in vacuum tanks versus pumper trucks has helped many startups break into the portable restroom industry. But these versatile solutions aren’t just for small businesses.

Here’s how PROs can use slide-ins:

• Companies combine slide-in units with vacuum toilet systems, which use less water and produce less waste, allowing them to expand into new markets.
• PROs with rural routes and emergency services contracts use slide-ins to manage rough roads and tight spaces and ensure they meet customer needs.
• Portable restroom operators may select different sizes of trucks and tanks to accommodate less-experienced drivers, instead of requiring them to get a CDL license to operate a pumper truck.
• Likewise, small businesses choose slide-in units over pumper trucks because a slide-in can be easier to troubleshoot, and if it needs servicing, you can still use the truck.

Grow Your Portable Restroom Business with Slide-in Units

By looking for unique ways to reach goals and overcome challenges, PROs can choose capital investments that meet their long-term needs. Solutions like slide-ins and vacuum toilets add a modular component to portable restroom businesses, helping them increase operational efficiency while expanding to new markets.

Looking to Take Your Portable Restroom Business to the NEXT LEVEL? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Operating A Portable Restroom Business.”

Thinking About GETTING INTO the Portable Restroom Industry? Download our FREE Guide: “Your Guide to Starting A Portable Restroom Business.”