I was looking at truckmounts on the web and found this article located here
http://www.ecofriendlycarpetcare.com/truckmount-vs-portable-carpet-cleaning-machines.htmlI have copied and pasted it below, your opinions please. As I have purchased a new van and I was considering going TM/Prowler but may just upgrade my porty. Cheers
Dave
Truck Mounted Carpet Cleaning Myths
Many people believe that a truck mounted carpet cleaning system is the only way to get their carpets clean, but this is simply untrue. In fact, truck mounted systems are one of the noisiest and most wasteful ways to clean your carpets. Unlike portable systems, which are brought into the home, a truck mounted system is much larger, and sits in front of your house. The machine will be running the whole time your carpet is being cleaned, disturbing your neighbors. Plus, steam cleaning using a truck mounted system uses many gallons of water, leaving your carpets wet and susceptible to mold.
Though many people believe that a truck mounted system will have a higher vacuum power, this is not usually the case. Though it’s important to compare the systems you are considering, in many cases portable units are capable of the same suction power. In fact, truck mounted systems lose a lot of their vacuum power in the hoses between the truck and your carpeting. The vacuum power must be measured at the wand, not at the source, in order to be directly comparable. Power at the wand is directly correlated with the efficiency of carpet cleaning and water recovery, but many times a portable system will be comparable to a truck mounted system in this respect.
Many people are fooled by the price and size of a truck mounted unit, believing that because of this, it must be better than a smaller machine. This is simply not true! Bigger is not always better, and in fact, one study found that truck mounted and portable hot water extraction carpet cleaners effectively remove an average of 97 percent of residue and soil. In a recent technical bulletin, Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, "recommends the hot water extraction system, which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning,” whether using a truck mounted or portable system.
Many truck mounted cleaning systems are very high pressure, usually capable of over 1,000 PSI. Many people believe that the higher the PSI, the better the cleaning will be. Actually, this high pressure can actually damage your carpets, shortening their lifespan. A system of 300-400 PSI, available with most portable units, is actually much safer for your carpets, and will be plenty aggressive.
Some companies using truck mounted systems will argue that the heat used by the system, which can reach over 200 degrees, causes the carpet to dry quickly. However, carpet cleaned with such a system can take over a day for the 20-40 gallons of water left in the carpet of a typical home to dry. This water sitting deep within your carpet provides ample opportunity for mold to grow. The rugs and carpets are left wet for far too long. In contrast, other methods, such as low moisture carpet cleaning using a portable unit, are just as effective as a truck mounted unit and use much less water.
Some truck mounted systems can exceed the temperature of water that is safe for your carpets, which can cause damage. Plus, some truck mounted carpet cleaning companies use this additional capacity to heat hot water to dilute the cleaning solution more. The hotter water may mean that the truck-mounted system operator is trying to get by with using as little cleaning solution as possible.
Portable carpet cleaners using a low-moisture method are much better for the environment than these truck-mounted systems, using much less water and contributing less to pollution. Plus, you won’t bother your neighbors with a heavy truck running in your driveway for hours on end. When using a truck mounted system you’ll have to bring the hoses in and leave a door or window open. In short, truck mounted carpet cleaners waste water and contribute to air, water, and noise pollution.
Let Me Cut To The Chase
No matter which carpet cleaning company you choose or the methods they use, they will always claim that their process reigns supreme. That's just the way it is. It's business, it's competition, and to each his own. Either way it's good for the consumer and ultimately benefits the local economy. Do truck mounted systems do a good job? Yes, if it used by a trained professional from a reputable company you should love the results. Are portable systems comparable and will it do the same job just as good or better? Absolutely! You won't believe how fresh and clean your carpets look and smell! The only difference between portables and the competition is that we are the most eco-friendly and healthy choice for your home.
Many carpet cleaners will lead you to believe that because their equipment is so expensive that it must be superior. They also don't tell you that the price of their equipment includes the vehicle that their equipment is mounted in. Not that it really matters, they do a fine job. Although it is a false claim that it is the only way to get spectacular results.
Let me be clear, that most portable systems are not a "quick dry carpet cleaning method" however, it is quicker and more eco-friendly no matter how you slice it. They usually are not "cut-rate" cleaning companies. However, we do agree that you need to stay away from the splash and dash "cut-rate" cleaners that may be lurking around just to make a quick buck.
Most companies would like you to believe (in defense of their truck mount systems) that a quick drying process requires a more aggressive rubbing and scrubbing which could damage your carpets. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Do a simple search and you will quickly realize that this claim is contradicted by virtually every industry leader in the field, the EPA, and double blind scientific studies from numerous respectable institutions. The only place you hear or see this type of claim is on carpet cleaning forums and blogs by truck mounted system business owners.
To see how these companies contradict themselves you will notice that they tout these big fancy and powerful rotary extractor machines. Now look at their own description of this machine where they themselves describe it's aggressive scrubbing action, it doesn't take much to notice the contradiction of claims. Our system is all about hot water extraction with a heavy emphasis on rinsing just the same as truck mounts...except we don't waste the precious resource of water, pollute the environment, take a risk with your health and indoor air quality, or annoy your neighbors with loud noise for hours on end. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Seeing is believing!