Hose Reel Boom Packages, Defined
Most carpet cleaning and remediation professionals hear “Boom Package” and picture something generic — but the term has a much more specific definition, worth clearing up.
The Simple Definition
A “boom package”, is a term coined by Reel Innovations, for a carpet cleaning hose reel package, designed by the company. It doesn’t refer to “any reel package that has 3 reels”, but to a specific feature of the Reel Innovations Boom Package.
In a true, ”Boom Package”, the vacuum reel is raised off the van floor, on a “vacuum reel stand”. But the 2 smaller, “supply reels” for water and pressure hoses, are suspended over the floor, yet partially under the vacuum reel, on a “boom.”
Think of the “boom” used on a construction crane. That’s where the inspiration for the name came from.
Here’s the definition found in a search for “crane boom”:
“A crane boom is the primary, load-bearing structural arm of a crane used to lift, lower, and position heavy materials.
A “Boom Package” isn’t, “Any reel setup with a raised vacuum reel.”
And it is, specific to Reel Innovations Boom Packages.
4 Key Features (and Benefits) of a True Boom Package
Benefit 1: Extra- narrow footprint. Boom Packages feature Reel Innovations Xtra Tall Vacuum Reels, which are 8 inches narrower than industry standard reels.
- So, for a given capacity (the smallest Boom Package has a 300 ft. capacity.), they are naturally 8” narrower than other packages.
Benefit 2: Several inches of a boom package extend directly over the nearest wheel well, which means less floor space is required both front-to-back and side-to-side. You’re reclaiming square footage in two directions at once. Explore how boom packages maximize your van’s floor plan to see the layout in detail.
- With this in mind, 300 ft. Boom Packages are effectively about 11” narrower than industry- standard packages, measured from the van wheel well, to the center of your van.
- 450 ft. capacity Boom Packages are only 8” wider
Benefit 3: Because the supply reels sit lower than the vacuum reel, yet stay within its front-to-back footprint, the overall package length is shorter than competing layouts.
- Boom Packages fit neatly along the wall of your van… OR, across it, from the drivers’ side wall, to the side door.
Benefit 4 is the one most cleaners overlook. The space beneath the raised vacuum reel becomes usable cargo storage — a genuine advantage in any working van.
- Boom Packages are open underneath the vacuum reel. So the area underneath – ALL OF IT – is available for additional cargo storage.
Is a Boom Package Right for Your Setup?
Ask yourself three questions before committing:
- Is floor space a real concern in your current vehicle?
- Could you need higher hose capacity as your business grows?
- Would under-reel storage improve your workflow?
If you answered yes to any of those, a boom package deserves serious consideration. They’re available with up to 600 ft. of hose capacity on a 26-inch footprint from the nearest wheel well.
One hard limitation: a boom package will not fit in a standard-height cargo van. The vertical clearance requirement rules it out completely.
The Mistake Many Carpet Cleaning Professionals Make
Choosing reel capacity based only on today’s needs — without accounting for growth — is the most repeated error we see. A cleaner who expands their service area or adds new customers that require longer hose lengths to access, may find their original system already undersized.
Always check the actual dimensions of any carpet cleaning hose reel package you’re evaluating.
If dimensions aren’t listed on manufacturer’s and distributors pages, ask yourself why. And don’t make the decision to purchase, without comparing actual dimensions and hose capacities.
Bottom Line
A boom package delivers three compounding advantages — shorter overall length, under-reel storage, and reduced floor space in two directions — but requires adequate van height to work.
If your van qualifies, it’s one of the most space-efficient reel setups available. Use the links above to compare options and find the right fit for your van and your growth plans.