Across the plumbing, heating, cooling, and piping (PHCP) industry, training doesn’t just happen in classrooms anymore — it’s happening in parking lots, job sites, and distributor yards. Manufacturers, reps, and wholesalers are taking education directly to their customers through mobile training vehicles equipped with live-fired systems, hands-on displays, and interactive demos. These rolling classrooms are bridging the gap between product knowledge and practical application, helping contractors and technicians gain real-world experience right where they work.
We asked for submissions to spotlight our PHCP manufacturers, reps and distributors vehicles – and did they deliver! Checkout a behind-the-scenes look at their mobile training units — where they travel, what they teach, and how they’re helping raise the bar for field training. From live-fire demos to system troubleshooting and installation best practices, these trucks are more than vehicles; they’re powerful tools for connection, education, and growth in today’s fast-evolving marketplace.
Answers are in alphabetical order, and have been lightly edited.
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AcornVac Chino, CA www.acornvac.com
Laura Marshall, vice president: The AcornVac mobile showroom visits locations all over the country, including events such as tradeshows and representative visits. Inside the fully functioning mobile showroom, you can see firsthand how the system works. Potential customers can see how the piping network can route overhead and around obstacles, meaning there is no need for expensive digging or trenching when renovating a space. Additionally, fixtures can be rearranged relatively easily later, offering future flexibility that is not possible with gravity plumbing systems.
Inside the mobile showroom, you can see how AcornVac vacuum plumbing systems can give you control over your plumbing system in a correctional setting. You can even see how AcornVac provides a cleaner flush for improved infection control. When gravity toilets are flushed, there is an airborne flush plume that can spread germs. With vacuum plumbing, toilets flush by drawing air into the toilet bowl, so there is no splash during the flush cycle.
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Cooper New England Sales Bethany, CT www.coopernewenglandsales.com
Jessica Daley, marketing lead: The Cooper New England Bathing Solutions trailer is on the move! Outfitted with popular Oasis tub and shower units, alongside a variety of stylish Speakman shower trims, our trailer gives distributors and contractors the chance to see, touch, and experience these products up close. We showcase what sets Oasis apart with a quick demo of their easy-to-install multi-piece units, while also highlighting the unbeatable performance and design of Speakman. Whether at an on-site training or a customer event, our trailer brings the showroom straight to you. With over 50 years in business, Cooper New England is proud to represent both Oasis Bath and Speakman across New England—sharing the quality, innovation, and style that make these brands leaders in the industry.
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DAB Pumps USA Ladson, SC www.dabpumps.us
Colt Miller, marketing: We’ve had our mobile training vans on the road for a few years now, and they travel all over the U.S. - wherever our partners need us. A few of our vans are fully kitted with working demo pumps, so when we show up, it’s like bringing a mini training center right to the site. Modular to haul or kitted for Training. The training is hands on, and we walk through installation, setup, and troubleshooting exactly the way it happens in the field. Everything runs so you can see the performance, controls, and connectivity in action.
We showcase a mix of our core products like our Esyline, commercial systems, and digital monitoring tools. It’s a simple way to learn, ask questions, and get comfortable with the products we offer.
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EDOS Mfg. Reps Granby, MA www.edos.com
Tom Reynolds, Western Heating Div. Manager: Our live fire truck features Rheem ThermaForce Boilers, Combi and tankless as well as the Rheem FT boiler. We have had the truck for 6 months and it’s been such a big hit we are in process of building a second truck to keep up with demand. Currently, we cover Upstate NY, Connecticut and Western Massachusetts; and with the second truck we will be expanding to Vermont, Central Massachusetts as well as other locations around New England. We do live fire demos and trainings on all Rheem/Ruud Boiler products.
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F.W. Webb Bedford, MA www.fwwebb.com
Evan Heidenrich, corporate communications manager: Trade professionals need efficient solutions to keep their businesses moving forward. That’s why we bring training directly to them—at their shops, job sites, or at our locations. As the Northeast’s largest wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, HVAC/R supplies, and PVF, we partner with top manufacturers and draw on in-house expertise to deliver practical training for sales teams, technicians, and other professionals.
Our hydronics trucks cover a wide range of topics, including radiant heat and snowmelt technology, boiler sizing and selection, and combustion analysis. Fuel dealers also benefit from our LP gas trailers, which feature classes on bulk plant maintenance, pump station design, and other live-fire experiences.
We designed these classes to help professionals become more proficient in their work. Since launching our mobile training platforms five years ago, we’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback. We’re proud to provide instruction that saves professionals time, supports their growth, and strengthens the industry. Above all, these classes demonstrate our commitment as a full-service wholesaler to deliver the solutions our customers need, when and where they need them.
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Hodes & Sutter, Inc. Lenexa, KS www.hodesandsutter.com
Brian Hodes, sales: We have a pumps demo trailer, and this one is actually our 3rd trailer. We started with a small Dolittle trailer back in 2010, and have graduated over time to this beauty. We built out the interior and created the concession side for product display. We can take this throughout our territory to educate contractors on the Liberty Pumps product line. Inside the trailer we have a 220V generator that allows us to do live grinder demos. The live demo is a fantastic sales feature for us. Once plumbers/contractors see it in action they never forget it.
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Ion Technologies Romeoville, IL www.ionprotects.com
Thomas McMichael, marketing manager: Our Ion Technologies trailer is used throughout Illinois and the Midwest, delivering hands-on instruction training on our latest sump and sewage pumps, solid-state controls, and advanced AC-powered battery backup systems. With a fully operational trailer, our trainings can cover set up, installation, and servicing of our equipment. By providing these in-depth trainings, we deliver our customers the level of expertise they want when selling and installing our equipment. We even run on two of our very own Sumpro battery backup systems to eliminate the need for transporting a generator. In addition to trainings, you can catch us at several product shows, counter days, and events throughout the region.
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J&K Sales Manchester, NH www.jandksales.com
Chris Dewitt, president: Since entering the hydronics equipment market in 2005, we’ve continually evolved how we deliver training and support. One way is with our mobile training vehicles. Today, we operate a dedicated fleet —including seven branded pickup trucks, three trailers, and a sprinter van—each equipped with the latest products we represent.
These vehicles are designed to deliver first-class, hands-on training directly to the contractors and wholesalers we serve across New England. All are fully outfitted with tools, technology, and product displays which allows us to provide first in class live demonstrations, technical education, and real-world application guidance on site. By bringing training directly to our customers, we make it easier for teams to stay current on best practices, expand product knowledge, and build confidence in the field—ultimately helping them grow their business and better serve their own customers.
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Keystone Sales Pottstown, PA www.uskeystonesales.com
Dennis Wilkins, technical training manager: I built the trailer for Keystone two years ago, and travel between NC,SC, and VA. We also have trailers and carts in PA to cover the local market. I train on all of the Bosch water and air products, heat pumps, geothermal, and water heaters. The hands on training is a no brainier. The live fire carts let the contractors touch and hear the product which helps with sales and the technical training. Everything on the trailer is live fired. On the trailer is a Bosch tankless water heater that is connected to a sink on the trailer. We also have a combi boiler and a 12K mini split that is also operational. The rolling carts for training are Bosch 20 SEER heat pumps and Bosch Package Unit. These can be rolled into a hotel or distributor training. Keystone Sales is a premier manufacturer rep. We are the boots on the ground for several products in the plumbing, heating, ventilation, and fire protection industry. We are a middle support line for the manufacturer and distributor.
The Knapp Supply Company Inc. Muncie, IN www.knappsupply.com
David Stanley, director of sales and marketing: We utilize our 1960’s Volkswagen delivery truck at community outreach events showcasing the newest of products. Our president purchased it fully restored in 2022 for our team to use for training events and parades. Knapp Supply was founded by Captain Alexander Knapp, a civil war veteran, in 1874 and has been in business ever since in Muncie, Indiana. We distribute plumbing, kitchens, and industrial supplies in Western Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and the entire state of Indiana.
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LMP Sales Malvern, PA www.lmpsales.com
Jim Mummert, director of sales: For over five years, LMP has leveraged a custom-built, fully functional training and promotion trailer to bring hands-on product education directly to customers. Updated annually with the latest product innovations, the trailer serves as a mobile extension of LMP’s commitment to customer support, and technical training.
Used during on-site customer events and sessions at the LMP Malvern Training Center, the trailer is equipped to demonstrate the full functionality of Little Giant water and wastewater pumps, along with SJE Rhombus control panels and alarms. Its built-in systems allow real-time measurement and simulation of GPM, pressure, and amp draw across varying demand conditions.
We designed the trailer to offer more than just static displays. It gives customers the chance to interact with the products and see how they behave under real-world conditions.
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Metropolitan Industries Romeoville, IL www.metropolitanind.com
Thomas McMichael, marketing manager: Metropolitan Industries has built a fully operational, live-fire mobile Navien training trailer, available free of charge for contractor field trainings in Illinois and upper Missouri. The trailer features four tankless water heaters, a combination boiler with two radiator heating zones, an NPF Series hydronic furnace, PeakFlow - a water treatment system and a Navi-Clean magnetic boiler filter, all operating on LP gas that could be field converted to NG if available. It is designed for easy setup at remote locations with an available spigot and active water line. All products are installed using Centrotherm polypropylene venting systems.
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Rich-Tomkins Aston, PA www.richtomkins.com
Sarah Braun, marketing manager: Hands-on training helps bridge the gap between theory and practice. At Rich-Tomkins, we bring training directly to our customers with our Bradford White trailer and two Milwaukee Tool vans. They travel throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, making stops at wholesalers, contractors, and trade schools. Our Bradford White trailer is stocked with specialty products allowing plumbers to work directly with boilers, heat pump water heaters, and tankless units, learning all about installation and troubleshooting processes. It’s one of the best ways to build the confidence that translates directly to customer satisfaction and efficiency on the jobsite.
Our Milwaukee Tool vans showcase the latest innovations in power tools and jobsite solutions. On-site demos allow contractors to get hands-on with tools, learn best practices, and see firsthand how the right equipment makes their work easier and more efficient.
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Saniflo Denver, CO www.sfasaniflo.com/en
Christopher Peterson, director of sales:
SFA Saniflo’s mobile training van program helps plumbing professionals learn to install and maintain its above-floor plumbing pump systems. Since 2007, the vans have served as traveling classrooms, offering hands-on demonstrations of fully functional products such as the Sanibest Pro, Saniaccess 3, and Saniswift.
Trainees can see these systems in action without the need for traditional below- floor drainage. The program features counter days, lunch-and-learns, and product knowledge sessions for contractors and wholesalers. Following seasonal routes, the vans head north in summer and south in winter, visiting supply houses, trade shows, and contractor sites. This initiative gives installers and sales teams a clear understanding of the performance and versatility of Saniflo technology in real-world applications.
