[Chris R]

I am looking to get my first T/M in the next month or so.
I am wondering if I need to get a bigger van first?
 
At the moment I own a swb Vauxhall Vivaro. I must admit that I love this van , it s only 3 years old, with 25000 on it. When I bought it I intended to keep it for at least 8 years, but, things change.
 
Now I know that some of you lads are running T/ms out of similar size vans ( like a swb transit), but do you regret this?
 
Sould I just sell it now, and buy a used LWB Transit?
 
I will also need to carry a portable, and a dry fusion machine.
Thanks
Chris

[Spot On cleaning]

I wanted to buy a trucmount, so i checked the measurements in the book, then i went to a van dealer with my tape measure and measured the inside of a long wheelbase Vauxhall vivaro. Great i thought, it will fit. The van was duly bought.

Sent off my order for a brand new Prochem Blazer and sub mounted tank, monies paid no problem?

Received a phone call a couple of days before going up to Chessington for the 2 day fit out. Apparantly because the waste tank sits behind the machine, which incidentally is not mentioned in the catalogue or its dimensions listed, i was informed that the van is not wide enough for the submounted water tank.

They said don't worry, as i could have a saddle tank mounted transversally (Sideways) in the van to the right of the machine. This has obviously cost me space, but because its a long wheelbase, i can still carry a portable machine.

However what you cant do is to fit a standard prochem hose reel in because of the water tank, but i made my own and mounted it in the air, so the drying fan and other odds and sods will fit under. I am told however that hydra master make custom hose reels. As your van is short wheelbase, you are worst off again.

If you want my honest opinion, the Vivaro is a seriously brilliant van, but comes the time for a change, i would not hesitate to get a long wheel base transit and refit my truck mount in this. After all we should not think of our vehiclrs in a sentimental way, but in more of a practicle way which is used to make us money.

Any advice on truck mount usage for the first time, let me know.

Dave

[Liahona]

you have to be careful too of the weight, you will have a given weight of the total of the van and all contents. it doesnt take much to get up there to be over weight....... i have the high top lwb sprinter and it is maxed out to the last pound.....with the truck mount loaded ie with waste tank full mine weighs close to 1600 pounds, couple of air movers couple of wands, misc tools 200 lb in chemicals, 500 ft of vac hose plus 500 ft of 3/4 solution, 300 lbs of area rugs ............ a separate petrol tank for the tm, 10 gallons of fuel so maybe 90 lbs plus the tank which weighs 18 pounds....... etcetera....thats without the portable, another 160 lbs and so it goes on...... what ever vans any of us have I am sure they are all full..... so get the biggest one you can, believe me you wont regret it, best, Dave

[andrew chrysler]

If I'm right........

The Vivaro is a rebadged Renault Trafic. If you love your Vivaro, maybe look at a Renault Master instead of a Transit?

The nearest I get to a truckmount is when I leave the Prochem in the back of the Escort van............

[Spot On cleaning]

Yes thats correct or the other way around, also a nissa if i'm not mistaken.

Great vans, nice face, just a bit too small.

As i said if prochm included the dimensions of the waste tank in their brochure i would have bought a bigger one.

Dave

[John_Flynn]

Remember that your gross weight is going to include Gallons of water this does NOT weigh light, quite a few of us have been pulled in the last 12 months for Roadside Weight Checks. I was 366Kilos under Gross but only had 3/4 tankfull of Fresh Water.

GO BIG
Vorsprung de Technic !!!!

[BRSL]

John n Dave

are right I herd of a chap being pulled in a sprinter with a large TM full tank of water and passengers if the passengers were in the van when it was weighed they would of been over,

But you can never have a big enough van, mines full and theres still more equipment I want to buy but dont know where to put it 

I like the transit over the sprinter, I think you get more miles for your money and they hold the road a lot better and much more comfortable,

James

PS go for sliding doors both sides makes maintanace and waste tank cleaning much easier

[cornserv]

I run a LWB vivaro & I have a steamway 9100lx. I just about manage with it, but it is too small to carry all my kit.
I am committed to this van for 2 more years as it's on contract hire.

I would suggest that anyone buying a TM for the first time buys as bigger van as they can afford. Sprinter size is ideal as you can rack it out properly and walk in the back.

It is a false economy to get a smaller van for a TM as you lose so much to loading & unloading your gear on each job.

Saul

[Liahona]

If someone can let me know how to post pictures I will show you what I did to my Sprinter. It may help anyone else just starting up or give ideas to those who already have one, best, Dave.

[cleaning co]

click add options

[AJCleaningServices]

If someone can let me know how to post pictures I will show you what I did to my Sprinter. It may help anyone else just starting up or give ideas to those who already have one, best, Dave.

To upload an image you should use this: http://photobucket.com or similiar website.

Kind regads,
Arthur