[Plankton]

A van is not going to suit so looking for some info from those with knowledge of using pickups for wfp work.
Size of tank used with or without hardtop.
Position of reels.
Storage of poles, on roof bars with some sort of holding device or other.

[Twc services]

I ran a l200 barbarian for a while it had a hardtop on. Fitted a 500 upright with room for a reel at the back. I had to slide the gooseneck off my slx 25 each time but that's dead easy  I found the fuel a little heavy which was the only negative. I went back to a t5 transporter now until I can afford a VW amarok 

[Plankton]

It's an L200 but review says it's now slightly longer 25cm ish

[Plankton]

I found a post from M&M who has one. Any chance of a picture of the setup.
I'd need a hard top for security and saves taking poles out every night.

[EandM]

If you only need four seats occasionally then a L200 Crew Cab, Ranger Super Cab or Navara King Cab will give you around 6 feet of loadbay space which is enough. My CLX22 fits perfectly in the back of my Ranger but the L200, in classic shape anyway, is slightly longer.

[Mike #1]

I found a post from M&M who has one. Any chance of a picture of the setup.
I'd need a hard top for security and saves taking poles out every night.

Its a simple as peas you can either fit a 400ltr or 600ltr flat tank  then down one side i have pump box upturned so outlet and inlet for connections are on the top rather than the side , Down other side is some hefty timber for dunnage to stop tank moving to the side . then strap tank in in an X formation with a a bit of 4x2 at back of tank against tailgate the tank will not move an inch

then fit some thick ply board over tank to possibly bolt reel in (mine gets chucked on back seat ) their is enough space between the top of the  tail gate and tonneau or hardtop to fit microbore hose through to place hose reel on tarmac at back of truck .

My pole goes in the cab between the front seats but if you want their is enough space in the load bed with a hardtop    . Mike 

[J.D]

There is very little info on running wfp from pickups! I'm going for one of the new  ford ranger wildtraks next year. Ill get a 350-400ltr tank built in the rear and have the roller door to close over the top of system. I'll put poles on roof and lock them over night. I'll use my trusty telescopic ladder for times when needed and slide this up the side of my tank. Will get a fast fill pump attached as well for fast rapid fill ups. The new double cab wildtrak has great load space, payload & towing capacity! The only downside is its thirst!

[Plankton]

The 22ft poles will fit but any more will probably need to go in at an angle or on roof bars if I can find a good way. Wouldn't want to put anything in the cab. I've currently got the hose reel in the van but find the working angles a pain at times. Hoping to fit the pressure washer in as well.... Hopefully

[Plankton]

I found a post from M&M who has one. Any chance of a picture of the setup.
I'd need a hard top for security and saves taking poles out every night.

Its a simple as peas you can either fit a 400ltr or 600ltr flat tank  then down one side i have pump box upturned so outlet and inlet for connections are on the top rather than the side , Down other side is some hefty timber for dunnage to stop tank moving to the side . then strap tank in in an X formation with a a bit of 4x2 at back of tank against tailgate the tank will not move an inch

then fit some thick ply board over tank to possibly bolt reel in (mine gets chucked on back seat ) their is enough space between the top of the  tail gate and tonneau or hardtop to fit microbore hose through to place hose reel on tarmac at back of truck .

My pole goes in the cab between the front seats but if you want their is enough space in the load bed with a hardtop    . Mike 

Insurance with or without modification as tank is not a permanent feature?

[Mike #1]

 

[Plankton]

When searching for insurance quotes your asked if there is any modifications ie water tanks etc.
I wouldn't class it as a modification but wondering if anyone would when the tank isn't bolted to the floor

[Mike #1]

Don't bother searching yourself as the numpty in call centre may provide you with inadequate insurance .

Different insurers look at at things differently more so with DIY fitted tank I use insurance brokers APlan , they were the only ones who could get me insured 3 years ago . Mike

[telfordwindowclnr]

Here's my twopenneth worth.  I have a LWB 61 Plate Citroen Relay and an 05 plate L200, so have both ends of the spectrum to judge from. 

I love both for different reasons.  The van is big and I have maximised the space by having racking etc.  We do our window, fascia,  gutter, driveway cleaning from this van. 

We use the L200 for solar panel cleaning and a small amount of window cleaning.  We have a 500L tank and two DI vessels in there and most of the time, one reel running from one pump.  We fit an extreme 25' with the 35' extension in the back on top of the tank, wellies, bucket and other paraphernalia all in the back, no problem.  Nothing needs to be on the back seats.  We put the other extensions or other stuff when needed in the cab, but most of the time there is only the driver in the cab.  On windows, the 500L tank will last two guys all day, but on solar it won't.

If I had one vehicle and kids, the L200 is perfect for everything.  If I had one vehicle for all of the work we do, it would be the van.   If I just needed a vehicle for window cleaning, I'd pick the L200.

The L200 is thirsty, but whatever vehicle you are driving as a window cleaner, you must be prepared for a hefty fuel bill.  No one will have a van big enough for a 600L tank and only put a 200L in.  We all run our vehicles to their maximum capacity, so will always carry a lot of weight.  When done properly and it does take some planning, a 4x4 can look equally as professional as a van and can work just a s easily for window cleaning too.  You are working with limited space though, so plan it well.

For your reference, although I put a 500L tank in mine, you can fit a 620L custom built tank in and the L200's are happy to carry the weight.  They can carry over a tonne and tow loads too.

My tank is not bolted to the floor, so is not a modification.  Structurally, should I have an accident, even at speed, the tank has 2 separate layers of bodywork with a gap between to break through before it reaches the driver, so is safe.  The custom tank is crash tested and designed so that the top gives way and the water explodes out of the top of the tank instead of the momentum carrying the tank forward.  Genius idea if you ask me.

Fire away if you have any other questions.   

[Plankton]

Thanks for that. The tank sounds good who sells them.

[telfordwindowclnr]

His website is dead basic, but he knows his stuff.  This is your man:  http://www.plasticwatertanks.co.uk/47.html

It's about £500-£600, so a lot of dosh, but if you want the biggest tank you can get and still have room for a reel, pump, pole etc, it is probably good value for money.

[Plankton]

Food for thought. Cheers.

[richard groves]

I want one of these
http://www.cheapusedvehicles.co.uk/get/rFrGyCQhGyrzhSryzzSS
with a custom tank I think it could make a very smart and practical truck if you need a one "do it all" vehicle, the fiberglass hard top with over cab storage would be perfect for storing poles too.

[EandM]

I want one of these
http://www.cheapusedvehicles.co.uk/get/rFrGyCQhGyrzhSryzzSS
with a custom tank I think it could make a very smart and practical truck if you need a one "do it all" vehicle, the fiberglass hard top with over cab storage would be perfect for storing poles too.

This is exactly what we have and 2.5 years in it's been great. Thoroughly recommended !

[Dave Willis]

I've looked at these pick ups several times but from the way they are built it looks as if the whole weight of the tank sits on the back axle only. Do they have a maximum axle load like vans do?

[Plankton]

The capacity is over a tonne so I would certainly hope the suspension and axel was designed for it.