[Suffolkcleaners]

Hi guys.

Been working from a backpack and trolley for a few years now and looking at moving to the hose reel in due course. Really want to get a new van and smart system.

Only a one man band we are talking  about here. I like the idea of a Renault traffic size van or a Vauxhall vivaro or similar with a 500 litre tank. I make my own water so don’t need a system with di or RO on board.

I’m completely new to the hose reel side of things. Firstly is a vivaro size van unnecessary for a one man band? I currently have a combo but like the idea of a bigger van.
Perhaps a smaller van with a 300 litre system is more appropriate?

Secondly I’ve been looking at grippamax systems or Xline systems. Anybody have these?

Finally (not being the most practical of people) I want a very simplistic system. Double hose reel perhaps (in case I get in a mess with one of them lol)

It’s a decision I want to think carefully about as could be a few thousand spent but want to get it right. Also a good expense to offset against tax also being a sole trader.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks again.

[jonny thompson]

Go for a bigger system than the 300l , 500 minimum in my view, I drive a 12 plate 1.6 Peugeot expert that pulls 700 litres easily, the cheaper ionic systems are built very well at a cheaper price

[jonny thompson]

Also a double pump is a good idea even if you are on your own now , doesn’t mean you always will be, plus if one breaks down , you have a backup

[Splash & dash]

Years ago I started with a Vito van and an ionics 650 ltr tank some times I would empty the tank sometimes it would be half full and ide finished , you need to have extra capacity for expansion and doing more work ,better to have a 500 ltr tank and only half fill it than have a 300 ltr tank and need more water , what you have mentioned is a good set up for one man , some will say you don’t need that size van and system but I don’t agree for the previous reasons . As for systems there is a huge choise and prices from a few hundred pounds up around 20 k , Grippatank stuff is good I don’t have there systems but do have there boiler and it’s top notch very well made , they are a bit dearer than some other systems but you won’t be disappointed with it , give Oliver a ring he’s very helpful, if you only need a delivery system it will also be cheaper , any uestions you have just ask there are many on hear with different systems and many different idears, what works best for one won’t suite someone else only you can decide what’s best for you , can you go out with someone who has a set up to see how they have there’s done ? To give you some ideas,you are welcome to come and have a look at our set up , probably to far for you to travel from Suffolk, but the offer is there , good luck with your expansion you will do your work in half the time with a decent set up and wish you had done it years ago

[Suffolkcleaners]

That’s great. Thanks for advice and offer. 500 litre definitely sounds good. So do most systems come with the double pump and double hose options? Basically X 2 of both as back up in case one fails sounds like a good idea to me.

At the moment I’m working off a backpack only (sole would say crazy I know) but I have an extra long bit of hose and can sometimes do a house without removing the backpack but obviously you have to keep going back to the backpack to turn on/off etc. Although that extra bit of hose has already made work quicker.

Would a hose reel be even quicker than that? Also would you go manual or electric hose reel? Vivaro or traffic? How much roughly for a decent newish van with system?

Sorry for so many questions 😀

[nathankaye]

Everybody is right on the larger tank, thats what I also decided. You can fill it and it ensures you dont run out of water in a day, regardless of whatever jobs you have planned or unplanned.
Im a diy er and you mentioned you already produce your own water. Therefore all you need is a tank secured in the van. A pump ran of a leisure battery feeding into a hose on a reel and then your pole n brush. 
Really,  the only ones who really care whats in the back of the van is us fellow window cleaners.  So it depends how much you want to spend on setting the van up as to which way you go about it and perhaps your own diy skills. (However its not that hard to do, just depends how neat and fancy you want to do so) i would check out you tube videos to give you some ideas. Myself and others on this forum have shown theirs on youtube.

The size vans your looking at are ideal for a one man or even a two man band. So it gives scope for expansion but also in work as well. For instance you could easily fit a decent pressure washer in the back as well.

I use the S type hose reel from pure freedom which is robust and handles smoothly enough. I would definately recommend electric, again be it diy or factory bought. It simply makes life easier, as simple as that.
(Im no expert as this vid will testify to, but it shows how easy you can do an electric reel. (mine cost under £60, for all the parts n connections to do so)
https://youtu.be/lqzJnoOjluc  ))

Its also easy to upgrade to a 2 man system from a one man set up.  The yorkshire man inside me would say, yes your van can handle the weight of having it set up for 2 man ie 2 reels etc. But why would you spend extra in doing so when its not needed and can easily be added later.
Yes a spare set up so you have no down time if anything goes wrong, but in the 3 yrs or so since i went wfp, i havent come across a pump or hose issue that cost me too much time to quickly fix.  As the essential kit you need is a small tool box of spares. Spare ptfe tape, spare o clamps etx just to address the little issues that may come up, but not often do.

[Stoots]

For a one man band a 500l tank should do.

If you have no intention of working 2 man or having stuff such as gutter vacs etc then yes a bigger van is unnecessary.

A smaller van will be cheaper to buy and better on fuel.

A lot of small vans theses days have payloads of 850kg or above, some 1000kg. That's plenty.

If you already have water production sorted then all you need is a 500l wydale tank and a pump. Controller and a tank cage if you must ..

Don't waste money on a so called system by the likes of ionics, grippa etc.

Spent what you save on an electric reel and a high mod pole.

If you want hot water a d.i.y fitted immersion is by far the cheapest way to do it.

If you absolutely must blow some money to reduce your tax bill buy a bigger van and give the likes of ionics, grippa etc a call I'm sure they will help you blow a few grand or 10.

[dazmond]

your gonna get a million different answers mate....

one thing is your gonna use more water than you do at the moment but youll be quicker and more efficient cleaning your existing work with a van mount....

i have a connect L2 240(936kg payload)500L wydale tank and PF frame(fitted by my local garage for £80)then a grippa hot system and a PF reelmaster electric reel.......IMO its the perfect sole trader set up......

no need for a bigger van unless your going into pressure washing or guttervacs etc.......

[Dry Clean]

As Nathan pointed out, you already filter your water so all you need now is a framed tank, reel and pump box, get a tank 500lts or above and a van with the payload to support it.
Get a decent reel but dont fix it to the back of the van until you find out if that will work for you, Iv always found a fixed reel to be more of a hindrance than a help but others find it works better for them.
As for tax, unless you have no choice its always better to pay the 30p and keep the remaining 70p, its a help but should never be a reason to spend more than needed.

[Smudger]

I would keep future  expansion in mind - 500 litre tank minimum ideally 600

As for vans Citroen relay or the boxer short wheel base are great vans - get one with high roof it allows you to stand up and move around inside

Where in Suffolk are you ? - your welcome to pop into Norfolk and look at my vans and set ups

Darran

[Kev Martin]

I would keep future  expansion in mind - 500 litre tank minimum ideally 600

As for vans Citroen relay or the boxer short wheel base are great vans - get one with high roof it allows you to stand up and move around inside

Where in Suffolk are you ? - your welcome to pop into Norfolk and look at my vans and set ups

Darran

The roads must be open this week

[Smudger]

yes the inbreds are all away on holiday 

Darran

[Splash & dash]

That’s great. Thanks for advice and offer. 500 litre definitely sounds good. So do most systems come with the double pump and double hose options? Basically X 2 of both as back up in case one fails sounds like a good idea to me.

At the moment I’m working off a backpack only (sole would say crazy I know) but I have an extra long bit of hose and can sometimes do a house without removing the backpack but obviously you have to keep going back to the backpack to turn on/off etc. Although that extra bit of hose has already made work quicker.

Would a hose reel be even quicker than that? Also would you go manual or electric hose reel? Vivaro or traffic? How much roughly for a decent newish van with system?

Sorry for so many questions 😀

The pump in a back pack isn’t the same as one on a system , most use 100 psi on a system which will give you much better flow and pump water much further and higher easier , as has been said you could make a system yourself much cheaper , but if you arnt good with diy then having a professionally fitted system gives you price of mind , personally at the stage you are at I would go for a manual reel electric are good but expensive you can always up grade later , when funds allow , the important part is to have a reliable electrical system with pump: controllers , that’s done right , most that do diy set ups if they have problems this is where they are I have seen so many bodged up electrics in vans it’s no wonder they have issues .
Have a hose reel either fixed in the back of the van or free standing ones that you put in and out at each job with 100 meters of 6mm microbore on them this will give you the easiest and lightest set up . If a two man system is needed from personal experience have one pump per hose reel , this works best , you can run more than one hose off a pump but it’s never as good . Hope this help

[Plankton]

People will tell you to get a fixed reel but you will probably find it to restricting at times, especially after having the freedom of the backpack. You'll find your not facing the right way or generally just not parked in the ideal place and it could be a proper pita.  Hose and reel from Circuit hydraulics is around £140 compared to a few hundred quid for something that might not suit you.

[dazmond]

a fixed reel is a must IMO.....you dont want to be lugging a reel in and out of the van all day....no need.....

[jonny thompson]

Fixed reels for me, all day long, open the back door and straight on the job, also saves your back

[jonboywalton75]

Fixed reels for me, all day long, open the back door and straight on the job, also saves your back

Fixed reels rule👍

[Plankton]

Right on cue 

[Plankton]

Suffolkcleaners read their posts, they'll dump customers that don't fit their ideal way of working so you'll end up with a few hundred pound reel and be finishing earlier due to the fact you don't have as many customers!

[lal]

 Fixed Reel for me too, i used to take the reel out of my 1st van when i first got it, until i wised up, does your
 back in after a while, you just learn to adapt with the reel left in the van, parking the van in the best position
 you can, to accommodate different jobs.