[JM123]

No Sarah, straps in themselves are inherently very strong (think of seatbelts) but its the anchorage points that people use.  Eye bolts wouldn't stop a 100ltr tank never mind a 400/650/900/1000. 

safety is the issue here - I've seen enough systems come from other system builders that are poorly fitted, or are just plainly a dangerous design.  I'm talking about the big players in this business too.

[Sarah Sarill]

Thanks JM123

I think I will demand both fixing -  for the sake of the extra few pounds it will give me that extra piece of mind.

Sarah

[jeff1]

Are you guys saying that fixing the tank to the floor is not enough and that you have to use straps too ?

We had our LDV tank fitted by LDV and have just bought a new van which we are currently kitting out.  Its booked in to have the tank fitted next week but again they dont intend using straps 

Any advice welcome,

Sarah

Sarah, you can cross strap your tank and it will be secure, providing the fixings below the floor are Adequate, have another read of mine and JM123 post, and don't do what EasyClean is warning us about, I to have seen fixings to these points, there really there to secure the cat basket too (something light). do it properly and stay safe.

[Paul Edwards]

Make sure you get it done properly! Watch these videos, they show the differnce between an Ionic system which is fitted safely (bolted to the chassis) and a "competitor's" system  (not fitted safely). http://www.ionicsystems.com/english/html/safety.html

[Davew]

I've got a layflat 650ltr tank strapped to the floor with angle iron to stop it sliding and plates under the floor where I can get them in-between chassis members etc. A total of eight bolts through the floor. I still don't feel safe even with a bulkhead too. I deliberately keep my speed to forty mph - fifty an absoulute max. The tank bulges considerably when full of water. Some of the setups seen on this site are unbelievably dangerous, some with the banding even strapped over the tank the wrong way round ie. across the vehicle only with nothing to stop it sliding through the band and into the cab! Having said all that have a look at how they secure gas cylinders (large ones) to a vehicle if you get the chance. Also how does a builder transport sand/cement/bricks/mixers etc ....... no straps nothing!

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

Wow that video made me feel a bit ill. My 650 tank is bolted to the chassis, and it on the back of a double cab pick up, so it would have to break free from the chassis and go through the second row of seats in the cab before it hits us and I've not worried about keeping the speed down, just as long as I'm in the limit.  However after seeing that video I might drive a bit slower.  Definitely keep it safe, after all thats the whole idea of wfp.

Simon

[Davew]

The second video looks as if the tank has not been strapped strapped at all.

[jeff1]

Its a shame they never used the same type of tank for both tests, I think the IBC tank would have continued to the front of the van and killed the driver at least.

[EasyClean]

Sarah, you can cross strap your tank and it will be secure, providing the fixings below the floor are Adequate, have another read of mine and JM123 post, and don't do what EasyClean is warning us about, I to have seen fixings to these points, there really there to secure the cat basket too (something light). do it properly and stay safe.

Jeff, you misread my post. What I said is that the anchorage points fitted in some vans which window cleaners going down the DIY route use to tie their tanks in by means of ratchet straps are merely bolted through the thin floor plating and are not adequate for securing a Waterfed Pole tank. I agree that they need to be plated underneath. I have a 650 litre tank in a complete frame bolted through the floor with plates underneath.

[john tomkins]

Good info here, but I'm sure bolting the tank to the chassis it will then be classed as part of the van therefore upping insurance or at least you needing to tell them of the modifications.

[EasyClean]

It's wise to let your insurance company know about your tank that's been fitted in your vehicle because some insurance companies class it as a modification to the vehicle. It alters the handling characteristics whilst driving (i.e. longer stopping distances, slower cornering, etc). If you don't declare it and you are involved in an accident your insurance company may use it against you!

[spotless2000]

What I said is that the anchorage points fitted in some vans which window cleaners going down the DIY route use to tie their tanks in by means of ratchet straps are merely bolted through the thin floor plating and are not adequate for securing a Waterfed Pole tank.

I wonder where the van manufacturers stand on this.

They quote a max payload e.g. 800kg and describe stowage rings to "ensure your load is securely fixed".  (Taken from a Renault brochure.)

What do other industries do?  Would they go to the trouble of bolting the load to the chassis?

I'm sure there must be companies moving loads on a daily basis that weigh the same as our water tanks.  We have the advantage in that our load is the same day in day out so we can take things further by bolting down.  But it would appear from the manufacturer’s vehicle brochures that these vans are designed to carry these loads securely when the rings are used.

Steve

[EasyClean]

With other trades (builders, removals, etc), their loads are tied down by means of ratchet straps to their van anchorage points and then their loads are secured because nothing can possibly move. Our WFP tanks are secured in our vehicles but the weight of our water (being a liquid and not a solid object) has the ability to violently move around suddenly in the event of an emergency brake which puts excessive strains on the WFP tank fixing points.

[jeff1]

Sarah, you can cross strap your tank and it will be secure, providing the fixings below the floor are Adequate, have another read of mine and JM123 post, and don't do what EasyClean is warning us about, I to have seen fixings to these points, there really there to secure the cat basket too (something light). do it properly and stay safe.

Jeff, you misread my post. What I said is that the anchorage points fitted in some vans which window cleaners going down the DIY route use to tie their tanks in by means of ratchet straps are merely bolted through the thin floor plating and are not adequate for securing a Waterfed Pole tank. I agree that they need to be plated underneath. I have a 650 litre tank in a complete frame bolted through the floor with plates underneath.

Sorry I did misread it  : I thought you was on about those silly little bars/hooks, that are some times fitted, for the cat basket/small loads, you know the type I mean?? sorry Dude

[EasyClean]

No worries Jeff!

[spotless2000]

With other trades (builders, removals, etc), their loads are tied down by means of ratchet straps to their van anchorage points and then their loads are secured because nothing can possibly move. Our WFP tanks are secured in our vehicles but the weight of our water (being a liquid and not a solid object) has the ability to violently move around suddenly in the event of an emergency brake which puts excessive strains on the WFP tank fixing points.

Valid point!

[[GQC] Tim]

So where did you guys have your tank fitted, and how much would a rough estimate be? (on cost)

Where to go to get it properly fixed?

[Sir Squeaky]

The proper way to fit a tank is to use a system whereby the tank cannot use, most commonly a cage fitted through the van floor.  Of course the cage needs to be designed for the job as do the plates/legs underneath.

No you dont need a cage i used to have a Tucker Pole 700ltr tank and it was fitted with 4 nuts and bolts and when i got hit head on at 70mph it never moved

70 mph head on? 

Are you sure it was quite that fast?

Very rare to get survivors from that sort of impact.

[Easyclean Windows]

70 mph head on? 

Are you sure it was quite that fast?

Very rare to get survivors from that sort of impact

i sure am

[Sir Squeaky]

Well that's proved it.

That's how much damage you do at 30mph.

70mph it would be absolutely destroyed.