[steve bell]

Hi all,

Got a bit of a dilema, I would like to sort out the crappy little van I have just got with a bit of a home made van mounted system for the old WFP. Been looking around and know I can get a pump for about £40, the tank will be a central heating tank from B&Q (42 Galls, approx 190litres) which will get some baffles inserted and mounted in the Combo.
I don't have loads of work and only pole the tops (unless leaded windows all round) I reckon I can get away with that much as I only carry 6x 25litre drums on any one day as I am. Basically the reason for doing all this is I'm intrigued by the 'hot wash' system. The L5's are going for less than £100 on ebay and there's others for less.

So.... getting back to the original question. (finally) What size pipe should I look at? 6mm, 8mm or regular garden hose?

Again looking on ebay, 100meters of the first two (6mm, 8mm) run to around £50-£60. Garden hose a lot less.  Do you guys use a regular hose trolley? which end do you have the trolley? Sounds daft that, but do you wheel the trolley out with you whilst running the hose out, or pull the hose out from the back of the van off the roll? Auto retract??

So many questions so little time, is it worth all the hassle. Should I stick with the trolley?

Answers on a postcard please.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

From what you've said I'd stick with the trolly, at least that will look professional. Hot tanks are made to be static and not driven around half filled with water. As for hose I'd go for professional mini or microbore, it worth the money as it won't kink like regular hose. A hose cart you plug in and pull out from the cart leaving the cart by the van, again a good one is is much better, a cheapo will be a nightmare to work with.

Simon.

[steve bell]

The tank will all be inside the van so shouldn't look unprofessional but I take your point on half full and the slosh effect. I am a bit of a mechanical geek and so probably enjoy the solving of a problem more than the using of it in the long run.
Was half considering making a trolley for the hose as all I've seen are very plastic'y reels on wheels which look like they wouldn't last five minutes. Shall I get one and modify?
Sounds a bit weird I know, but I am sat with a lathe and welder in the garage so most fixes aren't a problem.

[paulben]

I made my own trolly system it was a nightmare so work from back of van with a quality 1/2 inch hose going to change to small pipe in future should save weight however if its just a couple of upstairs windows  I use a converted garden sprayer saves draging pipe out.

[daz34zler]

personally i have converted from 1/2 inch garden hose to 8mm reinforced microbore pipe. reason being,
i only use a standard hosereel (25m), and i can fit 60m of 8mm as opposed to 30m of 1/2 inch.
also the weight difference is incredible, so much lighter.
i will stop waffling now and let you make your own judgement......lol