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steve hawing

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103
Looking at getting myself a wfp system a 400 litre one, I haven't a van yet but hope on having one next week, I'm going for a small van caddy size as it's big enough for me to start off in, so is a flat or tall tank better for the small van?

Also any other advise or tips would be great thanks

 
i prefer an upright tank in a small van so you have more room...

As long as you drive carefully you'll be absolutely fine, especially with only 300-400 litres,

Do you have a list of thinga you'll need? Are you new to window cleaning?

 
Jake, that is a great set up. Good job! I just have my car and a back pack, pole wit same brush as you, I like that one too. I have the set up I need to do my job and the trad stuff to and trad pole i find usefull to get deep muck off quicker with out using loads water, really helps using the applicator.

I was in a street cleaning and this guy had a van and all the gear I took the same time as him cleaning really and my back pack I could take across the road, he had to have his hose right across the road and grass and people walking passed it. I do wonder do I need it all? I use barrels in my car and fill up back pack, have enough for the days work and works fine, so wondering what benefits I would get changing across to a van? I am happy with unloading back back on floor in seconds and bam working cleaning and then seconds to put it in car. Job done. It ust worries me the insurance and running costs of it all, but your set up is brilliant mate. I feel I will probably venture to a van once I get my round at max as still building I only have 120 as only started Febuary in the end as opted to go WFP. Things to think about soon, but I am happy with my set up, easy, quick and insurance is low as not got all that amazing stuff. I only do houses and not business premessis/offices so maybe sticking with what I have is ok, as it runs a dream for me, out car, pick back pack out and place and clean.

Solar panel is great idea, like that /emoticons/smile.png I no where to come for tips if I look in to a van.

 
Don't know where abouts you are but we would always travel to Grimsby for our systems.

There is a company called Pure Freedom.

We used them from being 2 engineers who were just starting to design there own gear after being asked to install one.

They thought they could build a better one than the one they installed and did.

They have come a long way since then.

Www.purefreedom.co.uk

If the back pack works for you stick with it though. A van mounted system only pays when you need to purify water on site and have a constant flow all day. I found it was just as quick to take a ladder off than pull hoses around and less likely to get pooh on my hand after reeling in a hose that got dragged through a rogue dog egg.

 
Hi Scottie, yeah you may as well stick to back pack for time being, get some money and more work behind you then Venture towards a van,

I've never used a bavkpack, but if it works for you that's all that matters,

Thanks for the kind words, I love my setup, it's very fast and efficient, but I didn't do it straight away, I was trad for 8 years before going wfp, takes time to build up funds and work to pay for a decent van and system, I bought all my kit and van outright, so it's all paid and making me money,

As for insurance, it's cheap as chips mate...

No rush for you, you've only just begun!

Another reason I like the van is I'm able to carry pressure washers with ease etc...

 
Hi, cheers for info lads, yes purefreedom look good.

Jake, yes I think I will stick with the back pack, same principle really. I just find it so easy, its easier than traditional with ladders as I expeirenced that and its far easier, just get out the car open door and pull back out place on floor extend pole and washign already. The facelift backpack is working fine all the time (touch wood) lol and never an issue, the whole set up is good, I just need to kit my car out better to house it all, going to do that this week, need to secure the bakc pack in boot better so does nt get knocked etc, but it works just fine and I dont think a van would speed me up. Only thing is amount of water, although I can do a full day with enough water in the car and if run low I can trad lowers but not had to yet, so all good. Plus the insurance and other bits low cost. Loving the set up though Jake, done a cracking job. I might get a jeep or range rover kinda vehicle as can multi use then, with a tank I can take out easy when dont need to window clean, looking at them lines one day, but yeah for moment biulding up.

These van though you use how much water can they take? before it gets to heavy. I put 200l in my car to transfer water back to home, but I am told my car will take much more than that I I no it will but do not want to push weight wise.

 
Mines a 750 tank, I usually have around 500 litres in it, but 750l lasts me 2 weeks, which is great! (I still trad 30% of work at least)

Car is fine, however van looks more professional and does mean you can fit more in it, eg pressure washer etc... Eg I have a big job coming up that requires a petrol pressure washer, (cleaning a roof) and without a van I wouldn't be able to carry the pressure washer about for this type of Job, and because its a £300 job, I wouldn't want to not be able to do it...

I used cars for years when I was trad, I used an old Vauxhall Astra when I first started, then a vectra estate, then a Nissan Almera, but when I went wfp I really felt a van was necessary to hold it all...

If you just using a backpack then a car is fine, but a van would speed you up, you might not think it would, but it will as you won't have to carry backpack out, fill it up etc, with a van you just pull the pole out and off you go - I'd defo look into it for the future mate

 
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