Been traditional for 20 years!! Think I’m finally going to convert. HELP!!!

[Andrew rigby]

I have no clue at all about water fed pole systems,
thinking about converting Astra van on way out and body has had enough of ladder work.
Can someone point me in the right direction we currently clean 40/45 3 bed semis a day between 2 of us,
What size water tank do I need to last me the day? How much will it cost roughly to put a system in a van?
What size vehicle do I need to buy or best buying one that already had system in?
Do I need to have a water tank at home as well? (don’t really want one in my garden)
Any help will be much appreciated

 

[Part Timer]

How long is a piece of string, minimum 650l tank when up to speed and round fully converted.
There are literally hundreds of replies, from people that's done what you're looking to do. I suggest you have a good search of the site and read them.

 

[kalimon]

I have no clue at all about water fed pole systems,
thinking about converting Astra van on way out and body has had enough of ladder work.
Can someone point me in the right direction we currently clean 40/45 3 bed semis a day between 2 of us,
What size water tank do I need to last me the day? How much will it cost roughly to put a system in a van?
What size vehicle do I need to buy or best buying one that already had system in?
Do I need to have a water tank at home as well? (don’t really want one in my garden)
Any help will be much appreciated

Whereabouts are you based?

 

[Andrew rigby]

Whereabouts are you based?

North west Southport?

 

[dazmond]

You need a TDS meter first to test your water. If your tap water is under 150tds you ll be fine with 2 x 25L DI vessels and no need for a tank at home.

You'll need an outside tap at the front of your property or an easy way to fill up your van with access to electricity via extension lead.

Minimum of a 650L tank and a payload of 1200kg or so....

 

[dazmond]

Astra van totally unsuitable mate....you need a vivaro/lwb custom type van with a 1200kg payload for a 650L

 

[spruce]

You need a TDS meter first to test your water. If your tap water is under 150tds you ll be fine with 2 x 25L DI vessels and no need for a tank at home.

You'll need an outside tap at the front of your property or an easy way to fill up your van with access to electricity via extension lead.

Minimum of a 650L tank and a payload of 1200kg or so....

My Peugeot Boxer swb is a model 333 which has a payload of +- 1300kgs.

A full 650 litre tank, a full tank of diesel, roof rack with ladders and tow-bar, usual accessories, 2 hose reels and a diesel heater brings me up to the payload limit.
I'm not sure if a 650 litre tank of water will suffice to clean 40 to 45 3 bed semis a day.

I could well think about buying 2 smaller Berlingo type vans with a 500 litre tank and work separately. Often operators working together are inclined to do less work than working individually. But then again, this could change depending on how compact your work is. There is a local lad that had a run of street houses. He parked in the middle. His co-worker pulled his reel 100 meters in front of the van, and he pulled his 100 meters to the rear. They worked toward each other.

I work with my son. Sometimes both of us cleaning 1 house, me the back and him the front, can take us longer than either of us cleaning the same house on our own.

 

[dazmond]

I have no clue at all about water fed pole systems,
thinking about converting Astra van on way out and body has had enough of ladder work.
Can someone point me in the right direction we currently clean 40/45 3 bed semis a day between 2 of us,
What size water tank do I need to last me the day? How much will it cost roughly to put a system in a van?
What size vehicle do I need to buy or best buying one that already had system in?
Do I need to have a water tank at home as well? (don’t really want one in my garden)
Any help will be much appreciated

If I was you I'd get a brand new van and get a hot water system fitted. If you work in Southport then salt on the windows must be a problem as well as all the seagull muck.

Do not underestimate how much money you'll need to invest in a decent van and system to last 10-15 years...

 

[Gadgetfox]

Van plus equipment 20k+
Ibuilt up ffrom scratch constantly reienvesting but if you are already servicing 300+ customers and have to provide 2 mens wages you are going to have to dig deep in your wallet unless you can live without wages for a while...
But I wish you all the best and there are some good guys on this site and a shed load of info to help.

 

[Skxawng]

I've had two astra vans and while I liked them, they just aren't designed for any kind of weight.

 

[spruce]

I've had two astra vans and while I liked them, they just aren't designed for any kind of weight.

Agree. They are basically the modified version of the estate. There were 2 cleaners locally who had them. One stopped cleaning and the other said his vehicle was totally unacceptable as a window cleaning van.

Both vans were flat on their suspension at the start of the day. Had issues over the speed bumps.