Ideal Van Setup

[P4dstar]

I'm just about to buy 2 new vans. All of my vans will be Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, Vivaro etc. I want to start to set these up in some kind of uniformed order. Eventually I want to be able to jump into any of the vans and know the set up is exactly the same. Interested in everyone's opinions on must haves. Anything you would do differently or the sameif you were setting up a new van today?

 

[THL4KEL]

I was thinking next van I would not fit a steel cage for the tank. I wouldnt get an upright tank Id get a flat tank. Upgrade the van tie down points to what trucks use with spreader plates and use truck ratchet straps to hold the tank in place (5000kg approved stuff). So it can be removed easier... Maybe a pressure washer on top on the tank. So maximizing space as well.

 

[P4dstar]

I was thinking next van I would not fit a steel cage for the tank. I wouldnt get an upright tank Id get a flat tank. Upgrade the van tie down points to what trucks use with spreader plates and use truck ratchet straps to hold the tank in place (5000kg approved stuff). So it can be removed easier... Maybe a pressure washer on top on the tank. So maximizing space as well.

Pressure washing has always been a little much for me. If I was doing that I’d want one of those streamline systems with the false floor. Blooming expensive though.

I’ve currently got a Grippatank 650 hot in one, that will be staying.
An ionics (700 I think) with a hot box currently in a transit custom. I think that’ll be moving across.

I’ve also got;
A 500 litre cold Grippa system in a Doblo.
A 375 litre Streamline compact system. The one that has a lithium ion battery. That is there as backup and can be chucked in the back of my transporter if we’re caught short.
A facelift hotbox

Originally I was going to get the Grippa system moved and the hotbox fitted in the other van but I’m considering dumping that whole idea and just getting an ionics ThermoPure. It’s expensive but it gives me a way to break from Grippa. If anything goes wrong with that system they won’t sell me replacement parts. They’re usually available elsewhere but it’s not ideal!

 

[RyeCleanLiam]

I have a Facelift Compact 425 with a Heatwave hot box. When they fitted it they fitted it length ways with the diesel water heater at the back side ways on. I was never fully happy with it. I bought a new van and fitted the system myself, I fitted it sideways with the hotbox just in front of it, on the compacts the reels sit on top. Works really well and gives me plenty room at the back for other stuff.
Not sure if your bigger systems would fit side on though.
The Waterworks systems look really good now, but you can't get hot I don't think.
My mate has a streamline system and he really rates it, and says the customer service is very good. Maybe that's a very good cheaper option than Ionics?

 

[RyeCleanLiam]

Floor needs a clean but this is it. It's a Peugeot Partner LWB.

 

[spruce]

I'm just about to buy 2 new vans. All of my vans will be Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert, Vivaro etc. I want to start to set these up in some kind of uniformed order. Eventually I want to be able to jump into any of the vans and know the set up is exactly the same. Interested in everyone's opinions on must haves. Anything you would do differently or the sameif you were setting up a new van today?

I'm not sure if this is totally possible as each model van is different in size, shape and underfloor layout.

My son and my vans are totally different, as mine is a Boxer and his is a Berlingo. However, I have standardized on hose reel and pole hose fittings. So he can use his pole on my van, and I can use any of my poles on his van. The hose reels are also interchangeable, as ours aren't fixed.

All our brush heads have Quiklok fittings and all the poles have Univalves bar one which still has an Aquadaptor. Both vans have Shurflo pumps. His van still has an old analogue Varistream before they released the digital version, where mine has the first digital Varistreams.

My son uses a 25' SLX. I have cut a hole in the top section of the factory fit bulkhead so his will fit in his van. When he works with me, he uses his pole on my van. All our poles fit down the side of my van with gutter brackets.

This basically means I only have to carry one set of spares. I do also have a spare pump and Varistream controller in my office if I need them. Our van setups are delivery only systems, with the r/o and IBC tank in my garage. I keep a good stock of sediment and carbon block filters. I do need to reorder resin shortly, as I don't have much left.

 

[P4dstar]

I have a Facelift Compact 425 with a Heatwave hot box. When they fitted it they fitted it length ways with the diesel water heater at the back side ways on. I was never fully happy with it. I bought a new van and fitted the system myself, I fitted it sideways with the hotbox just in front of it, on the compacts the reels sit on top. Works really well and gives me plenty room at the back for other stuff.
Not sure if your bigger systems would fit side on though.
The Waterworks systems look really good now, but you can't get hot I don't think.
My mate has a streamline system and he really rates it, and says the customer service is very good. Maybe that's a very good cheaper option than Ionics?

You can always add one of those cabinets to a cold system so waterworks can be an option for anyone. I’ve been honest with ionics and said their hotbox is just too big. Our van with the hotbox has so little space. The ionics system is at the back, the hotbox in the middle of the floor to the left, then in front of the opening door we have a waterworks reel. There is zero room left for anything else. I have floated the idea of mounting the reel above the hotbox on a frame. Ionics have said this is possible but they would be concerned about water ingress to the electrics if the reel leaks. Compare that to the picture you have posted above and it looks much tidier and more compact. I would have gone with the cabinet in front of the Grippa system but the Grippa system has its own cabinet that needs to be accessed.

 

[P4dstar]

I'm not sure if this is totally possible as each model van is different in size, shape and underfloor layout.

I thought they were all one shell just rebadged as Vivaro, Expert, Dispatch, ProAce and whatever the Fiat one is (Fiorino possibly). Would it just mean the tanks would be in slightly different places? The interior shape is very very similar if not exactly the same.

 

[spruce]

I thought they were all one shell just rebadged as Vivaro, Expert, Dispatch, ProAce and whatever the Fiat one is (Fiorino possibly). Would it just mean the tanks would be in slightly different places? The interior shape is very very similar if not exactly the same.

You have a point there.

 

[spruce]

You have a point there.

I was thinking more of different sized tanks affecting layout @P4dstar

 

[P4dstar]

I was thinking more of different sized tanks affecting layout @P4dstar

Gotcha. I think longer term I want them all to be ionics tanks. They’re all the same frame and just differing heights. They’ve been good to me In terms of service and they’re my most local supplier.

 

[P4dstar]

My mate has a streamline system and he really rates it, and says the customer service is very good. Maybe that's a very good cheaper option than Ionics?

I forgot to say to this earlier, have you seen their prices. They’re another step up again. No one has a bad word to say about them though. I’d lean towards ionics because of the location, I can be there in 45 mins.

 

[Al3X]

I have 2 hot Grippa systems and an Ionics Thermopure.

I like the pressure release valve on the Thermopure to keep boiler running and the build quality seems better with less issues but I wish it had a return to tank valve to keep water in hose hot between jobs and frost protection like the Grippa ones do.

 

[Pjj]

I thought they were all one shell just rebadged as Vivaro, Expert, Dispatch, ProAce and whatever the Fiat one is (Fiorino possibly). Would it just mean the tanks would be in slightly different places? The interior shape is very very similar if not exactly the same.

Yes I thought the same as you ! Think the basic body shells are the same but different trims like grills , lights , bumpers etc . My MAN TGE is exactly the same as the Vw crafter apart from the bits I have already mentioned.

 

[Pjj]

I have 2 hot Grippa systems and an Ionics Thermopure.

I like the pressure release valve on the Thermopure to keep boiler running and the build quality seems better with less issues but I wish it had a return to tank valve to keep water in hose hot between jobs and frost protection like the Grippa ones do.

We have one Grippatank hot set up and two thermopures I have fitted a return to tank in them that over rides the valve return so the reels have constant hot water going through them

 

[Al3X]

We have one Grippatank hot set up and two thermopures I have fitted a return to tank in them that over rides the valve return so the reels have constant hot water going through them

Is it easy to fit a return to tank? I’d have no idea how to do it

 

[Pjj]

Is it easy to fit a return to tank? I’d have no idea how to do it

Yes just connect your hose on your hose reel to a hose going back to the tank between jobs

 

[P4dstar]

I've done a return to tank on my ionics system for the same reason as @Pjj. The only thing I would say is you're best getting a valved connection the same as your Grippa systems have, these don't leak all over the floor. The hose they use is just car radiator hose. They won't sell to me so I can't get those connections so I rigged something else up.