What size tank suitable for a VW Caddy? ?

[Daniel Perkins]

No never heard of using a solvent, I also forgot you do a lot of commercial work I am trying to move away from chems completely including tfr and will soon be trialing a plant based detergent and a degreaser for first cleans. 

Yeah not a fan of using chems myself but unfortunately need them sometimes. With commercial work and just doing windows only for the most part... I don't use too many chems apart from normal detergent. I was using Ecover for awhile which is plant based but it's pricey enough.

 

[Iron Giant]

Yeah not a fan of using chems myself but unfortunately need them sometimes. With commercial work and just doing windows only for the most part... I don't use too many chems apart from normal detergent. I was using Ecover for awhile which is plant based but it's pricey enough.

You can buy Bio-d washing up liquid it is around £10.00 for a 5 litre tub, although not sure if they have suppliers in Ireland 

 

[JEM]

With the greatest of respect you cannot clean windows all day with 350 ltr of water yes you can do  a few houses but not work all day . When I started wfp on my own I would empty a 650 ltr working all day , if you are serious about window cleaning there is no point in buying a small tank then in 6 months realising you have made a mistake and have to get a bigger van and set up , most sole traders will have a 500 ltr tank as dazmond said , we regularly use 1000- 1200 ltr per day per van with two people , we do a lot of work at least 7 hours a day on the glass sometimes more . The only way 350 will last all day is if you do tops only wfp or do  a lot of driving between jobs ,and park  up a lot drinking tea ???

I know this is an old thread, I was searching for tanks for a Citroen Nemo!

650ltr a day is crazy!? I use about 20ltrs per house which is on average about £20 that would be £650 per day £3,200 for 5 days work. I'd be happy with half that! That would be a 350ltr tank. which i think would be the maximum for my Nemo which i think the payload is 630

 

[ched999uk]

I know this is an old thread, I was searching for tanks for a Citroen Nemo!

650ltr a day is crazy!? I use about 20ltrs per house which is on average about £20 that would be £650 per day £3,200 for 5 days work. I'd be happy with half that! That would be a 350ltr tank. which i think would be the maximum for my Nemo which i think the payload is 630

I was thinking about a nemo/bipper/fiorino type van and I thought a 350 would be idea size. I was also thinking that a flat tank, as we don't have many hills round here, would be good as I could board across it so other things could be carried if necessary (not carrying much water at same time due to load limits). I haven't checked but I think a flat 400 lts tank is lower than a 350 so might give more space but you would have to not over fill otherwise you might be getting close to the limits. Maybe fill it as a 350 lts tank?

Have you bought a nemo? If so what do you think of it, decent on fuel, easy to park/turn round etc? Any thing to watch for as they do seem to have a few different engines in? 

Cheers

 

[JEM]

I was thinking about a nemo/bipper/fiorino type van and I thought a 350 would be idea size. I was also thinking that a flat tank, as we don't have many hills round here, would be good as I could board across it so other things could be carried if necessary (not carrying much water at same time due to load limits). I haven't checked but I think a flat 400 lts tank is lower than a 350 so might give more space but you would have to not over fill otherwise you might be getting close to the limits. Maybe fill it as a 350 lts tank?

Have you bought a nemo? If so what do you think of it, decent on fuel, easy to park/turn round etc? Any thing to watch for as they do seem to have a few different engines in? 

Cheers

Ched,

I've had my Nemo for about 7yrs it's been faultless, i bought it for another business years ago and use it for fishing, which is why I've been reluctant to fit a permanent tank.

Over them 7yrs I've only had to change the rear shocks easy job, about £80. had 40.000 miles when i bought it and it's only on 77.000 now.

The engine in mine is a 1.4 HDi it's good on fuel, the onboard computer says i get about 48 per gallon. Mine is a bit noisy on motorways as it also came with a roof rack, which could come in handy. 

They are really comfortable to drive, electric windows/mirrors. no aircon but some models do come also with aircon. And mine is an 08 but it doesn't look dated as they haven't done a facelift model AFAIK

From the searches on here there were a few that had a 350ltr tank with plenty of room for other stuff.

Yes i think a flat tank would be good option then maybe have the reel on top, I also don't have many hills where i am. and true if a 400ltr fits then just 3/4 fill it to keep it under the 610 payload 

 

[ched999uk]

Ched,

I've had my Nemo for about 7yrs it's been faultless, i bought it for another business years ago and use it for fishing, which is why I've been reluctant to fit a permanent tank.

Over them 7yrs I've only had to change the rear shocks easy job, about £80. had 40.000 miles when i bought it and it's only on 77.000 now.

The engine in mine is a 1.4 tdi it's good on fuel, the onboard computer says i get about 48 per gallon. Mine is a bit noisy on motorways as it also came with a roof rack, which could come in handy. 

They are really comfortable to drive, electric windows/mirrors. no aircon but some models do come also with aircon. And mine is an 08 but it doesn't look dated as they haven't done a facelift model AFAIK

From the searches on here there were a few that had a 350ltr tank with plenty of room for other stuff.

Yes i think a flat tank would be good option then maybe have the reel on top, I also don't have many hills where i am. and true if a 400ltr fits then just 3/4 fill it to keep it under the 610 payload 

That's great info, thanks. If you boarded over a 400 lts and had a removable reel you could easily use the van for fishing? Not bothered about motorways as all my work is within 2 miles of home at moment, hoping to keep it that way ?

Think a Wydale 400 is 350mm high whereas a 350 is 520mm high!! But width of 400 is 1010mm not sure that will fit between arches 1046mm? So should be OK depending on the frame you use - obviously check and don't take my word for it ?.

I like the idea of something small and easy to manoeuvre but want to be able to add maybe gutter vacc-ing and maybe carry small diy scaffold tower on odd occasion (4x2ft x 12ft high).

 

[Pjj]

I know this is an old thread, I was searching for tanks for a Citroen Nemo!

650ltr a day is crazy!? I use about 20ltrs per house which is on average about £20 that would be £650 per day £3,200 for 5 days work. I'd be happy with half that! That would be a 350ltr tank. which i think would be the maximum for my Nemo which i think the payload is 630

I still maintain 350  ltr is no ware near enough , I use 600-800 working on my My own on busy days with two of us we empty a 1000 ltr tank in a day and sometimes top up at lunch time or when working in large commercial we use 1,500 plus per day per van , if you are doing an odd house hear and there and sat in the van having tea breaks and long lunches then yes you might make it last but not doing compact work doing 60-80 houses a day ????

 

[JEM]

Well when i go fishing with the OH for the weekend, the van is rammed from floor to ceiling! 2x everything?

Something like this looks perfect if and when i go fully fitted, my compromise at the moment is 25ltr barrels which works great with my semi permanent system. and 50mtr hose. it's been a great upgrade from my backpack.

I actually did a job today that i had to climb over the 6ft wall as they are away and the back gate was locked! no way could i have carried over the backpack full of water.

 

[ched999uk]

60-80 houses a day

That's some going for 1 person. That's 8 hrs 10 houses an hour!! I know you are fast but can you keep that rate up all day? Amazing.

 

[JEM]

I still maintain 350  ltr is no ware near enough , I use 600-800 working on my My own on busy days with two of us we empty a 1000 ltr tank in a day and sometimes top up at lunch time or when working in large commercial we use 1,500 plus per day per van , if you are doing an odd house hear and there and sat in the van having tea breaks and long lunches then yes you might make it last but not doing compact work doing 60-80 houses a day ????

I couldn't imagine doing 30 houses a day tbh let alone 60/80? If i could get the customer base to get 15 a day i would be ecstatic. that would be 300 a day. i wouldn't mind filling up daily with that setup

 

[Pjj]

That's some going for 1 person. That's 8 hrs 10 houses an hour!! I know you are fast but can you keep that rate up all day? Amazing.

60-80 houses per day with two guys in one van in fact some days we do more than that I regularly do 48 houses and the guy with me does 40 that’s in very compact modern  estate work the van only moves a few hundred yards per day 

 

[ched999uk]

60-80 houses per day with two guys in one van in fact some days we do more than that I regularly do 48 houses and the guy with me does 40 that’s in very compact modern  estate work the van only moves a few hundred yards per day 

I'm moving to Cornwall ?

 

[Pjj]

I'm moving to Cornwall ?

Lol I’ll give you a job ???

 

[JEM]

I'm moving to Cornwall ?

Only if you can do a house every 6 minutes?

 

[ched999uk]

Lol I’ll give you a job ???

I wouldn't if I were you. No way I could get that many houses done, probably take me a week at least! 

 

[Deleted member 7446]

I was thinking about a nemo/bipper/fiorino type van and I thought a 350 would be idea size. I was also thinking that a flat tank, as we don't have many hills round here, would be good as I could board across it so other things could be carried if necessary (not carrying much water at same time due to load limits). I haven't checked but I think a flat 400 lts tank is lower than a 350 so might give more space but you would have to not over fill otherwise you might be getting close to the limits. Maybe fill it as a 350 lts tank?

Have you bought a nemo? If so what do you think of it, decent on fuel, easy to park/turn round etc? Any thing to watch for as they do seem to have a few different engines in? 

Cheers

Flat tanks are a nightmare for air locks. Those small vans are awful as all you poles will be thrown in the back as the van isn't long enough for pole racks 

The bigger partners, doblo are the best starter van 

 

[JEM]

Flat tanks are a nightmare for air locks. Those small vans are awful as all you poles will be thrown in the back as the van isn't long enough for pole racks 

The bigger partners, doblo are the best starter van 

Just hang drainage pipe on the inside for the poles, unless there is a better way to carry the poles in a van?

 

[Pjj]

Just hang drainage pipe on the inside for the poles, unless there is a better way to carry the poles in a van?

View attachment 25756

That’s what I do works very well and quick and easy to put in the van 

 

[Deleted member 7446]

Just hang drainage pipe on the inside for the poles, unless there is a better way to carry the poles in a van?

View attachment 25756

I was referring to pole length as you physically struggle with a nemo for example due to it's wheelbase and available space from the bulkhead to rear doors. You won't get a 22 or 30 foot in there with ease 

You should have your tubes higher up 

 

[Iron Giant]

I was thinking about a nemo/bipper/fiorino type van and I thought a 350 would be idea size. I was also thinking that a flat tank, as we don't have many hills round here, would be good as I could board across it so other things could be carried if necessary (not carrying much water at same time due to load limits). I haven't checked but I think a flat 400 lts tank is lower than a 350 so might give more space but you would have to not over fill otherwise you might be getting close to the limits. Maybe fill it as a 350 lts tank?

Have you bought a nemo? If so what do you think of it, decent on fuel, easy to park/turn round etc? Any thing to watch for as they do seem to have a few different engines in? 

Cheers

Too small a van you need a Fiat Doblo/Vauxhall Combo size van the Ford courier is also too small a citoren berlingo is also the right size, I have a 350ltr upright tank in my 64 plate combo bolted in PowerUp reel tool box etc and I can fit in x2 25ltr containers and poles and that's about it not much room for anything else and of course all within the payload of around 675kg I think it is

 

[CMcB]

@JEM I have a Peugeot bipper with a 350L tank in it. Good things about it is its fairly cheap for a smart looking van. Parking, maneuvering and fuel consumption are fantastic, everything is within arms reach, you don't have room for junk or for it to be messy. Bad things are the payload does get eaten up very quickly, and about 2 or 3 days a month I'll need to refill during the day, those are the days I only stop for 4 coffee breaks instead of my usual 6. Also, you can't expand to a 2man. Next van will be bigger, but I'm not in a rush to change it, it can carry everything i need for a 1-man window cleaning system.