[Amazin]

If the van is a Ford transit T260, the gross weight this van is able to carry is 2600KG (2.6 tons); The unladen weight is 1789KG. I think that leaves approximately 800KG.

If you then include an allowance of 100KG for the driver and 80KG for fuel. That leaves you with 620KG.

so I can only install a 500litre water tank at max?

[C-Thru.]

Not sure on your van weights but work on the theory that one litre of water weighs 1Kg
So from what you've said thats 500kg of water you have in tank so you should be fine.
Sure lots of guys on here will give you more info and more accurately. If in doubt call a Local Ford dealer and ask to speak to commercial Dept they will give you precise weights and info.
Good luck.

[martinw]

you may be pushed a bit depending on cage weight anything between 30-70 depending on design.
general allowances:
tank weight  50kg plus, cage  around 50kg, battery 25kg, hose reel 25kg, water 500kg ,
roof rack 30kg ,then you have ladders, trad gear and other miscellaneous items which can be 50-100kg on top.
thats without ro and di resin bottle fitted in your van.
you may choose to install it and double check on weight bridge.

[dazmond]

whats the payload?i always go off the payload.

mines a transit connect T230(900kg payload) so i have a 500L tank and frame which with my other gear and me im just under with a full to the brim tank in the mornings

[Amazin]

thanks for th info everyone.

mines a transit connect T230(900kg payload) so i have a 500L tank and frame which with my other gear and me im just under with a full to the brim tank in the mornings

surely T260 can carry more weight than T230?

[martinw]

t260 came with up to 990kg payload if memory serves me well. either check your logbook or weight labels on your van to confirm this.

[Spruce]

thanks for th info everyone.

mines a transit connect T230(900kg payload) so i have a 500L tank and frame which with my other gear and me im just under with a full to the brim tank in the mornings

surely T260 can carry more weight than T230?

T260 is a Transit van. The T230 is a Transit Connect van. They are 2 totally different vans.

IMHO the smallest Transit van you can use for window cleaning is a T280 which has a payload of 1188kgs for the swb low roof model. A T280 with high roof will have a lower payload as the body weighs more. Martin W is correct with his payload of the T260 being 990 kgs.

Some prefer the old RAC Transit T330 vans. The RAC ordered all their vans with a tailgate rather than barn doors. This makes it easier for window cleaning. Trouble is that those RAC vans generally have 160k on the clock, and although well maintained, I feel that mileage is too high. There are a few RAC vehicles sold with much lower mileage but they don't appear to come up that often.

With regard to Transits, watch out for rust.

[Amazin]

Hey Spruce! Good to see your post. As helpful as ever. So is 805kg payload not enough? All I need is a 500 litre water tank installed. I've seen a transit connect T220 with 400 litre installed. T260 should be cheaper to run than T280 as well I think. I just spoke to a supplier and they told me 800kg capacity is plenty for a 500litre tank

[Walter Mitty]

I usually reckon on payload minus 500kg(litres)  to establish how much water may be carried.  This allows some room to carry extra stuff.  If you travel light on tools, without a passenger, low diesel levels etc., you can get away with much more though.

[Walter Mitty]

Hey Spruce! Good to see your post. As helpful as ever. So is 805kg payload not enough? All I need is a 500 litre water tank installed. I've seen a transit connect T220 with 400 litre installed. T260 should be cheaper to run than T280 as well I think. I just spoke to a supplier and they told me 800kg capacity is plenty for a 500litre tank

The supplier may or may not be right - depending what you want to carry.  Personally, I think that allowing only 300kg for the driver, diesel, other tools (possibly a ladder for some jobs?) etc. may be pushing it - but I don't doubt that it can just be done if you are average body weight and minimalist in other areas.  It really does depend how you work and whether you're a fat git like me.

[SeanK]

500 litres of water =500kg
17 stone person =  under 108kg
That leaves you about 200kg for everything else or 150kg /23 stone if you keep 50litres of fuel in your tank.
Cant see you having a problem.

[Amazin]

500 litres of water =500kg
17 stone person =  under 108kg
That leaves you about 200kg for everything else or 150kg /23 stone if you keep 50litres of fuel in your tank.
Cant see you having a problem.

What about the system? If I want to install it inside the van and maybe a trolley system?

[SeanK]

500 litres of water =500kg
17 stone person =  under 108kg
That leaves you about 200kg for everything else or 150kg /23 stone if you keep 50litres of fuel in your tank.
Cant see you having a problem.

What about the system? If I want to install it inside the van and maybe a trolley system?

Wont come anywhere near 150kg I would say more than likely half that even with your trolley which is only heavy when
filled with the water which is already in your van.
Put it this way I have a Dispatch with a 650litre tank and even filled to the neck with my system ladders and every thing
else I carry was still well under the 990kg payload.

[Spruce]

Hey Spruce! Good to see your post. As helpful as ever. So is 805kg payload not enough? All I need is a 500 litre water tank installed. I've seen a transit connect T220 with 400 litre installed. T260 should be cheaper to run than T280 as well I think. I just spoke to a supplier and they told me 800kg capacity is plenty for a 500litre tank

The T260 and T280 are virtually identical vans with the same motor (may have different tyres). The only reason a T260 will be cheaper to run is that it won't carry as much weight. It is taxed in the 2600kg fully laden tax class where the T280 is taxed in the 2800kg tax class.

A T220 Transit Connect has a 825kg payload. Both the swb and the lwb have the same payload. The T230 Transit Connect has a 900kg payload. The older T220 used the Tddi Ford engine and the T230 used the new Tdci engine that is from the joint diesel engine venture with PSA (Citroen & Peugeot.)

Son in Law has a T220 LWB Transit Connect with a 500 liter tank. But he only has a small step ladder. hose reel and pole. He is within the payload allowance with a full tank and himself only in the van.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=139067.0

We also fitted a 500 liter tank into my son Peugeot Partner 800lx van. He also travels lite when he uses it, but when full with himself he is within the payload limit. With Peugeot Partners and Citroen Berlingos the 800 kgs payload was including a 75kg driver. I'm not sure if that applies with their latest models.

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=41726.0

[EandM]

The payload for my Ranger is 1210 kg so with a 400 litre flat tank and the usual bits and bobs leaves about half a tonne to play with.

[Spruce]

Hey Spruce! Good to see your post. As helpful as ever. So is 805kg payload not enough? All I need is a 500 litre water tank installed. I've seen a transit connect T220 with 400 litre installed. T260 should be cheaper to run than T280 as well I think. I just spoke to a supplier and they told me 800kg capacity is plenty for a 500litre tank

The supplier may or may not be right - depending what you want to carry.  Personally, I think that allowing only 300kg for the driver, diesel, other tools (possibly a ladder for some jobs?) etc. may be pushing it - but I don't doubt that it can just be done if you are average body weight and minimalist in other areas.  It really does depend how you work and whether you're a fat git like me.

....and me. 

Yes you are right. A 500 liter tank full is pushing the upper reaches of the payload limit. The van will of course get lighter as the day progresses.

When SIL started he used all his water every day.  However, although experienced at window cleaning he was new to wfp. As he took over a section of customers we were already servicing he didn't have any first cleans to do.  He just needed to perfect his technique which he did very quickly.

He now uses about 350 - 400 liters a day, so doesn't usually completely fill his tank. Amazin will probably end up doing the same once he is wfp experienced, so will short fill his tank. But its always good to have the extra reserve capacity available should it be needed.

When we started wfp I bought a trailer with 3 x 125 litre tanks fitted. I also carried 100 litres in the van. It was never enough to last the day. We didn't have flow controllers back then and we flooded the windows with water from 3mm jets. As we couldn't keep up with that water flow, we wasted a lot of water.

We purchased one of the first Varisteams and it made a huge difference to our working day. Now we had enough water to last us another couple of hours and I hardly ever used the reserve water on the van. we weren't working as quickly but we earned more a day overall because we reduced the water that we wasted.

[Spruce]

The payload for my Ranger is 1210 kg so with a 400 litre flat tank and the usual bits and bobs leaves about half a tonne to play with.

 

Your payload is good but your available space isn't, especially if you have a twin cab.

You probably wouldn't notice a full 400 liters on the back.

[martinw]

you can now check your payload on grippa tanks page:
https://www.grippatank.co.uk/payload-checker

very handy tool.

[Mike #1]

The payload for my Ranger is 1210 kg so with a 400 litre flat tank and the usual bits and bobs leaves about half a tonne to play with.

Ahhhh the joys of been a truck owner

[Clever Forum Name]

Spruce the only exception to that rule is the Transit 280 2002-2004 models.

My dads van is a T280 SWB low roof with a payload of 996kg. There was an error in the earlier models.

http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=120541

[Spruce]

Spruce the only exception to that rule is the Transit 280 2002-2004 models.

My dads van is a T280 SWB low roof with a payload of 996kg. There was an error in the earlier models.

http://fordtransit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=120541

I didn't know that. Thanks

[Smudger]

According to Parkers not all 260's are equal - some models have a payload of 740kg others 930kg, so you need to check the exact model.

Out of interest, I noticed this exact same question was asked on yahoo 2 years ago, was that you ?

Darran

[Clever Forum Name]

According to Parkers not all 260's are equal - some models have a payload of 740kg others 930kg, so you need to check the exact model.

Out of interest, I noticed this exact same question was asked on yahoo 2 years ago, was that you ?

Darran

May have been yes, as we got it about 2 years ago. There was confusion over the plates. 280 on the doors yet 2600 GVW

[martinw]

Lower payload are most likely double cab versions.

[tonycarr]

i run a T280 payload 1188kg, i have a 600ltr tank although if i fill it right up to the neck (which i do on occasion)  ill get 700kg in it.
 

[Dave Willis]

Don't forget the weight of a bulkhead, roofrack and leisure battery also the weight of the plastic tank plus the weight of any cage maybe a towbar too and spare wheel. Lots of people only seem to consider the weight of the water.
Some manufactures allow for the tank of fuel, some don't.

[martinw]

Forgot to mention earlier on that newer vans should have mass in service figure stated in logbook which means weight of a vehicle with all fluids, 75kg driver and 90% full fuel tank.
Example lwb vivaro gross weight 2960kg
Payload 1243, Mass in service 1931 leaving usable load of 1029kg.
Ps
Not all manufacturers have been supplying   those figures to dvla in the past.

[EandM]

The payload for my Ranger is 1210 kg so with a 400 litre flat tank and the usual bits and bobs leaves about half a tonne to play with.

6 foot load bay on mine, 7.5 on the regular cab + unlimited headroom and it's unaffected by water too !
I'm with Mike on this one !

[Amazin]

no it wasn't me, never asked anything on there.

you can now check your payload on grippa tanks page:
https://www.grippatank.co.uk/payload-checker

very handy tool.

thank you so much for that tool, now I'm more confused than ever. 

this is what I got after I typed in the reg number:

Body Style: PANEL VAN (INTEGRAL)

Colour: RED

Year of Manufacture: 2006

Car Make: FORD

Car Model: TRANSIT 260 SWB LR

Van Payload: 1020kg

i remember when I went to view it, it had a sticker on the back of driver's seat that said payload 805kg. so which one is it

[Mike #1]

Makes me smile that some lads on here will advise against buying certain 2nd hand vans (Royal Mail ) because they have been thrashed and abused .

I would'nt touch a van used for window cleaning van that has been fully loaded to just under its max payload  4-5 days a week for a few years .

As E&M  pointed out using a truck most 1 man operators will only use about half the payload .

[Spruce]

Makes me smile that some lads on here will advise against buying certain 2nd hand vans (Royal Mail ) because they have been thrashed and abused .

I would'nt touch a van used for window cleaning van that has been fully loaded to just under its max payload  4-5 days a week for a few years .

As E&M  pointed out using a truck most 1 man operators will only use about half the payload .

I'm with you on this one.

I was watching a Royal Mail van the other day and was reminded of the recent 'I wouldn't buy a Royal Mail Van.' This van was a couple of years old, full of dents and being driving by a lunatic - screaming tyres and full revs in each gear. 

This is the trouble when you have a fleet of vans that anybody and everybody is assigned to. We always looked at British gas vans as some of the best buys in the used van market.  One driver is/was assigned to that van and it was his responsibility to look after it. So overall these vans were in better shape.

It never ceases to amaze me how sellers describe the condition of their vans. I was in the market for a LWB, well cared for with reasonable mileage. I started looking about 18 months ago and still haven't found one. (I lie, I've found 3 but in each case the sellers were asking stupid money for them. ) I've given up and spent the money on painting my van where the paint was peeling but I'm still looking - a personal challenge now.

[Mike #1]

Their is a slight misconception about Royal Mail vans as the posties i know generally have the same van all the time and do look after them and class them as their van's .

It is at times the older vans and sometimes the posties that dont use the vans on a regular basis that are thrashing the hell out of them . 

[SeanK]

Their is a slight misconception about Royal Mail vans as the posties i know generally have the same van all the time and do look after them and class them as their van's .

It is at times the older vans and sometimes the posties that dont use the vans on a regular basis that are thrashing the hell out of them .

Your spot on Mike, posties do use the same van all the time and are responsible for making sure they are kept tidy and road
safe, the exception would be on their day off when another guy would cover their duty.
Plus I would certainly buy a window cleaners van before buying one from a builder as driving with the van just under the
max payload daily will certainly be better than driving one that has been well overloaded now and again.
Plus the majority of window cleaners don't do big miles.
 

[Amazin]

i run a T280 payload 1188kg, i have a 600ltr tank although if i fill it right up to the neck (which i do on occasion)  ill get 700kg in it.

if your payload is 1188kg, then T260 payload should be around 900kg at least don't you think?

[Scrimble]

that grippatank payload calculator isnt always right, said my combo van has a payload of 550kg when its actually 775kg,

I have 500l tank in a vauxhall combo and it isnt overweight when full, depends what else you carry though, me personally think a big tranny van is a waste when a smaller more economical van can do the same job and cost a lot less

i wouldnt touch a postie van either, and I defiantly would never buy a window cleaners van,

ex BT vans are very good and imo are the ones to get

[Walter Mitty]

To add to my earlier post re payload.
I have a Renault Trafic - it's 2.9 tonne GVW (most are 2.7 tonnes).
It has a payload of 1.2 tonnes (give or take).
At the time of checking, I would carry:
2 reels with hoses (I'm a single operator but some of my work needed two reels daisy chained to reach the work area).
Several poles (+ rack).
Leisure battery.
Misc small tools.
Heavy duty jack* (see below).
Miscellaneous garbage.
An Omnipole 800 litre tank.
Roof bars with 2x3.5mtr ladder.
I had the van (with me in it) weighed at the local weighbridge (cost me a tenner).  The tank was empty and diesel was full (90 litres).
I was about 750 kg below GVW - meaning that a full tank would have put me about 50kg over.  However, I don't need to fill it right up even for the biggest days so not an issue.
If I had a day looming where I would fill the tank (long way from home, big job with filthy first clean), I just allowed the diesel to run down and travelled light with other tools.

* beware of jacks supplied with vans. I once changed a wheel and the supplied jack collapsed.  I was lucky that my fingers were not between the brake disc and the road.  Good old Renault.

[tonycarr]

i run a T280 payload 1188kg, i have a 600ltr tank although if i fill it right up to the neck (which i do on occasion)  ill get 700kg in it.

if your payload is 1188kg, then T260 payload should be around 900kg at least don't you think?

it depends.....what YEAR it is,
 weather its a LWB or a SWB,
 HIGH TOP or LOW

tony

[Amazin]

Thanks Walter, very informative.  Just curious, how heavy is your water tank (empty)?

My van is T260, 85ps, 2006 2.2 TDCI
I believe I found the correct answer, (hopefully)personally I feel 1020kg is too high for t260 but 800kg sounds bit too low.
http://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/van-reviews/ford/transit-2006/?section=specs

I think its under panel van swb t260 then:

http://vans.honestjohn.co.uk/specs/detail/?v=FORTRA0001

so according to that:

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight    1699 kg
Gross Weight    2600 kg
Warranty    36/100,000
Service Interval    15,000/12 Months
Fuel Tank Capacity    80 L
Maximum Towing Weight    900 kg

2600kg-1699kg=901kg

so the payload for T260 2006 85ps 2.2 TDCI should be about 900kg?