Sorry Daz, I also would have to disagree on your point as well.
All you need is a motor, a cog and a chain! Haha its not rocket science but a shop bought one will obviously make theirs more fancier to justify the price tag that goes with it and to cover their backs with insurances etc.
If you want a work vehicle for display purposes (sole trader) then get your van kitted out with all the flashing lights (or blue strip lights which seem to be the latest fad for wfp'ers) and 5 grand heaters in. So other shiners can be awe at the kit!
But in reality, its a work horse that transports our equipmemt of water and a means to apply that to the window and clean, so who really cares what equipment is in the van apart from the next scumbag wanting to nick it from seeingbeveryone show off on facebook and the likes lol
ive had the cheap old vans like yours nathan (with stick on van magnets too!),DIY systems,cobbled together gas shower heaters,fibreglass/aluminium poles,cheap claber reels,etc,etc.......yes they work just like the more professional,expensive gear but its just much easier/less faff and equipment lasts longer(with the exception of xtreme poles and brushes)than DIY stuff.....also proper sign writing with a logo looks far more professional than van magnets IMO.....
whatever works for you....but from my experience scrimping on decent gear is not the way forward.the good WFP companies like gardiners,pure freedom and grippatank will make your job easier with less faff and make you look more professional.thats got to be a good thing IMO.......
