Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tom White on April 05, 2011, 10:45:54 pm
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Can I see inside your van, please?
I'm interested in where you position your battery, pumps, flow controllers, hose reels; where you store your poles, and other window cleaning paraphernalia.
Oh, I'm particularly interested in seeing how you guys secure your hose reels to your van.
Cheers!
(apologies for all the n00b posts).
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C'mon, don't be modest guys, stick 'em up! ;D
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(http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff100/bullseye60/006.jpg)
This is an old pic. I've made a few changes since this was taken including buying new poles etc.
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(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj186/zwizard1/utf-8BSU1HMDAxMzgtMjAxMDEwMDItMTU0MS5qcGc.jpg)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj186/zwizard1/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNTktMjAxMDExMDQtMTUzNy5qcGc-1.jpg)
(http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj186/zwizard1/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNjQtMjAxMDExMDctMTM1Mi5qcGc.jpg)
Heres three tosh hope it helps
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Klean, how did you secure your poles to the roof, and do they rattle about when you drive?
And is the ply lining strong enough to cope with putting hooks and hanging stuff off them?
(Wor Lass is laughing at yer peg bag BTW).
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Very nice, Andy.
Cough, cough, Show off, cough cough. ;D
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Ply lining was done at factory. For my poles I use 6inch downpipe secured to bulkhead and roof. My two batterys fit nicely behind passenger seat. My digi stram fits nicely on wheel arch. I still have peg bag but its now under passenger seat.
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tosh I don't have pics, but if you imagine all the stuff you just bought, then put it in a van then throw a grenade in then thats what it looks like ???
I work out a side door with the reel strapped onto the lay flat tank, not sure how I would do a two person set up, I have a modular pole on bungies running along the roof and my everyday harris in there as well, and yes they do rattle about,
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tosh I don't have pics, but if you imagine all the stuff you just bought, then put it in a van then throw a grenade in then thats what it looks like ???
Squeaky's van always looks neat and tidy! ???
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tosh I don't have pics, but if you imagine all the stuff you just bought, then put it in a van then throw a grenade in then thats what it looks like ???
Squeaky's van always looks neat and tidy! ???
yes but I am a man and I don't do tidy, whereas squeaky seems a bit OCD or gay ;D
Only joking squeak's no need for numbers :P
actually being serious it may be worth having a look at as many systems as possible, but as I said before it is all trial and error and finding out what is best for you
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yes but I am a man and I don't do tidy, whereas squeaky seems a bit OCD or gay ;D
Yes, I hear gay men are neat and tidy types. ;D
Squeaky's van is always immaculate looking.
I saw Ian_Giles's spanking brand new van yesterday and he'd trashed it already. There was resin all over the shop; it looked like a beach in the back of his van.
And thanks for the advice, Stu, I like to try and get as much info as possible before I do anything new; and this forum is a great place to ask.
Cheers, mate.
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this was my first van with 250ltr tank
(http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq163/frankybadboy/Picture.jpg)
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(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNTUtMjAxMDA3MjAtMTA0M.jpg?t=1302072153)
(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNTYtMjAxMDA5MTctMTM1Ny5qcGc.jpg?t=1302072109)
(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNTctMjAxMDA5MTctMTM1Ny5qcGc.jpg?t=1302071823)
Pics of my expert
400L upright .... drilled a hole through the floor and through the hose reel with a bolt going straight through
Wooden frame at the top holding 3 x 1M pipe tubes for poles and hooks for holding a set of steps
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Smart Blue Frog, I like the way you've hung your ladders and poles from the ceiling. I'm not sure I'm going to do that though, I've only got a partial (low down) bulk head and I can imagine if I crash, those things would fly into the back of my 'ead.
But I would do it if I did have a full bulk head. I've a roof rack, so ladders will go there. I've ply lining, so I'll attach the poles to the walls with some simple ladder type hooks (that you would hang ladders on a wall for storage in your garden).
I'll put the pumps, flow controllers, and switch on separate pieces of ply and attach them to either side of the wheel arch, and I'm not going to attach my hose reels to anything just yet, till I've had some experience of working with them. I have a feeling their may be some value to being able to lift them out and put them on the ground, depending on what direction my van is pointing and where my work is.
I've a load of bungees and plastic crates, so it'll be nice to be able to have the room to keep wet weather clothing in the van, spare equipment, tools, and probably some other stuff too that would never fit in my estate car.
And as Stu has pointed out, it'll take a bit of 'testing and adjusting' to see what works best for us.
I hope my pumps and flow controllers arrive today; then I'm off working!
Exciting Eh? ;D
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.
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Thanks Tosh....
I havent got a bulk head at all. The other day i had two emergency brakes that i very nearly went into the side of cars that had pulled out on me.
Nothing moved apart from my tool kit in the back. The poles wont go forward because of the brush heads stopping them and the steps because of the hooks being the correct way.
I carry a nipper in the van with me now and then... im completley sure that i wouldnt have anything flying into the front to hurt them.
Trial & error is the best way to be honest. Thats how i found the set up i have now. One thing i would suggest is that you fix some wood to the bottom of your reel as when they are loose in the back they fall over when you go round a corner.
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Tosh
You've got a fairy high roof with that van of yours, which means that you could use the distance between your head and the roof as pole storage. The windscreen doesn't go all the way up to the roof line either. I have seen some using the centre of the van above the centre passenger seat as pole storage.
The van was built on the same chassis base as the people carrier, but with a slightly higher roof.
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(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/utf-8BSU1HMDAwNTUtMjAxMDA3MjAtMTA0M.jpg?t=1302072153)
(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNTYtMjAxMDA5MTctMTM1Ny5qcGc.jpg?t=1302072109)
(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/utf-8BSU1HMDAxNTctMjAxMDA5MTctMTM1Ny5qcGc.jpg?t=1302071823)
Pics of my expert
400L upright .... drilled a hole through the floor and through the hose reel with a bolt going straight through
Wooden frame at the top holding 3 x 1M pipe tubes for poles and hooks for holding a set of steps
It looks very good. I wish I had a van like yours...
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Its easily done .... just a wooden frame sitting at the top with hooks for the steps and 1M soil pipe for the poles
If anyone wants some better pics of how i've done i'll take some
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Yes please, Blue Frog; that'd be great and much appreciated.
Tosh
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(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/IMG00079-20110406-1622.jpg)
(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/IMG00081-20110406-1622-1.jpg)
(http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo356/bongoville/IMG00082-20110406-1623.jpg)
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;)
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Hey, cheers guys; most helpful. There's a lot of beers that I owe a lot of people recently.
Thanks.
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;)
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;)
Fire extinguisher?
Oh c'mon,you have half a ton of water in there ;D
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heres the inside of my dispatch , just protectakoted it today
(http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z295/dune19670/LGIM0231.jpg)
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as I said tosh grenade
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/004.jpg)
this one might give you an idea for your hose reels
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/005.jpg)
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if I find a wifi spot I will put a picture of my old van! you won't believe it!!
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Post some photos when you done it Tosh.
Roy
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Here you go Tosh.
The poles are inside soil tubes which are screwed to the roof.
ps Can anyone tell me why my photos are not showing?? Instead, you gotta click on the links???
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as I said tosh grenade
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/004.jpg)
this one might give you an idea for your hose reels
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/005.jpg)
Did you make some home brew in back of your van Stu?
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Post some photos when you done it Tosh.
Roy
No, you'll all take the mick, tell me to get a metal frame fitted, and call me a cowboy! ;D
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as I said tosh grenade
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/004.jpg)
this one might give you an idea for your hose reels
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/005.jpg)
Did you make some home brew in back of your van Stu?
yes mate 80 litres of the stuff ;D
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Post some photos when you done it Tosh.
Roy
No, you'll all take the mick, tell me to get a metal frame fitted, and call me a cowboy! ;D
you mean to say that your not fitting a tank frame ... yeeeehhhaaaaaa
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I like that hose guide, Stu.
I may copy, but they say plagiarism* is the best form of flattery!
*Plagiarism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism) is not some exotic medical ailment like an aneurysm.
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I like that hose guide, Stu.
I may copy, but they say plagiarism* is the best form of flattery!
*Plagiarism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plagiarism) is not some exotic medical ailment like an aneurysm.
;D I know what plagiarism means ;D I have been guilty of it enough times ;)
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(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/danhughes1981/3f04759d.jpg)
told you so!!
will upload another one now!
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that has cheered me right up dan ;D
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Dan, for some reason that pic reminds me of what the inside of Squeaky's head looks like.
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Dan, for some reason that pic reminds me of what the inside of Squeaky's head looks like.
;D ;D ;D
My daughters are away this weekend but when someone comes back who can help me post a pic of my van you can see my "how to get hose off of a bolted down reel past the back doors and round the corner system".
Basically my reel sits on and is screwed to the top of my tank (which has ply and insulation all round it) and right in the centre of the reel is a piece of 4 x 2 which sticks out almost as far as the back doors. Another piece of 4 x 2 about 2ft long is attached to this by a 4" door hinge so that it folds up when the doors are shut and sticks out when the doors are opened - the hose can run to the right or left side beyond the door hinges thus letting you pull the hose out at right angles to the van when necessary (awkward parking etc).
But a piccy will help.
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ill show you the side door now !
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(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa416/danhughes1981/b44661e9.jpg)
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guys I'm not one for criticising but how on earth do you work like that??
If I could send pics I would but those are really untidy vans!!
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;D
that was a particularly bad day for my photos!
I worked out of a combo for years, just piling more and more crap in there.
Just got a Trafic this week.
More room for more crap!!
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dan wot yr trafic
;)
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as I said tosh grenade
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/004.jpg)
this one might give you an idea for your hose reels
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/005.jpg)
Did you make some home brew in back of your van Stu?
yes mate 80 litres of the stuff ;D
Was it wine or lager??
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here ya go this is mine
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/s2none/IMG00008-20110407-1729.jpg)
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/s2none/IMG00007-20110407-1728.jpg)
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/s2none/IMG00006-20110407-1728.jpg)
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/s2none/IMG00005-20110407-1728.jpg)
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/s2none/IMG00004-20110407-1727.jpg)
(http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu184/s2none/01072010063.jpg)
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as I said tosh grenade
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/004.jpg)
this one might give you an idea for your hose reels
(http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg131/stumac1971/005.jpg)
Did you make some home brew in back of your van Stu?
yes mate 80 litres of the stuff ;D
Was it wine or lager??
Very impressive, NICE & TIDY :)
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Monday:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/Window%20Cleaning/Photo-0026.jpg)
Friday:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/Window%20Cleaning/Photo-0001-1.jpg)
Stu/Anyone:
I notice and have read that many of you have fixed your hose reels to your van. Doesn't this disadvantage you in some respects?
Depending on where I can park the van, I find it easier to lift the hose reels onto the floor and point them in the various directions we're working in.
How do you guys work it if they're fixed?
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it can be a problem but I learnt where to park and the hose guide helps when unreeling, mine isn't a permanent fix to van though and can be lifted out within 10 seconds if required, I know it looks rough in my pic but the metal brackets that hold my reel in place just bend back and it lifts out, also you can't see the board that it is fixed to the tank also has a slot that goes into the baffle of the tank, this stops the board moving and the bungies is just there to keep it all in place
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How do you guys work it if they're fixed?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/mike28/van/1b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/mike28/van/1a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/mike28/van/1c.jpg)
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love it mikecam :) that is impressive, is that classed as mod to the van?
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love it mikecam :) that is impressive, is that classed as mod to the van?
depends on who you ask !!! I reckon no ;D
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Smart, I like it, Mike. But what happens if you want to work on a property that's in front of your van? Does it still work then?
I had Wor Lass standing by a car today so the hose rubbed the side of her trousers so it didn't get caught up in a car tyre.
She makes an excellent bollard.
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Smart, I like it, Mike. But what happens if you want to work on a property that's in front of your van? Does it still work then?
I had Wor Lass standing by a car today so the hose rubbed the side of her trousers so it didn't get caught up in a car tyre.
She makes an excellent bollard.
tosh he could reverse in ;D but seriously getting round tyre etc will happen wherever you park your van, I like my hose by the side door as I can park kerb side and I can go forwards from the van or backwards, I don't have the luxury of human bollards so look for natural ones like lamp posts, fences, etc and sometimes you just need to stand next to that tyre pulling enough hose out so you can walk round the building past that particular obstacle, that to me is the downside of van mounts, and sometimes a back pack can be a handy bit of kit to carry. it is all about re learning your round to be honest ;D good luck
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Both of them pull anyway with no problems. Makes them standalone jobs a pure doddle.
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Monday:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/Window%20Cleaning/Photo-0026.jpg)
Friday:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v737/tosh0987/Window%20Cleaning/Photo-0001-1.jpg)
Go to b&q and get some pipe clips like they use for attaching copper pipe to Walls. Screw this to the floor and the hose reel pops in and out as necessary. If you need any pics of what I mean I'll take some.
Steve
I notice and have read that many of you have fixed your hose reels to your van. Doesn't this disadvantage you in some respects?
Depending on where I can park the van, I find it easier to lift the hose reels onto the floor and point them in the various directions we're working in.
How do you guys work it if they're fixed?
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Go to b&q and get some pipe clips like they use for attaching copper pipe to Walls. Screw this to the floor and the hose reel pops in and out as necessary. If you need any pics of what I mean I'll take some.
Steve
Hi Steve, yes, I'd like to see some photos (at your convenience), thanks.
Tosh
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How do you guys work it if they're fixed?
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/mike28/van/1b.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/mike28/van/1a.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/mike28/van/1c.jpg)
I cant help but think, if someone crashed into the back of you would need to replace both reels and hoses and whatnot. rather than be able to keep working with a dented van if you didnt have them there. Just a thought..
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Go to b&q and get some pipe clips like they use for attaching copper pipe to Walls. Screw this to the floor and the hose reel pops in and out as necessary. If you need any pics of what I mean I'll take some.
Steve
Hi Steve, yes, I'd like to see some photos (at your convenience), thanks.
Tosh
I think he means something like this tosh
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=15mm+pipe+clips&x=0&y=0
scroll down there are few different types
or these ones
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=22mm+pipe+clip&x=21&y=15
not sure which one is the right fit 15mm or 22mm
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Stu where did you pick up that handy hose roller guidey thing? Not in B&Q here.
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Stu where did you pick up that handy hose roller guidey thing? Not in B&Q here.
B&Q but they should be available in any garden centre, one of my customers has them fitted to his walls and I thought what a good idea
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http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=hose+guide&x=26&y=14
it says they have them in stock at coatbridge on the website
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Thanks. wee yin.
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yer welcome big yin ;)
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I cant help but think, if someone crashed into the back of you would need to replace both reels and hoses and whatnot. rather than be able to keep working with a dented van if you didnt have them there. Just a thought..
Luckily we have plenty of spare reels and hoses sitting around here so i can;t see it being a problem. All the bumper port can be initiated with a few hose clicks !!
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Thanks Stu
Yes its the second ones down on the first link. If you get the double one when they get worn you just simply turn them around, they last quite a few months before they start getting worn.
They do hold my hose reel in well and just pull out if needed,
Steve
Go to b&q and get some pipe clips like they use for attaching copper pipe to Walls. Screw this to the floor and the hose reel pops in and out as necessary. If you need any pics of what I mean I'll take some.
Steve
Hi Steve, yes, I'd like to see some photos (at your convenience), thanks.
Tosh
I think he means something like this tosh
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=15mm+pipe+clips&x=0&y=0
scroll down there are few different types
or these ones
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=22mm+pipe+clip&x=21&y=15
not sure which one is the right fit 15mm or 22mm
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mikecam, I am not sure it is legal to fix something that protudes from the rear of your van. It could be viewed as a hazard, especially if there was even a remote possibility of the hose unwinding as you drive down the road or the reel becoming detatched from the frame.
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mikecam, I am not sure it is legal to fix something that protudes from the rear of your van. It could be viewed as a hazard, especially if there was even a remote possibility of the hose unwinding as you drive down the road or the reel becoming detatched from the frame.
I'll bear that in mind next time i see a 4x4 with a spare tyre carrier on or a family saloon with a bike rack on, they may be breaking the law too?
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mikecam, I am not sure it is legal to fix something that protudes from the rear of your van. It could be viewed as a hazard, especially if there was even a remote possibility of the hose unwinding as you drive down the road or the reel becoming detatched from the frame.
I'll bear that in mind next time i see a 4x4 with a spare tyre carrier on or a family saloon with a bike rack on, they may be breaking the law too?
nice come back and a fair point ;)
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Brave man Mike all the same. Up here the gips would have them for resale or scrap value, they would take the whole door if need be. If not them, then the wee bratts would cut all the hose into 12 inch strips just for something to do.