Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: hank jr on March 27, 2017, 05:34:36 pm
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Hi all, ive been saving for a Nissan Navara for using WFP but after some suggestions made on here about them...now im not sure that is a good idea anymore.
Does anyone else prefer a truck over a van?
Never mind 2 x insurance and 2 x road tax and 2 x MOT.
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What size tank you putting in and how much gear?
Lwb DCiV any good to you?
You could get a truck to work in fairness, I'd go along the lines of a Hilux (bulletproof)
Alot of the reliability issues and standard of van will depend on how much you throw at a wagon i.e if you bought new, the nivarra problems become redundant (warranty)
Added - there is a third option, a chap around here uses a trailer
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I'm with Don, it depends on how much gear you have. As I mentioned in your other thread, I used to have a Hilux Intimidator and it was great, but I wasn't window cleaning at that time and I, personally, wouldn't have used it for cleaning unless I was tradding bungalows. I've got a 350 litre tank in a Ford Connect and I now need something bigger, so i'm looking for a Toyota Hiace. If you just do basic domestic stuff and it's local, so you can refil from home if you need to, keep it simple with no trad gear, gutter pole stuff etc, then I am sure it can be done. There are a couple of guys who use pickups on here, hopefully they can help.
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Set up correctly, a 4x4 can be a brilliant tool. I'd go for an L200. We have two and they are bulletproof.
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I like my ranger mk2 . Its the super cab version so is a bit of a compromise re seating ( fold down rear seats ) but the load bed is slightly longer over a double cab. Have a countryman hard top canopy and a custom 500 L tank, mounted proloc reel, diy pump/battery box, 45 ft pole , backpack, folding ladder and trad gear all in the back - no worries ;)
I prefer it to a van now and would not change back. The height for a mounted reel is perfect, can work from it without dropping tailgate and setting up/packing away at each job is a doddle especially with a tubeless pole set up. I find it far quicker and efficient to work from than my old van ever was. :)
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If you really really need a 4 x 4 like Soupy in the wilds of Scotland or the farm tracks of Wales then get a Land Rover.
If not and you want a large enough tank and room to swing a cat then get a crew cab van.
If you want a truck because you think it looks good then get that. But don't pretend to yourself that you need to.
In general terms a van is best. IMHO! :D
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lease a brand new van and use it exclusively for work and buy a car for leisure. ;D
this is what ive done.it makes things so much easier.
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If you really really need a 4 x 4 like Soupy in the wilds of Scotland or the farm tracks of Wales then get a Land Rover.
If not and you want a large enough tank and room to swing a cat then get a crew cab van.
If you want a truck because you think it looks good then get that. But don't pretend to yourself that you need to.
In general terms a van is best. IMHO! :D
OK I agree.....I don't NEED to get a 4 x 4 but i m sure it would be less expensive having one vehicle rather than 2.
Thanks for your info 👍
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Agree that I don't need a 4x4. But needing a 2 in 1 - work vehicle/family car, the main advantage for me was a clean and tidy cab with a separate and isolated truck bed with liner - designed to be exposed to the environment. I no longer have to worry about the odd spillage or a damp and smelly van interior ;) I suppose though, that there are crew cab vans out there that have fitted bulkheads behind the rear seats thus still keeping the cab separate ?
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I work out of a Ranger. I much prefer working out of a van. That said, I'm sure that the Ranger could be better set up for window cleaning, but it's only a temporary thing. Hopefully.
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i work out of a crewcab transit swb, got a 650 tank and all my wfp and gutter clearing gear in the back ok, plenty of roomin the front for the kids when the wife cant pick them up in the car plus i keep all my footballs and training gear in there too!
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If it was a choice between truck or kids it aould be truck every time, mine have left home so I would say thet !
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Personally I find it much easier to have a separate vehicle for work where I can just leave all my work gear, I would also think a van is generally better suited to a wfp set up.
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I use a Transit with rear seats. tank, dog cage and LOADS of space
We go on holiday in it. I sterilise tank and fill with tap water. You pole to wash dogs and kids when at beach. Throw all luggage in back. I can even fit a dingy on roof
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If you really really need a 4 x 4 like Soupy in the wilds of Scotland or the farm tracks of Wales then get a Land Rover.
If not and you want a large enough tank and room to swing a cat then get a CREW CAB van.
If you want a truck because you think it looks good then get that. But don't pretend to yourself that you need to.
In general terms a van is best. IMHO! :D
OK I agree.....I don't NEED to get a 4 x 4 but i m sure it would be less expensive having one vehicle rather than 2.
Thanks for your info 👍
Well re-read my post. Especially the bit in red. ONE VEHICLE. See? ;)
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Like Gold, that's why I suggested a DCiV (Dual Cab in Van)
Two rows of seats with a bulkhead, and load space at the back
The only issue is that if you get one with a bulkhead, you wont have as much load space as a normal swb, but some makes do have retractable rear seats
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I work out of a Ranger. I much prefer working out of a van. That said, I'm sure that the Ranger could be better set up for window cleaning, but it's only a temporary thing. Hopefully.
I've worked out of my Ranger for five years and I could never go back to a van.
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If you really really need a 4 x 4 like Soupy in the wilds of Scotland or the farm tracks of Wales then get a Land Rover.
If not and you want a large enough tank and room to swing a cat then get a crew cab van.
If you want a truck because you think it looks good then get that. But don't pretend to yourself that you need to.
In general terms a van is best. IMHO! :D
OK I agree.....I don't NEED to get a 4 x 4 but i m sure it would be less expensive having one vehicle rather than 2.
Thanks for your info 👍
depends on what size tank and how many miles you do , we have a new ranger and its not the best on fuel and of transit custerm way better on fuel by about 16 miles to the gallen so if you do loads of miles then stay away from the trucks and buy a factory fitted van
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I have used a L200 for almost 6 years now with a 400ltr tank working as a single wfp operator IMHO most van owners have more space than they need unless doing every add on service going and those that use smaller swb vans near enough max out their payloads on a daily basis = some serious potential issues .
Don't under any circumstances go for a Nissan Navara as they are pile of **** with chassis snapping in half they are cheap for a reason .
I use a truck because I don't need 2 motors and my truck is far better than any van on the road in terms of build quality, payload and overall usability for both business and personal use .
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I used cars for years
Citroen c-crosser late 30-41 mph
Honda CR-V 44plus mpg
Citizen berlingo car new shape late 40s
All these had a 350 tank hose reel one pole 22 extreme with 2 sections to 35 worked light £285-350 earning potential plus comfort
My favourite c-crosser
Then a transporter T5 Kombi late 30mpg
500 litre and hot water system really loved it just utvout grew its needs
Recently changed down to new transit connect ltd , Basically as we don't camp much anymore
Plus I work with my daughter now so need a van
If I worked alone it would be back to car,
Possibly go for the Mitsubishi phew electric or a Volvo XC60 or something similar
I only currently do 2-3 days a week so everything is removable if needed
I do however have other vans on the road, but still decide to work whilst I can
My thoughts are that cars are good to use but you have to be meticulous in a simplistic approach, obsessively tidy and minamlistic with equipment
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if you get a van and you have to go down farm tracks ect then dont get a vivaro there crap off road and get stuck way to easy :'(
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Set up correctly, a 4x4 can be a brilliant tool. I'd go for an L200. We have two and they are bulletproof.
Apart from the head gasket going at 100k steve
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Just read about the Navara's this morning regards the snapping in half. Chap put his in for a service and the garage phoned him to say that it required some work but not to bother as it jut snapped in half.... What the heck dude!
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I like the pickups but I'm a pain in the arse and tend to change things about often.
https://goo.gl/photos/3Nuz38HocyK6x1638
This pic I've got a Wydale 350l upright for softwash, Facelift 325 compact and at the tailgate I've got my trad gear and softwash pump box.
https://goo.gl/photos/zNzUXb4DXPr69vg47
Couple of big ladders on top and on the trailer there's another tank, pw, tarps, cones etc. Another day it'll be gutter vac, genny etc on the trailer or ditch the big tank and use the 350l for the pw, backpack for softwash and I can fit the genny and vac on the trailer.
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Just read about the Navara's this morning regards the snapping in half. Chap put his in for a service and the garage phoned him to say that it required some work but not to bother as it jut snapped in half.... What the heck dude!
It seems to be an issue not just with the quality of the steel but with the ability of the design to evenly distribute the load weight. Some snapped in half because they rotted through, which is pretty poor considering their age but at least understandable. Others simply snapped with no prior warning - which is appalling !
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For me a pickup truck or crew cab type van would be a total waste of time as need to carry a lot of kit about. The workhorse you chose is what makes you money or can restrict it so in my case a decent size van to work from is defo no brainer. Having lack of space and also needing to tow a trailer is also more hassle than it's worth if you ask me.
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I like the pickups but I'm a pain in the arse and tend to change things about often.
https://goo.gl/photos/3Nuz38HocyK6x1638
This pic I've got a Wydale 350l upright for softwash, Facelift 325 compact and at the tailgate I've got my trad gear and softwash pump box.
https://goo.gl/photos/zNzUXb4DXPr69vg47
Couple of big ladders on top and on the trailer there's another tank, pw, tarps, cones etc. Another day it'll be gutter vac, genny etc on the trailer or ditch the big tank and use the 350l for the pw, backpack for softwash and I can fit the genny and vac on the trailer.
That looks great ! I would like that kind of set up but have no were to store my truck with gear in the back over night.
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I like the pickups but I'm a pain in the arse and tend to change things about often.
https://goo.gl/photos/3Nuz38HocyK6x1638
This pic I've got a Wydale 350l upright for softwash, Facelift 325 compact and at the tailgate I've got my trad gear and softwash pump box.
https://goo.gl/photos/zNzUXb4DXPr69vg47
Couple of big ladders on top and on the trailer there's another tank, pw, tarps, cones etc. Another day it'll be gutter vac, genny etc on the trailer or ditch the big tank and use the 350l for the pw, backpack for softwash and I can fit the genny and vac on the trailer.
Have you waterproofed the floor in the back of your pickup? Ive just been talking to a guy from a water tank supplier and he said to put a waterproof protective coating down as the pure water eats away at the floor of a truck?
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I like the pickups but I'm a pain in the arse and tend to change things about often.
https://goo.gl/photos/3Nuz38HocyK6x1638
This pic I've got a Wydale 350l upright for softwash, Facelift 325 compact and at the tailgate I've got my trad gear and softwash pump box.
https://goo.gl/photos/zNzUXb4DXPr69vg47
Couple of big ladders on top and on the trailer there's another tank, pw, tarps, cones etc. Another day it'll be gutter vac, genny etc on the trailer or ditch the big tank and use the 350l for the pw, backpack for softwash and I can fit the genny and vac on the trailer.
Have you waterproofed the floor in the back of your pickup? Ive just been talking to a guy from a water tank supplier and he said to put a waterproof protective coating down as the pure water eats away at the floor of a truck?
No. Nor does it happen.
The whole point of a pick up truck is that the bed is designed to run wet. If you have a plastic load liner that ages it is possible for water to get trapped underneath and that can cause damage. If you pop the liner out periodically and check it's not an issue.
Some run without a liner and instead use a 2 pack epoxy bed liner. They are extremely tough and certainly resistant to water - pure or otherwise.
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To me this waterproofing is a gimmick, never had an issue with a previous van and the tank was over filled many times by someone else. The pickups are open to the elements anyway so I would laugh in the face of a salesman if they tried to sell me any waterproofing with the vehicle. The bed liner is designed to let the water out from underneath.
You will be restricted (depending on equipment required) if your driving license doesn't have the correct category for towing.
Van v pickup v whatever else is like a post I read on a local facebook page asking "what is the best Chinese takeaway" Over 100 fierce replies defending there local takeaway and criticising others...
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I've had 3 pickups including a Toyota Hilux Intimidator (Japanese import) and it was the muts nuts. Seriously good. I wasn't window cleaning at the time though. It all depends on your circumstances. If you really can't be bothered to run two vehicles and you can make your own water, and have a really compact round, then I would go for it. You could always come home and refill.
I have to buy my water, 30 mins there and back. I am upsizing from a 350 litre ford connect to whatever I can use to hold 650, but that is my personal preference. It really does depend on how you work, whether you make your own water, what extra services you provide (so more gear in the van) etc, etc. If you're just house bashing, and it's all local, then the best vehicle I've ever owned (and i'm 52 and owned lots) is the Toyota Hilux.
PS They are a bit bouncy with an empty load.