Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Klean07 on January 06, 2026, 09:52:48 am
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My last three van mounted systems have been bought and fitted from The Cleaning Warehouse which is local to me. I've had no problems with their systems but as I'm about to change my van for a much newer one I'm just wondering if there are better systems similar price out there. I have the ro 4040 di with fixed hose reel though would probably upgrade to electric next time.
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I'm presuming you don't have access to a garage/shed space so can't have a DIY setup? As far as I'm concerned, if you have the DIY option, it's cheaper, and can be totally set up to suit your own needs/convenience, a far better option imho.
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I think most, me included, use a static set up usually in a garage and have a delivery only system fitted to the van.
My system is 20 years old (same as van) and the guy who fitted it is no longer in business.
For a new system I would look at Pure2o (budget version of Ionics), but if you are happy with The Cleaning Warehouse, I would just stick with them.
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always been DIY for me as it's so much cheaper
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Always makes me laugh when people say system, its a battery a pump, and a controller slapped on a tank.
That`ll be 3 grand please sir....
If you want to pay an extra 2 grand they will happily slap an ro/di/b2b on there for you
get your pants down ready ;D
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I have had several diy systems that I have made. Then I bought a brand new transporter 4 motion.
I had fitted a Gripatank 650 with 2 x 21"x 4" Ro. It was expensive, but I was concerned with the cost of the new van, I wanted a crash tested system with engineers certificate of fitting. The main reason was I wanted to know the insurance, if I had a prang could not say it was not fitted properly.
Does it work any better no.
If I had another new van I would do the same.
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
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I have had several diy systems that I have made. Then I bought a brand new transporter 4 motion.
I had fitted a Gripatank 650 with 2 x 21"x 4" Ro. It was expensive, but I was concerned with the cost of the new van, I wanted a crash tested system with engineers certificate of fitting. The main reason was I wanted to know the insurance, if I had a prang could not say it was not fitted properly.
Does it work any better no.
If I had another new van I would do the same.
I never knew you were so flash Roy!
;D ;D ;D
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
I always declare my tank is DiY bolted through the floor. Never had a problem with insurance.
No issues paying out after my significant prang of 2023.
No problem getting insurance afterwards.
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
I always declare my tank is DiY bolted through the floor. Never had a problem with insurance.
No issues paying out after my significant prang of 2023.
No problem getting insurance afterwards.
Some insurance companies ask who fitted the system , some want a written certificate stating it’s professionally fitted , others don’t ask for anything
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Always makes me laugh when people say system, its a battery a pump, and a controller slapped on a tank.
That`ll be 3 grand please sir....
If you want to pay an extra 2 grand they will happily slap an ro/di/b2b on there for you
get your pants down ready ;
Every one’s different sometimes people aren’t confident to fit a tank ,wire in a split relay etc remove a fuel tank if needed and then it can come down to time drop a van of and pick it up 6 hours later all done.
And what are they called if there’re not called a water fed pole system
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Professional fit every time esp if you want a diesel hot system. Get it fitted into a brand new van if you plan on window cleaning for many years to come.
Nothing worse than messing about every few years switching systems from van to van.
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I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago
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I notice the adverts for new tank systems and the prices they are demanding and laugh at what is often a common thin baffled plastic tank fitted with a few pre cut and folded sheets of thin mild steel with a logo or two on and think to myself I'm in the wrong business.
What's with powder coated steel frames, they rust from the inside out and weaken the frame that holds the tank or ground mounted system that is bolted through the floor once the powder coating is damaged and the mild steel is exposed to air. I have experience in powder coating steel from previous employment in the fishing industry. Talk about safety, what a joke using powder coated frames because of economics.
I have an Ionics crash tested tank inside a stainless steel frame which I bough secondhand and fitted myself being an ex coded welder and fabricator so I know it is truly safe one hundred percent and will last my working lifetime.
Good to see a local wfp supplier is introducing Kevlar based base pole sections instead of fibreglass base sections regarding electrical conductivity.
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
I renewed mine last month- £91.30 for 12 months fully comp! 😀
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Always makes me laugh when people say system, its a battery a pump, and a controller slapped on a tank.
That`ll be 3 grand please sir....
If you want to pay an extra 2 grand they will happily slap an ro/di/b2b on there for you
get your pants down ready ;
Every one’s different sometimes people aren’t confident to fit a tank ,wire in a split relay etc remove a fuel tank if needed and then it can come down to time drop a van of and pick it up 6 hours later all done.
And what are they called if there’re not called a water fed pole system
A day off work to fit it plus cost of fitting it plus cost of "system".
Vs
Buying a tank new or second hand, buying or making a frame, getting a battery, split relay, Pump etc and spending a Sunday putting it in. You'll save time and at least a couple of grand and you will get to use tools and do man things. Whats not to like.
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
I renewed mine last month- £91.30 for 12 months fully comp! 😀
What van have you got ? Can’t understand why it’s so cheap , what’s the excess ?
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I notice the adverts for new tank systems and the prices they are demanding and laugh at what is often a common thin baffled plastic tank fitted with a few pre cut and folded sheets of thin mild steel with a logo or two on and think to myself I'm in the wrong business.
What's with powder coated steel frames, they rust from the inside out and weaken the frame that holds the tank or ground mounted system that is bolted through the floor once the powder coating is damaged and the mild steel is exposed to air. I have experience in powder coating steel from previous employment in the fishing industry. Talk about safety, what a joke using powder coated frames because of economics.
I have an Ionics crash tested tank inside a stainless steel frame which I bough secondhand and fitted myself being an ex coded welder and fabricator so I know it is truly safe one hundred percent and will last my working lifetime.
Good to see a local wfp supplier is introducing Kevlar based base pole sections instead of fibreglass base sections regarding electrical conductivity.
Better off priming and painting a mild steel frame. Its easy enough to rub down and repaint. Plastic coated frames once they fail look a mess and you have to strip it all off to re coat it. To be fair it will take a hell of a long time to rot out 3 or 4mm steel but its just looks crap
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
I always declare my tank is DiY bolted through the floor. Never had a problem with insurance.
No issues paying out after my significant prang of 2023.
No problem getting insurance afterwards.
Some insurance companies ask who fitted the system , some want a written certificate stating it’s professionally fitted , others don’t ask for anything
I tell them I fitted it. Had a frame made by a welder.
If a company doesn't want to quote I find one that will.
Simples. ;D
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I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago
Ive found its better for me to just get one system fitted into a new van and keep it well maintained for 10-15 years before getting a new van and system.
I only use my van for work though. If it was my only vehicle I'd be changing it more frequently most probably.
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When I first started in business over 20 years ago getting van insurance was quite easy and very cheap. However after around 5 years most of the usual ones that I used to use like Direct Line wouldn't insure me anymore because of the "tank" even though it had been bolted to the chassis by a garage. This then became an excuse that other insurers would use which was frustrating. Ever since then I've used A-Plan now called Howdens as they're part of only a few insurers that offer me the coverage that I need.
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Professional fit every time esp if you want a diesel hot system. Get it fitted into a brand new van if you plan on window cleaning for many years to come.
Nothing worse than messing about every few years switching systems from van to van.
I've had this van 16 years Daz but as I'm scaling down to doing less as I'm now only part time so for a start I don't need a 500 litre system a 350 will be fine I also want a nicer more up to date van etc which I'm hoping when I retire fully in around 3 years time I'll be able to sell for a decent price.
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Professional fit every time esp if you want a diesel hot system. Get it fitted into a brand new van if you plan on window cleaning for many years to come.
Nothing worse than messing about every few years switching systems from van to van.
I've had this van 16 years Daz but as I'm scaling down to doing less as I'm now only part time so for a start I don't need a 500 litre system a 350 will be fine I also want a nicer more up to date van etc which I'm hoping when I retire fully in around 3 years time I'll be able to sell for a decent price.
16yrs,thats impressive, what van have you got?
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Professional fit every time esp if you want a diesel hot system. Get it fitted into a brand new van if you plan on window cleaning for many years to come.
Nothing worse than messing about every few years switching systems from van to van.
I've had this van 16 years Daz but as I'm scaling down to doing less as I'm now only part time so for a start I don't need a 500 litre system a 350 will be fine I also want a nicer more up to date van etc which I'm hoping when I retire fully in around 3 years time I'll be able to sell for a decent price.
Mine is coming up to 14 years in March. I want it and the (DiY) system to see me out over the next 3 years.
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That's impressive too, what's your van?
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That's impressive too, what's your van?
Hyundai iload.
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Professional fit every time esp if you want a diesel hot system. Get it fitted into a brand new van if you plan on window cleaning for many years to come.
Nothing worse than messing about every few years switching systems from van to van.
I've had this van 16 years Daz but as I'm scaling down to doing less as I'm now only part time so for a start I don't need a 500 litre system a 350 will be fine I also want a nicer more up to date van etc which I'm hoping when I retire fully in around 3 years time I'll be able to sell for a decent price.
I would just keep your van another 3 years. My van is 20 years old, had it from new.
Unless there is something seriously wrong with your van it should last 3 more years of part time work
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Professional fit every time esp if you want a diesel hot system. Get it fitted into a brand new van if you plan on window cleaning for many years to come.
Nothing worse than messing about every few years switching systems from van to van.
I've had this van 16 years Daz but as I'm scaling down to doing less as I'm now only part time so for a start I don't need a 500 litre system a 350 will be fine I also want a nicer more up to date van etc which I'm hoping when I retire fully in around 3 years time I'll be able to sell for a decent price.
16yrs,thats impressive, what van have you got?
Citroen Dispatch 11 plate mate. Should have read van is 15 years old I've owned for 11 years.
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Ive never mentioned a tank to insurance, 10 years in now and no problem.
Only got old van though now third party, just go with cheapest quote.
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I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago
Ive found its better for me to just get one system fitted into a new van and keep it well maintained for 10-15 years before getting a new van and system.
I only use my van for work though. If it was my only vehicle I'd be changing it more frequently most probably.
I used to change my van every four years so would sell them with system fitted,I factored in the sale price of the van the price to ncude the system I always got a good price for van and system as the van was low mileage.
My current van is six years old in march with same system since new,this sadly will be my last van as I’m 67 in a couple of years will then go very part time if health allows until I’m 70 and will subsidise my income with my pension. And government pensionim not looking forward to retiring as I feel work is good for you in many ways
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D.I.Y sounds great in fact on my first system that's exactly what I did it was delivered on a pallet. I remember getting my local garage to bolt the tank frame to the floor which they did with spreader plates on my old Ford Connect. TCW fits for free if you have a system off them but as I'm looking for a flat lay tank this time around I'm going to have to look elsewhere because they only sell upright versions.
I was led to believe that if your tank wasn't professionally fitted then your insurance would be void. I've just renewed my insurance with Howden who I've been with for a while at a cost of only £360. Very cheap I thought.
I always declare my tank is DiY bolted through the floor. Never had a problem with insurance.
No issues paying out after my significant prang of 2023.
No problem getting insurance afterwards.
Some insurance companies ask who fitted the system , some want a written certificate stating it’s professionally fitted , others don’t ask for anything
No 💩
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I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago
Ive found its better for me to just get one system fitted into a new van and keep it well maintained for 10-15 years before getting a new van and system.
I only use my van for work though. If it was my only vehicle I'd be changing it more frequently most probably.
I used to change my van every four years so would sell them with system fitted,I factored in the sale price of the van the price to ncude the system I always got a good price for van and system as the van was low mileage.
My current van is six years old in march with same system since new,this sadly will be my last van as I’m 67 in a couple of years will then go very part time if health allows until I’m 70 and will subsidise my income with my pension. And government pensionim not looking forward to retiring as I feel work is good for you in many ways
There's absolutely no need to retire if your health is good.
I know a guy still going strong at 81!(on ladders too)🙂
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I’ve had four pure freedom 40 inch ro van mounted systems over 17 years never had any problems ,but I think there more expensive now than they used to be due to the business take over a couple of years ago
Ive found its better for me to just get one system fitted into a new van and keep it well maintained for 10-15 years before getting a new van and system.
I only use my van for work though. If it was my only vehicle I'd be changing it more frequently most probably.
I used to change my van every four years so would sell them with system fitted,I factored in the sale price of the van the price to ncude the system I always got a good price for van and system as the van was low mileage.
My current van is six years old in march with same system since new,this sadly will be my last van as I’m 67 in a couple of years will then go very part time if health allows until I’m 70 and will subsidise my income with my pension. And government pensionim not looking forward to retiring as I feel work is good for you in many ways
There's absolutely no need to retire if your health is good.
I know a guy still going strong at 81!(on ladders too)🙂
Funny you mention the guy at 81 because guy up the road from me is the same and over 50 years under his belt. He can't drive now after a slight stroke so he may retire and I will pick the rest of the customers because only he and I work the estate.
As for van, mine is a 57 reg and the AA guy I had out to get my starter motor going again told me to hang on to it as long as I can. Its a VW Crafter and most things have been changed, starter motor, battery, PS pump, alternator, brake pipe, timing belt and auxiliary, water pump, clutch and flywheel and bits and pieces. I have a Grippatank hot water system with RO system inbuilt, got them to paint on a speedliner before the system was fitted.
If you can afford a fitted system then its a no brainer for the backup. I knew nothing of window cleaning 7 years ago so I needed all the help I could get. At this moment it has all come together but only the weather is holding me back. So I have bought a few books on car maintenance to read so I can help my mate in his garage when he needs it.