Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Justen Uff on May 12, 2008, 09:50:54 pm

Title: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: Justen Uff on May 12, 2008, 09:50:54 pm
A bit of lateral thinking
What do you reckon?  Ratchet straps or webbing of suitable strength under the chassis members and then connected through the floorpan with steel bolts then connecting straps round tank

Could it be made safe?  I think so.  Steel plates at connections with floorpan maybe but as someone said earlier you could make the straps stronger than the van!
Title: Re: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: pure-water on May 12, 2008, 10:33:26 pm
It’s a great idea, something all of us can do to make our vans safer.

Something I intend to do. So as to be sure the tank stays put, even if the van takes a tumble.

Simple, great idea.
Title: Re: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: steve m on May 13, 2008, 12:40:37 am
why not just put the straps through the strapping points supplied by the manufacturers. Surely they must be tested up to a tonne, as thats what a pallet can weigh up to
Title: Re: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: Captain Scarlet on May 13, 2008, 11:14:54 am
In principle its a good idea, but what about what the elements ( water, grit, dust etc etc ) will do to the fabric of the strapping? Luke
Title: Re: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: 007 or what on May 13, 2008, 03:08:20 pm
The points in the van probably are tested to a tonne but speaking from experience the weight of something that you tie down is not the same weight when you hit something head on.
Hope that makes sense :)
Title: Re: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: Kentish Poleman on May 13, 2008, 03:47:58 pm
A few problems with this one:

1/ The holes cut into the floor will need to be throughly watertight otherwise they will rust straight through
2/ Unless the holes are immediately next to a chassis member, the floor  will tear as it becomes tightend-up
3/ You would need a secure plastic/rubber gasket between floor & securing strap otherwise the webbing will fray
4/ Too near a hot exhaust pipe will melt/set alight the webbing
5/ Floors and chassis rails are designed to flex, therefore your webbing straps will need constant re-tightening as they expand & contract with temperature chance/body flex

Title: Re: Ratchet straps under the chassis?
Post by: pjulk on May 13, 2008, 04:13:32 pm
They will probably rot pretty quick