Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Clive McDonald on December 11, 2009, 07:44:27 pm
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Has anyone else got one? If so i'm in the market for tips, system size,working methods, and anything else you can think of.
I bought one a few days ago after trying to make my mind up for a while.The main issue for me was getting a van with a bigger payload to hold both more water, and up to three people, and still be legal.My present wc vehicle is a scudo 900kg
I looked at the new ducato and liked it, it has a built in clipboard on the dash and a lockable compartment for your lap top, and in the mwb mr version has 1500 payload.The price is about the same.My wife vetoed this because we already have a mwb tranny on the drive for the other biz.(which is also new and also has a great dash layout).
I don't want it to appear that i am obsessed with dashboards but i do have a lot of bits of paper and cheques and stampers and various pens, cards and leaflets.So my van is also a bit of mobile office, and i can't be alone in this because the newer vans do seem to have taken this into account.
The scudo maxi- long wheel base, high roof 1200kg payload has fob locking for front and back.There are no key holes in the back.You can stand up in the back without crouching and there are various hidey holes above the bulk head.While it wont carry quite as much water as bigger ducato's and tranny's (the bog standard ducato is only 1000kg, and a vivaro is really puny and carries even less), the scudo is much easier to park on drives and has the all important double side doors needed for a two man operation that means business andis geared to speed and ease of use.
For the time being i am going to whack my 650 system in it untill a better idea hits me.I would like 800l, possibly spread flat, to give a good working height.(presently i mount my reels (electricaly driven cox's) on top of the tank to exit both side doors.This is at about chest height, so slightly lower would be good.
Returning to the locking, i had some batteries,sat nav, and stuff nicked from the front.So it will be good to lock it.I do lock my present one sometimes but have to go around to the passenger side to lock that which is a pain.
The new van also gives me a chance to revisit my sign writing, which it's true i did make a pretty good job of first time around.I was pretty impressed with daves fleet and his signing.
My work force are chomping at the bit.I have promised them more doughnuts and pasties than ever!
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With 3 men, your hot set up, 2 electrically driven reels and some trad gear you will probably find you cannot legally carry much more than 650l water.
Put in an 800l tank but you won't be able to fill it right up unless it is only you in the van.
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First day out today and it was great, much roomier, wider opening doors, and easier to use.
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Gee Slumpbuster
That was quick -
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Picked it up tuesday 10 am spent a cold day fitting it, used pond liner, but didn't use glue i bought because it was too cold.Heater was a bit of a problem because no where to bolt to.Didn't work yesterday because i had to help wife, and not working tomorrow for the same reason.But did work today, a little worried that system wouldn't work but everything was fine.
Tonight because of the cold had to drain down.Also brought 4040 and vessel into the house from shed.
Got salt and shovel ready for early start getting off the drive with market van tomorow.
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The lack of interest in this thread proves this site is full of newbes.This van solves nearly all of the practical problems we have with vans.It's the slx of vans.
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got to admit i spotted one of these vans the other day and the size looked vey good, when i first started looking at vans i only wanted the scudo size, i ended up getting a mwb hi roof transit and im so glad i did, the room is really handy and all of my tools have a place and the ladders stay inside which is better for me.
any pics slump?
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It's a self fit with heater so no pictures, i also don't like showing my phone no, or where i'm from.
Not signed yet.
As said the ducato looked lovely but it had to be a bigger version for 1500kg, and we already have a mwb mr transit on the front and live on an estate so this(scudo maxi) was my best realistic option.
I predict that in the future this will be 'the' van that everyone wants.
I think the roof rack (truck racks) from the scudo will fit the maxi.This will be the only fault, harder to get ladders off because of height.
Inside the heights fine and lenght is about 7', are there ladders that would fit in this?
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how about the collapsable ladders? take up no room at all then
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The lack of interest in this thread proves this site is full of newbes.This van solves nearly all of the practical problems we have with vans.It's the slx of vans.
This site being full of newbies is irrelavent(can't bloody spell it!!),you asked for skudo maxi 1200kg users,seriously reduces the amount of potential people who can helpfully reply ::)
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I would think for most the standard size scudo/expert dispatch is the ideal size. Personally would not want anything bigger for domestic work.
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Hi
I see that the LWB hitop version has 7.0cm of load volume where the Ducato SWB is 7.5cm so not a lot in it. And the payloads are similar. The extra headroom is gained from the slightly narrower body width.
I have any 04 plate Relay SWB and I cant stand upright in it, but IMO it is perfect for a 2 man WFP setup, although my son says its too big.
The only disadvantage in having a hi top van is getting ladders on and off the roofrack as you alluded to, but then I only do this maybe 3 or 4 times a month. I carry a pair of step ladders in the van anyway so just use those to reach the ladder clamps.
Nice van with nice equipment levels. What engine did you opt for?
I also agree with other sentiments that the older Scudo did make an ideal window cleaners van, but was always concerned about the payload of 900kgs on the common rail engine variants. Often wondered why the PSA/Fiat group only bought in the SWB version into the UK when a LWB version was also available on the continent. The only explanation is that it would replace the SWB Ducato/Relay/Boxer.
Best of luck with it. I think its great.
Spruce
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Thanks Spruce,
My log book says scudo comfort 130 m-jet lwb. It has air con elec windows and a locking system.The front and back lock seprately and automaticlaly as you drive, but a button on the dash releases the back.
You are quite knowledgable on this, i only know as much because A) i owned a ducatto for ten years B) i used a 900 kg scudo for three years of wc C) I wanted to expand and didn't know how
The wanted to expand part is that i took an employee on, which has worked out great, except that i haven't got that much work at times.So i knew putting another van on the road was too big a jump, but that also having three vans on my drive (when the neighbours have been fine about two) could well lead to trouble. So my solution lay in this scudo maxi. I hated getting rid of my old 04 scudo it cost 7k plus vat and they gave me 2350 with 36k on the clock (13k) when i bought it.
I thought your summary of the relative merits of the ducato/relay and scudo maxi was very good.You missed out that a scudo has side doors either side which is a bit of a clincher for me.
I am a bit of an untidy person and have resolved to do better with this van. I want places to put things such as trad equipment and ladder limpets and stand offs and steps and ladders and wagtails etc. I haven't figured this part out yet.
On the old scudo there were places in the roof to attach cross bars that supported poles but there isn't much in the maxi.
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you got a pic of the new van, does not have to be yours, would just like to see what your raving about.
I am shocked the a foot or 3 of van would make a difference on your drive as long as clean and tidy.
on the ducato thats the same as a relay I think, relay has a clip board on dash as I have one, I am not liking my transit dash though, there is a poor layed out dash, was not built for workers although it can hold a load of stuff but plays up when trying to demist front window.
I defo think they should redesign the bulk head and make a mini office type thing behind seats deep enough for folders, flyers paper work ect.
maybe I should design one and sell it to van makers 8)
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Thanks Spruce,
My log book says scudo comfort 130 m-jet lwb. It has air con elec windows and a locking system.The front and back lock seprately and automaticlaly as you drive, but a button on the dash releases the back.
You are quite knowledgable on this, i only know as much because A) i owned a ducatto for ten years B) i used a 900 kg scudo for three years of wc C) I wanted to expand and didn't know how
The wanted to expand part is that i took an employee on, which has worked out great, except that i haven't got that much work at times.So i knew putting another van on the road was too big a jump, but that also having three vans on my drive (when the neighbours have been fine about two) could well lead to trouble. So my solution lay in this scudo maxi. I hated getting rid of my old 04 scudo it cost 7k plus vat and they gave me 2350 with 36k on the clock (13k) when i bought it.
I thought your summary of the relative merits of the ducato/relay and scudo maxi was very good.You missed out that a scudo has side doors either side which is a bit of a clincher for me.
I am a bit of an untidy person and have resolved to do better with this van. I want places to put things such as trad equipment and ladder limpets and stand offs and steps and ladders and wagtails etc. I haven't figured this part out yet.
On the old scudo there were places in the roof to attach cross bars that supported poles but there isn't much in the maxi.
I would have had your old scudo, can't believe you let it go for that!!! thought you were a business man?
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The lack of interest in this thread proves this site is full of newbes.This van solves nearly all of the practical problems we have with vans.It's the slx of vans.
That’s a shame the slx has some serious flaws.
You are a naughty boy, Ewan! ;D
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I agree about the mini office.
The vans on drive thing i posted for opinions on here and most said a neighbour with three vans would annoy them, and most said they could see someone complaining.We also have two enormous, and i mean enormous, sheds in the back garden, if you've ever seen a so called german market this might give you some idea of what my back garden looks like.So not wanting to push my luck.
Reference Ewan being naughty, it hacked alex off enough that he's gone and a flawed SLX is still better than anything else avialable.
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I agree about the mini office.
The vans on drive thing i posted for opinions on here and most said a neighbour with three vans would annoy them, and most said they could see someone complaining.We also have two enormous, and i mean enormous, sheds in the back garden, if you've ever seen a so called german market this might give you some idea of what my back garden looks like.So not wanting to push my luck.
Reference Ewan being naughty, it hacked alex off enough that he's gone and a flawed SLX is still better than anything else avialable.
If that is the real reason he's gone then it doesn't show much stamina does it? I agree that the SLX is an excellent pole.
Also I really rate Fiat vans and know that the 07 Scudo is used by many w/c's. I know of one 08 new Scudo user but he's only got a 400L on board and seems a bit surly to talk to in all honesty.
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We all have different merits malc, i'm not that good a business man and have always been useless at buying and selling cars. (i'm agreeing with macmacs comment)
What i've picked up on about you malc is that you observe character very well, possibly you are a frustrated author, more playwright than novelist possibly.
But i found Alex a very funny mix. An absolute straight arrow, almost to the point of aspebergers syndrome (think roy cropper, off the scale bright, but little human awareness). On this basis being called a liar, added to all the other hassels on here proved too much. (in my opinion)
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Thanks Spruce,
My log book says scudo comfort 130 m-jet lwb. It has air con elec windows and a locking system.The front and back lock seprately and automaticlaly as you drive, but a button on the dash releases the back.
You are quite knowledgable on this, i only know as much because A) i owned a ducatto for ten years B) i used a 900 kg scudo for three years of wc C) I wanted to expand and didn't know how
The wanted to expand part is that i took an employee on, which has worked out great, except that i haven't got that much work at times.So i knew putting another van on the road was too big a jump, but that also having three vans on my drive (when the neighbours have been fine about two) could well lead to trouble. So my solution lay in this scudo maxi. I hated getting rid of my old 04 scudo it cost 7k plus vat and they gave me 2350 with 36k on the clock (13k) when i bought it.
I thought your summary of the relative merits of the ducato/relay and scudo maxi was very good.You missed out that a scudo has side doors either side which is a bit of a clincher for me.
I am a bit of an untidy person and have resolved to do better with this van. I want places to put things such as trad equipment and ladder limpets and stand offs and steps and ladders and wagtails etc. I haven't figured this part out yet.
On the old scudo there were places in the roof to attach cross bars that supported poles but there isn't much in the maxi.
Some of the newer building Estates have planning laws that forbid the owner to park and 'Transit' size van or a caravan on the driveway as it is supposed to lower the standard of the area. One of the things about the old Scudo/Expert/Dispatch was that they, although being commercial vehicles, did not fall into this catagory as they were based on standard people carriers.
But over time most turn a blind eye to larger vans on their neighbours driveway as they are better there than parked legally on the street.
I agree that having twin opening doors is great for WPF especially if you have a hosereel that can exit either door. However, one of the issues with a hose out a side door is the 'trip factor' of the hose across the pavement, especially when pulling it out initially and dragging it down your customers driveway and around the back of the house. I personally prefer to situate the hosereel at the back of the van and turn it in the direction of the house I am cleaning.
In the general market place, twin sliding doors, although ocassionally useful, usually means a reduction in the van's carrying capacity, as stuff can't be stacked up on the driver's side as you would do with a single sliding door application.
How many times have you see a van with a single sliding door owned by a tradesman who has boxed in the area around the single side door and used it as access to shelves for his tools etc with access to the van only through the rear doors.
It's really all about 'horses for courses'.
The Ducato/Relay/Boxers were available with twin sliding doors as an optional extra and usually a factory order which explains why there are a handful of second hand examples out there.
As far as tradeins are concerned, sometimes you just have to do get on and do the deal. I lost count of the deals we did, then a friend wanted the tradein, then the friend couldn't come up with the money and in the end it usually wasted everybody's time. The value of used commercial vans is up and down at the moment. One week they are getting top book at the auctions and then the following week it all collapses. The uncertain economic situation prevailing at this time is not helping the market. The dealer now takes on the risk of selling it, and for every day its sits on his forecourt he will loose money. It also becomes a year older in Jan, so he will have priced it accordingly.
I definitely believe that the 900kg Scudo you traded in is too small for a 2 man operation. You had no choice there.
Engine on new van is also well powerful enough - nice one.
Spruce
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Sounds like you are a big fan of fiat vans slumpy.
I have a dispatch and next time round would consider a scudo as they seem cheaper, but was put off this time around as fiat cars have a poor reputation.
Citroen cars also have a poor reputation but this I think is largely due to complex suspension system and overly clever technology, which thankfully my van lacks.
I would prefer standard size scudo though as it is easier to park on mine and customer's drives. Good luck with your maxi.
You could post pictures of inside only if you are worried about being identified.