[david_claxton]

Hello,

I've just got a coupla questions I wanted to ask.

1. Does anyone know of a good company to get a fuel tank from to connect to a t/m and be situated in my van? I believe it's gotta be metal.

2. Washing machines live longer with calgon. You've no doubt seen the advertisments about limescale buildup and I wondered if there was something you could put in the waterbox for example, that would continue resolving the limescale problem...this is apposed to descaling using something like the prochem stuff?

Many thanks,

Dave

[Liahona]

Dave, put a water softener in the van and that should sort out your limescale problem. Not only that but your cleaning results will be so much better and use less chemicals etcetera etcetera.  My fuel tank is metal but I dont think it has to be. A boat dealer got mine and I had the choice of metal and or plastic. I chose the metal one as it was bigger. I was told and had no reason to doubt the advice that the tank you put in has to be filled and vented to the out side of the van. So it cant just be one you have loose in the back so to speak. Alltec do a gismo thingy to supply the fuel and vent it at the same time. Costs about 50 quid I think. Or the boat people have the same thing. Hope this helps, best, Dave.

[Dave Parry]

Try Hydramaster, I use a water softener supplied by them, and they installed a internal fuel tank, connected to a motorcycle filler on the van side.

[Dave_Lee]

A plastic marine tank is acceptable with vent. You open the vent while the TM is running or van is parked overnight. You close the vent when mobile. The tank will expand/contract slightly. This was all thrashed out with insurance companies and the legal side of things years ago and although still very much a grey area as I myself spent months investigating it, a plastic tank supplied with the machine is legal as is a plastic tank used solely as a fuel reservoir for the TM.
Dave.

[Liahona]

Dave, I have no idea as to the legalities of this discussion only what I was told. For me I like the fact

that the tank is fixed and then filled and vented to the outside. Surely if it was done as you have

suggested then it would fill the inside of the van with petrol fumes. Not only that but if it is loose,

how do you fill it?. Last thing, sort of same thing though, why would you want a petrol tank venting

while the truck mount, a source of ignition, was running? Even if legal to do so I wouldnt have a tank

fitted the way you are suggesting, only my opinion. Best, Dave.

[Glynn]

It is illegal to carry more than 10 litres of fuel in a vehicle in a plastic or metal cannister of any type in the UK.

[CARPET KNIGHTS]

Unsure of the legalities for road going vehicles, but in my previous life as a marine engineer whilst working for a local boat builders we used to fit plastic tanks into the smaller yachts all boats were CE approved and certified by a marine surveyor. The tanks were strapped into position with stainless strapping and were permanently vented! The vent does a number of things, It allows for expansion and contraction of the contents of the tank due to heat etc. It also allows the fuel pump to freely suck the fuel (without a vent the tank will become a vacuum and the engine will stall) And it also allows for easy filling. Without a vent the air coming back up the filler pipe will making filling a very difficult and slow (possibly dangerous with the potential for the fuel to be blown back up the filler by the escaping air!) process!

Hope that helps


Goron

[Liahona]

Glynn, thanks for that but does that apply to if it is fixed and boxed in and filled and vented to the outside. If what you are saying is correct then there are a lot of people breaking the law, best, Dave

[Liahona]

Thanks Goron, that is how I did mine so to speak. Best, Dave.

[david_claxton]

Cheers everyone for the feedback. Much appreciated.

Dave

[Glynn]

Dave,
If its a proper tanks which is securly fixed down and has an external filler/vent, then this is ok. I never understand what the problem is with people regarding fuel tanks. Just buy one , after all its a pricely sum to pay when the insurance wont pay out should the worst happen isn't it ?, all just to save a few hundred £.

[Liahona]

Glynn, thanks again mate for your info. Accordingly I am legal as what you are describing I have. Best, Dave.

[Dave_Lee]

When I first got my TM supplied with Plastic marine petrol tank, I spent a long time getting to the bottom of the legalities etc. As Glynn correctly says about the limit of fuel allowed in plastic containers being carried in a vehicle. This is true, and any fuel carried ina vehicle in plastic containers MUST strictly be for the sole purpose of refueling the vehicles internal combustion engine. However in the case of a plastic tank for the purpose of fuelling a TM fixed in the van, this plastic tank DOES NOT come under the same regulations. In fact at present there are no definable regulations that cover it, it is a grey area that is not at present defined in legislation. The powers that be, once I finally got to speak to the official with the answers, told me that if the plastic tank was supplied with the machine ,it is okay, as this would have been all checked out by the department responsible for that area. My insurance company confirmed this and told me that all this area had been thrashed out before they initially decided to offer cover.
Also just to add. Last year I had to follow the police to a weigh station , when they thought I was overloaded. While I was ther they gave the van a thorough going over internally as well as externally. They never said anything about my 25ltr plastic tank, strapped to a fixed shelf in the back.
Dave.

[Liahona]

Surely the issue should be that a petrol tank be it made of plastic, metal or even wood, venting on the inside of the van while the truck mount is running is pure and simply dangerous and accordingly, stupid. Again, who cares if it is legal to have one floating about in the back of the vehicle? I would be concerned of the bloody thing blowing up. If you have gone to the trouble in having a truck mount then go all the way and make sure it is safe. Dave, in your situation I would certainly move it from where it is at the moment. Also, Dave, did you insulate your van before you panelled it? If not you will need to get a heater for it for the winter. Best, Dave.

[Dave_Lee]

Dave,
All due respect but if it was considered dangerous, wouldnt it be the case that these tanks would simply not have been allowed in the first case. It is not as though they are in a confined space with the side door wide open, and in my case anyway the rear doors as well. The TM in question and the position of the tank being installed by Woodbridge, and ALL the other makes and suppliers that use Plastic tanks. Dont you imagine that they have considered the facts. It would be interesting to hear what they have to say on the matter. As for me I'll carry on with my plastic tank with confidence, until I am officially informed to do otherwise.
Dave.

[Liahona]

Dave Lee, due respect taken and returned likewise. My point was that, not if it

was legal or otherwise to do that which has been talked about but if it was a

sensible thing to do. As to the actual legalities I have no idea of them. I was

informed though that the tanks have to be filled and vented from and to the

outside of the vehicle. I dont think it has any bearing on if the tank is plastic

or metal...... In some parts of the states and I say some because each state

is a law to itself.......... you have to have the tank not only filled and vented to

the out side but it has to be fitted to the out side as well. The one I had fitted

was under the van next to the factory fitted one. Each to their own and of

course that is fine but for me and mine it is as safe as I think it can be, which

isnt being vented to the inside. Best, Dave.

[Liahona]

Dave, some companies automatically put in a separate fuel supply that is fitted

and vented to the out side. Again my concern wasnt if it was plastic or metal

just as to where it should or would end up. Best, Dave.