[Spruce]

Hi
I am considering a Berlingo size van for my son when he joins the business shortly. If you had the choice again, which tank would you go for?
I have a friend who has chosen a flat 400l tank for his second van to give him better security as he can now carry/store his poles in the van (they protrude into the passenger area) which he struggled with in the same van with an upright tank across the front of the cargo area.
But he is already finding that if the van is not parked the right way on a slope the water inside gravitates to the diagonally opposite corner of the tank leaving the outlet above the waterline.
I have a trailer with 3 x 125 litre tanks and this is a problem. I usually have to unhitch the trailer from my vehicle to lower the front to get enough water to finish the job.
Logically my choice would have been an single upright tank as this problem would not be as significant.
I would be interested to know how do you guys cope with this issue with flat tanks as the flat tank concept from a storage/stability point of view would be better?
Thanks
Spruce

[Majestic]

I used to have a upright tank , but found the flat is better as you can store things on top of it . When I used to get low on water I used to park the van with two wheels on the pavement so it was on angle and the water went to that end of the tank

[Ian_Giles]

Go for the flat tank if you can, it's centre of balance is far better for one thing, bonus being that you can store things on top.
Like John, if I'm getting low on water I'll just park in a way that sees the water falling towards the end where the water is drawn out.

Ian

[Alex Gardiner]

If you are tight for space a flat tank will always give you more flexibility, they are also easier to fix down to the vehicle floor as you do not have to worry about the tank toppling over.

In practice it is fairly easy to park you vehicle the right way round to ensure a good water feed at the end of the day.

However an upright tank will not be as 'fussy' as to positioning. If you can mount an upright safely it will also give you more floor space for reels etc.

We use both an upright (more of a square) and a flat in our set-ups, depending on the vehicle

Alex

[AuRavelling79]

Put an outlet on both sides of the tank.

[Sunshine Cleaning]

I have some mdf under my flat 250l lank to tilt the tank slightly. Add padding and strap down with 1 ton ratchet strap.


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[Spruce]

Hi
Thanks for all your input. I appreciate the advise.
Thanks again.
Spruce

[neil100]

My son as a flat 400ltr tank. I have an upright 800 ltr tank.

I prefer the upright tank. Its bolted down really well so I have no worries on the safety angle. The drive and handling in the van is not a problem. Yes it as a higher center of gravity. But what does that mean in practice?

Only that in the event of a collision I would have more Kentic energy that would be transferred to the bolts that fix the van to the floor. But seeing that my bolts are far bigger then what my son has in his van mine will just be as safe.

The biggest diffrence I have found is that it does not matter if I have 400 ltr or 200ltrs or 800ltrs of water in my tank. You never ever here any water sloshing about in the tank. Its probably down to the way its baffeled inside the tank. Its been baffled into 30cm squares approx. So other then weight the handling is superb.

My sons van on the other hand. Its a cheap tank with two internal baffles built in. But you here the water sloshing around all the time. It could be down to the huge foot space  the tank as so the water as a lot more movement then what it as in mine. The problem being because it as such a big floor space you have a lot more surface area of water so as the water level drops in the 400ltr tank you have to fill up a lot sooner then you would a high square tank.

I think pump life will be extended if you have a high tank and your pump is positioned low due to the gravity effect and pressure bcause you have an higher level of water in a narrower foot space.

Their are pros and cons. For me I would go with an upright if their is room.

Nel.

[Spruce]

Thanks Neil