[R.C Property]

this is what my £2500 got me,

Berlingo van, 2 mans system with 2 pumps, 2 hoses and full set up for 2 trad guys, plus safety signs. Tanks, barrels, portable trolley system, waterproofing protection paint, 110ah battery, solar panels, split charger, 2x18ft poles, 1x32ft pole, 1x42ft pole,

Plus static 1000lt tank, transfer pump, transfer pipe.

Then I have spent about another £300 on upgrades to the van since the pictures, including a hot water system

[DG Cleaning]

I built my 400L van mount with twin Di's & pole for roughly £450

[CLEANCARE WC]

the bpack i use is easy to carry by the handle when full, i tried different trucks from b&q and homebase & they are not strong enough, the wheels bend & spin etc. im 52 now & i can carry a bpack all day long with no problem its only cos i changed my pole hose couple weeks ago & put a much longer length on that i dont, but i also got an old army bergen that im gonna cut a hole in & put the bpack in as they have good straps & back support. i have a gardiners flow control on the end of the bpack hose so i dont really use the on/off switch but i've never had a problem with it either

kybl i honestly thought you were about 30!! 

[simonr]

cheers for that im probably just childish & immature 

[CLEANCARE WC]

this is what my £2500 got me,

Berlingo van, 2 mans system with 2 pumps, 2 hoses and full set up for 2 trad guys, plus safety signs. Tanks, barrels, portable trolley system, waterproofing protection paint, 110ah battery, solar panels, split charger, 2x18ft poles, 1x32ft pole, 1x42ft pole,

Plus static 1000lt tank, transfer pump, transfer pipe.

Then I have spent about another £300 on upgrades to the van since the pictures, including a hot water system

richard what do you use the spiral hose for?

[R.C Property]

this is what my £2500 got me,

Berlingo van, 2 mans system with 2 pumps, 2 hoses and full set up for 2 trad guys, plus safety signs. Tanks, barrels, portable trolley system, waterproofing protection paint, 110ah battery, solar panels, split charger, 2x18ft poles, 1x32ft pole, 1x42ft pole,

Plus static 1000lt tank, transfer pump, transfer pipe.

Then I have spent about another £300 on upgrades to the van since the pictures, including a hot water system

richard what do you use the spiral hose for?

The hoses are around the outside my poles, as my poles have taps fitted onto them,

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Joshem, seriously mate, i built up a little berlingo van for my dad. Including the price of the van, clx 22 , tank, di, sign writing, pump and controller all second hand (other than the clx22) it cost £1200. your nearly spending than on a trolley.
Shop around for second hand gear to get you going, forget a trolley or back pack, go second hand van man!

[Spruce]

While I agree with the van mount sentiments in this post, the OP stated:

"Right, I am a part-time traditional cleaner and would like a WFP setup. I cannot afford to buy and kit out a van etc. so please don't suggest I do so as it's just not realistic at the moment and I don't even know whether I'll be window cleaning in the coming years as I'm still young."

To go WFP you need long term commitment, which I don't think you have at the moment - yes you can always sell it etc. but it isn't anything like trad that can be done as and when IMHO

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Hi Bruce! I was just showing him what can be done on a budget and after all he was looking to spend 800+ on a trolley. Maybe he thought having a van was going to cost him alot more. Might give him something to think about.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

and sorry just re-read his original post.
Pure freedom trolleys are great!

[joshem]

To go WFP you need long term commitment, which I don't think you have at the moment - yes you can always sell it etc. but it isn't anything like trad that can be done as and when IMHO

Part-time, traditional and working from a car doesn't sound great but I do take it seriously. It's my only means of income and I run it as well as any window cleaner worth their salt would so I can understand your concerns regarding commitment, especially as I've highlighted them myself too.

Anyway, thanks for everyone's comments and I do appreciate why you've pointed me in the direction of a van and van mount. Perhaps it isn't so unrealistic after all. There's no way I'm going to afford a great big Ford Transit with a flashy 1000l tank with all the trimmings and nor would I need it but a little van does now seem viable. My concern is would the 'DIY' mount be safe in a crash? I've seen that video demonstrating what can happen.

Vans on autotrader go pretty cheap and I have a relative that's a mechanic so that side is more than covered but where is the best place to look for a van mount that would be in my budget?

[Spruce]

Hi Bruce! I was just showing him what can be done on a budget and after all he was looking to spend 800+ on a trolley. Maybe he thought having a van was going to cost him alot more. Might give him something to think about.

Hi Dave

I totally agree with your point with regard to what can be done on a budget and embrace it 100%. Van mount is far better.

And yes he likes the PF trolley; however it was my feeling that he isn't ready to take this direction as he can't just 'pick at it' when he feels like it.

Personally, I think he needs to re evaluate his focus with regard to window cleaning and his future first. I wouldn't spend another penny until I committed to this new direction fully. As the expression goes - he can't be half pregnant.

I'm sorry if it came across that my reply was responding to/ targetting yours as it wasn't meant that way.

[Spruce]

To go WFP you need long term commitment, which I don't think you have at the moment - yes you can always sell it etc. but it isn't anything like trad that can be done as and when IMHO

Part-time, traditional and working from a car doesn't sound great but I do take it seriously. It's my only means of income and I run it as well as any window cleaner worth their salt would so I can understand your concerns regarding commitment, especially as I've highlighted them myself too.

Anyway, thanks for everyone's comments and I do appreciate why you've pointed me in the direction of a van and van mount. Perhaps it isn't so unrealistic after all. There's no way I'm going to afford a great big Ford Transit with a flashy 1000l tank with all the trimmings and nor would I need it but a little van does now seem viable. My concern is would the 'DIY' mount be safe in a crash? I've seen that video demonstrating what can happen.

Vans on autotrader go pretty cheap and I have a relative that's a mechanic so that side is more than covered but where is the best place to look for a van mount that would be in my budget?

Hi Joshem

Sorry to you as well. I don't always use the right words.

What I was trying to say is that if you aren't sure if you will be doing this next year as you are young and could have other options, then I wouldn't advise spending money on kit. Once you have taken the WFP route, there is no going back. Its much like buying a house.

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Spruce you are just a bully thats it me and you are finished 

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Josh I would listem to what Spruce has too say. Words of wisdom. Window cleaning could give you all you want with the right attitude.

[joshem]

Spruce, don't worry, I wasn't at all offended. I did my best to word what I did without you thinking I was 

Well when I said don't know what I'll be doing in the coming years I was thinking at least 2-3 years from now. It put me off seeing van systems priced at 5k etc. so I thought they were out of the question (financially and investment-wise). But you've all opened my eyes to what can be achieved on a budget like mine.

Could anyone tell me how safe a 'DIY' van mount would be or who could ensure its safety that wouldn't cost the earth?

I found this link which looks good: http://cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/Professionnal_kit.html. What do you think?

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Josh, A good tank frame could be fitted by any mechanic worth his salt for very little money, bolted through your floor to the chassis undrneath. This is really the main concern with diy systems. Your relative should be able to fit your frame and tank safely.
You can source tanks, frames, pumps, etc from ebay. Buy a new pole though so you get some life out of it.
Dont worry about the age of the van, as long as it looks clean and tidy and can legally carry the water you need anything and age will do. I like the old peugeot partners or berlingo. The old non turbo engine is great, bullet proof if looked after. Body work (rust wise) is pretty  good on them also.

[DG Cleaning]

It really is very simple to set up a van mount do a search on here for all the info you need.
IMO buying a system is wasting a lot of money

[dave0123]

It might be worth while taking a look on eBay or the for sale section on here, you might be able to pick up a van with a little system in the back for £2500.... worth a try.