[wpclean]

To my mind a heavy tank of water is unstable, and in the event of an accident is going to keep moving forwards crushing you, and your passenger.       Would I trust a ratchet strap . . . . no, paid for the system to be fitted, and paid more in insurance premiums for being honest ( if you are not insurance will be invalid, and you will be convicted ).

If you want save money it may cost you a lot more by doing it yourself !

[G Griffin]

To my mind a heavy tank of water is unstable

Have you had your hair cut again?

[CleanClear]

There's a lot of misinformation and disinformation posted on this subject every time it raises its head.
Here's the main points...........
ANY fitted system uses the same principal, they're all bolted through the van floor pan and there are spreader plates underneath so the bolts can't easily rip through.
Any load carried in your van needs to be secured, i'm refering to restrained tanks here. The legislation is quite simple. The load needs to be secured downwards towards the floor/bed of the van and best practice indicates in should ideally be against the bulkhead of the van. If this is not possible, maybe due to weight distribution issues then chocks, blocks etc should be used to prevent forward motion.
 To save anyone guessing whats illegal or legal here's the authority guidlines on the subject so you can see yourself first hand whats required............
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vosa/repository/MO%20-%20Issue%2039%20-%20June%202012.pdf

http://www.iosh.co.uk/pdf/FTA%20presentation%20-%20Load%20Securing%20-%20IOSH%20safety%20event%20Sept%2013.pdf

As far as i've seen and i'll happily be corrected, the certification that Ionics/Grippatank and others have is to confirm that the tank/frame assembly retains its integrity in the tests they've undertook.
 Now, stop and think about the bit i've highlighted in bold for a minute. In all the videos i've seen the van is a write off after the test. Ok, the tank and frame has held its integrity. Now none of them have patented or designed a securing method, no, they rely on the bolts and spreader plates. The whole saftey aspect hones around the tank retaining its integrity.
 So, in the event of a crash, your van will probably be a right off. No one has tested the 'restraining system' in so far as making sure the tank stays on the van floor. Well, they have and its spreader plates that hold them there. Of course theres no mileage for marketting your system if you just say it stays on the floor like everyone elses because we use stainless steel bolts and spreader plates.
A crap frame will stay on the floor if fitted the same way using spreader plates. Your van will still be a write off. I personally find it very comforting that the tank frames retain their integrity. At least you can go to the breakers yard after an accident and ask for your frame back.
 And of course, me being me , i find it quite funny watching some young fellas hair arse the van around like a sports car, safe in the knowledge they have a 'crash tested system'.
Lets not forget..IBC's are designed for carrying liquids on vehicles. Just make sure they're restrained properly and legally.  

[ben M]

Matt, follow the link that you posted and see 'how to secure loads safely' it does refer to ratchet straps, so how would this deemed as being illegal?

Its just my opinion, but if a load is secured by a mechanism that is inadequate then it isnt secure.

If it isnt secure its unsafe.

I just go by what I feel and believe is the right thing to do. For the sake of  a few quid Id rather travel safe than travel with a heightened risk of having 3/4 tonne of water coming through the bulkhead rendering the vehicle uncontrollable.

Don't forget the dynamics of a load of water compared to the dynamics of a similiar weighted load of cement is going to be entirely different.

If you want to travel with a DIY system feel free, just dont crash into me.

totally agree

[G Griffin]

Don't forget the dynamics of a load of water compared to the dynamics of a similiar weighted load of cement is going to be entirely different.

Have you any concrete evidence to back this up?

[MATT BATEMAN (OWC)]

Drop a bag of cement from 6' see how far it moves. Drop a bucket of water from 6' see how far it travels.

[G Griffin]

Drop a bag of cement from 6' see how far it moves. Drop a bucket of water from 6' see how far it travels.

Done it. And I did it with a bag of sand, too.
I now see what you're pointing to.

[MATT BATEMAN (OWC)]

I gave you that one 

[G Griffin]

I gave you that one 

 
It made a mess of the living room, though.

[MATT BATEMAN (OWC)]

I bet 

[Mike #1]

Very good read their CleanClear without a doubt their is some windys with inadequate frames and restraints and are just hoping they will be alright .

The frames that are sold for the diy guy  dont look up to the job and if fitted incorrectly the whole thing is going to move and kill someone .

My 400ltr flat tank is strapped in and wont move at all got all my advice and got it checked over from a relative who worked in transport in the army for over 20yrs , and fully loaded i under half of my total payload thier is plenty of vans about with their back-ends on the floor .

Due to been very close to been over loaded . Mike

[richard jagger]

Another B/s thread again. Lets all add to all the B/S my straps are better than Grippa Max. No my bulk head is better because it fitted by Ionics crap.

[Mike #1]

The point i am making is that if it is not a tested frame or a DIY  tank is strapped into the back of a van their is more chance of the load shifting either forwards , backwards  sideways and upwards shift  .

The tanks i have seen strapped into the back of vans are centralised almost which greatly  increases the risk of shift in an accident , And their is no dunnage in their either again increasing the risk . Mike

[JamesAJF]

i got mine made and fitted its way better then building your own as it got a fitted frame everything neat and tidy and they use good equipment were if u build your own u try and do everything on cheap and u get leaks and all sorts go wrong unless u really no what your doing off course. but i say get it build and fitted if u got the money.    

[keyser soze]

It's not the straps it's the fixings the straps are hooked on to that you need to concern yourself with. If they're useless, which being as theyre likely to be just spot welded to the van floor, then they're useless. You could fix your tank to them with an iron chain, it'd make no difference. But you know that already don't you, well you should if driving tonka toys has anything to do with it.

that's funny because when I ordered all  of my new vans with factory fit floor hocks they were bolted right though the floor and into the chasses , sprinters and transits , but then again  I know northing carry on spouting your poop

its not like you get the law round your place  like I do to keep my operators licence ive forgot more about insureing vans and trucks then you will ever know

this lady talks sense. when you think about all the lorrys carrying their loads and all they do is strap them down. and they carry serious weights not the half tonne loads we move about oood point. money making scaremainering by the  companies perhaps, after all they have to justify charging thousands for nothing . dont worry to the guys who gave them their monies . it'll be spent on a nice car or a nice cruise around hawaii...

[DG Cleaning]

i got mine made and fitted its way better then building your own as it got a fitted frame everything neat and tidy and they use good equipment were if u build your own u try and do everything on cheap and u get leaks and all sorts go wrong unless u really no what your doing off course. but i say get it build and fitted if u got the money.    

You don't need to be an expert to connect a few hoses together and avoid leaks

[Dave Willis]

It's not the straps it's the fixings the straps are hooked on to that you need to concern yourself with. If they're useless, which being as theyre likely to be just spot welded to the van floor, then they're useless. You could fix your tank to them with an iron chain, it'd make no difference. But you know that already don't you, well you should if driving tonka toys has anything to do with it.

that's funny because when I ordered all  of my new vans with factory fit floor hocks they were bolted right though the floor and into the chasses , sprinters and transits , but then again  I know northing carry on spouting your poop

its not like you get the law round your place  like I do to keep my operators licence ive forgot more about insureing vans and trucks then you will ever know

this lady talks sense. when you think about all the lorrys carrying their loads and all they do is strap them down. and they carry serious weights not the half tonne loads we move about oood point. money making scaremainering by the  companies perhaps, after all they have to justify charging thousands for nothing . dont worry to the guys who gave them their monies . it'll be spent on a nice car or a nice cruise around hawaii...

Yes but ......... flat beds are rather different to vans. They have very substantial ratchet points, not noodles of wire spot welded to the wheel arch, they tend to have massive bulkheads not like the wafer thin offerings of a Citroen and they have the option to strap their loads at the correct angles (low angles) unlike a van.