[Moderator David@stives]

Are Truckmount carpet cleaning machines crash tested ?

 to me they look a lot heavier than wfp tanks

[Ian Lancaster]

So have you drilled through the chassis rails?  Or just through thin floor?    Either way you will have problems:

Weakening chassis rails by drilling great holes through them, 

or the bolts will tear through the thin flooring no matter how thick or string the bolts are.

Through the chassis, as it says in the post.  As to "having problems" how do you think everyone bolts their tanks in? You've got to drill through at some stage, or there's nothing to put the bolts through.  That's my point: no matter how thick and strong your cage/straps etc are, there comes a point where they're stronger than the vehicle so there's no point in making them any stronger.

As for making holes in the chassis, have you ever looked under the floor of a van?  The chassis has lots of holes already drilled in it for various reasons, I actually used two of these for the forward fixing point, and only had to drill for the rear fixings.

[matt]

So have you drilled through the chassis rails?  Or just through thin floor?    Either way you will have problems:

Weakening chassis rails by drilling great holes through them, 

or the bolts will tear through the thin flooring no matter how thick or string the bolts are.

As for making holes in the chassis, have you ever looked under the floor of a van?  The chassis has lots of holes already drilled in it for various reasons, I actually used two of these for the forward fixing point, and only had to drill for the rear fixings.

they are normally holes for fixing seats OR wheel chair clamp rails

[Ian Lancaster]

Not these, they're in the bottom of the chassis member - I still had to drill through the van floor above the holes in the chassis.

[jewelcleaning]

Through the chassis, as it says in the post.  As to "having problems" how do you think everyone bolts their tanks in? You've got to drill through at some stage, or there's nothing to put the bolts through.

Its not a risk I would take.  Those holes there already have been engineered, to say drilling a couple more won't hurt sounds like lunacy.

I'd would look into metal clamps/straps or something that go around the chassis rails.

Whatever, the more fixing points you have (safe ones) the more the load is spread, so even if one gave way, it would be only a small percentage, rather than only having four points, one breaking would be 25%

Stay safe!  Thats the main thing!

[Kentish Poleman]

I have been looking at a few different wfp systems , and was thinking of buying one and fitting it myself ( apart from tank . . . leave that to an engineer )   But I was talking to a wfp guy today , who said for insurance reasons the tank had to be fitted by a pro , and needed certification ! Is this right ?

I would always get a tank fitted by the manufacturer. Reason for that is simple, if you fit it and were then involved in an accident where the tank broke through into the cab area and killed or injured you and or a passenger, it is highly likely your insurer will walk away because you have modified your vehicle without having specialist knowlege.

For instance, the securing bolts, are they high tensile bolts, or shear type bolts? Shear bolts are designed to break upon impact, yet look identical to their counterpart. The retaining lugs or clamps which hold the assembly down to the floor, are they designed by the manufacturer of the tank, or something you have cobbled together in your shed?

Its all very well too speaking with your insurer & going away to make something yourself, thinking you are now safe with them, but unless your Insurer agrees, in writing, that your design will stand muster should something nasty happen to you or a third party, then dont be in the least surprised that they still walk away. Normally, ANY modification that you do to ANY road vehicle should a] be notified to your insurer, and b] an Engineers report should be submitted. The latter wont likely happen either, because I strongly doubt any Engineer will dare state, in Court, that your design was safe, should you have a nasty, therefore you are back to square one, i.e use the Manufacturer to fit the thing, pay them the necessary money, and forget all about it.

It still boils down to this, do you take your chances with your fingers crossed, or do you play safe, and concentrate on earning your money? I know what I would do!