I seriously have doubts ply wood & a few straps will stop 200kg with the weight of the tank at a 50mph impact with the kinetic force involved. I think you may be better off welding box section steel to form a cage around the tank with with 6 anchor point 3 front 3 back all with each anchor point having two bolts holding it down as if you with plate under the van. Lorry’s loose loads with bigger straps on than yours with objects weighing the same as your water tank in RTC’s!
There are inertia equations easily available....a quick input of the Speed, weight, collision distance and duration. At 30 mph, 200kgs with a 30 cm collision distance and a 3 second duration time gives a quite considerable 12,134 kgs peak impact.
Guys, in a 40mph accident you will experience 40G’s of force. If traveling forward at 40mph there’s ABSOLUTELY NO WAY your wood and screws will stop 40x 190kg of weight ( 7600kg) to move forward! Need good steel beams and bolted to the superstructure to have any chance. Much safer to have x2 tanks at 90L each which will make stopping each one twice as easy! Also, with say 160l of water in it and if there’s no tank baffles, you’ll get lots of sloshing and that could affect road holding on tight bends.
The tank I’m using has got baffles and like I say in the video I won’t be travelling with it full but yes you’re right two separate tanks would be better maybe ill just have to change it when I get a chance 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld maybe two tanks are better than one, especially if you have a leak or failure in the one you still have backup? Plus, maybe the way to look at it isn’t trying to completely restrain the tank but to build in a way for it to safely move in an accident? Maybe to only come up against the rear inner wheel arches or another more forward bulkhead/restraint? Won’t you also need more airflow to and from the garage to inside the living area? Inner access to the rear garage in bad weather? So maybe two separate side bulkheads? Also think about the movement of your underslung units, water heater etc, in a small shunt? How will they move/react? Maybe separate your batteries to either side as well so you’ve not one chunk of mass in one area trying to move forward in an accident? Hope you figure out a good solution Mel as the van build is awesome and I’m sure will make a great mile munching home on wheels!
I think I would of made a metal cage around the water tank and bolted down to the chassis rails like pointed out water tank full at any impact of 50 mph is 12 tonne plus the weight of the battery bank. At least I would want to change out the tie downs to steel eyes bolted through chassis rails and the straps changed to heavy ratchet straps.
Hey Mel , in America we strap down the water tanks with metal strapping. I was hoping that you were going to install a full victron energy system not just a power station
Hi there that’s not a bad idea maybe I should do the same as you guys. To be honest I get the power banks to promote them and they are not that bad so I may as well use them in my vans but saying that I won’t be promoting them anymore as I’m finding it’s damaging my channel.thanks for taking the time to comment really appreciate it 👍🤓👍
A consistent and very admirable feature of your van build videos is you enjoy experimenting, readjusting, adapting and above all taking advice and learning even from what some may consider mistakes. As a former product designer and now buildings researcher, I find it so important to learn and develop ideas in this way. Thanks for keeping your videos honest.
One point Mel. You just secured the water tank behind a wall and then added two other items (heavy batteries) on the other side of it to come flying at you and the passenger instead!! 🤣
Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld this is an affiliate link so every time you make a purchase i make a small commission good news it doesn't cost you any extra but it helps me to continue to make these videos. thank you.
Hi Mel. I notice that you do not use any dust extraction when using your track/plunge saw's .?? Surely this would upset anyone in the barn trying to paint anything.!! P.s. Surely better for everyone's health getting the dust out of the air.?
This may sound like a question, but it's not. Was the original bulkhead made from plywood and how many bulkheads have you seen, made of ply? It's your van and your build but I wouldn't rely on it. You need some sort of steel connected to steel using bolts.
Lots of thoughtful comments on here ref securing heavy items in the event of a collision and all valid. I think there are probably a lot of self conversions out there with gas cylinders, batteries and liquid tanks liable to break loose in an accident situation.
Good night becky and Mel I love watching your videos of you building your new campervan I hope you are all well and enjoying your building up your new campervan please keep up the good work up on your videos on your you tube channel please keep safe and warm Thanks again for your lovely videos of you building up your new campervan like you what you want it to be done
Id have definitely have bolted some box section steel either side of the tank through the wheel arches and then bolted some more over the top to stop any movement at all. Cant see a bit of board and a few screws stopping that amount of weight even at slow speed if the worst happened 🤔
Not as Important on the bulkhead, but when it comes to the furniture, marking your cut lines on masking tape will help prevent the tear out within cutting ply.. 👍
Bloody hell! Take it out side & support it the same distance in the van then the same weight as a full tank & drop it on the ply! It holds a lot of water at speed 100kph to 0 mph! Big tank! Might have been better with a lot of small one placed around the walls! Best of?
Wow, 190 litres of water? Are you predicting a dessert apocalypse Mel? Out of curiosity, if you don’t use every last drop, will the water be safe to use if it’s been sat in the tank for a long time?
Question. How do you keep your water tank clean or mould free for potable content? My current tank either had a funny smell/taste when I emptied it or had black stuff appear.
I always put a couple of these in the tank every time I fill up www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0862B9DZT/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_S0RB8BG9KF50HV2617V8?linkCode=ml2&tag=melsvanworld-21
Personally, I would add some spikes in front the tank. If it breaks loose, the plastic tank could shred on the spikes, dispersing the water and dissipating the weight.
Sorry Mel love what you do but you need serious angle iron structure around that tank maybe anchor it to the floor through the angle iron . You are a seriously clever guy you know what to do , I hear my dad shouting at me all the time it’s annoying but he was right . well done Mel good luck to you 👍👍👍🏴🏴🇬🇧🇨🇦🦢
You could have moved your tank easier then taking the wood out again? Have you checked celing height if you are raising the floor Mel? There's not much roof height in a Vario unless you are vertically challenged? Cheers for the video. 👍
Hello Mel! Enjoying your videos. I'm not into van life yet, but looking at a Maxus V80 that you have had earlier, and wonder if you would reccoment to start a Van life in one of those? I'm looking at the electical version (with somewhat limited range, but maybe at cheaper costs?). Just wonder how long it will last. Looking foreward to your reply :)
The original maxus was brilliant I’m in no position to judge the new version. though I’d say it sounds exciting as long as you’re not planning on going long distances away from urban areas you’re be alright. Personally I wouldn’t want that restriction give me a dirty diesel any day 🤓👍
Don’t really like the idea of a ply wood bulkhead,a metal frame with the ply in set would be a better idea to hold back the weight of a flying water tank…
I'm no fan of any converted or factory built camper that has no protection from rear intrusion into the driver compartment, i think it's absolutely crazy to convert a van, then have nothing to protect driver and passenger in an accident , it's beyond me !
Those straps & bulkhead will never hold that tank if you were involved in a accident. Why dont you listen to what subscribers are telling you . Guess you know best As usual. Mmmmm
I would suggest that the plywood would not hold 200kgs in the event of an impact at speed the tie downs would have zero effect either a section of box steel across the van top and bottom would be a much safer method if securely installed by means of plates welded in and bolts, also what is going to stop your power packs from greeting you in an impact ?
I seriously have doubts ply wood & a few straps will stop 200kg with the weight of the tank at a 50mph impact with the kinetic force involved. I think you may be better off welding box section steel to form a cage around the tank with with 6 anchor point 3 front 3 back all with each anchor point having two bolts holding it down as if you with plate under the van. Lorry’s loose loads with bigger straps on than yours with objects weighing the same as your water tank in RTC’s!
There are inertia equations easily available....a quick input of the Speed, weight, collision distance and duration. At 30 mph, 200kgs with a 30 cm collision distance and a 3 second duration time gives a quite considerable 12,134 kgs peak impact.
Like I say in the video I don’t intend filling it right up unless I really need to
@BigVanSmallWorld but you might 😅
@@TheIcyhall12,134 kgs is 12.134 metric tonnes. That will take some strapping down!
@@BigVanSmallWorldif theicyhalls calculations are correct, even half full it could produce a weight circa 6 metric tonnes on impact.
Guys, in a 40mph accident you will experience 40G’s of force. If traveling forward at 40mph there’s ABSOLUTELY NO WAY your wood and screws will stop 40x 190kg of weight ( 7600kg) to move forward! Need good steel beams and bolted to the superstructure to have any chance. Much safer to have x2 tanks at 90L each which will make stopping each one twice as easy! Also, with say 160l of water in it and if there’s no tank baffles, you’ll get lots of sloshing and that could affect road holding on tight bends.
The tank I’m using has got baffles and like I say in the video I won’t be travelling with it full but yes you’re right two separate tanks would be better maybe ill just have to change it when I get a chance 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld maybe two tanks are better than one, especially if you have a leak or failure in the one you still have backup? Plus, maybe the way to look at it isn’t trying to completely restrain the tank but to build in a way for it to safely move in an accident? Maybe to only come up against the rear inner wheel arches or another more forward bulkhead/restraint? Won’t you also need more airflow to and from the garage to inside the living area? Inner access to the rear garage in bad weather? So maybe two separate side bulkheads? Also think about the movement of your underslung units, water heater etc, in a small shunt? How will they move/react? Maybe separate your batteries to either side as well so you’ve not one chunk of mass in one area trying to move forward in an accident?
Hope you figure out a good solution Mel as the van build is awesome and I’m sure will make a great mile munching home on wheels!
I think I would of made a metal cage around the water tank and bolted down to the chassis rails like pointed out water tank full at any impact of 50 mph is 12 tonne plus the weight of the battery bank. At least I would want to change out the tie downs to steel eyes bolted through chassis rails and the straps changed to heavy ratchet straps.
Hey Mel , in America we strap down the water tanks with metal strapping. I was hoping that you were going to install a full victron energy system not just a power station
Hi there that’s not a bad idea maybe I should do the same as you guys. To be honest I get the power banks to promote them and they are not that bad so I may as well use them in my vans but saying that I won’t be promoting them anymore as I’m finding it’s damaging my channel.thanks for taking the time to comment really appreciate it 👍🤓👍
A consistent and very admirable feature of your van build videos is you enjoy experimenting, readjusting, adapting and above all taking advice and learning even from what some may consider mistakes. As a former product designer and now buildings researcher, I find it so important to learn and develop ideas in this way. Thanks for keeping your videos honest.
Thank so very much for your positive feedback really appreciated 👍🤓👍
Hello you doing a great job however when you said you're using a Stanley knife is actually called a mocha knife Stanley was the man that made it😊
Oh that’s interesting 🤔
One point Mel. You just secured the water tank behind a wall and then added two other items (heavy batteries) on the other side of it to come flying at you and the passenger instead!! 🤣
It’s not finished yet don’t worry I have plans
@@BigVanSmallWorld Seen it on Becky's channel, very nice 👍
I enjoy watching your progress but I must admit I watch at 1 1/2 times speed to make it more interesting for me. 👍
Fair enough!
The hand-held rotary saw is one of the best tools I bought. Good to see you've finally discovered one!
I love it! 👍🤓👍
Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld
this is an affiliate link so every time you make a purchase i make a small commission good news it doesn't cost you any extra but it helps me to continue to make these videos.
thank you.
Hi Mel. I notice that you do not use any dust extraction when using your track/plunge saw's .??
Surely this would upset anyone in the barn trying to paint anything.!!
P.s. Surely better for everyone's health getting the dust out of the air.?
I’ve started to use my own vacuum cleaner now 👍
This may sound like a question, but it's not. Was the original bulkhead made from plywood and how many bulkheads have you seen, made of ply?
It's your van and your build but I wouldn't rely on it. You need some sort of steel connected to steel using bolts.
Yeah you’re absolutely correct 👍
Lots of thoughtful comments on here ref securing heavy items in the event of a collision and all valid. I think there are probably a lot of self conversions out there with gas cylinders, batteries and liquid tanks liable to break loose in an accident situation.
Love your channel Mel. A talented man.
Thank you for the encouragement and support really appreciate it 👍🤓👍
Good night becky and Mel I love watching your videos of you building your new campervan I hope you are all well and enjoying your building up your new campervan please keep up the good work up on your videos on your you tube channel please keep safe and warm Thanks again for your lovely videos of you building up your new campervan like you what you want it to be done
At 60mph a 190 kg equals 40 tons of force turning a wood bulkhead into match sticks angle iron and bolts would be the way to go
There’s no way this van can go 60mph. We drive slow in our campervan anyway and now this Vario is even heavier we’ll be taking the slow route 😂😂😂
I think alloy / metal L shaped type would be even better as the van will flex and could make it weak over time...Thats my train of thought lol...
Think maybe a metal bulk head be better .all down to cost though.
Yeah 👍
Id have definitely have bolted some box section steel either side of the tank through the wheel arches and then bolted some more over the top to stop any movement at all. Cant see a bit of board and a few screws stopping that amount of weight even at slow speed if the worst happened 🤔
I did use bolts through the floor I may but some angle ion on the underside too
Not as Important on the bulkhead, but when it comes to the furniture, marking your cut lines on masking tape will help prevent the tear out within cutting ply.. 👍
Thank you that’s really good advice
Great video Mel can’t wait for the next one 👍
Thank you I’m working on it now 👍
Mel, you are a bloody genius,..😅
Thank you that’s very kind of you to say 👍🤓👍
thanks four the travel vid and vid you do on channel
Hope you enjoyed it!
HEY MEL YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AND NOT FORGETTING GREETINGS FROM CORNWALL
Thank you buddy 🤓👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld welcome
Great job Mel 👍 👏
Thank you 🙏
Looking good mate
Electric installation was simple 😂🙏
Thank you buddy yeah that was the easiest part of the build 😊👍
Bloody hell! Take it out side & support it the same distance in the van then the same weight as a full tank & drop it on the ply! It holds a lot of water at speed 100kph to 0 mph! Big tank! Might have been better with a lot of small one placed around the walls! Best of?
I’m seriously re thinking about it now
Grand job
Thank you ☺️
Wow, 190 litres of water? Are you predicting a dessert apocalypse Mel? Out of curiosity, if you don’t use every last drop, will the water be safe to use if it’s been sat in the tank for a long time?
It will be perfectly fine 👍
R you going to put Jerry lives here mel
Them impact drivers are good bit of kit aint they Mel? my kids bought me one for fathers day, to put their shed up lol.
Haha very thoughtful of them 👍🤓👍
I would say in a emergency your fixings would slow the tank enough to avoid hitting anyone.
Let’s hope I don’t ever get to experience it 👍🤓👍🤞
Question. How do you keep your water tank clean or mould free for potable content? My current tank either had a funny smell/taste when I emptied it or had black stuff appear.
I always put a couple of these in the tank every time I fill up www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0862B9DZT/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_S0RB8BG9KF50HV2617V8?linkCode=ml2&tag=melsvanworld-21
Personally, I would add some spikes in front the tank. If it breaks loose, the plastic tank could shred on the spikes, dispersing the water and dissipating the weight.
You are an ideas man!
That’s a brilliant idea 😂🤓👍
Sorry Mel love what you do but you need serious angle iron structure around that tank maybe anchor it to the floor through the angle iron . You are a seriously clever guy you know what to do , I hear my dad shouting at me all the time it’s annoying but he was right . well done Mel good luck to you 👍👍👍🏴🏴🇬🇧🇨🇦🦢
Mel all engineers make mistakes...the really good ones get out of the mistake quickly. 😮
Yeah 👍
Another ace video Mel 👍
Thanks again!
You could have moved your tank easier then taking the wood out again?
Have you checked celing height if you are raising the floor Mel? There's not much roof height in a Vario unless you are vertically challenged?
Cheers for the video.
👍
That's a good idea! I’ll check before we do anything else
As a wise man once said, "it'll only take half an hour"
Haha true 👍
Hi Mell, how about buttons along the top of your wheel arch box's?
You are an ideas man!
Makes perfect sense but over the coming weeks you’ll see more of what I have done 🤓👍
Hello Mel! Enjoying your videos. I'm not into van life yet, but looking at a Maxus V80 that you have had earlier, and wonder if you would reccoment to start a Van life in one of those? I'm looking at the electical version (with somewhat limited range, but maybe at cheaper costs?). Just wonder how long it will last. Looking foreward to your reply :)
The original maxus was brilliant I’m in no position to judge the new version. though I’d say it sounds exciting as long as you’re not planning on going long distances away from urban areas you’re be alright. Personally I wouldn’t want that restriction give me a dirty diesel any day 🤓👍
What is the maximum gross weight of this van and will the engine actually pull it up hill when its finished ?.
It’s 7.5 tons and has a 4.2 turbo diesel engine pulls like a train
Don’t really like the idea of a ply wood bulkhead,a metal frame with the ply in set would be a better idea to hold back the weight of a flying water tank…
I'm no fan of any converted or factory built camper that has no protection from rear intrusion into the driver compartment, i think it's absolutely crazy to convert a van, then have nothing to protect driver and passenger in an accident , it's beyond me !
Exactly 👍
Those straps & bulkhead will never hold that tank if you were involved in a accident. Why dont you listen to what subscribers are telling you .
Guess you know best
As usual. Mmmmm
Just buy a smaller tank
Nope
I wouldn't want one of those power banks to shoot fowarded and hit me either! I guess you've thought of that as well.
Yeah you will see in the next couple of videos that I’m putting a lot more effort into safety 👍🤓👍
I would suggest that the plywood would not hold 200kgs in the event of an impact at speed the tie
downs would have zero effect either a section of box steel across the van top and bottom would be a much safer method if securely installed by means of plates welded in and bolts, also what is going to stop your power packs from greeting you in an impact ?