internal van racking

[shezzaar]

I know many differenct aspects of racking have been discussed before, but i am just wondering what is better, metal racking or plywood racking?
I know metal racking comes to a cost, I have been quoted around £1,800. For what i want doing. (I do have the money but obviously dont want to waste it)
I just want to know what people prefer, plywood or metal racking?

also whether or not i get metal racking, I am thinking of having a false floor, to store different pipe and a ladder. Could this be done with wood/ply? And still be able to hold tools and a weight of a person?

thanks in advance

 

[jase158]

just finished my van, (cupboard with door on left side) spent all day doing it, but cost me £30 plus screws and silicone etc.
Shelving on right cost me about £50, but everything is exactly how I want it, will be doing another one to enclose toolbox, wet vac and stop my toolbox from moving around

 

[TomLane]

Had a moment of insanity earlier this evening!

After being on one job for the past 6 weeks & not finishing till 7 most days I've neglected putting stuff back in its right place in my van. Spent 20 minutes sorting it all out but still couldn't find a few bits so ripped it all out & will be starting again. Got a couple of quiet days coming up so am going to take my time & get it all right & just how I want it.

I find there is nothing worse than not being able to did something quickly when you're on a job & need to get your hands on it.

 

[dancinplumba]

All that stuff on floor would be all over the place with my driving

 

[jase158]

It is, that's why I am putting more shelving, everything will be held down. need to have a good sort out first though, My wife always asks me, "do you need that much stuff" and my answer is always yes, take 1 thing out and guaranteed I will need it the next day.

 

[shezzaar]

nice pics jase,
just going back to another question, has anyone got a false floor? im thinking of putting one in but dont know if they would work or not, would be used to lay copper pipe underneath. but would need to be strong enough to hold me and other stuff above. could it be done?

or could it be easier to do the same sort of thing but a false roof? so the pipe sits ontop?

 

[jase158]

Yes, could be done, risky screwing down and would need beams 600mm apart. (Approx) I never screwdown as there is fuel tank and stuff underneath. But could use sticks like ****e or similar and would need 18mm ply on top for security, and silicone round edges to allow for movement. Would you be able to stand up with a false floor? Get a good chippy and they could even put drawers in for you. Nothing is impossible with plywood just make sure it is secure before you move on to next bit and test everything as you go!!

 

[tamz]

Build yourself a big fittings rack 4ft square (or bigger if you like) and 8- 10" deep. You should be able to get around 25 storage spaces.
This can fit on the opposite side wall from your side door.
Sit it in position level then scribe infill panels to suit the shape of the van side and screw these onto the side of the rack. (If you change vans you only need to redo the scribed panel)
With a big van like the master you may want to seperate the back doors from the rest. Make up a removable panel for this as there willbe a time when you need the space.
Build another couple of racks for above the wheel arches. Just do them square then scribe a cladding panel.
Just use your imagination.
Personally i don't like the raised floor. I did one years ago and it did work well for storing pipe below but it makes the van floor too high for lifting stuff into and climbing in and out.
Btw use WBP ply and give it a coat of varnish to keep it clean.

 

[Mike Jackson]

Someone had the bright idea of putting raised floors in our work vans for tube. Great until someone parked nearer than a couple of metres away from you and you couldn't get the tube out.

 

[Jimbob]

Never bothered with a false floor, as just leaves a massive gap for all kinds of crap to live. I would just hang ladders and tube from the roof

 

[shezzaar]

never really liked the thought of having stuff on the roof, due to the thought of people robbing it, and for me they would rob it when a big job comes in and ive just bought all the pipe!!
how could i stick the wood down to the floor than? using high adhesive, contact adhesive? or similar?
yes as the van is an l2 that has a height of 2164 and im 1889mm (6ft 2in) so i have around 300mm for false floor.

what would you use to secure the racking to the ply lining of the van?

 

[stevetheplumber]

never really liked the thought of having stuff on the roof, due to the thought of people robbing it, and for me they would rob it when a big job comes in and ive just bought all the pipe!!
how could i stick the wood down to the floor than? using high adhesive, contact adhesive? or similar?
yes as the van is an l2 that has a height of 2164 and im 1889mm (6ft 2in) so i have around 300mm for false floor.

what would you use to secure the racking to the ply lining of the van?

you realy need to get some fixings onto the ribs a rack full of gear could weigh 3 cwt a fixing into 3mm ply wont hold that and most ply lining is only held by a few self tappers

 

[shezzaar]

Would 2x2 be enough?
What mm ply should I use for the ply lining?

Going to be using 18mm for the floor and was thinking 8mm for the racking, would they go good enough?

 

[jase158]

8mm will be strong enough but will be hard to screw into, I used 12mm, 2x2 should be fine. For floor 4 x 2 may be better to give yourself some more height

 

[tamz]

Use 12mm and borrow a finishing nail gun from a friendly joiner. Use pva on the joints and ping the nails at alternate angles and it will never come apart.

 

[shezzaar]

thanks jase,
How would i attach the 4x2 to the floor of the van?

looking a this link http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2011/07/15/van-racking/
he said that he screwed his false floor down, and also used the original ply lining in the van
thanks, guys with your help