Racking a van

For the discussion of hand tools, power tools, operated and non-operated plant, and all sorts of kit associated with the paving and drainage trades
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Forestboy1978
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Post: # 112839Post Forestboy1978

My new van is quite high. Guess about 8 or 9 ft from ground to highest point. I'm contemplating shelving the right hand side at the top 18 inch to use up dead space.

Is this unwise. Shelf will probably store a max of 150kg and I don't fly around corners and such but am still wondering....

ta

lutonlagerlout
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Post: # 112840Post lutonlagerlout

normally sparkies and plumbers do this, for our type of work space is generally the premium,for picking up 8x4 sheets of ply or panels whatever
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Forestboy1978
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Post: # 112843Post Forestboy1978

Tony the problem is I carry 95% of all my tools with me to most jobs in that large van. it's currently a shambles. can't use floor space anyway. I figured if I could just put 7 or 8 tool boxes up that one side then I'd still have space for a lot of panels and i'd free up the floor.

Cos it's twin rear wheels I lose a bit of space in there already and the wheels are boxed so I put fuel and spray cans oil etc in the wheel boxes that are open topped.

My main concern is perhaps 200kg of tools high up on one side....

seanandruby
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Post: # 112845Post seanandruby

Can't you put a dummy floor with long pull out drawers?
sean

Forestboy1978
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Post: # 112846Post Forestboy1978

Not really Sean cos I have a 6ft high door and 6 1/2 ft headroom. The smallest floor would lose headroom and make 6ft panel awkward to get in.

I do have a false floor at the front end to store some long digging tools at the front by the bulkhead.

Will take some photos tomorrow and see what you think

seanandruby
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Post: # 112848Post seanandruby

I can't see a problem, if you think about it window fitters etc; have high side racks. I'd be more concerned about anchoring the heavy tools down, be like a flying bomb if you had to stop quick.
sean

Forestboy1978
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Post: # 112855Post Forestboy1978

It's got an ultra thick bulkhead so I'm not worried about boxes. As I say the digging bars are under the floor right at the bulkhead and they are sideways too. They are the only things that could feasibly penetrate the bulkhead.

Forestboy1978
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Post: # 113108Post Forestboy1978

Just finished the racking. Can still fit 15 x 6ft fence panels in there or quite a few smallish machines and wheel barrows whilst carrying 90% of my tools and kit.

I was pleased just to be able to see the floor when I'd done a bit of it so I'm well chuffed now. https://www.dropbox.com/sh....da?dl=0

seanandruby
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Post: # 113109Post seanandruby

Seems a lot of weight on those shelves with any support posts. Not knocking it, good job well done.
sean

Forestboy1978
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Post: # 113113Post Forestboy1978

seanandruby wrote:Seems a lot of weight on those shelves with any support posts. Not knocking it, good job well done.
A fair bit but not as much as you'd think.

Heavy tools are on the ground in tool bags,, you can't see them in the pics.

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