Hey fellas, Been awhile but bought new cargo van(e250) looking for storage ideas! Maybe a raised floor with draws underneath with heavy duty drawer slides… I want to have a clear floor for material, store tools underneath, I know i will loose height but thats ok. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks for the help!!!
Lou C
Look closely at these common locations for hazardous materials in older homes.
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I did the exact opposite for my pick up with cap.
I have a platform using the pockets on the bed side for 2x6s covered with ply. I keep a ladder, gorilla platforms, cord, hose etc. under there. When I need to haul sheet goods I can pull all the above and toss them on top of the tools and other supplies on top of the platform.
Keeps me from completely unloading the truck to pick up material.
I've posted these before. This is my new van, before it got cluttered up with all the stuff I carry.
The floor is raised and supported on a 2x2 aluminum frame. These are the 2x2's used to build screen rooms. They come in 30' lengths. I used to have a 2x4 wood frame in my old van but because it was wood it sagged and the weight I carried one time acually snapped one of the cross members. That's 1/2" plywood cut to fit from the back of the seats to the rear of the bus.
The box behind the driver's seat hold my compressor.
The small parts storage shelves roll forward on two wheels, completely accessible from the sliding door.
I can carry 22 sheets of 1/2" rock or ply underneath or stack an 8' and 6' ladder. I can close the door on 12' lumber up the middle or 10' otherwise.
There are a pair of hinges at the back of the platform that I use to attach two 2x4's as a ramp up to roll up my table saw. Pull the pin and store the ramp pieces down under.
At the back corner I installed a breaker box with 15amp breaker and a 2 gang box for power takeoff. A short pigtail connects me to any length of extension cord to provide power for the compressor, which stays in the van, and the other extensions from the onboard receptacles. The reason for the breaker is that I would pop a breaker now and again at a customers panel and if I didn't have access to that panel I was dead in the water. Now, my breaker pops and I can reset that and continue to work.
Nice setup... but no divider.
Think about it for a minute.
I thought about it... what do you mean by no divider?Between the cargo area and the front seats? Like a cage?Another thing I did was make the whole front 4' section of the platform removable as a unit. Have to take the compressor box out first but no big deal and the rolling shelves stay put. I have a bench seat that goes there if I need to use it as a passenger van.
Yeah, nothing to keep stuff in the cargo area from knocking you in the head. Ouch
I see your point, but the object is to not hit anything hard enough to stop the van and cause all that stuff in the back to keep moving forward.
I also try to avoid sudden stops.
It's the unplanned ones that cause trouble.
'round here we call 'em a "headache cage".No Coffee No Workee!
I have an Astro Van. I built shelves in it and have used it for 12 years that way.
I hate them. I am currently designing a drawer system.
If you do build any shelves, build them so you can access them from the slider (like the pictures in the above post). I won't do that, because I like the side access for the table and miter saw. Hence the drawers.
I also like the drawer Idea because when I put carpet on top, it will essentially look like an empty van (aside from the miter and table saw).
There's a thread on here from a guy who put drawers in his pickup truck...VERY NICE looking, and no heavy hardware.
Any help on that thread...anyone??
I bought the diamond plate 4 drawer unit used from Gunner..4' wide and 4' long ..I got it in the back. I liked it so much , I made 2 2' wide x 3' deep for the side door hole.
Both are 6" high (about) and that leaves a small dead space or well amidship where they don't quite reach each other. Handy for odd and ends in boxes rarely needed.
I also got a rack for the step ladder ( American Van, same as the diamond box supplier) that rides a uni strut rail on the underside of the roof..never have to drag an icy or wet step ladder in a house. Damm good idea, I get a lot of compliments on that.
I added 2 shelves that form to the van wall on the drivers side, about full length, lower shelf is tool boxes and such, upper is levels and long stuff..and light weight.
My one ton is packed to the gills, I can put a chopsaw and table saw and compressor all on top of the drawer units, I hang my bags off hooks, I also have a hose reel for the air, the comp. can stay in the van, just run a cord to it.
Power inverter for the battery chargers lives up front so I can see the chargers as I drive and swap out batts at a stop light when fully done cooking.
I had PU's and vans and I stick with vans now, much nicer.
BUT all in all, it really depends on your trade and work habits, I do a bit of everything with a few specialties, so my gear up, may not work for you or a dedicated plumber or ele.
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Here's what I did with my van:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=90589.1
Here is a link to my 2000 Dodge 3500 church bus
104894.45
This is the latest add-on for the door. Not shown is a vinyl venitian blind slat attached to the back of the passenger seat where there were already screws, it hold an assortment of tape measures and various belt clip-on items.
115824.16
As for the Headache rack I feel the highback seats pretty well cover me. After seeing how some of that stuff is attached I do not believe most of those racks would slow much down, seems more for security/theft than protection.
Bob
Edited 7/13/2009 11:35 am ET by rasconc