Van shelving & divider screen

Users who are viewing this thread

Garydaplummer

Union plumber/pipefitter-self employed
Messages
74
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Mechanicsburg, PA
Buying a replacement van for the business and was wondering if any of you have found a good source you use for utility shelving and a divider wall between the front seats and the cargo area. I receive American Van's catalog but would like to look at some other sources if you know any. The old van had shelving and a screen in when I bought it.
 

Jimbo

Plumber
Messages
8,918
Reaction score
18
Points
0
Location
San Diego, CA
I am sure there are others, and probably some local suppliers in your area, but American Van seems to be the big gorilla on the block.
 
Messages
97
Reaction score
4
Points
0
Location
Northern by birth, Southern by choice
Website
www.sandpiperplumbing.com
I recently bought a shelving and barrier package from a local dealer and ended up paying almost $2000 for it all. Just about died when I got the estimate. This is the first time I've bought it all new but I figured new van...new shelves...you know.

In the past when I've bought used vans, I've pulled all my shelving out of crashed vans at the junk yard. I've outfitted 3 vans in the past and never paid more than $200 for all the shelving. Last barrier that I got was free, I pulled it from a pile behind an industrial building, company delivered medical supplies and changed from Chevy to Ford vans and pulled all the barriers out of the old vans before trading them in. They discovered they wouldn't fit the Fords and were happy to be giving one away...one less to dispose of.
Look around, you can find this stuff CHEAP if you have a couple of weeks to search for it. I'll never go the "new" route again...too expensive.
 

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
Messages
5,538
Reaction score
357
Points
83
Location
indianapolis indiana - land of the free, home of
Website
www.weilhammerplumbing.com
go the new route

I disagree about the old vs the new....

its a lot of hard work to rig up a van with a bunch of old
greasey ...oiley used junk that is most likely going to not fit propely

I would rather be plumbing than trying to rigg up some
half assed contraption with strapping and toilet bolts that is
going to creak and chatter with every bump I hit...

and I wont ever be happy with it


it cost me about 1800 to have the cage and installation, and a full set of
racks and bins put on both internal sides of my e350 maxi van...
and one on the back side of the squirrel cage too....

I have more room than I know what to do with...
with space to put anything I want on the shelves.....


considering that I almost live in my van every day, I am happy with the results....

its already paid for itself in saveing me hundreds of trips back to the supply house
 
Last edited:

Redwood

Master Plumber
Messages
7,335
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Location
Connecticut
I put used racking in my van and saved a bundle! However, It was in good condition, fit my van, and had the shelving configuration that met my needs.

I think the biggest mistake people make with installing shelving units is having them poorly secured and put together too loose. This turns a van into a rattle trap! I like driveing down the road without listening to a bunch of rattling and squeaking.

In a plumbing van you need to have 10 lbs. of **** in a 5 lbs. sack if you want to make money. Organization is key! If you can't carry the stuff you need or, if you have to ransack the truck looking for every part you are loosing time and time is money!
 

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
Messages
5,538
Reaction score
357
Points
83
Location
indianapolis indiana - land of the free, home of
Website
www.weilhammerplumbing.com
the best designed plumbing vans......

I will never pay full price for a van, we always bought used
Ford 350 vans.... but found that it made better sense
to make them "user freindly" as fast as possible...

Listening to plywood and metal squeaking and
ratteling down the road all day can really make
you nuts....


I should post a pic of the innards of
my plumbing van.... we have 3 vans ford e-350s
with almost exactly the same design.

that way when one needs reapirs, the others
are not too hard to work out of......

the trick is....once you remember where everything
is squirrled away ....you have got it made...


I keep a large storage box in-between
the front seat with extra solder, ball valves, fittings ect....for the
day when you forget to re-stock the bins in the van....



maybe Terry ought to have an award
for the most effieient plumbing van disign..

categories.... Ford, Chevy, and Freightliner....

can anyone afford a Freightliner??.

.
 
Last edited:
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks