New Van Rack Layout Dilemma

I’ve recently taken delivery of a new van (Astra 1.7l Cdti Sportive) and was determined not to rack it out as with all my previous Astravans. I wanted to keep the limited loading area as free and uncluttered as possible by using stack-able plastic boxes of various shapes and sizes. Store parts in them specific to their type (i.e. Pumps in one box, Inlet valves, motor brushes and so on) Covering multi-brands means also the need to keep other van stock separate (i.e Bosch, Hoover, Hotpoint etc).

I spent a load of dosh on these boxes and began re-arranging, sorting, shuffling most of my van stock into the new boxes and re-arranging, sorting and shuffling them onto the loading platform. Boxes up to 3 high stuffed into the back of the van………..took me bl**dy hours in appalling weather in order to get some semblance of order.

But sadly after all that expense and hours of ‘reconfiguration’ it just wouldn’t set-up right. The loading floor was stacked solid with boxes with little or no room to include my ‘service aids’ (drills, extension leads, nuts & bolts, glue, cable ties, special tools, test gear etc). And most gutting of all….no room to fit the vice either!!!!….I cannot cope without a vice I must admit. 🙁

So, in the end I ripped the whole lot back out and took the purpose made racks out of my other Astravan (including the much needed vice) and have re-installed the full set-up I have had this last 15 plus years into the new van. A very practical combination of racking and floor space boxes and bins that utilises the very limited floor and wall space that is (after all said and done) just an Astra.

I don’t want or need a bigger van nor would anything other than this ‘car derived van’ fit securely in my garage anyway. I’m well happy with the compromised space in exchange for luxury and the security that these small vans afford anyway.

But it does bring me to thinking how on earth you could possibly do this job by just using an estate car or even a bicycle? I recall that on 2 occasions in this last many years my van was off the road and I had to use my car to get about and do a few calls. I grabbed a few boxes and slung them in the boot only to find having to travel an interminable distance back home because I didn’t have the bits I needed. It’s bad enough having to go back and forth from the customers house to the van in order to get special tools and spare parts but having to leave the job and peddle home for a pump must be the stuff of (daily) nightmares. 😈