Configuring your work vehicle for maximum convenience and efficiency
Whether you’re a fleet manager for a larger company or an independent tradesman, it’s important to invest in a properly laid-out, organized, and accessible cargo van shelving system.
Cargo vans are essential for workers in most trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and many other skilled labor professions. With the proper shelving and cargo management configuration, your crews can increase efficiency and completed jobs.
Which is why we put together this guide. We’ll take you through the basics of modern cargo van shelving solutions, and give you some ideas and information that may inspire you to find the solution that’s right for your commercial vehicle.
Why Shelving Configurations Matter
Why bother with cargo shelving at all, or why worry about the optimal configuration for the storage of tools, supplies, and materials? It all comes down to efficiency.
If you keep your toolbox neat and organized, and you know where every tool is – and where it goes when you’re done with it – you can get smaller jobs done a lot more quickly. You don’t have to search for wrenches, pliers, sockets, or other tools.
The shelving configuration of a work vehicle operates basically on the same principle, but on a larger scale. With an efficient, convenient, and intuitive shelving configuration, your crews don’t have to search for supplies, tools, and work materials. They'll know where everything is and can access it quickly.
Over time, this means that you or your crew will become much more efficient. Even if you just save 15-30 minutes on each job, that could add up to an extra job or two per day. This translates directly to a significant increase in revenue.
Shelving Material Options
So, what are your options when it comes to shelving materials? Broadly speaking, most cargo van shelving solutions are built from one of the following three materials:
- Aluminum – Aluminum is very lightweight and strong. But it’s expensive, typically much more expensive than steel. However, it may be a good option if you need a lot of shelving or drawers in your van. The lighter weight of aluminum also means that fuel efficiency won’t take as much of a hit as it would with heavier materials.
- Steel – Steel is cheaper than aluminum and it’s just as durable. The only major drawback of steel is that it’s heavy – about three times as heavy as aluminum, on average. Still, it’s extremely cost-effective and heavy duty, and ideal if you are hauling heavy tools and cargo.
- Wood – Wood is easy to customize, particularly if you’re going for a DIY solution for your van or truck shelving. It can be pretty strong if built properly, but will never be as strong as steel or aluminum. Wood is also cheaper than steel, in most cases. But it can also be quite heavy, since lots of wood will be needed to carry heavy loads.
Types Of Cargo Van Shelving
Because of our partnership with Adrian Steel, we offer a wide variety of cargo van shelving solutions at Messer Work Van Solutions. Depending on your needs, one, several, or a combination of all of these types of shelving may be right for you.
- Deep Shelving – This type of shelving offers 16 inches of depth to provide maximum storage, with the ability to configure shelves in one-inch vertical increments. The top shelf has a maximum weight of 80 lbs., while the other shelves hold a maximum of 120 lbs each.
- Adjustable – These adjustable shelves can easily be moved up and down in one-inch increments, and are available with a depth of 12-14 inches, and a weight capacity of 100 lbs. lip up and 200 lbs. lip down. Our adjustable shelves also have contoured end panels to make it easier to move around in your work van.
- Folding Shelves – Folding shelves are an excellent option if you need lots of flexibility. For example, if you’re carrying bulky cargo to a work site one day, you can fold your shelves back for extra room. Then, you can fold them back if you need to carry a lot of tools to a different job site. They can carry 250 lbs. per shelf, with depths of 20 or 24 inches.
- Reinforced Shelving – Reinforced shelving can hold very heavy loads, with a capacity of 75 lbs. for the top shelf and 220 lbs. for the other shelves. Four-inch shelf lips help keep your gear in place, and a depth of 12-14 inches gives you plenty of space.
- Jumbo Deep Shelving – For the biggest and heaviest loads, you’ll want jumbo deep shelving. These heavy duty shelves boast a depth between 18 and 24 inches and a load capacity of 125 lbs. on the top shelf and 290 lbs. on the other shelves.
- Welded Shelving – Welded shelving includes welded back panels. These prevent your tools and gear from falling behind the shelving unit. They're 14 inches deep with a weight capacity of 125 lbs. per shelf.
Shelving Location
The location of your shelves is important, too. Here are a few things that you may want to keep in mind when you’re thinking about the orientation of your van shelving.
Exterior access
If your van has a sliding door, this is an ideal location for outside-facing shelving. You can have access to your most frequently-used tools and gear from outside of the vehicle, with no need to climb inside to access the tools and supplies from the interior of the van.
However, there is a bit of a drawback to this. This also eliminates easy access to the deepest part of your cargo van. If you often have to store bulky, heavy equipment or tools in your work vehicle, this may be a problem. The difficulty of accessing and moving heavy cargo could outweigh the easy access to your shelving from outside of your van.
So, if you don’t have sliding doors or don’t opt for sliding door shelving, another option is to set up shelves in the rear of your van, near the rear access doors, and keep your most frequently-used tools and equipment here. You can install shelves deeper in your van, too, but you may want to store less frequently-used gear in these shelves.
Keeping your necessities near the rear of your van means it’s easy to get to them, and you may be able to access some of your gear without even climbing into the van. This also helps preserve more storage space in the cargo area, compared to a sliding door with shelves.
Wheel wells
In most vans, the wheel wells protrude slightly into the cargo area. We can easily configure your shelving to go over these wheel wells, and they won’t interfere with shelving installation.
Weight capacity
You also will want to consider how much weight your shelves and gear will add to your van. It’s important to not exceed the maximum payload of your van or truck. If you do, the vehicle may be less safe to drive, and it may not last as long, either.
Generally speaking, distribution of weight in a van is not as important as it is in a trailer. But still, it’s best to plan to store your heaviest and bulkiest tools and equipment near the front of your van’s cargo area.
You should also store heavy items low on your shelving. If you store a lot of heavy items high up on your cargo shelves, this can affect the center of gravity of your van, which could make it more prone to rolling over in an accident. For obvious reasons, it’s also easier to access and remove heavy items when they're stored on low shelves, rather than high shelves.
Shelving Organization & Accessories
Once you’ve got your shelves installed, it’s time to think about how you want to organize and store your tools, equipment, gear, and supplies. Thanks to our partnership with Adrian Steel, we have a wide range of storage and organization solutions that help you keep your stuff in the right place.
- Bins – Composite bins snap into your shelving system and are great options for storing fasteners, pipe joints, small components, and some tools. Available in both six-inch and 12-inch increments, these bins maximize storage space and prevent sliding while driving.
- Dividers – Dividers can help break up space in your shelves, and provide separate areas for different tools and supplies. We offer both steel and composite dividers that fit perfectly into our shelving solutions.
- Drawer Units – Drawer units allow you to pull out your tools and gear from the shelves, which can provide you with easier access. With drawer units, your cargo is also secure and out of sight – which may be important if you’re worried about theft. Locking latches help keep drawer units secure when not in use, and when driving. We offer both shallow and deep drawers, depending on your needs.
- Drill Bit Storage – Our drill bit holders are ideal for installation near the sliding door or rear doors of your vehicle. These composite tubes help keep your drill bits organized and easily accessible for your next job.
- Door Kits – Door kits turn our shelves into horizontal cabinets, which offer secure storage for larger tools like saws, grinders, and other such equipment. The door opens downward for hands-free operation, and a locking T-handle keeps the cabinet doors closed while driving.
- Cable and Wire Storage – With our wire rods and spindles, you can easily secure and organize wire and cabling. When mounted near the rear of your van or vehicle, this means it’s easy to access the cable and wire you need to get the job done.
- Hooks – Hooks are excellent for storing and holding extension cords, rope, and some equipment and tools that are lightweight but bulky. With utility hooks, you can add even more versatility to your work vehicle.
Interested In Cargo Van Shelving?
Get A Custom Quote Today!
At Messer Work Van Solutions, we’re always here to help you design an efficient, cost-effective, and versatile van storage solution. With our wide selection of shelving units, experience working with trade fleets, and familiarity will all work van makes and models, you’re in good hands.
So don’t wait. If you want to keep your van space neat and organized, give us a call or contact Messer Work Van Solutions online for a consultation.
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