organising vans

[Leo21]

There's no getting round it it's just hard work. I have my van racked, fittings boxes, suitcase style same for screws. But I have a thing about running out of stuff, so I've got a long wheel base Toyota hiace. (most reliable can I have ever owned) five years old and no issues. And I have secondary stocks for fittings and screws and carry two of every type of strap on boss and waste tee,s for the condensate. I even carry two bags of sand and cement. Is there a name for my condition?

 

[jtsplumbing]

Very rich ! :sifone:

 

[Dannypipe]

There's no getting round it it's just hard work. I have my van racked, fittings boxes, suitcase style same for screws. But I have a thing about running out of stuff, so I've got a long wheel base Toyota hiace. (most reliable can I have ever owned) five years old and no issues. And I have secondary stocks for fittings and screws and carry two of every type of strap on boss and waste tee,s for the condensate. I even carry two bags of sand and cement. Is there a name for my condition?

Obbsessive, compulsive or 'seriously organised'. Depends on your slant.

I'd go on the latter and salute you.

 

[Dannypipe]

Drifting away from the topic lads, can I briefly bring you back to van organising. How do you organise tools within the van? ie how do you decide what tools to take into a house for initial inspection. I have two tool cases of the flight case type, one for installing (heavy Duty) and one for servicing (prettier sets of spanners and screwdrivers that haven't been used for prizing old boilers from walls). I then have a tool bag which carries sweating gear and hammers and bigger spanners and heat mats and formers and auger bits and pipe slices and . . . . any way what happens is I take all the gear into a customers house and pretty much empty my van in order to do a simple job, and it drives me nuts, is there a better way?

Maybe I should have tool bags for types of job, ie outside tap, bag contains drill (24v Bosch for wall) drill bits, copper tube, assorted fittings, clips, wallplugs, screws, torch, solder, hammer, spanner (adjustable), Ptfe, phillips screwdriver, pipe cleaner, flux, sleeving, hole saws . . . .er . . I think not !

maybe I need a plumbers mate

For years I've been trying to whittle down to the perfect tool kit that I can take in to a house and it will satisfy 90% of the jobs without a return visit. As you can see from earlier in this thread, I'm getting somewhere, I work out of a little Vauxhall Combi at the moment. However I always have to go back for something, and usually back again....until I've half the van in the room and there isn't room to swing a cat.

It comes with the trade. If it helps, I've had other tradesmen say to me that all plumbers are like it!!

We need a lot of tools to do even simple jobs. The best thing is, have a big well organised van, and have a plumbers mate to do the running.

I can't say I have either of those luxurys, but one day I will!!

 

[SafeGasInstall]

Plumbers mate .... and expirince will teach you !
Hate it now as I work on my own 🙁

 

[Leo21]

One of the best tools I've bought recently is a dewalt cordless vac. Honestly when your servicing room sealed stuff it's perfect for the odd spider. And it saves dragging Henry round who always weighs a ton, falls to bits or un winds while carrying it, or finding a sore socket. You know behind the bed side unit with the unstable lamp on it. Honestly I must save five minute a service.

 

[mcniven]

Hahaha

 

[vinniethecat]

This is a Kangoo....the system altered over many years to suit myself.

Ply bulkhead bolted to the safety cage, then light steel shelving bolted to that. Heavy stuff down low.. wastes, light gear up higher.

Cheap ply shelves to hold various organisers.... which all lift out for checking.... bins are rubbish.

Drill in to the strengthening sectios, fit L- brackets with self tappers to use the roof space.... decent strength could hold ladders.... I use a cheap ally loft ladder.

Organisers, easy to see when you're running short, one for Speedfit, conex, solder etc, smaller ones for odds and ends.

Heavy tool- boxes on the floor with all the hand tools.

 

[Leo21]

Wow, that's well organised. I'd have to have two vans though.

 

[vinniethecat]

Small vans are cheaper to buy and run, only keep what are vital, keep everything else racked in the garage, brought out only if it might be needed on the next job.

Get a towbar and trailer, only use it for bigger jobs.

Buy 3- 4 at a time from places like BES.... but only keep one on the van, the others in racks in the garage, fit steel horizontals below the ceiling for tube and lengths of wood..... old steel bath frames cut to suit are perfect

Go to a quarry, or buy a dumpy bag of sand, then tranfer to old F&E tanks stacked up behind the shed.... only take out what you need in bags or Tupperware.

 

[Leo21]

That is impressive. I'm just a bit lazy and keep it all on a big van.

 

[scoullar]

got a renault trafic once a month i spend a day sorting it out and after a couple of jobs its back the way it was doesn't matter how much you rack out or storage bins after a couple of jobs everything is piled on top of each other you never seem to have the time to put things back properly when your on the road does anyone else have the same trouble usually the problem is parking van parked round the block and when youve finished you pull outside job and just throw things in in a hurry i blame traffic wardens for my messy van they have a lot to answer for who agrees with me?

 

[Leo21]

Everything apart from wardens. Dont suffer with them where I work.

 

[Bobleponge]

I've got serious rack and van envy. I've got a small Ford Courrier as I've only just started on my own, its racked down one side and there's just no space to put all my stuff. Had my toolbag in the passenger footwell last week.

 

[Dannypipe]

i blame traffic wardens for my messy van they have a lot to answer for who agrees with me?

I'm with you.

 

[tizintit]

my van (swb sprinter)is nicely racked out both sides and every thing has a place
its just remenbering to put things back when youre rushing between jobs
i can take a full weekend to tidy it sometimes and a day to mess it up

 

[Glenwils]

I work on big commercial builds so most of our gear is stored in containers as we can be at the same job for months on end. The van does get ram packed with **** so me and my mate make sure we have a sort out at the end of each day so the mess don't get to messy. We always have spare fittings in organizers and all tool boxes are stored in the same place so if we do need anything that we don't use every day we know where it is.

Before I start any job I take a bit of time and have a think of what I'm going to need. Put all batteries on charge, get decent lighting, get all the fittings and sundries we could need and make sure iv'e got all the tools. The 10mins it takes me to set up saves about half an hour waiting for batteries to charge and going back and forth to the van to get another tool I might need.

 

[scoullar]

I work on big commercial builds so most of our gear is stored in containers as we can be at the same job for months on end. The van does get ram packed with **** so me and my mate make sure we have a sort out at the end of each day so the mess don't get to messy. We always have spare fittings in organizers and all tool boxes are stored in the same place so if we do need anything that we don't use every day we know where it is.

Before I start any job I take a bit of time and have a think of what I'm going to need. Put all batteries on charge, get decent lighting, get all the fittings and sundries we could need and make sure iv'e got all the tools. The 10mins it takes me to set up saves about half an hour waiting for batteries to charge and going back and forth to the van to get another tool I might need.

try puttin a container in the back of your van if im on a job longterm and have secure storage my van empty i can get the bus

 

[scoullar]

u hav 2 much time on ur side a cup of tea is hard most days

 

[barrysunley]

I've got most of my stuff in the stacking plastic crates like supermarkets use - bought a job-lot off ebay.
Front half of van (VW Transporter) has some home made timber racking to stack the crates on, accessed throug the side door. Rear half has removable home made racking if I need to carry bigger items like cylinders. Really big stuff & ladders justhave to go on the roof rack. Easy to carry the crates into a job and out again at the end. Much time saved running banck to the van during a job.

 

[barrysunley]

Well impressed!

 

[plumbtech]

just changed my van . had a swb sprinter for 8 years the racking grew as i needed and worked really well. but after a couple of days i would forget where i put everything plus if it had got a bit messy very often it was easier to go and buy a piece of 5 core flex than hunt through the van for the "2 meters i had left over off a roll last week" that i stashed in the van under the heading "this will come in handy". it took me 8 years to realise that the racking dosent really work for me completly. the racking was like a stores so i am trying to be more organised for the next day/job and carry what i need. with a van full of everything i didnt need to think this hard and in an effort to save fuel i was going to get a smaller van . but that went to pot thank god and i had another sprinter. the first one was exellent, 80 odd K and i changed a leef spring so i bought another. 6 speed more power and with my new plan lol is looking way better on fuel. winter time the van is at its messyist. you walk out of the house your working in its dark and thats it just chuck it all in lol. i had tool cover on my tools , the van was broke into via the cab i put all my findings in the state ment and what was nicked from the cab they wouldnt pay for only what was in the van part . and they quibbled about that because they never got in through the van. oh hi all :teeth_smile:

 

[Leo21]

Welcome, good first post.

 

[E4gas]

This is a Kangoo....the system altered over many years to suit myself.

Ply bulkhead bolted to the safety cage, then light steel shelving bolted to that. Heavy stuff down low.. wastes, light gear up higher.

Cheap ply shelves to hold various organisers.... which all lift out for checking.... bins are rubbish.

Drill in to the strengthening sectios, fit L- brackets with self tappers to use the roof space.... decent strength could hold ladders.... I use a cheap ally loft ladder.

Organisers, easy to see when you're running short, one for Speedfit, conex, solder etc, smaller ones for odds and ends.

Heavy tool- boxes on the floor with all the hand tools.

Looks a heavy load , old school gas bottle

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Looks a heavy load , old school gas bottle

more to the point how do get all that in a kangoo?????????????????

 

[dontknowitall]

I'm wondering why 5 tape measures? ...

Perhaps no space in the tools boxes?

:1eye:

 

[E4gas]

Old school plane .

 

[SafeGasInstall]

i personally dont like the idea to fully load the van and have every tool in the van ! I do load the van if i start a job but then after i only take with me what i need ! Just the way i am keep only what i think will need !

 

[vinniethecat]

That's a snapshot of a particular day.... I only take out the big bottle for bigger jobs, plus it's got about 30ft of hose on it, so I can get away with leaving it in the hall and being able to reach most of the house.

Most of the cases aren't that full or heavy, but I can access everything easily, because I know where everything is, even little things like assorted nipples for bleed points.... nothing worse than losing one.

The organisers have a small selection of everything to do a small job without wasting half a day at the merchants, plus the inevitable, "while you're here, how much to fit an outside tap?"

Plus for a tenner, it's always worth keeping a diaphragm kit for a Poxi 105.

What I like to do is root through the boxes to get out only the tools for that job to take into the house, I found a sleeve with outside pockets in B&M which drops over a standard builders bucket.... really handy.

 

[Leo21]

Every time I do a job I seem to have my whole van in the house. And I couldn't take any thing out, I'm bound to need it. Hats off to you.

 

[dontknowitall]

This is a bad one ... apologies ...

I sometimes take the kitchen sink ...

 

[Leo21]

Groan !!!!

 

[Bobleponge]

Nope, thats a proper shocker.

 

[vinniethecat]

Those photos were of the old Kangoo, took a few more today..... that set- up has gone in the last 3 vans with minor adjustments, the basic system seems to work for me.

All you really need is the idea of what you want on the van then work it out from there.

Thick ply bulkhead bolted to the safety cage, then lightweight steel racking, bolted to that, had to shorten one set of steel trays with a hammer and 2 by two, then redrill the bolt- holes

The ply sides were roughly jig- sawed to shape, then offered up and made a fairly close fit, the horizontals cut to size, then a combinatiom of fairly small battens, screws and 2 part fibreglass and polyester filler from the auto spares (Bodge) to make the outer frame, then fill in the uprights, shelf lips etc, after you're happy with the fit.

L- brackets and self tappers into the double skin parts hold it all in place.

It isn't designed for heavy gear, but most of our stuff isn't, heavy gear stays on the floor.

Organisers behind the seat for street maps and CP12s etc.

Cargo nets from the cheapy shops to hold dust sheets.

Tool bucket.

Odds and ends on hooks and small rack on passenger side (must be lightweight gear in case of crash)

 

[vinniethecat]

I'm wondering why 5 tape measures? ...

Perhaps no space in the tools boxes?



One upstairs, one downstairs, one hidden under the dustsheets, one under a rolled back carpet and one to measure things. :banghead: :banghead:


Never been on a big job before?

 

[Roger Welton]

I'd be interested to see a weight on the kangoo, it is very easy to get overloaded, highways authority do ocasionally do spot checks around here.

Edit to add I do like that tool bucket, seems a good idea.

 

[vinniethecat]

Irwin IRW10503821 - Pro Tool Organiser - Bucket L46 x D30 x H10cm


Seems to be a few out there, got mine for £4, if the Milliband hits the fan,you can quickly shuck the organiser and you've got an emergency bucket

 

[cdodds2004]

tool bucket is ACE!!!

 

[E4gas]

That's a handy Canada hat ,

 

[tamz]

I'm wondering why 5 tape measures? ...

Because you need at least 4. No matter how big or brightly coloured they may be, they are the most elusive thing in the tool box. It is like you open the box and they all go walkabout. Somehow they always find their way back to the box again when it is time to go.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Because you need at least 4. No matter how big or brightly coloured they may be, they are the most elusive thing in the tool box. It is like you open the box and they all go walkabout. Somehow they always find their way back to the box again when it is time to go.

mine dont,numptys on site

 

[plumbtech]

agreed with the tapes, also as soon as you get power cords of drills extention leads and vac's with in 2 feet of each other they tangle to ****

 

[Leo21]

I find when I'm up the top of the ladder with a core drill the bloody plug comes adrift.

 

[tamz]

110v will not pull out and is safer to use.

 

[Mike Jackson]

It's also a lot heavier. Can't see the need of it if you use an rcd extension.

 

[ManchesterGas]

Finally got round to giving the van a quick tidy up, still not perfect but getting used to it now, need some better lighting and some insulation/carpet on the sides/roof for sure as I'll be sleeping in it for the Wales rally in September.

 

[E4gas]

Finally got round to giving the van a quick tidy up, still not perfect but getting used to it now, need some better lighting and some insulation/carpet on the sides/roof for sure as I'll be sleeping in it for the Wales rally in September.

Are your power tools safe there , no strong box

 

[SafeGasInstall]

get van vaut and bolt it to the floor

 

[ManchesterGas]

I used to install vehicle security systems for a living, you could say that it's secure :wink_smile:

 

[SafeGasInstall]

i can see all your power tool boxes on the second photo bottom rhs

 

[Carl86]

Id invest in a strong box if you dont take anything of value out the van when its not in use, when it comes to the gear we use its practially all of it. I'd also advise anyone to pick up a secur-i-disk tax disk holder for their van as well, couple of quid off the net. Had some fool burst my quater light windown to steal a disk with a few months tax on it. The mind wonders.

 

[R.Oak]

My humble little van is put to shame by most in this thread. Its does fine for what I need though 🙂

 

[SafeGasInstall]

My humble little van is put to shame by most in this thread. Its does fine for what I need though 🙂

Everything is brand new ......?

 

[R.Oak]

Everything is brand new ......?

The Van and Ladder are brand new. Everything else is old, im really anal about keeping things clean. Even the drill cases and fittings boxes get a regular wipe over 🙁

 

[kris]

Nice neat n tidy R.oak , Ive just bought a new van and been that busy that cant get chance to rack it out and its doin ma head in as like everythin in its place, also no roof rack so need one,,

 

[R.Oak]

Nice neat n tidy R.oak , Ive just bought a new van and been that busy that cant get chance to rack it out and its doin ma head in as like everythin in its place, also no roof rack so need one,,

I know what you mean, i made sure I had my ply lining and racking for when i got the new van as I knew id hate not having it sorted. The van arrived so i opened the ply lining kit to get started and some of it was damaged! I had to wait two days for a replacement! GRRR!

All sorted now though 🙂

 

[kris]

I mean the linnings done but just havent racked it out so most things just on floor its driving me mad but im too busy to take couple hrs off to do it,

 

[newcastle phill]

Finally reorganised mine.
My strong box multiple floor anchorage points and top locks.
1200 x 600 x 600.

Twin high level internal 3000mm exhausts 🙂

 

[newcastle phill]

Finally got the lock on back doors too 🙂

 

[Ermintrude]

Lenox hacksaw is beautiful

 

[newcastle phill]

Had a 50mm lip welded on top of vault so boxes dont go flying off when im delivering pizzas 😉

 

[R.Oak]

Lenox hacksaw is beautiful

amen to that 🙂

 

[newcastle phill]

Everything is brand new ......?

Henry looks so happy 🙂

 

[josh]

heres myn, took last week.
Organisation at it's best.

 

[plumben]

The Van and Ladder are brand new. Everything else is old, im really anal about keeping things clean. Even the drill cases and fittings boxes get a regular wipe over 🙁

Can I come work with you I prefer evrything clean and In its place, makes your life so much easier, my boss is the complete opposite, ill upload some pictures of my van tomorrow got the cement mixer in the back ATM

 

[townfanjon]

Hard stressfull day van

 

[townfanjon]

Chilled Monday morning van

 

[josh]

View attachment 19398
Chilled Monday morning van

nice, quality toolbox, only the pro's have them 😉
ermi turns up with his barbie case and wrench, haha.

 

[Ermintrude]

It's a bob the builder official one!

 

[Leo21]

None of you lot seem to carry anything! They all look nearly empty.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Henry is having a kip...hope you do more work then him!!

 

[SafeGasInstall]

None of you lot seem to carry anything! They all look nearly empty.

I think yours is not as organised and you are just realising that !?

 

[hammers4spanner]

Dunno how you lot operate with clean vans mines a tip because I'm a plumber

 

[PlumbersMate]

Dunno how you lot operate with clean vans mines a tip because I'm a plumber

No, because you're lazy.

 

[SafeGasInstall]

see some are plumbers some are not

 

[hammers4spanner]

Nah sod cleaning van lob it all in go home

 

[PlumbersMate]

Nah sod cleaning van lob it all in go home

I love a sunny evening spent cleaning and organising my van, very therapeutic

 

[hammers4spanner]

Rather mount the bird find that more stress relieving than cleaning a van

 

[kris]

View attachment 19396

heres myn, took last week.
Organisation at it's best.

Wowser spend all day lookin for tool box hehe

 

[Leo21]

Rather mount the bird find that more stress relieving than cleaning a van

Your a shining example to us all hammers.

 

[tolly]

Wowser spend all day lookin for tool box hehe

Looks like Jenga, remove that Stanley tool box and it all comes tumbling down. You have to remove it quickly and replace with something of similar size :smile5:

 

[Callum Curwood]

Does anyone else not really carry much materials in there van? I only carry the odd few waste fittings, wc parts etc. Got a box full of end feed and flopast fittings as well as off cuts of pipe, screw box. I just grab my parts before I start a job. Guessing it depends on what area of plumbing your doing then?

 

[Ermintrude]

Carry a few hundred fittings and atleast bundle of each on a normal day

 

[SafeGasInstall]

Carry a few hundred fittings and atleast bundle of each on a normal day

Where did you say you parked you van ? Lol

 

[Ermintrude]

Outside mine. Van vault got about 60m of each on for Mondays job

 

[plumben]

can never add picture grr

 

[hammers4spanner]

I carry whatever I can lift off site at the end off day

 

[plumben]

Best thing i ever did building my racking

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[Ermintrude]

 

[Leo21]

Best thing i ever did building my racking

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[/IMG]

Dude,your vans yellow.

 

[plumben]

Dude,your vans yellow.

I hated the colour at first but after having a crash im my last van the day before I went to the states for a month this was the best thing I could afford when I got back, I quite like the colour now

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

I hated the colour at first but after having a crash im my last van the day before I went to the states for a month this was the best thing I could afford when I got back, I quite like the colour now

personally think yellows a good colour it stands out

 

[plumben]

personally think yellows a good colour it stands out

Ive never had trouble remembering where I parked

 

[MK Heating]

Yellow is good, colour code for gas isn't it.

 

[Admin]

Don't mind me while I bump some threads in the plumbing forum category. This thread might not be a current topic, if it isn't, just let it drop off the list.

If you DO want to reply to it, go ahead, that's fine. Your post might add some value to the thread and help newer members in the future.

 

[Admin]

Don't mind me while I reply to a few of the threads. We need the new thread pages to be picked up correctly. If this thread isn't current, just visit the plumbing forum and post your own new thread or checkout the other existing threads.

 

[Admin]

Don't mind me while I reply to a few of the threads. We need the new thread pages to be picked up correctly. If this thread isn't current, just visit the plumbing forum and post your own new thread or checkout the other existing threads.