If you use a van or larger vehicle for work purposes at some point you will want to optimise this space and make your life easier and more efficient. This could be in the form of van shelving installation or installing shelving in your garage at home so you can unload larger equipment overnight and keep it secure.

One option to consider for optimising your work vehicle is Vauxhall Vivaro Van Leasing. Leasing a Vauxhall Vivaro provides you with a versatile and reliable vehicle that's well-suited for various work-related tasks. With ample cargo space and customizable options, it's an excellent choice for professionals looking to enhance their efficiency on the job.

Work van racking or shelving is a system of van conversion where shelves and compartments are installed in the cargo area of a work van to increase storage space and organization for precious gear like small tools, equipment, and supplies. Work van shelving can help maximize storage space, increase efficiency, and make it easier to access tools and equipment on job sites.

What you need will obviously depend on your job, what types of supplies you're transporting and your van. Luckily there are a wide variety of vans with differing capacity and space and there are storage options for all of these. Due to this, work van shelving has become a popular addition for those who need access to a variety of tools and materials when they visit their clients.

A yellow work van parked outside a red-bricked house — Credit: Unsplash.

What do you need?

The best way to determine your storage needs when selecting work van shelving is to study the van interior. A good place to start is to consider the type of work you do, the van layout and size. It's also important to ensure that the van shelves are installed properly to prevent shifting or movement while driving or opening of the rear doors at the back of your van.

Types of shelving or van racking are available in different materials. There are metal (aluminum shelves), traditional steel shelves, plastic, or wood, and these can be designed to fit specific work van models and sizes from a Ford Transit to the Mercedes Sprinter. Some common, useful features of work van shelving include adjustable shelves, a sliding drawer, bins, and even dividers to keep items organized and secure while the vehicle is in motion. You can even have an adaptable mobile workstation if you have plenty of room.

What would make your life easier?

Take some time to think about the items you use on every job, if there are small parts it's always handy to have close by. Which products are used rarely but are important to have on board? This process will allow you to work out how many of each product you need and if they should be closest to the door of the van for easy access or at the back. Should certain items be on a shelf or in a bin? What will move around if left uncovered? Consider also how to distribute the weight as evenly as possible. You can also use dangerous goods signage to help keep things organised.

An orange box full of spanners — Credit: Unsplash.

Types of storage

There are several types of storage systems available for vans, each designed to meet specific uses:

Shelving: As mentioned earlier, shelving systems are popular as they can be customised to fit your specific needs. Everything can be down to your preferred choice, from the size of your shelves, whether they are open or closed and if you would like adjustable shelving.
Drawers: Having lots of drawers allows for easy access to small parts or tools. Drawers can be attached to shelving and locked to keep items secure while the vehicle is in motion.
Ladder rack: These are an excellent storage option for those who need to transport long items like ladders or pipes. These racks can be mounted on the roof of the van and come in various sizes and styles to fit different needs.
Bin systems: You will have your own idea about how you want to organise and use your van space. However, bin systems are a type of storage that uses deep plastic bins to store tools and supplies. These bins can be stacked and organised in different ways to maximize storage space and make it easy to find what you need. This is especially useful for medium sized parts which don't fit easily in a drawer.
Partition systems: Partition systems are used to separate the cargo area of the van from the driver's compartment. This can provide additional storage space and can also help to improve safety by preventing items from shifting during transit.
False floors: A false floor in a van is a great way to provide additional storage space by raising the floor level into a false bed of the cargo area. This allows for items to be stored underneath the elevated floor, while still leaving room for larger items to be stored on top of the false floor. When installing a false floor in a van, it's important to consider the weight of the items that will be stored on top of it, as well as the weight of the false floor itself. This can affect the overall weight and efficiency of the van and add to fuel consumption.

Overall when selecting a storage system for your van, it's important to consider the type of work you do, the size and layout of your van, and your storage needs. Choosing the right storage system can help maximize space, increase efficiency, and save you time and money. Spending some time thinking about what would work best for you will make it easier to access tools and equipment when you're on the job.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.