Author Topic: Your Work VAN / TRUCK (Read 122954 times)

mike68au · « **on:** March 09, 2014, 09:31 AM »

I thought this thread could be a general Work Van / Truck image thread, a place we can come back to for reference and ideas when doing our own vehicles. So please post up what you have no matter what, it's always great to bounce concepts and ideas around.

I'll get the ball rolling ---- so after seeing some of the other Vans guys are using for work i thought i would put up some shots of my little van, it's a Volkswagen Caddy 1.9 litter TDi with 6 speed DSG Auto
These of course are a Euro and Australian vehicle mainly ( not sure what other countries get them ) it's based on the VW golf platform and they share a good deal of running gear. It now also comes in a longer wheel base ( Released 6 months after i bought mine)

When i first got it i had no shelving but I quickly had it fitted out with a standard steel Rola Shelving set. In the past year i have moved over to nearly entirely Systainer and Sortainer storage, I intend to keep a bit of the original steel frame but will be changing it slightly to better suit the Systainers, and maintaining some of the storage bins that i currently have.
I will also be creating a ply frame for all the Sortainers to fit into at the back , but I'm not rushing as i try combinations for a week or so to see if the concept / layout may work first.
Being such a small van i have to make sure that access and functionality are retained, i don't want to find it to hard to get to things as it was in the past.

So here are a few images from the past and current.

Jon Hilgenberg · « **Reply #1 on:** March 09, 2014, 12:04 PM »

Here's my truck.

\

<<edit: rotated, resized, edited contrast, inserted full size - P.Halle>>

SMJoinery · « **Reply #2 on:** March 09, 2014, 01:23 PM »

Here is mine.
Made some alterations today by making and fitting some sealant tube storage on back doors.
Ready for work tomorrow (the upvc window).

SMJoinery · « **Reply #3 on:** March 09, 2014, 01:27 PM »

Nice vans guys and Jon I like the idea of the sliding bed...I've never seen anything like that over here.
Will you consider having the vehicles liveried / sign written?

Jon Hilgenberg · « **Reply #4 on:** March 09, 2014, 04:23 PM »

Quote from: Jon Hilgenberg on March 09, 2014, 12:04 PM

Here's my truck.

(Attachment Link) \

<<edit: rotated, resized, edited contrast, inserted full size - P.Halle>>

Peter, please feel free to replace my truck with a Connect as well!

(Thanks..)

Jon Hilgenberg · « **Reply #5 on:** March 09, 2014, 04:28 PM »

Quote from: SMJoinery on March 09, 2014, 01:27 PM

Nice vans guys and Jon I like the idea of the sliding bed...I've never seen anything like that over here.
Will you consider having the vehicles liveried / sign written?

Thanks. The bedslide makes the truck much less aggravating to pack and unpack tools. Not as nice as a van, but I like the fact that I can use my truck on the weekend to get around (like bringing paddle boards to the beach or when guests come into town).
I keep telling myself "I need to get some lettering done" and I never do. This has to be the year...windows only, just in case I decide to trade it in.

Jon

RobBob · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2014, 06:36 PM »

Quote from: Jon Hilgenberg on March 09, 2014, 04:28 PM

Quote from: SMJoinery on March 09, 2014, 01:27 PM
Nice vans guys and Jon I like the idea of the sliding bed...I've never seen anything like that over here.
Will you consider having the vehicles liveried / sign written?

Thanks. The bedslide makes the truck much less aggravating to pack and unpack tools. Not as nice as a van, but I like the fact that I can use my truck on the weekend to get around (like bringing paddle boards to the beach or when guests come into town).
I keep telling myself "I need to get some lettering done" and I never do. This has to be the year...windows only, just in case I decide to trade it in.

Jon

What about magnetic signs for each side and the tailgate?

overanalyze · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2014, 08:26 PM »

Here's ours. Our Kapex stays at the shop when not needed.

Stefanb07 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2014, 05:03 PM »

Here is my little truck

curt boyer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:19 PM »

Did a little drawer work today!

batcave · « **Reply #10 on:** March 15, 2014, 10:38 PM »

Now that's exotic.

jonny round boy · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2014, 06:31 AM »

Quote from: curt boyer on March 15, 2014, 10:19 PM

Did a little drawer work today!

Jeez, I think your truck is bigger than my workshop...

mike68au · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2014, 09:14 AM »

If you can set up your Kapex alongside a Drill press i'd have to say you have Space for sure.

As for the draws the mix of colours is a nice touch

duburban · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2014, 10:08 AM »

Quote from: curt boyer on March 15, 2014, 10:19 PM

Did a little drawer work today!

Drooling over this setup. Its images like these that make me realize how archaic it is to work out of a pickup truck…

curt boyer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2014, 10:50 AM »

I worked out of pickups for the last 25 years. This truck is a 16' box truck that I've had for almost a year! It's been a nice change from the pickup. I spend a lot of time in truck so I wanted to make it a fun and creative place to be, as it is my only shop. I've been doing a lot of cookie cutter carpentry lately that pays the bills but does nothing for the soul. So I thought I kill two birds by using wood that I haven't worked with and that my clients weren't aware of. It nice to be able to show some exotic woods as there used everyday.

festooltim · « **Reply #15 on:** March 16, 2014, 12:04 PM »

Looks a lot like Ron Paulks box truck with the drawers and cubbies. Been thinking about trying that drawer style in my van. I don't have the easiest access to my tools. The shelves get mixed up after a while. I tend to just the tool in somewhere if it doesn't have its own spot. What did you make tour drawer boxes out of.

curt boyer · « **Reply #16 on:** March 16, 2014, 02:09 PM »

Yeah Ron's truck was my inspiration and obsession! Tool access was paramount in this truck. With the pickup I had to move things to get to other things, untie ropes, and undo straps. With this truck I can walk in and open a drawer or reach into a cubby and get instant tool or material access.

RobBob · « **Reply #17 on:** March 16, 2014, 06:46 PM »

Looks huge. Can we see a shot of the outside of the truck and another from the rear looking into the open back? Thanks.

curt boyer · « **Reply #18 on:** March 16, 2014, 10:24 PM »

Here is the new truck next to the old one.

3PedalMINI · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2014, 12:46 AM »

I personally got to see Curts truck quite a few months back and these pictures just do not do it any justice. The amount of thought,engineering,craftsmen ship and layout is something to be seen. Curt and I were talking back there for quite sometime and really got a feel for how something like this truck can replace a garage. Never did I feel cramped and everything was within arms reach....it is truly incredible!

curt boyer · « **Reply #20 on:** March 17, 2014, 08:14 AM »

Hey Brendon, thanks for the kind words. If your in the area you should check out the truck, it's changed quite a bit. How's the new ride?
Festooltim I used ac plywood for the drawer boxes.
Curt

currentsupply · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2014, 12:34 AM »

Wow, that box truck is incredible. What is your source of 120v?

curt boyer · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2014, 12:24 PM »

I have a 100' 10-3 cord on a reel that I plug into the job power.

currentsupply · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2014, 04:03 PM »

Quote from: curt boyer on March 19, 2014, 12:24 PM

I have a 100' 10-3 cord on a reel that I plug into the job power.

OK. I guess that makes sense as long as it's available. mostly larger project work sites. Can you plug in at houses too with an adapter? So you require 120/240v?

curt boyer · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2014, 06:47 PM »

I plug into where ever three is power. 15 amp circuits work ok, but a 20 amp works very well. I wired the truck with a small electric panel with four circuits. I have one for the left side, one for the right side, one for lights, and one for heat. One of the reasons for setting this truck up is the flexibility of going to multiple small jobs as well as the bigger projects. Lately we've been doing a lot of small jobs where it as easy as plugging the truck in and the shop is all set up. This past winter was our second snowiest winter ever, which made setting up the table saw and mitersaw outside impossible.

festooltim · « **Reply #25 on:** March 19, 2014, 07:00 PM »

What do you use for heat. I use a small propane heater in my van it works pretty good. When I start it up I leave it on high for about 45 minutes it gets toasty then I can turn it down.

curt boyer · « **Reply #26 on:** March 19, 2014, 08:51 PM »

I use a small propane heater as well. I was going to install electric heat but ran out of time and money. With another cord I then have another circuit if I'm running energy hungry tools like my bigger compressor or wide belt sander. The truck has a lift gate that extends the truck 5' to make it easier for ripping on the tablesaw and to lift my wide belt sander or a bandsaw if needed. The lift gate works great for lifting plaster laden trash cans without injuring yourself. We worked on a house where the front door was 4' higher than the driveway. I used my extendable plank that I always carry to fashion a bridge from front door to lift gate, which saved a lot of steps literally all day.

Untidy Shop · « **Reply #27 on:** April 04, 2014, 06:59 AM »

My fancy van is actually a

BOOT

. . . but I only have to move some of my stuff between two houses.

WoodguyDK · « **Reply #28 on:** April 05, 2014, 05:29 PM »

This is my van - Ford Transit 330L

More pictures in this topic: http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/interior-of-my-new-van-ford-transit/

overanalyze · « **Reply #29 on:** April 05, 2014, 07:10 PM »

Quote from: WoodguyDK on April 05, 2014, 05:29 PM

This is my van - Ford Transit 330L

More pictures in this topic: http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/interior-of-my-new-van-ford-transit/

Fantastic setup! Great use of small space. Do you like the transit as a work vehicle or do you wish you had more space?