Ford Transit Connect Festool Upfit

[HandyDen]

I'm starting a Handyman business, and I'm hoping my tiny Ford Transit Connect will be adequate to transport all of my tools.  I like using Systainers, and tried to combine tools when possible (my Rotex, ETS and all abrasives are in a Sys 2; my CXS and PDC are both in one drawer of a Sortainer).  I still have room for the Kapex, assuming it's shipped out in August as expected...

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[Jeff Zanin]

Very nice, it looks tight but you have a lot of stuff in there which is needed if you are doing a broad range of work.

I really like the idea of the Transit Connect especially for urban & suburban job sites where parking and space can be an issue.

Is there room for material or do you have that delivered?

 

[HandyDen]

Thanks, it is very tight! I definitely wanted something I could fit into my garage, and now I'm starting to have second thoughts on purchasing a Mercedes Metris instead.

I can get 2-3 sheets of ply on the roof, or a few hundred linear feet of base/case up there, but I plan to have most things dropped in the driveway by the lumber mill.  I also plan to buy a small utility trailer in case I need to pick up a load of cabinets, or bring stuff to the dump.

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[Jeff Zanin]

I suspect the difference in purchase and maintenance between the Transit and the Metris will pay for a lot of deliveries with plenty left over for a trailer and even renting a cargo van if that is necessary. 

I saw a Metris at HD today, they are not that common around here and I couldn't tell what trade the guy was in, but it was sitting pretty low at the back whatever he was carrying in there.

 

[HandyDen]

That's a good (& funny) point!

 

[Wildwoods]

Looks like a very nice and efficient use of space. Excellent job.

 

[TSO_Products]

[member=66098]HandyDen[/member] - great job on packing out that Transit Connect.  Congratulations, too, on your steel cargo barrier - an absolute must in our opinion.

As you undoubtedly know, FESTOOL has been working with commercial van and vehicle outfitter BOTT in Germany to develop tailor made elements for optimizing tool storage and transport in smaller Vans - like the Metris.

It's not widely recognized in the US that Daimler is one of the worlds largest commercial truck and vehicle builders. Tradespeople in the US inherited a legacy of that uniquely American vehicle known as a Pick-up which causes puzzled looks on European tradespeople faces. European have been using vans for a very long time encouraged by the space limitations of european community streets and low commercial garage heights.

In the US open country and suburban areas SPRINTER and FORD Transit are growing in popularity with the high roof version seemingly being the "normal" for trades people. I see a lot more growth and development as mobile woodworking continues to grow along with tools so well suited to mobile work as well.

keep it up and keep us posted as you move forward with your business!

Hans

 

[Sparktrician]

As you undoubtedly know, FESTOOL has been working with commercial van and vehicle outfitter BOTT in Germany to develop tailor made elements for optimizing tool storage and transport in smaller Vans - like the Metris.

If this is the same system that was being shown at the last Festool Connect in Lebanon in '17, the one thing that really stuck out to me was just how much wasted space there was in that system.  [member=66098]HandyDen[/member]'s system puts Systainers pretty tightly side-to-side and wastes little space.  The system being shown at the '17 Connect in a Metris was not engineered for Systainers, the result of which was that there was a considerable volume on either side of the Systainers that was just wasted.  I recall making a comment to one of the Festool reps at the time about the wastage of space and stating how the system should be redesigned to fit the Metris or any other van such that the space was better utilized.  If I was going to fit out a van, whatever I chose would be very tightly fitted so that all space was used intelligently and efficiently.  I have yet to see a commercially made system that can do as well as a well-fitted custom system.

 

[HandyDen]

Thanks for all the comments and input.  One thing I'm noticing is that I can't afford to be sloppy and just throw stuff in the back after a job, because it prevents me from getting to the tools on the next job.  If I leave just a few tools out on the floor of the van, I literally can't get into the systainers.  I spend a few extra minutes at cleanup to make sure everything is put away.  I think the small space forces me to be more organized and as a result, makes the van look cleaner to clients.

[member=59331]TSO Products[/member]  - I'd love to make room for some parallel guides in the van, when they're finally available. Any time frame on that?

 

[bermuda]

I also work out of a Connect. You have done an impressive job with the van. Good luck with the new business.
What brand of roof rack is that?
Thks

 

[HandyDen]

I also work out of a Connect. You have done an impressive job with the van. Good luck with the new business.
What brand of roof rack is that?
Thks

Thanks.  After all that work, I decided I needed more room...it was like playing Tetris after every job.  I ended up buying the Mercedes Metris, which is a bit larger in every dimension.  Luckily, I was able to move my systainer shelves into the new van.

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The roof rack is an AluRack. I love it because it has plenty of room and attachment points, and it has a really nice roller to assist in getting stuff onto the roof - highly recommend it.  I actually took that rack off my Transit before selling it, but then realized it wouldn’t fit on the Metris...it’s now on Craigslist