Need ideas for Sprinter Van setup

[festooltim]

Moving from pickup with tool boxes to 08 Sprinter van, high top long wheelbase. Tons of space but I want to set it up right. I do residential remodeling, everything from framing to custom built ins. I like to keep everything with me because somedays you just don't know what your going to need. Any suggestions or advice would help. This is my first van so I'm not sure what to expect.

 

[dsweetser]

Look at Adrian Steel. They sell shelving for vans & trailers. The shelving units I bought for my trailer were just the right size for Festool Systainer & Sortainers.  Back in the day when I used a van, I made sure I could fit 4x8 sheet goods flat on the floor between shelving units. Good luck.

 

[Kev]

Is the van a cab-thru or is there a bulk head? Be very carful about stuff coming to hit you. Also, make sure you never have a length of material that can be pushed through you from behind.

There's quite a few examples of van fit outs on the FOG is you search about.

A metal frame that can "crumple" would be my personal choice if it was me.

 

[ericbuggeln]

Dont glue anything together if you outfit it yourself, so later in the future when you come up with better ideas or you need more room for more systainers, you can readjust easier. The van is never done. Do yourself a favor and get a power inverter and hook it up to your vans battery. You can charge tool batteries all day long and she'll still start up at the end of the day. I got mine at Napa. Go to your local Benjamin Moore dealer and ask for something bullet proof for the flooring if its not already taken care of. I have eye hooks and bungees attached to all my shelving, so i can strap stuff like a Ct22 down from rolling around. Eric

 

[festooltim]

Thanks for the advice. The safety factor is very important, I know all to well what can happen when it all goes wrong. But I was in a truck then and even a Bobcat can snap its chains and come at you. By the grace of God it stopped before it got to me. Hope to take some pictures when I get some of it in.

 

[greenMonster]

try youtube.
While drooling over getting a sprinter I used to amuse myself by youtube videos in the meantime...

 

[Scarpia]

I've been planning, designing and purchasing materials for mine for the last two years, but I never found the time to build them. I finally gave up and went to the local branch of  http://www.inlad.com/. I'm just getting basic shelves along the driver's side and a bulkhead from Adrian steel. I never saw the need for the bulkhead until I saw the youtube video someone posted here of a van without one hitting a wall.   You can also look at  http://sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php for more pictures of custom shelving units if that is the way you want to go.

 

[Aaron Underdahl]

Here are some pics of my sprinter.  I remember when I got my van a couple years ago, I couldn't find any images online to help me set mine up.  I hope this helps you get your Sprinter set up the way you want. 

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[Alan m]

nice van set up.
those 8x 4 s look miniscul in there..
you could probably put a spare van in there.

not sure about the bumper sticker. might draw some atention. there would bge some stick on site here if you rocked up with that

 

[Kev]

Those vans are huge! Looks like clear standing headroom ??

You could setup a decent workbench in there from the look of it!

 

[Aaron Underdahl]

Kev, ceiling height I believe is 6'4".  I am 6' and have no problem walking around in the van.  There is plenty of room for a nice workbench.  I initially was going to put one in this van but decided I would rather use that space for tool storage and cargo room.  I have had workbenches in other vehicles but for me I  do not use them much.

The really nice thing about the sprinters are I can haul all my tools and have room to deliver an average size kitchen cabinet job, all while getting 20mpg! [smile]

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Kev, ceiling height I believe is 6'4".  I am 6' and have no problem walking around in the van.  There is plenty of room for a nice workbench.  I initially was going to put one in this van but decided I would rather use that space for tool storage and cargo room.  I have had workbenches in other vehicles but for me I  do not use them much.

The really nice thing about the sprinters are I can haul all my tools and have room to deliver an average size kitchen cabinet job, all while getting 20mpg! [smile]

Aaron,

That's what I like about them.  I don't have one yet.  You have the gas or diesel?

 

[Aaron Underdahl]

Ken,

Turbo diesel. You would be hard pressed to find a gas engine anywhere in the NW.  When I purchased mine in 08 I spent several months researching and did not come across one gas sprinter.

 

[festooltim]

Great idea with the 3rd hands I never thought of that. I'm going with a bench on one side with Kapex in middle. So if I have to make a few quick cuts I'm set up and ready to go. Hopefully after this weekend I can take some pics and show what I have started.

 

[Jonhilgen]

What's the damage for one of those vans?  Yes, the mileage is better, but diesel costs more per gallon.  Just trying to run numbers to justify ditching my Tundra, but the math isn't working out the way I want it to.  Especially if I were to outfit it.

Jon

 

[peter halle]

Great ideas!  Can't wait to see more.  If I am still in the business when Ford introduces their Eurovans I will be looking to make a switch.

Peter

 

[greenMonster]

What's the damage for one of those vans?  Yes, the mileage is better, but diesel costs more per gallon.  Just trying to run numbers to justify ditching my Tundra, but the math isn't working out the way I want it to.  Especially if I were to outfit it.

Jon

they don't, unless you factor in your back, speed of deployment, and other such intangibles

 

[jmbfestool]

What's the damage for one of those vans?  Yes, the mileage is better, but diesel costs more per gallon.  Just trying to run numbers to justify ditching my Tundra, but the math isn't working out the way I want it to.  Especially if I were to outfit it.

Jon

Mileage is better than what?  Jesus man I would say 20mpg is extremely poor you must be running some very fuel hungry vans/pick-ups  lol

I would hate to drive a van which only does 20mpg.  My Van does 40mpg  and I think that's not great.  Would cost a lot to run a van which only does 20mpg.

Jmb

 

[Kev]

What's the damage for one of those vans?  Yes, the mileage is better, but diesel costs more per gallon.  Just trying to run numbers to justify ditching my Tundra, but the math isn't working out the way I want it to.  Especially if I were to outfit it.

Jon

Mileage is better than what?  Jesus man I would say 20mpg is extremely poor you must be running some very fuel hungry vans/pick-ups  lol

I would hate to drive a van which only does 20mpg.  My Van does 40mpg  and I think that's not great.   Would cost a lot to run a van which only does 20mpg.

Jmb

The reality is how much of your income is consumed for a given distance ... not how much of the planet goes out your exhaust per km (or mile) ... shame how screwed up things are because of the oil/energy giants.

 

[greenMonster]

I get about 8mpg with a strong tail wind and a light lunch  [unsure]