Ply floor

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Quick one guys. Just wondering how do you guys fix the ply down to yer vans? I have the ply cut for the floor of my van ready to fix down. Also what way do any of ye that have Renault Trafic van fix ply to the sides of the van? I have 6mm ply to fix to the side of the van.

 

[joiner1970]

I just swapped the tie down hoops for countersunk machine screws. Usually people just screw down with self tappers or you could use silicone

 

[Davej]

I don't fix the ply to the floor , just half lap and glue the joint . Fix the ply to the sides with pan head self drilling screws . When you rack it out the floor won't move .
That's how I've always done it and never had any problems.

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Just screw it direct to the floor of the van with self drilling/or any sharp pointed woodscrews, you may need to pack under the joint of the 2 pieces of ply if it lands on a low point of the van floor

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Cheers guys. Would you use 30mm screws in 19mm ply to fix it down or are they a bit long?

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

30mm should be fine mate

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Cheers buddy  [big grin] Did you fix any ply to the side of your van before putting any racking in? If you did how did you go about it

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Yes I did mate just screwed it to the metal braces/cross sections with the same screws

 

[jonny round boy]

Just be careful on your screw length above the fuel tank. They tend to be pretty tight up against the underside of the floor on some vans!

 

[MAK]

Just be careful on your screw length above the fuel tank. They tend to be pretty tight up against the underside of the floor on some vans!

Definitely,  the kitchen company I do a lot of fits for had his brand new vivaro fitted with a ply kit by the garage, and they managed to put a hole in the fuel tank.

 

[jonny round boy]

Just be careful on your screw length above the fuel tank. They tend to be pretty tight up against the underside of the floor on some vans!

Definitely,  the kitchen company I do a lot of fits for had his brand new vivaro fitted with a ply kit by the garage, and they managed to put a hole in the fuel tank.

To be fair, it's usually fine until you take the screw out again!

 

[aas]

I wouldn't personally screw into the floor... it will rust around the screw holes eventually (I've seen it happen.) Even if you don't plan on keeping the van long enough, it's not a nice problem to pass on to the next owner.

I use silicone or polyurethane mastic for the floor. Has the added benefit of damping out road sounds a bit. For the sides, I use countersunk self-drilling screws, they pull the ply nice and tight so there are no vibrations, and the countersunk head leaves a nice flush finish. I also put in some sound insulation before doing the sides, siliconed to the panels, and then some multi-layer foil/bubblewrap type insulation - keeps the van cool in the summer so less work for the air-con. Nice quiet ride too!

 

[MAK]

Just be careful on your screw length above the fuel tank. They tend to be pretty tight up against the underside of the floor on some vans!

Definitely,  the kitchen company I do a lot of fits for had his brand new vivaro fitted with a ply kit by the garage, and they managed to put a hole in the fuel tank.

To be fair, it's usually fine until you take the screw out again!

Sounds like a voice of experience

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

[attachimg=1] Here's what I achivee today with the few hours I had spare to do it. Iv never drivin a van with the weight so much to one side like it is now. I'll have to alter my driving style a bit now. I have always just had the tools on the floor of the vans Iv had.

 

[Deansocial]

All the gear is on 1 side of my van. Cant say it feels any different

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

It feels like the van leans more to one side now and a little less stable. Could be just my mind caus iv never had racking in a van before

 

[Mbconstructionjoinery]

Mine to doesn't seem to drive any different I do keep my tool boxes (hand tools) on the other side though

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Ya I'll trybthat as well. It might help balance things out a bit.