Van Sysport Secure Containers

[Guy Ashley]

I am starting this thread with a hope that FOG members will be able to post examples of their existing storage racks or systems for Festool systainers in their vans.

I have been fitting solid resin worktops for a custom kitchen which means having to work outside due to dust and noise and had an "interesting experience" when a young travelling gentleman (Have to be politically correct in the UK!!!!) who was tarmacing a drive near by, tried to "borrow on a permanent basis", my Bosch SDS drill out of the back of my transit van.

Fortunately he didn't get to the Festool systainers due to my highly developed security system (Bad tempered Jack Russell terrier [big grin]) but these were just in plywood racks and so a bit vulnerable.

Usually the dog sleeps in the cab of the Transit but due to the hot day I had shoved him in the back and he saved the day, but any other day I would have light of some hard earned kit.

There are a lot of threads about homemade sysports for the workshop but I would be interested to know and see what other members have developed for vehicular storage and security.

Guy

 

[joiner1970]

I have been after a storage design for my VW T5 in the end I put my van vault back in from my old van not great but it is secure. If you see any good ideas let me know.

 

[mastercabman]

For security,  Ditch the Jack Russel and get a German Shepherd [laughing] [laughing] [laughing]

For real,I'm keep the back of my truck closed most of the time.If i'm in the middle of nowhere on a big property then i just keep it open.

 

[mouppe]

Doesn't Van Sysport play for the Dutch football team?

;D

 

[jmbfestool]

I have racked my van out for systainers and in my opinion how I have built it it would be really easy to either lock the entire section or individual sections.  I will take some photos this weekend and show how I would personally make it lockable.  because when I have time I will have mine so I can lock it but you can still see all the systainers. Im thinking of doing mine locking all of it.  I it will also lock you Kapex or festool C22 extractor  or if your van is big enough can do both but mine isnt  [sad]

 

[Mac]

Doesn't Van Sysport play for the Dutch football team?

;D

[big grin]  Brilliant.

 

[peter halle]

Guy,

I was driving down the street Saturday and saw that the Ford Transits - new to America - are cheaper than I thought.

Does yours have the side doors on both sides?  Where do you want to store your systainers?  How many systainers do you have?

I ask all these questions because I am always looking to the possibilities in the future and mentioned to my wife that I needed to redo all my storage options in the my vehicles to better suit the systainers and shrinking down what I carry.  I took out the kitchen sink yesterday  [scared] - just kidding.

We are different here with vehicles.  Right now my truck and trailer measure almost 11 meters long.  Times are changing here and I would rather be on the forefront versus being last to adapt.

I would really love to know more how you and others in areas outside the US perform their jobs with smaller vehicles.  Either post here - preferred, or feel free to send a PM.

Peter

 

[Inner10]

Peter believe it or not I work out of a Honda Element.  That being said I also have a cube-van with a 16 foot box that lately has acted as more of a warehouse then an actual work vehicle.  I use to use the cubbie exclusively except after doing a bunch of jobs in the down-town sector I started using my daily driver (the honda).  After converting most of my tools to systainers I can do about 90% of my jobs without the need for a larger vehicle.

Organization set me free, I use to spend 30 minutes looking for something mired deep within the depths of the cube van, now I have everything at my fingertips and either I have it or I don't have it.  Instead of bringing it all I plan my trip, I know my job I know what tools I may or may not need and I can load and unload my vehicle in 10-15 minutes. 

I'l throw up some pics when I get the chance.  [big grin]

 

[peter halle]

Peter believe it or not I work out of a Honda Element.  That being said I also have a cube-van with a 16 foot box that lately has acted as more of a warehouse then an actual work vehicle.  I use to use the cubbie exclusively except after doing a bunch of jobs in the down-town sector I started using my daily driver (the honda).  After converting most of my tools to systainers I can do about 90% of my jobs without the need for a larger vehicle.

Organization set me free, I use to spend 30 minutes looking for something mired deep within the depths of the cube van, now I have everything at my fingertips and either I have it or I don't have it.  Instead of bringing it all I plan my trip, I know my job I know what tools I may or may not need and I can load and unload my vehicle in 10-15 minutes. 

I'l throw up some pics when I get the chance.  [big grin]

I appreciate any guidance offered.  My intent is not to hijack this thread.  Moving to smaller vehicles will become more important for contractors here and all over the world and much guidance can be gained from those in other counties AND those who already operate out of smaller vehicles here in North America.

I, and others, I suspect, look forward to any and all information posted.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

Peter believe it or not I work out of a Honda Element.  That being said I also have a cube-van with a 16 foot box that lately has acted as more of a warehouse then an actual work vehicle.  I use to use the cubbie exclusively except after doing a bunch of jobs in the down-town sector I started using my daily driver (the honda).  After converting most of my tools to systainers I can do about 90% of my jobs without the need for a larger vehicle.

Organization set me free, I use to spend 30 minutes looking for something mired deep within the depths of the cube van, now I have everything at my fingertips and either I have it or I don't have it.  Instead of bringing it all I plan my trip, I know my job I know what tools I may or may not need and I can load and unload my vehicle in 10-15 minutes.  

I'l throw up some pics when I get the chance.  [big grin]

Well, you are welcome [big grin].

Peter, what is 11 meters in feet?  [huh]

36 feet, that is a good sized set up.

I have a 20' enclosed trailer, which since I started switching over to systainers is about 14' too long.
The only good part about it is the ability to carry long trim boards and have  mobile material storage.

I can fit a house full of windows in there, a complete kitchen, siding, drywall, a small horse and a couple chickens. [big grin]

 

[peter halle]

I'll come visit and you can make breakfast in your trailer  [big grin]

My rig is a 2005 Ford F350 with an 8 foot bed with a cab high cap.  I tow a 5 ft wide by 10 ft high trailer with 6 ft of interior height.  The trailer has a wedge nose that allows me to carry 13 feet long material down the center.

All my Festools except the MFT/3 are carried on in the truck.  If there is a trailer issue, good-bye Makita, Bosch, Dewalt, Hitachi, etc.  Not Festool.  Those are with me!

I probably carry 1000 lbs of hardware / fasteners in the trailer.  Plus tools, materials, etc,.  Many days I do not know what the job is until I arrive.  [eek]

I am shorter than you.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

If I fold the second row seats down in my suburban, I can fit all my festool stuff, all my systainers and still usually have room for trim and such.

I think Dan fits all his stuff in a PT cruiser or something like that.

 

[peter halle]

Dan Rush supposedly does fit all his stuff in his PT Cruiser but he hasn't shared photos of how he does it   [poke]

This what I am going for both for us in the US and elsewhere.  How can you do it with less space - less expense - less operating costs.

We need to change here.  Other parts of the world already have and can give valuable advice.

Peter

 

[WarnerConstCo.]

I know, Festool and Mercedes team up and offer an AMG Sprinter, nicely badged by Festool, with a sweet tanos rack system in the back.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Craig posted a video of his jobsite trailer with Festool in it.

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-jigs-tool-enhancements/transport/

There may be other examples but this is the one that comes to mind right off.

 

[james burns]

I put my stuff in the boot of my Ferrari ;D

 

[GPowers]

Here is a video of the Tanos mobile system posted in another thread

http://festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/tanos-mobil/

 

[tDot]

When I lived in the Domincan Republic, contractors used to carry most everthing on scooters. No need for a big truck. I once watched two guys drag a bundle of rebar behnd them, the sparks were flying, but they made it work.

I've always used them as inspiration as I try to resist the urge to buy a trailer or a bigger truck. I'd love to have everything in a small Sprinter van, or something even smaller. So I'd also love to see how people sysport their vans, and also how they deal with materials/supplies too. 

 

[Guy Ashley]

Wow a hot topic!

Thanks mastercabman, I would rather ditch the wife than the Jack Russell, although I could put her in the back of the van, she has an equally vile temper at times!!

Dutch football team, nice one, made me chuckle!

Hi Brett, I have seen your set up when you dropped by the workshop, I have already something similar, but I was thinking of something more secure such as angle iron and locking bars.

Peter, the Transit is the general choice of the tradesman in the UK, robust, cheap spares and 40 mpg on diesel. They come in three lengths, Short Wheel Base, Medium Wheel Base and Long Wheel Base, and also three heights Low, Medium & High. I have the Mid Height, Medium Wheel Base and can comfortably fit 8' x 4' sheets of stock in the side and a 3m kitchen worktop in at a diagonal.

As far as I know the Transit only comes with one side door option which is essential when you are street parking and some Muppet parks so close to you you cant open the rear doors.

At the moment I have 15 systainers/sortainers but I am sure they breed as everytime I visit my local Festool dealer another one somehow appears in the workshop!! [big grin]

I have a very basic plywood racking system which is built in above the wheel arch, like most chippy's here in the UK and that's where I would prefer to keep the systainer storage. I also need to fit in SCMS, folding saw horses, tool bag, etc, oh and Hannibal Lecter's bed (the Jack Russell)!

I have looked at the video threads and the Tanos system but they are just racking which is ok as a concept but I guess what I am looking for is a vehicle sysport with locking bars.

Having visited downtown Chicago in another life I know you also have to consider the light fingered elements of society so I am sure someone has a security system that doesn't require teeth and feeding!

Guy     

 

[harry_]

My Ride:

Dodge 1500 2wd with a high cap & roll-out bed.

Mid December (pardon the darkness).

Within the last month, half loaded.

The unfortunate thing about my arrangement is that in general, I cannot haul both tools and stock