Hi folks! I'm new to the forum but was dying to post a message. So....luggage....
When we got our 2017 T6 204 LWB Kombi a few weeks ago, it had the optional carpeted Kombi bulkhead which was nice and was also ply- lined in the back. The single previous owner had used the van to maintain dairy parlours. I removed both the bulkhead (glazed with VW emblem moulded, nice, kept it just in case) and the ply and underneath the ply the original VW hardboard panels and rubber floor had been left and were pristine, seriously, like new!
Anyway...in the process of deadening and insulating the van I decided that we needed some method of securing everything from flying around in the back but still retain load length for carrying materials.
I have been an Audi A6 Avant owner for years now and I thought "hmmmm....those rails in the back at the sides of the boot floor are pretty handy....I wonder if i could fit them?"
I intended to fit the rails to the rear sides along the middle trim clip line and use bungees between them and the lashing points on the floor.
So....bought a set second hand including the little fold out hooks for £20 quid off ebay! Used the second trim clip hole to locate the first 40mm M8 bolt hole and CAREFULLY measured, punched and then drilled the 2 remaining holes to 10mm. Repeated the holes through the hardboard.
The difficult bit was going to be fitting a nut behind the van superstructure to bolt to. First I inserted a rivnut or 2 using the old ratchet, spanner etc. method by hand but wasn't that happy so went even more simple and attached nuts with captive serrated lock washers directly behind the holes with insulating tape!!!
Worked perfectly. As long as you screw gently and loosely carefully
eek
at the start, whenever the bolt begins to tighten, the washer is held in place by the tape long enough to get some friction and then you can tighten the rails up as much as you like. Works like a dream, the fix points (2 per rail) release and can be slid backwards or forwards so with a bunch of various lengthed bungees you can strap anything up in any way you like!
My next plan is to get my Father to "knit" the edges of a piece of fishing net the size of the bulkhead/ partition i removed, to prevent stuff possibly coming forward in the event of a crash, but still be easily dropped at one side to allow entry via the folding seat but mainly to prevent dirty dog access to the front area!!!
Hope this helps someone, any interest and I'll post some photos.
