T5.1 Racking

[Mrcl]

Hi all!

My first thread on here but been trawling through this site for years, so hopefully doesn’t flop!

We (me & dad) have built bespoke racking in the cargo area and thought I would share as I can’t really find much about this on here or other forums, mainly just the premade stuff (correct me if I’m wrong) but I know me and a lot of others tend to build our own racking to suit our needs, so great to get some inspiration and feedback. Even though it’s a T5.1 it still applies to the T6 and 6.1 and the cargo areas are pretty much identical, so may be some inspiration or just for people to have a nose as each other’s vans, something we all love to do!

Currently have had a SWB T5.1 - 63 Reg for about a year (T6.1 soon), was going to buy a T6 at the time but this came along at a really, really good price so had to buy it, even if for a short while and at the time the T6.1 Rumours were rife!

I am a plumber by trade, but when ‘on the tools’ mainly bathrooms and house refurbishments, so the van needs to be able to carry all and a wide variety of my kit, as you never know what you may need. Materials wise, we have a MWB Crafter (18 Reg) that is used as a delivery van for materials for our workmen across various sites, so not a priority but some stock is needed.

Build below:

 

[Mrcl]

The van was an ex sky van so had a huge VW service history (they throw money at their vans and the dealer catches all of it!) plus the VW Service Centre is my local one so added bonus! Plus as a Sky van it had their sky sports wrap on it so the body is excellent for the year!

First thing needed was the remove the weisdeck floor and poxy grey ply lining in the cargo area:

Secondly was the clean the cargo area as, underneath it was filthy:

Next was to fit all new 6mm ply lining to the walls and doors and 12mm to the floor, these were purchased ready cut but a little trimming was needed here and there to get a good fit:


Next is the raised floor!

 

[Mrcl]

So! Before I even purchased a Transporter I was adamant about a raised floor, mainly for the benefits it provides from storage of tools and materials and that still allows you to easily load additional/larger items on top without hindering (mostly)

First thing is that you need to know what you want to achieve from it, and what you want to store underneath, for me it was longer items of materials such as pipe, wood and skim beads as well as some more delicate kit such as levels in addition it’s a good place to store bits you may need to get to in a hurry as you always know where they are and they are easy to get to!

Setting out is key!

- On the right are three standard squarguttering down pipes, this is for the storage of pipe and skim beads.
- On the left is the section for two bespoke draws, these are to be made out of mdf, piece in the middle is to keep the bases square and allows for a small 10mm gap between the draw so they slide in and out easily and unhindered.
- Centre is mainly for the storage of timber. I found the centre placement is better as it’s the biggest section and often kept topped up with wood so if weight is on top it’s well supported.

The raised floor is sat on 4x2 timber, this was chosen as the strength it provides is ample and our most used timber is 3x2 and 2x1 so would allow these to be easily slid underneath!

On the photo bellow, note the piece of wood against the bulkhead, to stop it all hitting the bulkhead when braking! A god send! Carpeting Next

Once everything was set out and securely fixed, we carpet tiled the sections where the draws where to be placed. This was to allow the to slide more freely in and out. The reason we didn’t use sliders and rails is that if needed we could remove the draws for additional storage!

Now was time to fit the draws we’d made! All out of Standard sized MDF, these draws are solid and D-Handles added for convenience

*^The draws on the side were also carpet lined after this photo was taken.

Next was to fill the raised floor with stock:

And then unfortunately cover it all up!

We also managed to get another bit of storage on the driver side sliding door as you can see!

 

[Mrcl]

That’s the Raised floor and ply lining, now time to build on top!

Will post pictures in the coming days as it’s all finished and has been for a little while but my van is full of other bits at the moment, but hopefully I will empty it and take photos of the racking on the weekend!

Any questions just let me know

Stay safe!

 

[Paynewright]

When are the next instalments due?

I doubt I’ll be needing to fit one out for commercial purposes but ideas and methods are transferable!

Regards
Ian

 

[Mrcl]

When are the next instalments due?

I doubt I’ll be needing to fit one out for commercial purposes but ideas and methods are transferable!

Regards
Ian

Done the rest on it a little while ago, but hoping to have a good sort out and clean Monday so I’ll post them up then, any delay I’ll let you know, anything in particular you’re looking for?

 

[Paynewright]

Nothing in particular - just like a good project!

 

[Damo854]

I liked that by my next project

 

[Mrcl]

So now the rest of the racking...

For the driver side we focused on what ‘Makpac’ boxes I have and use regularly and built the racking around that:



After that we fitted the storage racking to the bulk head and passenger side rear:


Once we had done that we started adding various sized pipe for tool storage and easy access to bits on the side and rear doors:


We also on the bulk had racking added a little door to allow both storage underneath and additional lengths on pipe and timber the run the full length on the cargo area with ease:

^comes in very handy:

This is the van loaded to how it is normally:


We also made sure that we built the racking on the sides of the van so we could still load Euro palettes onto the van (just).

Then the rest of the kit:


We also installed various tether points onto the racking as well as hooks and clips.

So that’s about it, still undecided on floor covering but fine for now.

 

[TitanCamper]

Brilliant. Loved reading this. Clever use of space.

 

[Paynewright]

Great write up!

What are you using to store your sealant tubes into, with the angle cut tops?

 

[tubs]

So now the rest of the racking...

For the driver side we focused on what ‘Makpac’ boxes I have and use regularly and built the racking around that:
View attachment 71438
View attachment 71439

After that we fitted the storage racking to the bulk head and passenger side rear:
View attachment 71441View attachment 71440

Once we had done that we started adding various sized pipe for tool storage and easy access to bits on the side and rear doors:
View attachment 71445View attachment 71442View attachment 71443View attachment 71444

We also on the bulk had racking added a little door to allow both storage underneath and additional lengths on pipe and timber the run the full length on the cargo area with ease:
View attachment 71446View attachment 71447View attachment 71448View attachment 71449
^comes in very handy:

This is the van loaded to how it is normally:
View attachment 71450

We also made sure that we built the racking on the sides of the van so we could still load Euro palettes onto the van (just).

Then the rest of the kit:
View attachment 71451View attachment 71454View attachment 71452View attachment 71453

We also installed various tether points onto the racking as well as hooks and clips.

So that’s about it, still undecided on floor covering but fine for now.

Looks great where did you get the Wipe holders from ?

 

[Pete C]

Really well thought through.

Pete

 

[Mrcl]

Looks great where did you get the Wipe holders from ?

They are the official big wipes industrial holders I think, metal ones so much more durable than the plastic ones I’ll find a link for you... I think I brought 8 for £25

 

[Mrcl]

Great write up!

What are you using to store your sealant tubes into, with the angle cut tops?

It’s just 50mm (2”) plastic pipe, just cut each one and angled the top using a chop saw, screw at the top and and screw at the bottom to hold them in and then a longer screw screwed it but left proud to stop them falling out, really easy and look great!

 

[Mrcl]

Looks great where did you get the Wipe holders from ?

Here’s a link for them but DO NOT BUY THESE, rip off! £35 for one, like I said I got 8 for £25! Just so you know what you’re looking for: Big Wipes Wall Bracket for 80 Wipes Tubs | eBay

 

[tubs]

View attachment 71513

Here’s a link for them but DO NOT BUY THESE, rip off! £35 for one, like I said I got 8 for £25! Just so you know what you’re looking for: Big Wipes Wall Bracket for 80 Wipes Tubs | eBay

Thanks

 

[The Van Cave]

That’s a proper job that, proper job.

 

[IestynD]

Looks awesome. Great work.

 

[Rich Green]

Very tidy install