Disappearing tools?

Have you ever experienced the phenomenon of the “disappearing screwdriver”? Fed up with searching for “missing” tools that were to hand only five minutes ago — or even cut or injured yourself rummaging through a heap of tools in the corner of your van?

Ever braked sharply, only to hear your tools and equipment slide forward and crash into the bulkhead? Do you get frustrated when you can’t find that one essential tool? Then this is for you!

If you’re a smart tradesperson who likes to be organised and doesn’t like wasting time searching the cargo area for the right kit, a fitted racking system could be the answer.

Racking and shelving systems organise your van (and mind?), increase efficiency and safety by making it easier to secure loads, and ensure tools and equipment have their own allocated places and are quickly found. Another (often overlooked) benefit is that tools don’t rattle around and are subjected to less wear and tear — meaning they could last longer.

Embracing the idea of organised storage minimises the amount of equipment you need to carry or store, reducing vehicle weight and saving fuel. Racking also helps protect your van against internal denting and bodywork damage from unsecured loads, keeping the van in good condition and improving residual value. Not only will it impress customers, but professional van racking will give you, your van, and your company the professional image you work so hard for. You may even find that you won’t need such a big van — saving you even more money!

Lightweight, easy to install and remove

Modern systems are designed to meet safety regulations (when installed correctly) and are quickly fitted to existing fixing points — with no drilling required — using basic tools such as Allen keys, spanners and a socket set.

Lightweight construction: as a rule of thumb, every 100 kg less weight reduces fuel consumption by approximately 0.3–0.5 litres per 100 km — which also means lower CO2 emissions. Every kilo of unnecessary cargo uses extra fuel, and every trip taken twice costs time (and patience)!

Safety

Protecting you and your passengers is essential. Severe braking may be all that’s needed for your cargo or tools to fly around unrestricted inside your van. In this situation, a hammer, wrench or power drill is far more dangerous than one safely stored in a rack or drawer.

Safety is a critical part of every van driver’s routine. Accidents relating to commercial vehicles have increased dramatically over the last five years, with many caused by unsecured cargo. Loose items rolling around can be extremely dangerous — see the guidance on how to transport goods safely for more details.

Official testing confirms the extra safety offered by professional racking and shelving equipment, and shows a decreased injury rate with safely stored materials and tools.

Find a quality used vehicle with a racking system

At Maun Motors Commercial Sales we usually have a number of quality used vans for sale with racking systems fitted. Click here to search for vehicles with shelving or racking installed.

Further reading