Building a false floor for the new van.

[HappyHippyDad]

I recently sold my Renault Trafic as it had done 214,000 miles and I also wanted something more economical.

I bought the Citroen Berlingo LWB. A very nice van to drive, more like a car than a van. However, I had to take out roughly half of the stuff I had had in the Renault as the berlingo was not big enough. Everyday I had to plan for each job and make sure I had the bits on the van for that individual job, plus it was still an absolute jumble in the back of the van. Not a good way to work if you want to try and limit your stress throughout your working day.

I tried to get a quote for someone to build a false floor. he didn't get back to me (I estimate it would have been around £700), so I built it myself.

Days and days of thinking about the design and 2 days to make. I'm very slow as I spend half the time pondering on how to utilise every inch and also avoid future problems, plus I had a few beers on the go and some Bob Dylan to help.

I love the finished product! Maybe not as pretty as a professional would have done it, but I reckon I gave it a lot more thought than they would have done and probably got some extra little bits that they wouldn't have done. (e.g. the extra shelf above the ladder to store conduit, capping, broom etc, all the bits that really get in the way when just lying on the van floor). Just need to fit the racking now!

 

[ferg]

Looking good HHD.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I'm sorry to go on about the van yet again... but, It has made my working life a joy and I wanted to reiterate that, in case it jump starts some others into making their van more work friendly.

We perhaps go in and out to the van 5 - 10 times during a days work. Instead of dreading the trudge to the van I now actually enjoy each little visit as everything is in it's place, easy to find and easy to get to, plus it's just nice to look at (the inside bits, not the van itself... very sad I know).

Just a bit of a nudge to anyone to get their van sorted as it makes a huge difference to working happiness

 

[littlespark]

I'm having a rethink.

Ive got the foldable box at the back.... but the lid has always got large items sitting on it... stepladders, cardboard box or two.... a flipping empty storage heater at the moment.... I've got to take everything off to open the lid to hunt for whatever im looking for...

 

[SparkySy]

I did mine 5 years ago, it doesn't half make things easier and save time hunting for stuff!

 

[grumpyjohn01]

Couldn't go back to an 'everything piled in a heap' van again , in fact I even have a little tantrum if I have a courtesy van for a day or 2 with no racking...