Commercial Van Upfitting Guide

You’ve picked your commercial van… but what’s next? You want to make sure that you get the most out of your van and that’s where commercial van outfitting comes in. There’s lots to consider to get the most out of your investment. Being prepared with vehicle and equipment information will help your upfitter provide you with the best recommendations. To ensure a stress-free upfitting journey, we’ve listed the most common questions you’ll hear from your upfitting provider and why they matter.

• What is the height of your van?
• What is the length of your van? 
• What are you transporting? 
• Are you working inside your van?
• Will you need power on the jobsite? 

1. What is the height of your van?

Shelving Height
The height of your cargo van has the most impact on what you can do with your vehicle upfitting. For example, if you choose a Ford Transit Connect, you have limited capacity in terms of van shelving height and overall equipment storage, however you have the ability to go into underground carparks and fit in those tight city parking spaces. If you have a Ford Transit High Roof you can install the tallest shelving units, and still have plenty of space to spare, but parking can be an issue. Whichever van you decide upon, Sterling has van shelving options ranging from low roof to high roof allowing you to choose the best customizable combination for you.

Ladder/Cargo Racks

The roof height of your van not only determines which van shelving units you can install but also affects your options for transporting items like tubes or ladders on the roof.

If you have a mid or high roof van, loading and unloading ladders can be unsafe and inefficient because you constantly need to climb up or carry a step ladder just for this task. For these vans, single or double drop-down ladder rack is ideal, because it ensures quick and safe ladder deployment and storage.

For low roof vans, you will benefit from cargo rack options such as combination racks or 2-Bar racks. These options allow you to safely transport ladders on the roof while making it easy and safe for you to load and unload by yourself.

 

2. What is the length of your van shelving?

Van Shelving Length

With a longer van, you benefit from extended van shelving units, providing more storage space for your equipment. Dividers for removable bins can help you organize these longer van shelving units efficiently. The more equipment, tools, and parts you bring to the job site, the less potential downtime you’ll experience because everything will have a designated place.

For smaller and shorter vans, upfitters can offer expertise on maximizing your cargo area. They’ll provide tailored recommendations and alternatives to help you save space and stay organized.

Additional Van Equipment Storage

When it comes to additional equipment like partskeeper units or nitrogen b-tank holders, your upfitter should provide options that best suit your operations and vehicle.
At Sterling, partskeeper units are a common add-on for standard van builds. For longer vans, these units can be easily incorporated due to the ample space. But in shorter, and smaller vans, installing the partskeeper units within the shelves will maximize your cargo space. 

See below how we utilize space in vans of different lengths. 

 

3. What are you transporting?

Type of Van Shelving

When upfitting, it’s helpful for your upfitter to know the type of cargo you plan to transport. This is where upfitting by trade comes in. Different trades require different van shelving solutions. For example, the HVAC industry transports tanks and will benefit from b-tank holders, refrigerant tank holders, or nitrogen tank holders. Meanwhile, the plumbing industry can use configurations to accommodate long pipes. The delivery industry might benefit from special shelving, such as fold-away van shelving. So knowing what you will transport will help your upfitter provide you with the most appropriate shelving for your trade. 

Additionally, if you carry valuable items, lockable drawer systems are ideal to add to your upfit. 

Fuel Economy or EV Range 
The right upfitting will also help you #GetMoreDone. Using lightweight equipment like Packd can improve your fuel economy and, for EVs, extend your range. Check out these resources:

Canada – Natural Resources Canada
USA – U.S. Department of Energy

4. Are you working inside the van?

If your van has the roof height to give you the capacity to work inside; here are some options that you should consider when upfitting your van:

Lighting

We all know what it’s like to work in a room with minimal light, it’s unbearable! It’s exactly the same when working in a cargo van, potentially even worse because  cargo vans rarely offer any natural light into the cargo space. To combat this, there are high output LED lights available for work vans. You can browse through here: Lighting 

Workbenches

If you work inside your van, a workbench can be incredibly helpful. Workbenches are commonly used in the maintenance, telecom, and material handling industries, and they are especially beneficial for technicians who prefer working inside their vehicles. So it’s one thing to consider. 

At Sterling, we offer wooden, metal, and black steel workbench which can be customized based on the height of the user. 

Floor Kit and Wall Kit 

Knowing how often you will be entering and exiting your van helps your upfitter recommend the right type of floor and wall kit. They can determine if you will benefit more from a basic non-slip floor kit or a strong grip flooring

Temperature Control

Temperature control is essential for a comfortable working environment. When working inside your van, it’s crucial to have a way to regulate the temperature. Equipment like a Flettner vent, air conditioner, or heater can help you maintain a comfortable temperature inside the van. And this leads to an important question…

5. Will you need to use power when on the jobsite?

AC units and heaters are common appliances that require extra power, but commercial vehicles often come equipped with various other appliances and equipment. Many technicians spend 8 hours or more in their vehicles, so it’s not unusual to find coffee makers, refrigerators, and microwaves inside. Additionally, there are work equipment like laptops, sump pumps, bench grinders, air compressors, and rotary hammers.

These appliances and equipment require more power than the vehicle’s battery can handle alone. This is why a reliable power system is typically added to an upfit. So, knowing the appliances and equipment you plan to use will help your upfitter recommend a suitable power distribution system (inverter-charger, generator, or inverter-charger power system with generator).

To learn more about power distributions you can download our whitepaper about inverter-charger and generators here

Hopefully, this guide has provided more clarity on what to consider when outfitting your van. Being prepared with the information we’ve mentioned will help your upfitter provide the best solution for your operations and budget.

If you choose Sterling, we’re here to support you throughout your commercial van outfitting journey. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you optimize your operations with efficient upfitting solutions. Whether you need advice on equipment, power systems, or custom configurations, please don’t hesitate to contact us. #GetMoreDone.