In a distant place in far away lands there is a sparky who's normally good with his hands Creating stuff and fixing his van Just trying to do the best as he can A sliding box sitting on a track like a train But fucking it up, not using his brain. Perhaps the results are a bit of poo But it doesn't matter because your fans still love you.
Great idea, but why not use the runners for the side loading door? Get them the right way and have the boxes slide out the side so you can fully use that dead space.
That finger pinches alone would of had me ripping it out and thrown across the unit! 😂 If it matters what i think then personally i would have it like you did before ,keep us updated!
I’d put it all back to how it was. Or if you want to try again, then use the runners vertically and make the “shelf” as a box section. This would be stronger. You will defiantly still have the wasted space behind. Alternatively, use them to make a pull out section from the side door! Did anyone take the Stanley boxes off your hands?
Nice idea. I have to say, after being a sparks for nearly 20 years and 4 vans in that time and seeing countless others, I have to say there is no perfect van rack.....unless you have a high side long wheel base!! The only thing I could suggest is rotate 90 degrees so the draws face you as open the back doors
Yep. Just need to make some supports on the floor to get them mounted vertically, angle iron (or even aluminium 'L's) is the way to go, it should be fine then. It's not a stupid idea at all. Even a couple of 4x4 posts! That might be easier for mounting the brackets. They have to be fairly even from the floor of the van or they might bind.
Rotate the runners 90 degrees, add a ratchet strap around all 4 to prevent them flopping apart. For added fun buy 2 short runners the depth of the boxes, mount flat as you did here and run them across the van so they slide out towards the middle then mount the vertical ones to that. This will save that wasted space as you can pull them out beyond the door frame into the van then extend out the back to open and use. Reverse procedure to put away. i.e push back into van then pust back to wall.
Have you checked out Caprani Plumbing van layout? I’m just changing mine similar to that. Utilize the side door for all your grab and go stuff, then materials in the back. It also mostly forces you to put your stuff away vs just throwing it in the van. Everyone to their own though. Keep it up, 100k any day now.
Do a double runner system. First short runners to move the base right to left by a few inches (so the boxes can be flush to the side of the van) then a second set of larger rails to move the boxes in and out of the van.
it's fascinating to watch the realization slowly set in, from the first glimpse of how this will not work when you lay them flat, to the end product where it just sags. Honestly, if you just made two 90degree brackets for them, bolted those to the van floor, and the runners in the proper direction to that, all you'd need is just a few mounting points on the inner side of the runners to the packout mounting plate and you'd be golden, I think you can fix this fairly easy.
if this stays in, see if you can screw a leg on a hinge below the plywood between the runners, so when you pull out the drawer the leg comes down and supports the weight? Like if your going to have the drawers out for a long time etc
Looks good Nick but I’ve an idea to put the runners the correct way (vertical instead of flat). I’ve you was to create a draw like normal with the runners vertical and then ply the top of the draw you can then sit the whole packout system on top of the ply and the runners would be the correct way. The draw would only have to be the height of the runners to ensure you don’t loose the headspace above the packout. Just an idea lol. Great vid 👍👍
Been there, done that, 10 years ago! Undermount drawer runners are what your after for that weight distribution, you’ll never get out of the space waste issue though unless you swing/cantilever the rack from its resting position to extended, a bit like the kidney/le man’s pull outs in kitchen corner units! Good luck in you quest!
Mount the runners properly, then mount the runners at a slight angle but the top square so stored it's closer to the wall but still opens past your door
You could build a dual layer base. The lower layer of the base on rails and castors to allow the unit to slide left & right to use the dead space. Then build the upper part of the base to accomodate the runners - but in the correct orientation as thats where their strength is. A bit more of a faff, and you'd lose a bit more height, but if you really REALLY wanted them to slide in and out, you could make it work.
NIck, you are NOT an idiot! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You are an innovator. Even Thomas Edison had some flops before the light actually came on and stayed on.
Also it would work with stabilising legs which you can fold up then fold 180 down to the floor. As for the lost space behind, I reckon you could box it out and use for lengths of crap or whatever.
Cheers for the laugh Nick. Good effort - not a total loss, you learned valuable experience and a lesson along with a video. 98.6k subscribers mate. SOON.
Tom Daley the High board jumper would be so proud of that as a diving board, its got a lot of movement . The runners are designed to work on the sides of a drawer eg force going downwards on the height, youve put them so the force goes across the with, which thyere not designed to do. There is a simpler way, using wood as 2 tracks each side and using these. Roller tracks with cylindrical plastic rollers and steel axle, will make a sketch and email you Paul
2 bits of studwork cls screwed to the base the width of the packouts apart. Mount the sliders vertically on them, then plywood to the width inside and build up using another few bits of timber, the mount packouts on top
hi interesting video once you start with the packout system it never ends if you are looking for it to be rigid then i suggest you fasten two pcs of wood 3x2 depends on the width of your runners then build a drawer upside down and the packout will be fastened to the top of the drawer there you have it . it will be like pulling the drawer but it will be upside down . the gap underneath can be used for long pcs such as unistrut rods etc. let usknow how you get on thanks
I wander how much weight the hinges of the rear doors can take, building some kind of shelving into the rear doors might be an idea but one that also prevents draws opening when the doors are closed... the sliders may of be of some use further into the van... so when you open the read doors the rest of the shelving systems come towards you, but how it all works in practice while driving and also while using the system is another thing... ask a kitchen fitter? they might be better at fitting out a van than wiring...
On a fire vehicle I once worked with. The sliders were yes mounted vertically but also pivoted at the back. So you would swing them in ward away from the van wall then extend missing the rear door post. In the extended position they were possible a few degrees off the van centre but didn’t effect retrieving the tools. It was clever and well executed not sure how it pivoted sorry. Can head down the station one day and ask the lads maybe get some photos.
Nick now you know why RSJ steels are always installed with the centre web vertical and floor joist are always installed in the vertical plane. Any thing is always at it strongest when the weight is bearing on the largest dimension
Nearing 100k congratulations. They do floor mounted runners rather than side mounted which as you found out aren't designed for vertical loading. The dead space behind the "packout pullout" isn't dead when its out. I feel the dead space is the biggest gain from this and has so much potential. Lastly, I haven't got a lot of hair left, watching you pull the two levers had me contemplating pulling it out. I'm envisioning a fancy pivot on in the middle with two bits of string. But honestly I'd let the side down and drill a hole in each release catch and put a cable tie in each. So you can pull the two cable ties with finger and thumb and with the other hand pull on the packout drawer.
Had the same idea for my van - but now very happy to see you do it in advance - so.. Dont feel totally useless. If you could find a great way within the next month I'd be happy - thats when i get my new van and will have to fit all the Packout gear :) Keep it up - we love watching.. Both when things end good and - well yeah.. Not so good.
Put another piece of ply in the middle on a hinge and when you pull it out it will drop down and act as a leg to the floor and take the weight. Fold it up and slide it back in ?
I definitely like the idea, could find a way of using the dead space for some extra bits like the mats you use or something. If it were me then I'd fit one of those fold out legs underneath so that it unfolds as you pull out the shelf and then it is pulled back up and in as you move the draw back.
create a box mount for the runners vertically, so you will lift the whole packout kit, to recover the wasted space that you lost on the top due to the size of the mount box, create another inner drawer system inside the mounted box, giving you strength and additional space back.
I have a Mercedes metris, you guys call it a Vito. I’ve done several things like this, except I use them in the correct orientation. The idea is to minimize the space and weight you take up and also not have stuff slipping around. I usually measure what I want to be on it and build to that dimension. I’ll use right angle aluminum on the edges as to provide an edge. Also, there are company’s that make RV storage solutions. Those big bus like recreational vehicles, have storage compartments underneath them, people want to access their stuff from both sides of the RV. They make super heavy duty slide systems for that. Reason I mention it is you don’t have to buy the drawer, you can buy the slides alone. They go from like 30”-90” in length. I have an 80”, it’s rated at like 900 pounds. Zero flex. You can stand in the drawer hanging out of the back of the van and bounce, and it’s fine. I built it to hold 2 rows of systainers wide. It cantilevers 55” from the back of my van. I have a tablesaw on it now. The slides were like $700 but totally worth it in my opinion. Also no rattles.
I think I'd mount some short flat runners side to side on the bed (Fully supported by the bed), then mount the long runners on their edge front-to-back. That would allow you to slide the whole assembly out of the wheel well to clear the door, then out of the door. You can then push it right up against the side of the van, clearing the middle of the bed for bulk items.
Run 2 Batterns along the floor big enough to accomodate the rails. Attach the rails so they are in the orientation they're rated for to the batterns. Have a battern/square frame on the drawer side (male side?) of the battern and then 18mm ply on top of that. You'll never see the rails and the rails will be more happy with the weight
I was just about to write something similar myself. Putting them vertical would help not only for the strength but smoothness too. Also having a framework from the runners to the ply would also give it extra strength and limit any flex.
Nick you have made a pigs ear of it mate, do as was said above and fit them as the way they are designed/rated and you will have a lovely system. I have three extra long drawer in my van with 1600:long runners and lots of stuff in them and they work a treat.😂
Mount them the correct way and build a drawer for the pack outs to sit on, you could add a leg that drops down on a hinge to support if weight is still an issue
Great Idea Nick, Is there enough gap between the runners to fit a Metal support to fold down to take the weight of the wood when you pull it out . Just a thought ?
Just an idea for you. Could you not lift the rails up by say 30mm and then have a 18mm strip under the main bit of wood on a hinge so when it pulls out full it has something to sit on and it won’t sag then
Dont feel bad Nick. i did almost exactly the same thing in my truck, my handles were blue tho. Worked for me as it was for a drawer twice the length of the distance i needed (didnt want to push it) and was able to counter balance bend the other end. I knew it was not how to fit correctly but I had clearance issues like you. Wish i watched your video before my fingers got bit! Lol To solve the double lock issue i used a length of wire with some rubber tubing and joined the two handles together. You still have to use two hands to push it back but being able to grab it with one hand when in a hurry is great.
Could frame out behind the boxes in such away that allows for support rails in vertical position and offers small storage space in between the rails and behind the boxes which will be accessible when boxes are pulled fully out. Would utilise the wasted space as much as possible. If possible could frame out far enough that avoids clash with box on door and hopefully wouldnt prevent drawers on opposite side from fully opening. Although, may not need to worry about that as again, when boxes are pulled fully out, there would be plenty of space for opposite drawers to open anyway. Look forward to seeing your solution.
There is some sense to a slide out rack system but it has to be fit for purpose, and that my friend is not. Solid effort though and it's the thought that counts.... mostly.... Perhaps maybe a bespoke lightweight welded frame and runner system that can take the weight better? I am trying to keep most things on the van lately and just load up one big tub or pack-out with tools etc. It's all fun and games with trial and error. You will eventually find something that works for you.
Just get 4 piece stud timber , fasten each rails to two pieces in sandwich rail in between with them , with a 10mm height difference then fasten one piece of each set , the low side of each to the floor , preferably placed as the inside ones and screw down to the other side the higher one through your ply sheet , if you use 89mm stud you’ll have a handy slot for stuff under
Just another thought Nick. Maybe a drop down leg with a castor on the end fixed to the pack out box . Pull it bast the verge of the van drop the leg or legs and the pull it all the way out🤔
I Done a lot with these runners in the past, will never work like that and potentially dangerous when they pop and drop. Mount the other way up with angle or unistrut sandwich either side and will be solid but lost space, could pull out slightly angled to miss the corner, Something fabricated with bearings and angle would be more robust or make them pivot with hinge point. Another idea, slide rear box to left and access the rear box behind it rotated 90.
You might want to put some kind of stopper in along the rail to stop the end, thereby not allowing the drawer to be pulled all the way out just in case.
I'm just surprised the whole lot didn't fall on the floor, you need to get a couple of brackets welded up to mount the runners top and bottom, proper job.. You do have to test your ideas out though, so well done for sharing.
I think I would mount the runners as they are supposed to go - makes L shaped cart with small casters to run on the van floor- number depending on load.
I like the idea but I would have turned the slides the way they are normally installed for strength. I think it can still work with some re-thinking of the slide orientation.
If you fix the runners the right way round would have worked perfectly. They are designed to be on vertically rather than on flat . 2 basic upstands fixed to be and shelf would work just fine
Well, at least you won't wear the barrings out on them as no weight is actually going to be applied to them. you should only mount them vertically, then the bearings which would be the top and bottom of the runners will engage. you will also be able to extend it out without it dropping or bending the rails. you could probably box the lot in and use the box to mount them, then when it's closed (maybe with a lock) your draws are protected from theft as well.
Pretty sure these get the support fitted upright. I have some about half the size for a pull out work table in my van. Holds 50kg with no flex at all (haven’t tired anything heavier) and they were only about £15 on eBay
Muppit 😂😂 I've had bad day and this put a smile on my face, so thank you ❤ Ps when you refit them the right way up put them against your bulk head and have them sliding out the side door with no loss space. Or if insist on rear door out some packout organiser, screwbox thingis behind ovs not the important ones
Little late now, but you could have put a piece of locking clip on the top 2 bins or even zip ties through the aluminum bars to keep them from flexing the board. Not saying it would have worked a completely eliminating the flex,but at least would have deminished it a bit. Ultimately they should have been put upright on a piece of ply that you could pull the whole floor out as one unit.
Ive got rollers like you use to get at the supermarket in 80's i can remember playing with them as a kid. Im not sure where you would get them from mine were from a skip at a site i look after. If you are going to pull them out then how about putting them in the middle of the van? You will have loads of space on the side but will have to pull them out every time you need access to the other boxes.
I'd put a couple of pieces of angle iron or aluminum down to stiffen it up. and use that "wasted" space for a box, or some emergency equipment that you rarely use. Then you can pull the rails all the way out, and access it.
There is actually a set of floor runners they use for under stairs sliding cupboards. If you also use two sets upper and lower runners you could mount it around the door catch, Have less weight on each tier and be more modular.
I’d try 21mm unistrut under the center of the 2 rails, fixed to the underside of the wood for support and re-mount the rails on 21mm uni strut also to allow for the height. Worth a try
You could add a swivel plate (lazy susan) for the back one and also put it on runners. So the back packout would slide into the middle and then you could spin it around to face you.
To make use of the wasted space, do what you have done but on the other side. That way you can store your ladders behind in the wasted space. Loading the ladders behind in the gap from the sliding door end.
Good idea in theory but it seems like quite a waste of space really for not much of a benefit. Only way i could really see of getting easier access to them is turn them 90⁰ and have them all opening out the back doors and stack the totes behind them and access them from the side door. Depends if you need the open space down the centre for carrying longer items regularly.
Got my regular stuff going side to side in poor man’s pack outs. Open back doors and there we are. Then side door has access to a workbench and power tools. If I need to load long lengths in a connect lwb same as Adam’s, I move the boxes 90 degrees to allow load through. Rarely needed and I work with data and cctv mostly. Roof rack for any big loads.
It all looks pretty when packed away but, I don’t know how you function day 2 day having to keep getting the pack out boxes in and out etc. looks a pain in the arris to me.
Putting a cable tie round the top handles (the ones on the corners) to lock the two sets of drawers together at the top should help the sag a bit. But also putting the runners the right way round will help even more!
You can get mountings to mount pack out in its horizontal position but on walls. Seen it a lot on instagram by the folks over the pond, some of it is custom made by guys but im sure Milwaukee do make something as well
Nick, I think you need a proper bed slide kit, the one in my Sprinter is thick box section steel. It also helps because it is bolted through the floor and secured underneath
Mount pieces of steel angle to the two parts of the runners so they are mounted vertically as designed. Screw the one of the 'feet' to the bed of the van and the other to your tool box bases or your tool box base board. You will loose some height between the top of the tool boxes and the roof by the depth of the runners but you could also use that space underneath as storage if you make a long shallow draw! 😎
Screw 2 bits of wood down the size of the runners. Then screw the runners to the side of that wood. That will rotate the runners 90 degrees and working the way they are strongest. Then build the base for the boxes onto that.
Nick, you knew it was a bad idea even when you were doing it through the video! Trust your gut! You’re a practical chap and there will be a better way to arrange those drawers that you just haven’t found yet. Keep up the good work, soooo close to that silver play button 😉
That plan went sideways. The drawer slides tried to warn you when it pinched your finger twice! 😂To mount it in the correct orientation you'll need two sets of angle iron or aluminum (I believe it's 2"x2") that run the length of the drawer slide.
Mount them upright with L angles and pit mo7nting plates on the van side wall to put more compact organiser for less used things/ job specific supplies
Why don’t you mount the retaining bed in-line with the van, but the runners (vertically like they’re meant to be!! 🤦♂️🤦♂️) at an angle to clear the back of the van/door-opening; so when you pull the stack it moves out and into the middle of the van, but slides back into the side when you push it back in - there should be plenty of room to open the drawers etc between the doors as the angle shouldn’t need to be massive just to clear the door surround. You could also use the space underneath (between the correctly mounted vertical runners) to slide stuff for storage. Cheers for sharing - always good to show the good and the bad 👍
as someone who owns a couple of rack mounted Servers, I know that those runners need to be on edge, as you finally worked out, so I would have put a couple of battons down and screwed them to those, put the plywood as should be screwed as per a server would be.
Fundamental mechanics of section modulus and moment of inertia lead to the preferential adoption of I beam structures. In other words you mounted the rail at 90° to the optimum axis.
Lol, build a wooden box or a tray, put the drawer sliders vertical and make some l brackets to hold it up and it will be fine. As for the space in the back, you need some kind of garage door thing to bring the stuff to the top to access it. Also yes take the stuff off the door
Create a base with the runners vertically, or put it back, I can see it ending in tears otherwise. Long time viewer, rarely comment, so let me take this opportunity to say well done for the great channel, I enjoy watching you and Adam. Congratulations on the pending 100k 👌
Easy cure.... have a frame welded in box tubing with braces. Then anchor fixed frame to floorboard to framework the right way up with stop points so the runners don't come all the way out on to the floor (unless you incorporate gas strut drop down support legs
As soon as you said you were going to mount the runners sideways, I just thought that's not going to work.
Nick there is guy near you called Adam Dunlop, he seems pretty switched on, you should get him to give you some pointers.
fair
on a serious note have a look at Scott Brown van build (newzealnd builder) @@NBundyElectrical
LOL! 😂😂 Best comment!
🤣🤣🤣
Yeah but bro have you seen the kids haircut? It’s rougher than putting a pack out on a slider
This was fucked up right from the point you said "we are gonna mount these flat" 🤣
Never pull all the way out 😂
In a distant place in far away lands
there is a sparky who's normally good with his hands
Creating stuff and fixing his van
Just trying to do the best as he can
A sliding box sitting on a track like a train
But fucking it up, not using his brain.
Perhaps the results are a bit of poo
But it doesn't matter because your fans still love you.
gonna get that tattooed
Great idea, but why not use the runners for the side loading door? Get them the right way and have the boxes slide out the side so you can fully use that dead space.
That finger pinches alone would of had me ripping it out and thrown across the unit! 😂 If it matters what i think then personally i would have it like you did before ,keep us updated!
I’d put it all back to how it was. Or if you want to try again, then use the runners vertically and make the “shelf” as a box section. This would be stronger. You will defiantly still have the wasted space behind.
Alternatively, use them to make a pull out section from the side door!
Did anyone take the Stanley boxes off your hands?
This is what I have done, got a full width drawer in the side door under lifted floor for all of my cable
Think I saw the Stanley's in the background near the end of video
Nice idea. I have to say, after being a sparks for nearly 20 years and 4 vans in that time and seeing countless others, I have to say there is no perfect van rack.....unless you have a high side long wheel base!! The only thing I could suggest is rotate 90 degrees so the draws face you as open the back doors
Good idea, just get the runners mounted the right way up and it’ll be sweet
Yep. Just need to make some supports on the floor to get them mounted vertically, angle iron (or even aluminium 'L's) is the way to go, it should be fine then. It's not a stupid idea at all.
Even a couple of 4x4 posts! That might be easier for mounting the brackets. They have to be fairly even from the floor of the van or they might bind.
Yer... what she said.😂
They are for vertical load. Not lateral you pudding. Or are you show-reeling for a spot on Artisans team 🤣🤣🤣
Rotate the runners 90 degrees, add a ratchet strap around all 4 to prevent them flopping apart. For added fun buy 2 short runners the depth of the boxes, mount flat as you did here and run them across the van so they slide out towards the middle then mount the vertical ones to that. This will save that wasted space as you can pull them out beyond the door frame into the van then extend out the back to open and use. Reverse procedure to put away. i.e push back into van then pust back to wall.
Have you checked out Caprani Plumbing van layout? I’m just changing mine similar to that. Utilize the side door for all your grab and go stuff, then materials in the back. It also mostly forces you to put your stuff away vs just throwing it in the van. Everyone to their own though. Keep it up, 100k any day now.
Do a double runner system.
First short runners to move the base right to left by a few inches (so the boxes can be flush to the side of the van) then a second set of larger rails to move the boxes in and out of the van.
it's fascinating to watch the realization slowly set in, from the first glimpse of how this will not work when you lay them flat, to the end product where it just sags. Honestly, if you just made two 90degree brackets for them, bolted those to the van floor, and the runners in the proper direction to that, all you'd need is just a few mounting points on the inner side of the runners to the packout mounting plate and you'd be golden, I think you can fix this fairly easy.
if this stays in, see if you can screw a leg on a hinge below the plywood between the runners, so when you pull out the drawer the leg comes down and supports the weight? Like if your going to have the drawers out for a long time etc
I've already ripped it out mate
Looks good Nick but I’ve an idea to put the runners the correct way (vertical instead of flat).
I’ve you was to create a draw like normal with the runners vertical and then ply the top of the draw you can then sit the whole packout system on top of the ply and the runners would be the correct way.
The draw would only have to be the height of the runners to ensure you don’t loose the headspace above the packout.
Just an idea lol. Great vid 👍👍
Been there, done that, 10 years ago! Undermount drawer runners are what your after for that weight distribution, you’ll never get out of the space waste issue though unless you swing/cantilever the rack from its resting position to extended, a bit like the kidney/le man’s pull outs in kitchen corner units!
Good luck in you quest!
SCAM !!! i think
Mount the runners properly, then mount the runners at a slight angle but the top square so stored it's closer to the wall but still opens past your door
You could build a dual layer base. The lower layer of the base on rails and castors to allow the unit to slide left & right to use the dead space.
Then build the upper part of the base to accomodate the runners - but in the correct orientation as thats where their strength is.
A bit more of a faff, and you'd lose a bit more height, but if you really REALLY wanted them to slide in and out, you could make it work.
NIck, you are NOT an idiot! Nothing ventured, nothing gained. You are an innovator. Even Thomas Edison had some flops before the light actually came on and stayed on.
Also it would work with stabilising legs which you can fold up then fold 180 down to the floor. As for the lost space behind, I reckon you could box it out and use for lengths of crap or whatever.
Cheers for the laugh Nick. Good effort - not a total loss, you learned valuable experience and a lesson along with a video. 98.6k subscribers mate. SOON.
Tom Daley the High board jumper would be so proud of that as a diving board, its got a lot of movement .
The runners are designed to work on the sides of a drawer eg force going downwards on the height, youve put them so the force goes across the with, which thyere not designed to do.
There is a simpler way, using wood as 2 tracks each side and using these.
Roller tracks
with cylindrical plastic rollers and steel axle, will make a sketch and email you Paul
2 bits of studwork cls screwed to the base the width of the packouts apart. Mount the sliders vertically on them, then plywood to the width inside and build up using another few bits of timber, the mount packouts on top
Thanks for leaving all the finger pinches in, made me smile 😊😊
hi
interesting video once you start with the packout system it never ends
if you are looking for it to be rigid then i suggest you fasten two pcs of wood 3x2 depends on the width of your runners then build a drawer upside down and the packout will be fastened to the top of the drawer there you have it .
it will be like pulling the drawer but it will be upside down .
the gap underneath can be used for long pcs such as unistrut rods etc.
let usknow how you get on
thanks
I wander how much weight the hinges of the rear doors can take, building some kind of shelving into the rear doors might be an idea but one that also prevents draws opening when the doors are closed... the sliders may of be of some use further into the van... so when you open the read doors the rest of the shelving systems come towards you, but how it all works in practice while driving and also while using the system is another thing... ask a kitchen fitter? they might be better at fitting out a van than wiring...
On a fire vehicle I once worked with. The sliders were yes mounted vertically but also pivoted at the back. So you would swing them in ward away from the van wall then extend missing the rear door post. In the extended position they were possible a few degrees off the van centre but didn’t effect retrieving the tools. It was clever and well executed not sure how it pivoted sorry. Can head down the station one day and ask the lads maybe get some photos.
Nick now you know why RSJ steels are always installed with the centre web vertical and floor joist are always installed in the vertical plane. Any thing is always at it strongest when the weight is bearing on the largest dimension
Could a dropdown leg be fitted under the sliding wood to add support for when it's extended?
Nearing 100k congratulations.
They do floor mounted runners rather than side mounted which as you found out aren't designed for vertical loading.
The dead space behind the "packout pullout" isn't dead when its out. I feel the dead space is the biggest gain from this and has so much potential.
Lastly, I haven't got a lot of hair left, watching you pull the two levers had me contemplating pulling it out. I'm envisioning a fancy pivot on in the middle with two bits of string. But honestly I'd let the side down and drill a hole in each release catch and put a cable tie in each. So you can pull the two cable ties with finger and thumb and with the other hand pull on the packout drawer.
Had the same idea for my van - but now very happy to see you do it in advance - so.. Dont feel totally useless. If you could find a great way within the next month I'd be happy - thats when i get my new van and will have to fit all the Packout gear :)
Keep it up - we love watching.. Both when things end good and - well yeah.. Not so good.
Put another piece of ply in the middle on a hinge and when you pull it out it will drop down and act as a leg to the floor and take the weight. Fold it up and slide it back in ?
I definitely like the idea, could find a way of using the dead space for some extra bits like the mats you use or something. If it were me then I'd fit one of those fold out legs underneath so that it unfolds as you pull out the shelf and then it is pulled back up and in as you move the draw back.
create a box mount for the runners vertically, so you will lift the whole packout kit, to recover the wasted space that you lost on the top due to the size of the mount box, create another inner drawer system inside the mounted box, giving you strength and additional space back.
I have a Mercedes metris, you guys call it a Vito. I’ve done several things like this, except I use them in the correct orientation. The idea is to minimize the space and weight you take up and also not have stuff slipping around. I usually measure what I want to be on it and build to that dimension. I’ll use right angle aluminum on the edges as to provide an edge. Also, there are company’s that make RV storage solutions. Those big bus like recreational vehicles, have storage compartments underneath them, people want to access their stuff from both sides of the RV. They make super heavy duty slide systems for that. Reason I mention it is you don’t have to buy the drawer, you can buy the slides alone. They go from like 30”-90” in length. I have an 80”, it’s rated at like 900 pounds. Zero flex. You can stand in the drawer hanging out of the back of the van and bounce, and it’s fine. I built it to hold 2 rows of systainers wide. It cantilevers 55” from the back of my van. I have a tablesaw on it now. The slides were like $700 but totally worth it in my opinion. Also no rattles.
Looking at it, you have tried to solve a problem when one didn't really exist in the first place.Nice one 😂
I think I'd mount some short flat runners side to side on the bed (Fully supported by the bed), then mount the long runners on their edge front-to-back. That would allow you to slide the whole assembly out of the wheel well to clear the door, then out of the door. You can then push it right up against the side of the van, clearing the middle of the bed for bulk items.
Run 2 Batterns along the floor big enough to accomodate the rails. Attach the rails so they are in the orientation they're rated for to the batterns. Have a battern/square frame on the drawer side (male side?) of the battern and then 18mm ply on top of that. You'll never see the rails and the rails will be more happy with the weight
I was just about to write something similar myself. Putting them vertical would help not only for the strength but smoothness too. Also having a framework from the runners to the ply would also give it extra strength and limit any flex.
Nick you have made a pigs ear of it mate, do as was said above and fit them as the way they are designed/rated and you will have a lovely system.
I have three extra long drawer in my van with 1600:long runners and lots of stuff in them and they work a treat.😂
Mount them the correct way and build a drawer for the pack outs to sit on, you could add a leg that drops down on a hinge to support if weight is still an issue
Great Idea Nick, Is there enough gap between the runners to fit a Metal support to fold down to take the weight of the wood when you pull it out . Just a thought ?
Just an idea for you. Could you not lift the rails up by say 30mm and then have a 18mm strip under the main bit of wood on a hinge so when it pulls out full it has something to sit on and it won’t sag then
Dont feel bad Nick. i did almost exactly the same thing in my truck, my handles were blue tho. Worked for me as it was for a drawer twice the length of the distance i needed (didnt want to push it) and was able to counter balance bend the other end. I knew it was not how to fit correctly but I had clearance issues like you. Wish i watched your video before my fingers got bit! Lol
To solve the double lock issue i used a length of wire with some rubber tubing and joined the two handles together. You still have to use two hands to push it back but being able to grab it with one hand when in a hurry is great.
Could frame out behind the boxes in such away that allows for support rails in vertical position and offers small storage space in between the rails and behind the boxes which will be accessible when boxes are pulled fully out. Would utilise the wasted space as much as possible. If possible could frame out far enough that avoids clash with box on door and hopefully wouldnt prevent drawers on opposite side from fully opening. Although, may not need to worry about that as again, when boxes are pulled fully out, there would be plenty of space for opposite drawers to open anyway. Look forward to seeing your solution.
Could you not use behind the boxes for something like small ladder storage ?
There is some sense to a slide out rack system but it has to be fit for purpose, and that my friend is not. Solid effort though and it's the thought that counts.... mostly.... Perhaps maybe a bespoke lightweight welded frame and runner system that can take the weight better? I am trying to keep most things on the van lately and just load up one big tub or pack-out with tools etc. It's all fun and games with trial and error. You will eventually find something that works for you.
Could you not put an extendable leg that flips down as you open it to keep the draw upright as you pull it out?
would they not mount on some unistrut?
Just get 4 piece stud timber , fasten each rails to two pieces in sandwich rail in between with them , with a 10mm height difference then fasten one piece of each set , the low side of each to the floor , preferably placed as the inside ones and screw down to the other side the higher one through your ply sheet , if you use 89mm stud you’ll have a handy slot for stuff under
just flip them round the right way, mount them on some 2x2, easy job
Have you considered a bigger van? Maybe something like a Snap-on tool truck.😀
Just another thought Nick. Maybe a drop down leg with a castor on the end fixed to the pack out box . Pull it bast the verge of the van drop the leg or legs and the pull it all the way out🤔
I Done a lot with these runners in the past, will never work like that and potentially dangerous when they pop and drop.
Mount the other way up with angle or unistrut sandwich either side and will be solid but lost space, could pull out slightly angled to miss the corner,
Something fabricated with bearings and angle would be more robust or make them pivot with hinge point.
Another idea, slide rear box to left and access the rear box behind it rotated 90.
You might want to put some kind of stopper in along the rail to stop the end, thereby not allowing the drawer to be pulled all the way out just in case.
Build up two sides just the height of the rail so you can mount them vertically then itll take the weight?
I'm just surprised the whole lot didn't fall on the floor, you need to get a couple of brackets welded up to mount the runners top and bottom, proper job..
You do have to test your ideas out though, so well done for sharing.
What about some drop down supports/legs it the end of the shelf, to take the weight properly, a bit like the new tough system van storage works?
I think I would mount the runners as they are supposed to go - makes L shaped cart with small casters to run on the van floor- number depending on load.
I like the idea but I would have turned the slides the way they are normally installed for strength. I think it can still work with some re-thinking of the slide orientation.
If you fix the runners the right way round would have worked perfectly. They are designed to be on vertically rather than on flat . 2 basic upstands fixed to be and shelf would work just fine
Well, at least you won't wear the barrings out on them as no weight is actually going to be applied to them. you should only mount them vertically, then the bearings which would be the top and bottom of the runners will engage. you will also be able to extend it out without it dropping or bending the rails. you could probably box the lot in and use the box to mount them, then when it's closed (maybe with a lock) your draws are protected from theft as well.
Pretty sure these get the support fitted upright.
I have some about half the size for a pull out work table in my van. Holds 50kg with no flex at all (haven’t tired anything heavier) and they were only about £15 on eBay
Mount the slides on angle iron so they are the right way up to take the suggested load.
Muppit 😂😂
I've had bad day and this put a smile on my face, so thank you ❤
Ps when you refit them the right way up put them against your bulk head and have them sliding out the side door with no loss space. Or if insist on rear door out some packout organiser, screwbox thingis behind ovs not the important ones
Little late now, but you could have put a piece of locking clip on the top 2 bins or even zip ties through the aluminum bars to keep them from flexing the board. Not saying it would have worked a completely eliminating the flex,but at least would have deminished it a bit. Ultimately they should have been put upright on a piece of ply that you could pull the whole floor out as one unit.
Ive got rollers like you use to get at the supermarket in 80's i can remember playing with them as a kid.
Im not sure where you would get them from mine were from a skip at a site i look after.
If you are going to pull them out then how about putting them in the middle of the van?
You will have loads of space on the side but will have to pull them out every time you need access to the other boxes.
I use those runners in my van if installed like a drawer runner they take a lot of weight. Been using mine for 3 years now and still going strong.
I'd put a couple of pieces of angle iron or aluminum down to stiffen it up. and use that "wasted" space for a box, or some emergency equipment that you rarely use. Then you can pull the rails all the way out, and access it.
There is actually a set of floor runners they use for under stairs sliding cupboards. If you also use two sets upper and lower runners you could mount it around the door catch, Have less weight on each tier and be more modular.
I added a floating deck to be able to slide sheet wood and stuff without having to take it all out or trying to stuff it in sideways.
I’d try 21mm unistrut under the center of the 2 rails, fixed to the underside of the wood for support and re-mount the rails on 21mm uni strut also to allow for the height. Worth a try
Fit the runners vertically on some 2x2 or 3x2 and have it so when you open the side door you can pull them across the opening.
You still got them on your van? thinking of getting some on mine (the right way round of course 😂)
You could add a swivel plate (lazy susan) for the back one and also put it on runners. So the back packout would slide into the middle and then you could spin it around to face you.
@Text_No_. congratulations what??
To make use of the wasted space, do what you have done but on the other side. That way you can store your ladders behind in the wasted space. Loading the ladders behind in the gap from the sliding door end.
Good idea in theory but it seems like quite a waste of space really for not much of a benefit. Only way i could really see of getting easier access to them is turn them 90⁰ and have them all opening out the back doors and stack the totes behind them and access them from the side door. Depends if you need the open space down the centre for carrying longer items regularly.
Got my regular stuff going side to side in poor man’s pack outs. Open back doors and there we are. Then side door has access to a workbench and power tools.
If I need to load long lengths in a connect lwb same as Adam’s, I move the boxes 90 degrees to allow load through. Rarely needed and I work with data and cctv mostly.
Roof rack for any big loads.
So close to 100k man, fair play to the absolute grind 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It all looks pretty when packed away but, I don’t know how you function day 2 day having to keep getting the pack out boxes in and out etc. looks a pain in the arris to me.
Add a stop block underneath nock to stop it pulling too far and getting the bend in the runners.
Putting a cable tie round the top handles (the ones on the corners) to lock the two sets of drawers together at the top should help the sag a bit.
But also putting the runners the right way round will help even more!
You can get mountings to mount pack out in its horizontal position but on walls. Seen it a lot on instagram by the folks over the pond, some of it is custom made by guys but im sure Milwaukee do make something as well
Just think how often your going to hurt your hands every day, you did it enough just in this video, pure slapstick had to laugh 😂
😁
Nick, I think you need a proper bed slide kit, the one in my Sprinter is thick box section steel. It also helps because it is bolted through the floor and secured underneath
Mount pieces of steel angle to the two parts of the runners so they are mounted vertically as designed. Screw the one of the 'feet' to the bed of the van and the other to your tool box bases or your tool box base board. You will loose some height between the top of the tool boxes and the roof by the depth of the runners but you could also use that space underneath as storage if you make a long shallow draw! 😎
Screw 2 bits of wood down the size of the runners.
Then screw the runners to the side of that wood. That will rotate the runners 90 degrees and working the way they are strongest.
Then build the base for the boxes onto that.
Nick, you knew it was a bad idea even when you were doing it through the video! Trust your gut! You’re a practical chap and there will be a better way to arrange those drawers that you just haven’t found yet. Keep up the good work, soooo close to that silver play button 😉
That plan went sideways. The drawer slides tried to warn you when it pinched your finger twice! 😂To mount it in the correct orientation you'll need two sets of angle iron or aluminum (I believe it's 2"x2") that run the length of the drawer slide.
Fix the runners to some 2x2 the right way up and screw them to the floor then build a base with 2x2 for the racks and fix to the runners
Mount them upright with L angles and pit mo7nting plates on the van side wall to put more compact organiser for less used things/ job specific supplies
Why don’t you mount the retaining bed in-line with the van, but the runners (vertically like they’re meant to be!! 🤦♂️🤦♂️) at an angle to clear the back of the van/door-opening; so when you pull the stack it moves out and into the middle of the van, but slides back into the side when you push it back in - there should be plenty of room to open the drawers etc between the doors as the angle shouldn’t need to be massive just to clear the door surround.
You could also use the space underneath (between the correctly mounted vertical runners) to slide stuff for storage.
Cheers for sharing - always good to show the good and the bad 👍
as someone who owns a couple of rack mounted Servers, I know that those runners need to be on edge, as you finally worked out, so I would have put a couple of battons down and screwed them to those, put the plywood as should be screwed as per a server would be.
on the underside of your board have a hinged brace leg that falls free to support the weight when at full extension
Just turn the runners 90 degrees. Screw some 3x2 down and fix them to the side. (Gives you area to store levels rods) it will work perfectly
Fundamental mechanics of section modulus and moment of inertia lead to the preferential adoption of I beam structures. In other words you mounted the rail at 90° to the optimum axis.
Lol, build a wooden box or a tray, put the drawer sliders vertical and make some l brackets to hold it up and it will be fine. As for the space in the back, you need some kind of garage door thing to bring the stuff to the top to access it. Also yes take the stuff off the door
Create a base with the runners vertically, or put it back, I can see it ending in tears otherwise.
Long time viewer, rarely comment, so let me take this opportunity to say well done for the great channel, I enjoy watching you and Adam. Congratulations on the pending 100k 👌
Thanks mate
You could fit some legs on hinges on the end to fold down once its slid out ?
Easy cure.... have a frame welded in box tubing with braces. Then anchor fixed frame to floorboard to framework the right way up with stop points so the runners don't come all the way out on to the floor (unless you incorporate gas strut drop down support legs
How about hinging a prop under the unit that will swing down when you pull it out too far.
I could what a whole video of you trapping your fingers everytime 😂
I know it’s late but what if you used so extruded aluminium that would hopefully give you less sag