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An Incredibly Well Organized Work Van

May 29, 2017

With a place for everything and everything in its place.

The folks at Ranshaw Plumbing and Heating in Whitestone, NY do not mess around. They have customized the interiors of multiple work vans. This is my favorite—which was designed by plumber Hing Lai. It’s an incredible vehicle and I can see why he is so proud of it.

Skip ahead to the 2:00 mark to see what is inside.

Here’s my take on the design:

(2:36) I like the lighting because it doesn’t help to organize your gear if you cannot see where it is.

(2:57) This is the second truck Hing Lai customized in this manner and this time around he makes use of every possible space, including the area just over the wheel wells.

(3:12) My first thought on seeing they used vertical slide bolts to hold doors shut is that they would vibrate loose and the doors would pop open. But they have used this system for a while so it must be okay.

(3:29) I like how they use military surplus ammo cans to store parts. I’ve seen the same thing done in a tool factory. Makes for sturdy modular storage of items that would be too heavy to put in larger containers.

(4:08) Its great that everything is labeled and that the labels are large enough to be easily read. It no doubt saves a lot of time to be able to send a helper out to get something and not have him come back empty-handed, cause he could not find what he was looking for.

(5:55) The customization goes all the way down to him carrying a folding step stool so he can reach what is in the higher cabinets.

(7:35) I love how he stores pipe nipples. You can get a lot more in there when they are nested.

(9:03) Where to keep a spare expansion tank and other bulky objects? Strapped to the passenger side of the bulkhead. Oh yeah, and there is a place to hang a rain coat.

(9:45) Even the space under the bench seat in front does not go to waste.

—David Frane is a freelance editor and a good buddy of ours. Formerly, he was editor of Tools of the Trade magazine and website. He lives in Northern California.

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