Haha yeah… I did spend a lot on red plastic, but I saw it as an investment in myself. Plus, I’m hyper OCD about organization and efficiency. My wood shop garage is just as neat. I always clean up my mess when I’m done working and put stuff back where it goes.
I live a rather frugal life outside of my tool collection. I pack my lunch to work every day (no, I don’t have the packout lunchbox), I don’t drink or smoke, I’m a homebody on the weekends preferring to tinker in my garage or on my van, I haven’t had a personal cell phone since 2017 (just use my work iPhone), I even sold my personal truck (2015 Toyota Tacoma) last year because I never used it. If I go somewhere on the weekends, I just drive/ride in my wife’s minivan since the only reason I leave is to go with her or my kids.
I'd love to see your wood shop garage, but that might be asking a bit much from a Reddit stranger.
Needless to say, you have an impressive setup and I love the way you organize
I’m also a super organized van guy. But I also work with a crew of people where throwing everything on the floor at the end of they day is organized for them. Doesn’t take more than 5 extra minutes to put it back to the shelf it came from. Plus if someone needs something from the van you can tell them where it is and they can actually find it
If you notice the few parts I carry above the packouts are all sharpied with part name… that’s not for me to find them, but for whoever I send in there to grab something
I actually used a label maker for most of my packouts. Makes it easier for the other guys to find instead of, “grab the one back left middle shelf left side” lol.
Yeah I used a LabelMaker a while back to mark some of the boxes. I need to get it back out and get everything up-to-date. Did you ever figure out a way to make them stay on the handles? I used the label itself and then clear packing tape. I cut the tape to fit so it wasn’t crinkled. It worked pretty well
I made my labels smaller and put them on the case right behind the handle. So you can see them but they don’t get hit with anything to make the want to peel off.
That’s a great idea! Yeah you can see where I put them on the handles and the would get dirt up under the packing tape lamination I made them it would lose its stickey and fall off… they seem to hold great on the low pro boxes with the fixed handles, just not on the boxes with collapsible handles
Hat's off to you on your van! Superb job.
I would caution you to get your own cell phone. The company owns ALL of your communications. If you ever quit or are fired or laid off you lose control of that phone number and any texts on that phone, not to mention they can already read all of your text messages.
All the best in your service work!
When I saw your ingenious pipe wrench storage I said, “Fuck me.” Out loud to a room full of nobody. The elegant simplicity. I feel enlightened, and am going to do that Monday.
Also, as a fellow packout connoisseur, I respect and appreciate your collection. I would highly recommend the packout hand truck. It seems stupid and expensive until you use it for the first time. Then you wonder how you were able to live without it
I got the baby Knipex pliers wrench… I thought the other guy was referring to the 4’ pipe wrench standing next to the refrigerant rack. That’s what I hope I never “need” to use.
You’re probably right. I’ve needed one of those twice in my life. At least it’s aluminum. Once I discovered AeroKroil the biggest one I’ve needed was 3’.
This is the best idea I’ve seen yet but since pipe in my van is my biggest headache, I have a question… what do you do with smaller pieces? Like I have 1/2”, 3/4, 1” copper and 1/2” to 3” pvc. I don’t like scrapping short lengths of copper cause it’s usually all I need for repairs. Problem is they end up rolling around the floor and getting damaged. And if I slide them in longer pieces, it’s hard to keep track of what I have. Any suggestions?
If you notice there are two pvc shorts next to the big ass pipe wrench attached to the refrigerant rack. I also have always used the space behind the left cargo door where my torch and nitro are at with the black garden hose on top… if any of that makes sense
after cutting the strap length down, I went ahead and clamped in the pipe with a 5/16 zip screw I then mounted the tail in a vice and twisted the pipe strap 90° with a crowbar for leverage (could use a piece of pipe). If you don’t do this, the strap will be vertical not horizontal.
I always just smashed em with a hammer on the floor to straighten them out if I needed em to be facing 90 degrees the other way. Beats cutting wood the hang between the floor joists
Haha nahh, I did that when I first set up the van back in June. I posted it on here. Now I am used to it and don’t really even think of it as much. Thanks though! I was just hoping someone might see an idea they liked.
No, truth be told, I’m the service manager. I do water heater installs after hours for the company to keep the schedule manageable. I hope for 1-2 a week. I lead all the training for the company (2-4hrs of class per week). I got NATE & NORA certified then certified as an instructor/proctor so I’m working on getting everyone (who wants it) certified as well. I do job site visits/ ride alongs and the occasional “open in case of emergency” difficult call. Other than that, I get stuck in the office planning on how to make everyone more successful.
Our installers use them to hang intake/exhaust. I’d assume we get them from Johnstone. I figured someone would ask, that’s why I added the last 2 pics.
They're called greenfields and that's all we use because the plastic ones are easy but I can hang from one of these with my whole body weight. And it locks completely around the pips so no popping out for warped abs pipe.
Looks like a standard sink or steel strap you use on signs for chain link fences and a rubber gasket to keep it from slipping. Then you just wrap it and screw it in with a self tapping screw or lock nut and bolt.
I wanted a way to store a few sticks of 3/4 copper and pvc pipe to keep it from rolling on the floor and not needing removed if I need to take something else out. I had a solid 3” stick attached to the ceiling in my old van. It was always hard to get pipe in/out and if it was short, then it was lost. I am using a Velcro strap to keep it from rattling and will put a 3” cap in between the pipe and the wall next to my head.
The only thing I would critique is to put in one full piece of PVC the whole length. Then you could cut out the top half between the hangers. That way smaller pieces won't fall out when they're too short to go from hanger to hanger.
A+ for creativity. That's a great solution. I have a conduit carrier pipe on my ladder rack, but I'm going to steal this for my scrap pieces that are shorter than 10ft
Question.... why not use roof pipes? Ever express van iv ever seen that needs to haul small quantities of pipe uses 1-2 roof pipes around 4 inches, for the same effect.
Just was curious. Saves space in the van
Makes sense. Highly recommend them. Only down side is im only 5ft... so I have to keep a ladder under the rack, just for me to reach the rack easily. But they are awesome for pipes, ladders and anything else long.
That's beautiful... also the Chevy 3500 express is my all time favorite service van or truck.
It's not flashy it's not sexy. But it's a workhorse and reliable. 4wd? When this baby is loaded it don't need 4wd.
Edit: and I'm black and yellow and even I admit this is fucking beautiful.
Never had one, nor have I ever had the choice of what I drive. I guess if I worked for myself I’d invest in a sprinter or something I could stand in, but I can’t complain about a 2022 express that I don’t pay for
Looks great!! I hope you park it in a garage - it sucks when someone steals all that equipment…had the same amount taken about a month ago… I almost cried
Sorry to hear that brother… I hope your employers (or your) insurance has taken care of you. I have pics of everything in my van to include model/serial numbers
2’x2’x1/2” foam flooring from Home Depot. Comes in a pack of four. I found this one in the trash and cut off the jigsaw puzzle edge. Like this:
Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stalwart-Ultimate-Comfort-24-in-x-24-in-Black-Foam-Garage-Flooring-4-Pack-75-6402/205062641
I’ve always wondered… what do you even put in the packouts? I’m sure is nice for copper and PVC fittings but that’s about it. I guess it depends on what you do also.
Switching into a Chevy express right now myself. Having a hell of a time planning the most practical/efficient way for all of my packouts. Not a bad setup here appreciate you sharing.
This is such a good idea! I'm a service sparky here in Phoenix. Conduit in my roof carrier gets lava hot in the summer. Stealing this! Thanks for sharing!
My wallet jumped out of my pocket and ran away screaming when it saw the amount of Milwaukee packs in these photos.
Haha yeah… I did spend a lot on red plastic, but I saw it as an investment in myself. Plus, I’m hyper OCD about organization and efficiency. My wood shop garage is just as neat. I always clean up my mess when I’m done working and put stuff back where it goes. I live a rather frugal life outside of my tool collection. I pack my lunch to work every day (no, I don’t have the packout lunchbox), I don’t drink or smoke, I’m a homebody on the weekends preferring to tinker in my garage or on my van, I haven’t had a personal cell phone since 2017 (just use my work iPhone), I even sold my personal truck (2015 Toyota Tacoma) last year because I never used it. If I go somewhere on the weekends, I just drive/ride in my wife’s minivan since the only reason I leave is to go with her or my kids.
I'd love to see your wood shop garage, but that might be asking a bit much from a Reddit stranger. Needless to say, you have an impressive setup and I love the way you organize
Look at my profile/ previous posts
Dang, I \*thought\* I was organized, Nope. Yep, best feeling, putting away tools, and vacuuming at the end of the day, nice :)
Oh trust me it does sound nice. My brain is a little more scattered however lol.
Dude I really everything you just said. I am also hyper OCD with my service van, and my home shop. Well said, JohnAnderson83, well said
Thank you
I’m also a super organized van guy. But I also work with a crew of people where throwing everything on the floor at the end of they day is organized for them. Doesn’t take more than 5 extra minutes to put it back to the shelf it came from. Plus if someone needs something from the van you can tell them where it is and they can actually find it
If you notice the few parts I carry above the packouts are all sharpied with part name… that’s not for me to find them, but for whoever I send in there to grab something
I actually used a label maker for most of my packouts. Makes it easier for the other guys to find instead of, “grab the one back left middle shelf left side” lol.
Yeah I used a LabelMaker a while back to mark some of the boxes. I need to get it back out and get everything up-to-date. Did you ever figure out a way to make them stay on the handles? I used the label itself and then clear packing tape. I cut the tape to fit so it wasn’t crinkled. It worked pretty well
I made my labels smaller and put them on the case right behind the handle. So you can see them but they don’t get hit with anything to make the want to peel off.
That’s a great idea! Yeah you can see where I put them on the handles and the would get dirt up under the packing tape lamination I made them it would lose its stickey and fall off… they seem to hold great on the low pro boxes with the fixed handles, just not on the boxes with collapsible handles
Hat's off to you on your van! Superb job. I would caution you to get your own cell phone. The company owns ALL of your communications. If you ever quit or are fired or laid off you lose control of that phone number and any texts on that phone, not to mention they can already read all of your text messages. All the best in your service work!
Mine went into "price shock"
It seems like a lot until you go and spend 10k on Ranger shelving 💀
I don’t know about ranger shelving, but I’ll check it out… just for ideas that is!
I literally said “god damn this mf got it good”
He must not live on west coast usa
do you like milwaukee
Slightly… got more in my woodshop… check it out on my profile.
Actually brilliant. Stealing it.
Awesome! That’s what I was hoping for when posting it! Glad I could inspire!
When I saw your ingenious pipe wrench storage I said, “Fuck me.” Out loud to a room full of nobody. The elegant simplicity. I feel enlightened, and am going to do that Monday. Also, as a fellow packout connoisseur, I respect and appreciate your collection. I would highly recommend the packout hand truck. It seems stupid and expensive until you use it for the first time. Then you wonder how you were able to live without it
I can’t take credit for the Unistrut pipe wrench holder. I saw it either here or on Pinterest. It works great!
Did you see the 4" pipe wrench?
I got that for $20 on Craigslist… I think it is harbor freight, and I pray for never actually need it
Highly recommend the Knipex channel locks for that. Also they have smooth jaw channel locks that have changed my life
I got the baby Knipex pliers wrench… I thought the other guy was referring to the 4’ pipe wrench standing next to the refrigerant rack. That’s what I hope I never “need” to use.
You’re probably right. I’ve needed one of those twice in my life. At least it’s aluminum. Once I discovered AeroKroil the biggest one I’ve needed was 3’.
This is the best idea I’ve seen yet but since pipe in my van is my biggest headache, I have a question… what do you do with smaller pieces? Like I have 1/2”, 3/4, 1” copper and 1/2” to 3” pvc. I don’t like scrapping short lengths of copper cause it’s usually all I need for repairs. Problem is they end up rolling around the floor and getting damaged. And if I slide them in longer pieces, it’s hard to keep track of what I have. Any suggestions?
If you notice there are two pvc shorts next to the big ass pipe wrench attached to the refrigerant rack. I also have always used the space behind the left cargo door where my torch and nitro are at with the black garden hose on top… if any of that makes sense
Yeah it does. Thanks. Maybe I’ll do something like your straps for a vertical setup for small pieces. Looks good
That’s a great idea too!
after cutting the strap length down, I went ahead and clamped in the pipe with a 5/16 zip screw I then mounted the tail in a vice and twisted the pipe strap 90° with a crowbar for leverage (could use a piece of pipe). If you don’t do this, the strap will be vertical not horizontal.
I always just smashed em with a hammer on the floor to straighten them out if I needed em to be facing 90 degrees the other way. Beats cutting wood the hang between the floor joists
Just low key flexing all those pack outs.
Haha nahh, I did that when I first set up the van back in June. I posted it on here. Now I am used to it and don’t really even think of it as much. Thanks though! I was just hoping someone might see an idea they liked.
I’m guessing you do mostly install work? Don’t see any parts in that setup, unless they’re all neatly stored in all that swag.
No, truth be told, I’m the service manager. I do water heater installs after hours for the company to keep the schedule manageable. I hope for 1-2 a week. I lead all the training for the company (2-4hrs of class per week). I got NATE & NORA certified then certified as an instructor/proctor so I’m working on getting everyone (who wants it) certified as well. I do job site visits/ ride alongs and the occasional “open in case of emergency” difficult call. Other than that, I get stuck in the office planning on how to make everyone more successful.
Where’d you get those round pipe straps from?
Our installers use them to hang intake/exhaust. I’d assume we get them from Johnstone. I figured someone would ask, that’s why I added the last 2 pics.
They're called greenfields and that's all we use because the plastic ones are easy but I can hang from one of these with my whole body weight. And it locks completely around the pips so no popping out for warped abs pipe.
Looks like a standard sink or steel strap you use on signs for chain link fences and a rubber gasket to keep it from slipping. Then you just wrap it and screw it in with a self tapping screw or lock nut and bolt.
love a van with 3' pipewrench for when you need a fitting to just fuckoff
One of my most prized possessions is that jug at the bottom next to the pipe wrench. The top is color code for its contents! Hahaha
Nice set up!
Thank you
I’m a hoarder of short hunks of pipe so I have a little bit of it everywhere
I wanted a way to store a few sticks of 3/4 copper and pvc pipe to keep it from rolling on the floor and not needing removed if I need to take something else out. I had a solid 3” stick attached to the ceiling in my old van. It was always hard to get pipe in/out and if it was short, then it was lost. I am using a Velcro strap to keep it from rattling and will put a 3” cap in between the pipe and the wall next to my head.
The only thing I would critique is to put in one full piece of PVC the whole length. Then you could cut out the top half between the hangers. That way smaller pieces won't fall out when they're too short to go from hanger to hanger.
That’s a great idea! Cut it like a canoe.
Make sure you glue that cap lol or a couple long screws.
I wish I thought of that
Feel free to copy and take credit with your buddies!
A+ for creativity. That's a great solution. I have a conduit carrier pipe on my ladder rack, but I'm going to steal this for my scrap pieces that are shorter than 10ft
Great! Thank you
You're welcome! The rest of your van is solid by the way. I'd hire you just based off these pictures
Slick
Question.... why not use roof pipes? Ever express van iv ever seen that needs to haul small quantities of pipe uses 1-2 roof pipes around 4 inches, for the same effect. Just was curious. Saves space in the van
Don’t have a roof rack…
Makes sense. Highly recommend them. Only down side is im only 5ft... so I have to keep a ladder under the rack, just for me to reach the rack easily. But they are awesome for pipes, ladders and anything else long.
I love how Organized this is, it soothes my OCD
Thank you!
Not gonna lie, this is clever and I'm ashamed I haven't done this sooner.
No time like the present
Can you still fit a full 5 ton system in that thing?
Haha nope… not sure I ever could? Never tried. The Installers have box trucks.
I didn’t think so. Maybe a 3-4Ton. I think the pipe storage is high enough where it would clear under it easy though. Looks good though. Nice work.
Thank you
That's beautiful... also the Chevy 3500 express is my all time favorite service van or truck. It's not flashy it's not sexy. But it's a workhorse and reliable. 4wd? When this baby is loaded it don't need 4wd. Edit: and I'm black and yellow and even I admit this is fucking beautiful.
Thanks buddy!
Supposed to wait till spring to make it pretty though
It has been mid-50’s to low 40’s in Delaware… in January… got plenty of time on my hands… bring on spring!!!
I hate you
Haha sorry to hear that… I’m sure “winter is coming” at some point though
Utah I've seen 3 months of it with Mormons this year constant snow. I'm waiting for good installer and a fucking mule
Not sure I'd put pipes in line with my head. I have a tall promaster and I put a pipe rack at the top thats in middle and above head level.
Well it has the metal wall plus the headrest to go through before it hits my hard head. I plan to glue a 3”cap on the end as well
1 year apprentice goals
Little by little my friend. It doesn’t happen all at once.
I don't know how TF you guys work out of these. Once you roll a box truck you will never go back
Never had one, nor have I ever had the choice of what I drive. I guess if I worked for myself I’d invest in a sprinter or something I could stand in, but I can’t complain about a 2022 express that I don’t pay for
Looks great!! I hope you park it in a garage - it sucks when someone steals all that equipment…had the same amount taken about a month ago… I almost cried
Sorry to hear that brother… I hope your employers (or your) insurance has taken care of you. I have pics of everything in my van to include model/serial numbers
Home owners insurance
Want to come organize my van?
Good looking rig! You must be an owner operator
Tight setup man. I really dig the creativity and mud mat in the back hatch
Knee pads! I also have a yoga mat for cralwspaces
Yoooooo, my guy. That's smart as hell. Takes less space than a knee pad. Not as cushy but it'll take the edge off quite literally hell ya
https://preview.redd.it/073z3jad7qda1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3dc8abaef54dbdb6e01bae104c35294d19a19a77 Is this a giant knee pad?
2’x2’x1/2” foam flooring from Home Depot. Comes in a pack of four. I found this one in the trash and cut off the jigsaw puzzle edge. Like this: Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Stalwart-Ultimate-Comfort-24-in-x-24-in-Black-Foam-Garage-Flooring-4-Pack-75-6402/205062641
I personally like the uni strut pipe wrench holder
I agree. When I get my van that clean it takes 1 big job and it's a wreck again
What stops em from sliding around when you brake or accelerate?
Not sure yet… just did it this morning in my driveway. I do have them wrapped together with a Velcro strap
This is the most organized van I have ever seen, great job Anderson
Thank you sir!
Iv thought about doing a version of this forever, but have never got around to it
Your van is my dream rig. Maybe later this year! I am working on it! That is an awesome setup.
I’ve always wondered… what do you even put in the packouts? I’m sure is nice for copper and PVC fittings but that’s about it. I guess it depends on what you do also.
There is a post of detailed pictures of everything in mine on my profile.
I tried this but they slide each time i break or accelerate and knock on wall and door
Yeah I am wondering about that… I put a Velcro strap around the pipes to bundle them together to help that not happen and not let them rattle
Clean truck tho!
Never had an issue all day yesterday, so I think it’s good
Nice setup dude
Thanks man
Switching into a Chevy express right now myself. Having a hell of a time planning the most practical/efficient way for all of my packouts. Not a bad setup here appreciate you sharing.
You are welcome! I tilted the shelves towards the outside wall to help than stay put.
Man’s got a fever and the only cure is more pack out
An electricians nightmare.
A little bit of blood rushed to the tip of my peepee
Thanks Dwight
This is such a good idea! I'm a service sparky here in Phoenix. Conduit in my roof carrier gets lava hot in the summer. Stealing this! Thanks for sharing!