A RACKING SOLUTION FOR THE LUGGAGE AREA OF A CUSTOM L1 H1

When we talk about Syncro racking solutions, we usually present a make and model of van with rear and sometimes side access and a cargo compartment large enough to accommodate both racking and accessories.

But the fact is that Syncro racking can just as easily be installed in vehicles like passenger vans, cars and trucks. What makes the difference is not the type of vehicle in which the racking solution is installed, but the method used to design it. Syncro’s racking experts always start by analysing the customer’s needs and methods of working, and only then identify the most suitable solutions, scaling them up or down to suit the space available.

The racking system we are discussing today illustrates this process perfectly. The company that owns this vehicle works inside the Venice Intermodal Terminal, and uses it to transport maintenance teams and carry out minor jobs in the port area.

In this situation:

• The space available for racking is greatly reduced, because most of the vehicle’s interior is occupied by seating. All that remains is a small luggage area.
• The only access to the racking is through the tailgate at the rear and there is no bulkhead to which racking and accessories can be fixed.
• It is not possible to board the vehicle at the rear so all racking must be accessible from ground level.
• The luggage area is not clearly separated from the passenger compartment.

Let’s see what Syncro System’s racking specialists came up with for this very unusual situation in a Ford Custom L1 H1 for transporting maintenance teams.

Syncro’s racking specialists can express their full potential when available space is at a premium. In the luggage area of this Custom they have found a way to concentrate various functions:

• Storage. To carry tools, spares, fasteners and consumables, there is a large under-floor drawer unit with two small drawers and one large one. All are easily accessible from ground level and, thanks to robust, ball-bearing runners, extend all the way out to give easy access to contents.
• Work. The drawer unit’s robust metal frame supports a small but practical steel workbench with raised edges at the sides and rear. This work surface serves multiple purposes since it can also be used to support heavy cargo.
• Convenience and safety. Also on the frame of the drawer unit, Syncro has installed a pull-out slide that carries a sealed, stainless-steel tray with drip tray and raised sides. This tray is specially designed for the safe transport of jerry cans containing oil, fuel or detergent.

This compact vehicle boasts a number of special solutions that Syncro has devised over the year to meet customer needs. The slide in this Custom for the Venice intermodal terminal is particularly useful because:

1. It allows the tray to be fully extended from the vehicle for loading, emptying or inspection, without requiring any effort from the operator.

2. It allows operators to work standing up in a safe position and with full visibility when handling potentially hazardous liquids, thus avoiding spills and accidents.

3. The tray adds an extra level of safety and protection to the small loadspace. In the event of a container leaking or breaking, or drips escaping during pouring, the liquid lost is safely contained inside the sealed tray. This avoids soiling the carpets of the luggage compartment and stops the spread of harmful or flammable fumes into the passenger compartment.

In passenger vans, the absence of side doors for cargo and the impossibility of climbing into the back of the vehicle mean that all work must be done from the ground at the rear. The high load, telescopic ball-bearing runners of the underfloor drawer unit and slide allow both to extend beyond the bumper sill. The operator can therefore access what he needs and work upright, without having to bend into the luggage area. The low floor keeps the work surface at an ergonomic height, avoiding fatigue and the risks associated with maintaining incorrect postures over the long term.

Not everyone has a mobile workshop to move around in. Luckily, Syncro can reorganise the workspace of any vehicle. So, if you want to improve your efficiency, you can rely on the thirty-year experience of our racking teams even if you own a car, a passenger van, or a much larger vehicle like a truck.

We have specialised in van racking since 1996 and have satisfied a large number of special requirements over the years. We always succeed in translating our customers’ needs into fully customised practical solutions.

So book your obligation-free consultation now!