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Van racks

Created by thedoor thedoor  > 9 months ago, 16 Jun 2023
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thedoor
thedoor

2487 posts

16 Jun 2023 6:50am
First version of racks for van. I like the hook rack on the side a lot. Horizontal enclosed racks like I have here or not tall enough for foot straps so they need to be made bigger.





Wondering if horizontal open sided wall rack would be better? eg would prob need to switch to aluminium to do that though not plastic pipe like this


ptsf1111
ptsf1111

WA

506 posts

16 Jun 2023 8:47am
Nice van!

Open sided: You would lose a lot of space because you need room to slide in the boards so I don't think it will be more efficient. In that case, I would build it in such a way that you load and unload the boards via the side (sliding) door. That might be challenging when unloading in a parking lot (although same could be said for rear).

Also you give up quite a bit of space because of the large diameter of the pvc piping (6 x 20 mm?). I went with 8mm threaded rods with small diameter pipe insulation. Can be done with aluminium or something similar to save precious space.

You will find that it gets annoying to slide the sails on that rear supporting bar as it will get stuck against it. You might want to store these on a flat surface so that you can easily slide the sails in.

Be careful with your current setup, it's quite dangerous! I guess it's far from finished but you either want to install a bulkhead or make very sure that the boards and rack won't go anywhere when you have to make an emergency stop or end up in a crash as the boards will potentially kill you and other passengers.
thedoor
thedoor

2487 posts

16 Jun 2023 10:50am
Select to expand quote
ptsf1111 said..
Nice van!

Open sided: You would lose a lot of space because you need room to slide in the boards so I don't think it will be more efficient. In that case, I would build it in such a way that you load and unload the boards via the side (sliding) door. That might be challenging when unloading in a parking lot (although same could be said for rear).

Also you give up quite a bit of space because of the large diameter of the pvc piping (6 x 20 mm?). I went with 8mm threaded rods with small diameter pipe insulation. Can be done with aluminium or something similar to save precious space.

You will find that it gets annoying to slide the sails on that rear supporting bar as it will get stuck against it. You might want to store these on a flat surface so that you can easily slide the sails in.

Be careful with your current setup, it's quite dangerous! I guess it's far from finished but you either want to install a bulkhead or make very sure that the boards and rack won't go anywhere when you have to make an emergency stop or end up in a crash as the boards will potentially kill you and other passengers.


Good idea about the board to slide the sails on as it was a tad annoying to slide onto the rack

I was hoping to be able to walk around inside the van which is why the rack is so tall. Perhaps I should scrap that idea which would allow me to use the full width of the van in the rear and just have standing room where the sliding door is. As it is now it is a certainly a bit dicey
Gwarn
Gwarn

245 posts

18 Jun 2023 2:55am
It will evolve over time as you grow into the van (quiver bag).
I would recommend getting some rubber mat to catch water dripping off the gear.
Mine has shrunk over time moving off the fin to the foil.
I use the hitch safe for the MB key I still haven't found anybody to cut me a valet key without a chip so I could take it out on the water with me.







thedoor
thedoor

2487 posts

18 Jun 2023 3:59am
Current prototype


Gonna switch to 80/20 soon
thedoor
thedoor

2487 posts

18 Jun 2023 4:00am
Select to expand quote
Gwarn said..
It will evolve over time as you grow into the van (quiver bag).
I would recommend getting some rubber mat to catch water dripping off the gear.
Mine has shrunk over time moving off the fin to the foil.
I use the hitch safe for the MB key I still haven't found anybody to cut me a valet key without a chip so I could take it out on the water with me.








Doesn't you key release from the fob to take in water?
thedoor
thedoor

2487 posts

18 Jun 2023 4:20am



KDog
KDog

371 posts

18 Jun 2023 4:31am
You have to find a good locksmith my friend cut mine with just a cell phone photo. I wear mine around my neck under my wetsuit of course use high quality string have never lost one in over twenty years.
ptsf1111
ptsf1111

WA

506 posts

18 Jun 2023 9:26am
Select to expand quote
thedoor said..

Doesn't you key release from the fob to take in water?


Yeah it should with that release thingy on the top but I think it's a terrible idea to leave the electronic key in your van as it is relatively easy to break in and with the key they just drive away. I'll take the MB key with me on the water in a key pouch, works perfectly fine and I don't have to worry about someone trying to steal the van while on the water.
thedoor
thedoor

2487 posts

19 Jun 2023 11:03pm
Probably two levels for sails will be the way to go...





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