There’s practically no end to the ways a van can be fitted out for a plumber. To convince you of this and to provide ideas for your own van (of what you want and what you don’t want), here are two very different solutions compared.

On this page you can see and compare two large vans, a Peugeot Boxer L2 H2 and a Ford Transit L3 H2, both equipped with Syncro System racking for plumbers.

We’ll examine the differences between them in a minute, but first let’s take a look at the similarities. Both vans have racking on both sides while the bulkhead is used as a space for transporting cargo and equipment in safety. They also share some of the accessories that are most popular with Syncro customers. Let’s take a closer look.

Syncro can protect every surface inside your van. The high-tech production machinery at Syncro’s factory in Cassola, Italy, can cut and shape lining panels for every part of the interior, from the floor to the bulkhead, the walls and doors and even the roof and wheel arches.

Both the vans seen on this page have been fitted with floor liners made from marble-look plywood with protective metal edge profiles at the doors.

As for the rest of the interior, the two plumber have made somewhat different choices. The doors and walls of the Boxer are fully protected by painted steel panelling while the owner of the Transit has chosen to leave in place the original panels on the bottom sections of the doors.

Only the Boxer has had its bulkhead protected. The material used for this is the same marble-look plywood that covers the floor.

Lining solutions for the Boxer

Lining solutions for the Transit

For plumbers who work on site, storage is the most essential aspect of any mobile workshop. Their vans must be able to transport spares, sundries, tools and consumables. In short, everything they need to work efficiently!

The Syncro catalogue contains a vast range of storage elements, from open shelves without doors to enclosed metal drawers and transparent plastic containers, lockers and shelves with doors.

Which type to choose? The flexibility of Syncro racking allows you to mix both types, alternate one with the other, or opt for all-open or all-enclosed configurations. Let’s compare the racking on the left of these two vans.

The Boxer: Both options have been used here to create a functional, well-thought-out mix consisting of:

• two floor-level compartments, one enclosed by a lift-up door, the other left open and equipped with a shuttle-type case compartment
• two configurable shelves and four shelves carrying a total of 24 removable plastic containers of different shape and size
• a full-length top tray with an access door at the rear

The Transit: Open racking predominates in this van. We can see:

• a floor-level compartment with a low bottom profile at the front
• four large configurable shelves with non-slip mats and internal dividers
• Multibox cabinets containing 18 pull-out transparent containers
• a full-length top tray with a door at the rear
• a large empty section enclosed only by the top tray overhead, equipped with a Syncroblock bar, attachments and straps for securing bulky cargo

The different choices made by the two plumbers for the right walls of their vans reflect differing needs and working habits. The owner of the Boxer has dedicated most of the space on the right wall to creating a practical work area. Instead, his colleague, the owner of the Transit, has focused on maximising storage space.

The Boxer: A practical, robust work bench made from marble-look plywood is supported by a racking column consisting of a floor-level compartment with a door and three metal drawers. On the wall above is a cabinet with six pull-out transparent containers and an LED tube light arranged to illuminate the bench. To the left of the work bench is a column of eight spacious shelves. A fold-away vice bench complete with metal vice is fixed to the side panel of the work bench at the rear of the van.

The Transit: A large floor-level compartment is enclosed only by a low front profile at the bottom. Above this are four metal drawers, three shelves with 24 removable plastic containers and two rows of Multibox cabinets containing a total of 12 transparent tilting containers. In this van too, a fold-away bench with a metal vice has been fixed to the rear-facing side panel.

Syncro vice benches, especially the larger models, form stable, resistant work surfaces. They offer a valid alternative when no dedicated work bench is available, but they can also be integrated into racking systems that already include another work surface. The Transit illustrates the first of these scenarios while the Boxer typifies the second, in which the fold-away bench is attached to the side of a fixed work bench. This solution not only avoids encumbering the main bench with a bulky vice, but also provides a second work surface that can be used from the ground without having to climb into the van.

Both the Transit and the Boxer are equipped with a FORTIX vice bench with a built-in telescopic support. Simply by pulling outward and downward on the handle, the vice bench extends on its gas springs, stopping when parallel to the ground. The surface of the bench is protected by a sheet of chequer plate aluminium. The support opens and closes along with the bench top thanks to a mechanism patented by Syncro.

Many of the requests made by customers can be satisfied by adding Syncro accessories.

Basic hygiene for hands and tools: a handwash kit with tap has been installed in both vans; the Transit also boasts a paper roll holder while a liquid soap dispenser has been added in the Boxer.

Even or focused interior lighting: LED tube lights have been installed under the roof of both vans. The Boxer also has lighting over the work bench.

Safe transport for all kinds of cargo, tools and materials: the Boxer is equipped with a silicone cartridge rack, a bar rack with flange and strap, a universal metal pocket, a length of ROTM rail and a cable holder; the Transit has a universal metal pocket and two lengths of Syncroblock slider bar, one combined with lashing straps and attachments, the other with cable holders.

Even if you own a large van, the cargo compartment can fill up rapidly. To keep the central corridor free and to facilitate movement and work inside the van, the owner of the Boxer asked Syncro to add a roof rack. The configuration chosen includes side fences, a loading roller at the rear and an Ultrasilent noise-reducing profile under the first crossbar.

View other racking solutions for plumbers.

View other racking solutions for the Boxer.

View other racking solutions for the Transit.

You can find hundreds of racking solutions described on our website. And don’t forget that since 1996 Syncro has fitted out over 100,000 vans – all differently!

The perfect racking system is the one you design for yourself with the help of our experts – one that fully satisfies your needs. Don’t delay! Get in touch now to book your obligation-free consultation.