A MODERN VAN, IDEAL FOR TRANSPORT AND FOR INSTALLING RACKING

The first version of Volkswagen’s large van was presented in 1995. Made by Mercedes Benz AG in Dusseldorf, it was first sold as the VW LT. The second version was introduced in 2006 and rebranded as the Crafter. The third series appeared in 2017 and marked a major departure from the past. VW ended its historic collaboration with Mercedes and produced the new van in-house. A large new factory WAS built in Poland for this purpose. The Crafter is a large van with a voluminous, square load compartment. This makes it ideal for conversion as a mobile workshop. Even with a racking system and all your materials and tools in place, the Crafter still has plenty of room left to carry even bulky cargo. Volkswagen is betting hard on the large van segment and the ultra-modern Crafter has all it takes to dominate the market. The square, protrusion-free shape of the cargo space makes the Crafter perfect for installing all the shelves, drawers and accessories needed to convert your van into an efficient mobile workshop. A racking system with components like drawers, shelves, a work bench, plastic bins and a locker, and useful accessories like lights, cargo straps, containers, components cases and vice benches has transformed this Crafter into the perfect workshop on wheels!

A MOBILE WORKSHOP WITH SHELVES AND DRAWERS FOR THE CRAFTER

Racking on the right of the 2017 Crafter

A compressor-generator combo in the Crafter

The van workshop seen here was designed and installed by Syncro System technicians. The first step was to fit a 12 mm thick, marble-look plywood floor liner, not just to protect the original floor, but also to provide a perfectly level surface for the racking and cargo. The walls were then protected using smooth aluminium panels. The racking on the left of the van consists of a series of drawers in high-strength steel, all mounted on telescopic, ball-bearing runners, and all fitted with non-slip mats and internal dividers. The racking also contains a locker, complete with lock and key, and various shelves, again with space dividers, including some with a door at the front. At the bottom are two sealed, stainless-steel trays for containing liquid spillages. At the top of this section of racking are two sets of removable plastic containers and a cabinet of pull-out transparent containers. Moving over to the right of the van, we find a work bench in 25 mm thick plywood installed over seven metal drawers. Above the work bench are two cabinets of tilting transparent containers with automatic locking mechanisms incorporated in the release buttons. Also on the right of the van is a powerful compressor-generator combo that uses the Crafter’s own engine to produce 600 litres of air a minute and up to 15 kVa of electrical power. The installation is completed by useful accessories like a fold-away bench with a rotary-base vice, a handwash kit, a first aid case, hose and cable reels, LED ceiling lights and cargo retaining straps.

RACKING ON BOTH SIDE OF THE CRAFTER

The racking seen from the Crafter’s side door

After protecting this Crafter’s floor with a plywood liner and its walls with honeycomb plastic liners, the Syncro team went on to install racking and a selection of accessories on both sides of the van. The racking on the left starts with two open floor-level compartments, one with a strap for securing the user’s tool cases. Then there are eight large steel drawers with telescopic, ball-bearing runners and space dividers, four shelves, again with dividers, one shelf with five removable plastic containers and a top shelf with a rear door for long objects. The racking on the right of the van starts with a floor-level compartment with one of Syncro’s patented lift-and-rotate doors, a set of cabinets with pull-out transparent containers and, higher up, a set of cabinets with tilting transparent containers. Syncro transparent containers feature an exclusive design with no protruding parts and with an automatic locking mechanism. They are incredibly practical since you can see instantly what’s inside. This van’s racking is complemented by aluminium bars with straps and sliding fittings, a paper roll holder, and a fold-away table on the bulkhead.

A WORKSHOP ON WHEELS IN A VW CRAFTER

Racking on the left of the Volkswagen Crafter

Racking on the right of the Volkswagen Crafter

These photos illustrate another Crafter fitted out as a mobile workshop by Syncro technicians. The team started the job by protecting the floor and bulkhead with liners in 12 mm thick, marble-look birch plywood, and protecting the walls with galvanised and painted steel panels. The racking on the left includes a work bench, also in marble-look birch plywood, a generous provision of metal drawers mounted on ball-bearing runners, a case transport compartment, another floor-level compartment with a parallelogram action door, two large shelves and a full-length top shelf with a door at the back – a great way to carry pipes and other long items. On the right of the van, the racking consists of a floor-level compartment with a door, two shelves with internal space dividers, two sets of removable plastic containers and, at the top, metal cabinets with pull-out transparent containers. This Crafter also features a fold-away vice bench with a steel vice, a handwash kit with a plastic water can and tap, a soap dispenser and a paper roll holder. There is also a silicon tube rack and a number of compact but powerful LED ceiling lights to ensure excellent illumination inside the van.

FLOOR LINERS, INTERIOR LINERS AND PROTECTIVE PANELLING FOR THE CRAFTER’S CARGO COMPARTMENT

A floor liner and bodywork liners in a Crafter

Floor and bodywork liners in the Crafter

The Syncro System catalogue includes floor liners in plywood or aluminium tread plate. Aluminium liners can even be fitted over plywood liners to support particularly heavy loads. Most customers also specify our robust wall and door liners, which come ready for fitting and provide excellent protection for your van’s bodywork. Syncro can also supply bulkhead liners, wheel arch liners, window grilles and more besides.

ROOF RACKS AND LADDER RACKS FOR THE CRAFTER

The Syncro System Group also produces a full range of roof racks and ladder racks for the Crafter. The Syncro roof transport system is modular in design and can be configured to meet your needs. Our exclusive aerodynamic cross-bars also make Syncro System roof racks and ladder racks extremely silent on the road.

THE VAN RACKING SPECIALISTS