THE VAN RACKING SPECIALISTS
Volkswagen Caddy conversion with shelving and ladder
THE CADDY IS A COMPACT VOLKSWAGEN VAN
The German automotive house, for some time, has been a leader in the commercial vehicle market – with its Transporter, Caddy and Crafter. The Caddy (photos below) has been around since 1980, and still today, the compact commercial van is greatly appreciated by its owners.
CONVERTING THE CADDY WITH SHELVING UNITS AND LADDER STORAGE
As in almost all cases, the first step in conversions is installing a floor panel. For this conversion, we installed the 12 mm resin-coated plywood floor panel. It plays a key role for a variety of reasons: it protects against damage to the original van floor; it creates a perfectly flat loading floor; and it guarantees a solid base for mounting the racking components. The special marine plywood is highly water resistant, complete with anti-slip steel borders and recessed steel anchorage points.
The van is used as a mobile workshop that must transport two telescoping ladders and a third smaller ladder, as well as other equipment and materials. No problem for the Syncro technicians, who fixed their clasp and strap system to the left-hand wall of the Caddy.
Taking a look at the right-hand side racking components, at the base we see the wheel arch frame with its opening front panel. The space around the wheel arch is transformed into practical storage – perfectly accessible, thanks to the space-saving, Syncro patented, open-wide door panels.
Above the wheel arch frame, we placed a drawer unit with 100 mm high drawers, all mounted on ball bearing glides, and complete with rubber mats and metal dividers. The units also contain two trays for storing the Galaxy organizer case with clear plastic lid - extremely useful for storing all kinds of small parts and fittings.
Next to the drawer unit, we find a small shelf, and above it, two large shelves complete with rubber mats and metal dividers. At the very top of the unit, we mounted a steel drawer unit with forward-tilting, clear plastic drawers – each with automatic locking mechanism. Just like with the Galaxy, the clear plastic means you never lose time finding what you’re looking for! And there are six more clear plastic drawers placed for access from the side door.
The Syncro catalogue is chocked full of accessories for the Caddy – all designed to make work faster and better and life easier on your converted van. In this conversion, we see a hanging cable holder for tubes and extension cords, mounted along the bulkhead. On the left-hand side back door we, see the hand-washing kit including 10-liter water tank, a soap dispenser, and on the opposite door, the paper towel roll holder. Last but not least, accessible from the back doors, is an emergency kit and an aluminum storage pocket.