ALL NEW Bott Ladder CLAMP

The next generation vehicle ladder securing system.

Co-engineered between workspace storage specialist The Bott Group and commercial vehicle accessory experts Van Guard Accessories Ltd, scheduled for release in Summer 2026.

• Triple-Start Thread System: Allows the clamp to engage and disengage up to three times faster than standard threads, drastically cutting down the number of manual turns needed to secure your ladder.
• One-Handed Operation: Patented spring-loaded ball bearings inside the clamp body maintain consistent upward tension. This allows you to easily place and secure the ladder with one hand while staying safe on the roof bar.
• Indexed Torque Handle: Features an integrated mechanism that provides an audible "clicking" feedback once the proper tightening threshold is met, preventing over-tightening or gear slipping.
• Integrated Anti-Theft Lock: Eliminates the hassle of using separate loose padlocks by embedding a secure, built-in lock directly into the handle architecture.
• Heavy-Duty Construction: Fabricated from high-grade stainless steel and glass-reinforced nylon to remain lightweight while providing absolute resistance to harsh weather, rust, and road corrosion.
• 20G Crash Tested: Extensively life-cycle tested internally and certified to perform safely under extreme sudden vibration or impact pressure.

• Purchase & Availability Details
• Scheduled for July 2026 (subject to confirmation)
• Price To Be Confirmed
• Available from the following websites.
• Vanarack.com
• Vanguard-direct.co.uk

Are Van Roof Racks Legal in the UK?

Yes; van roof racks are legal in the UK, but only if they are used correctly and comply with road safety and load‑security laws.

If you’re a tradesperson using roof racks or roof bars to carry ladders, piping, timber, or equipment, understanding the rules is essential. Incorrectly loaded roof racks can lead to fines, points on your licence, or even vehicle prohibition.

This guide explains what UK drivers need to know in 2026.

UK Laws That Apply to Van Roof Racks

There isn’t a single “roof rack law”. Instead, roof racks must comply with existing road safety regulations.

The key rules come from:

• The Road Traffic Act
• Construction & Use Regulations
• Highway Code load safety guidance

In simple terms:

Your load must be secure, safe, and not endanger other road users.

Roof Rack Weight Limits: What You Need to Know

Every van has a maximum roof load limit set by the manufacturer.

This includes:

• The weight of the roof rack itself
• Plus the cargo you carry on it

For example: If your van’s roof load limit is 100kg and the rack weighs 25kg, your usable load is 75kg.

✅ Always check:

• Your vehicle handbook
• The rack manufacturer’s rated capacity

Exceeding roof limits can invalidate insurance.

Load Security Rules (Very Important)

Your load must:

• Not move under braking or cornering
• Not fall from the vehicle
• Not protrude dangerously

Best practice includes:

• Properly fitted roof racks designed for your van
• Rated load straps (not bungee cords)
• Even weight distribution
• Keeping the load as low as possible

Are There Rules About Overhanging Loads?

Yes.

If your load overhangs:

• It must not be dangerous
• It must be clearly visible
• In some cases, it must be marked

As a general rule:

• Overhangs beyond the vehicle body should be avoided
• Long items like ladders should be well supported and secured at multiple points

Can You Be Fined for an Illegal Roof Load?

Yes.

Police and DVSA can:

• Issue fines
• Add penalty points
• Prohibit the vehicle from continuing its journey

Unsafe loads are treated seriously, especially on commercial vehicles.

Choosing a Compliant Roof Rack System

To stay legal and safe:

• Use vehicle‑specific roof racks
• Choose systems tested for commercial use
• Avoid cheap, universal fittings
• Have racks installed correctly

Quality roof rack systems are designed to meet UK safety standards and reduce risk on the road.

Final Thoughts

Van roof racks are legal in the UK, but responsibility sits with the driver and vehicle owner.

If you rely on your van for work, investing in the right rack system and using it correctly isn’t optional — it’s part of running a professional and compliant business.

View Vanarack’s range of roof rack and roof bar systems designed for UK tradespeople.

TRX003 – A Transit Custom Camper Van that changes the game.

So many Transit Custom Camper Van layouts compromise living in comfort & keeping your bike safe, often bikes share space with you or sit outside at night.

With TRX003 – You and Your bikes are in for a treat.

Safely & securely carry two bikes, riding gear & more in the spacious garage, time to chill, spacious & comfortable living area, sofa, small kitchen & large double bed above garage.

The large well lit garage area features a bespoke Shred Sled with Sliding Carriage Kit , Pair of Drop In Mounts & BikeStow Fork Mounts  offering a secure place for your bikes to take a rest for the night & loads of storage options for riding gear and more, there’s even a shower outlet for hosing down.

TRX003, feels like a bigger van inside, based on a modest Transit Custom L2 H2, swivel the passenger seat and the space opens up, providing a great place to chill, a comfortable sofa & large floor area create a feeling of space whilst our Black Hex Birch plywood cabinetry,  black Alcantara & carpet lining accented with naked birch ceiling panels & full length head height storage offer a cosey Scandi feel.

Featuring a back to basics slide out kitchen, a 1000 watt induction hob, large mobile fridge & ample storage for all your cookware, the slide out kitchen module can be extended with a worktop extension top & when not in use simply slides back into the garage area to save space, the large mobile 12 volt fridge located under the slide out kitchen keeps your food and drinks cool either in or out of the van.

Time to kick back, TRX003 literally pulls out all the stops in the bed department, the slide out above garage bed measures an impressive 1950mm x 1350mm (6ft 4″ x 4ft 5″) with a a 100mm (4″) mattress, the slide out section has a four way back rest, perfect for gazing out the back doors or watching a film.

You can never have too much storage, TRX003 has an abundance of storage including large under sofa (140 litres), above cab (200 litres), & smaller lower bed side pods, both side full length head height storage cubbies with padded baskets and elastic, the slide out bed extension even features a large padded drawer for laptops and electronics & a moulded padded storage area for plates, bowls & utensils.

Off Grid power is taken care of with the massively impressive EcoFlow Delta Pro, with 3.6kwh of battery capacity & up to 4500 watts of AC power in X-Boost mode to power pretty much anything, with two IP68 rated outlets in the garage & 1 x IP68 rated outlet in the kitchen leaving two spare 240 volt ac outlets on the Delta Pro.

Keeping you juiced up,  the EcoFlow alternator charger outputs up to 800 watts whilst driving & two EcoFlow 100 watt solar panels stealthily mounted to our TraxRack Pro keep you topped up whilst Off Grid, just in case you are have access to shore power we’ve included an external hook-up point.

TRX003 features a small but essential 25 litre internally mounted wheel arch water tank feeds a shower outlet in the garage and kitchen area.

Being fully insulated using Dodo mat thermoliner extreme. all windows include VanTrax quilted & insulated interior window covers that are magnetically attached keeping you warm or cool shouldn’t be a problem, if the temperature does take a tumble we have the very efficient and quiet Planar 4kw diesel air heater with two outlets, one in the living arear and once in the garage,  being run from the fuel tank keeps thing simple and the heater is controlled by the intuitive Comfort control panel.

Setting the mood, led lighting throughout is provided using 8 ceiling lights in two zones of four (front & rear) & high level ambient lighting around the storage cubbies.

The journey is part of the adventure, and we love to listen to our favourite tunes en-route, TRX003 features a big audio upgrade, the front doors are heavily sound deadened using Dodomat products & house the very impressive Alpine Audio Adventure Van speaker upgrade, these are complimented in the Bass department by the Hertz Audio MPS250 10″ Subwoofer located in a customer VanTrax Enclosure stealthily mounted in the garage, providing power for Audio upgrade is the compact yet mighty Audison SR5.600 amplifier

TRX003 features a fully glazed rear and a number of subtle external upgrades, these include our TraxRack Pro roof rack with full width front led lightbar & two rear auxiliary lights, SuperMetal Rig allow wheels fitted with Micheline Cross Climate tyres, VanTrax Bull Bar & Side protection bars & lower raptor style finish along the sill areas of the van.

Interested in a TRX003 Camper Conversion

Watch our recent YouTube walkthrough video to find out more:

Ready to Explore our TRX Adventure Van Conversions Packages?

If your in the market for a Transit Custom Camper Van Conversion find out more about our TRX003 Build packages here:

Vantrax TRX002 Demo Van is up for sale, grab a bargain as priced to sell

£18,995 (PRICED TO SELL!!!)

TRX002 Is a ready to roll, go anywhere adventure van!

It is jam packed with specs and features and will be an outstanding vehicle for any adventure lover!????️

*12 Months Warranty

*12 Months MOT

*Full service completed upon sale

TRX002 has been fundamental to Vantrax, allowing us to develop products, display at shows and build our brand….however it is now time for one of you to take. TRX002 on some adventures of your own!

Send us a DM to start your enquiry today!

#vanconversion #vwcaddy #vwcampervan #builtforadventure #vantrax #mtbvan #adventurevan

Visit our sister site

Vantrax

Explore

TRX Adventure Vans

Start your tentbox adventure with vantrax today

Take Advantage of our tentbox discount code: tentbox10@vantrax

Available to order today from Vantrax.com with our summer 2025 10% discount.

Discount applies to all TentBox roof Tents & accessories.

Why Choose TentBox?

5-Minute Setup

One person set up, roll back the cover, unfold pulling the ladder to the ground, you are ready to camp.

Adventure awaits around every corner

Explore outdoors start your adventure.

Pitch anywhere

You can pitch anywhere you can park your car. That includes car parks, lay-bys, and of course campsites. You’re high off the ground, so no need to worry if it’s wet and muddy!

Cost-effective

It’s a cost-effective way to turn your car into a Campervan. After the initial investment, travel is cheap – there are lots of free places to park up and sleep, and campsites are much more affordable than hotels.

View The Entire TentBox Range

https://vantrax.com/product-category/tentbox/

View The TentBox Roof Tent Range

https://vantrax.com/product-category/tentbox/roof-tents/

View The TentBox Awning Range

https://vantrax.com/product-category/tentbox/tentbox-awnings/

View The TentBox Accessories Range

https://vantrax.com/product-category/tentbox/tentbox-accessories/

With the recent launch of the All New Ford Transit Custom Vanarack is pleased to offer you every day great deals on the range of quality roof racks & roof bars from Rhino Products Ltd.

The All New Custom is currently available in four main body configurations, two short wheelbase models & two long wheelbase models, both available with barn doors or tailgate.

Choose from the Rhino KammRack roof rack or KammBar roof bars for your All New Transit custom.

Click the relevant link below:

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 2023 ON L1 H1 TWIN DOOR VAN ROOF RACKS & ROOF BARS

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 2023 ON L2 H1 TWIN DOOR VAN ROOF RACKS & ROOF BARS

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 2023 ON L1 H1 TAILGATE VAN ROOF RACKS & ROOF BARS

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 2023 ON L2 H1 TAILGATE VAN ROOF RACKS & ROOF BARS

Need Help Choosing a roof rack or roof bars?

Will a full roof rack or individual van roof bar set work best for your van & work needs? Read our helpful article, Should you buy a roof rack or roof bars to guide you. 

Featuring an entirely new infrastructure to suit customers needs better than ever, the all new Transit Custom is set to be every bit as popular as its predecessor.

Offered in a variety of powertrain options, including a range of  2.0L EcoBlue diesel engines which offer improved fuel efficiency and CO2 emmisions. A new 2.5L plug in hybrid with the option to run on electric only for up to 35 miles. Finally is the addition of the first all electric Transit Custom with a driving range of up to 236 miles. For customers working in tough enviroments, for the first time ever the all new Transit Custom is offered in a optional all wheel drive configuration with improved smoother 8-speed automatic transmition.

The 2.0L EcoBlue Diesel variant will have a  towing capacity of 2.8 tonnes whilst the Plug in Hybrid and the all electric models will be capable of towing a 2 tonne load.

For improved handling characteristics, the front wheels have been placed further fowards providing a more balanced stance with larger wheel arches have also been added allowing for 19" alloy wheels for better grip and stability.

All variants will be available as a Van, a double cab-in-van, a Kombi or with a new and unique L-shaped bulkhead. Two lengths and heights are available creating a maximum load volume of 9 cubic meters and a payload of up to 1,327kg (1.3t), with these configuration options, there is bound to be a transit custom that suits all purposes.

A lower load floor and step height is set to make working in and out of the vheicle and unloading easier than before, this combined with a new moulded bulkhead allows for the easy transportation of 8ftx4ft boards. To further the ease of unloading, power side loading doors are available as an option as well as the familiar wide opening rear doors or optional tailgate.

For those who require extra power on-site, the all new Pro Power option provides a onboard 2.3kw portable power supply, handy for running tools. charging batteries or powering aditional site lighting (available in Plug in Hybrid and all electric models). Rear load are lighting is also a optional feature allowing you to work more eaily form the rear of your van at any time of day or night. 

The interior of the Tranit Custom has also seen a redesign, however both people familiar to the ford ecosystem or anyone using a ford vehicle for the first time will find the features intuitive and easy to use. The interior features a 13" touchscreen, sync4 and a 5g modem as standard to allow easy conectivity and viewing of driving data, navigation and entertainment. The all new Transit Custom can be optioned with the new and innovative "Mobile Office Pack" allowing you to tilt your steering wheel and use it as a desk for your laptop, tablet or even eat lunch from. 

Here at Vanarack we are working to source products for the new Ford Transit Custom so that we can offer these to customers upon the expected delivery date of the vehicle in late 2023.

Roof Racks and Roof Bars Now Available: 

//www.vanarack.com/shop/ford-transit-custom-2023-on-van-roof-racks-roof-bars

LIMITED EDITION VG200-3S-BLACK VAN GUARD 3 METRE MAXI SILVER PIPE CARRIER WITH REAR OPENING

Back by popular demand, Van Guard Accessories Ltd have another limited production run of their ever popular VG200-3S pipe carrier.

Van Guard aerodynamic pipe carrier is made from anodised aluminium for a unique stylish finish with great anti-corrosion properties and finished in Limited Edition Black.

The tough built construction is crash tested and has a massive carrying capacity to safely & securely carry up to 60 x 15mm copper pipes.

The integrated locking mechanism means no more lost padlocks and ensures your pipes are safe

lIMITED EDITION 

Available to pre order today 

Van Guard Black Limited Edition Lined Pipe Carrier

Van Guard Black Limited Edition Un-Lined Pipe Carrier

Celebrating 20 years of evolution...

Introducing the KammRack Black.

All the market leading features of the regular KammRack, but with a stylish black finish.

#KammGeneration

Aerodynamic nose cone

The highly aerodynamic nose cones provide minimal wind noise and great aesthetics – now with matching colour side frames for a seamless all-black finish.

Aluminium full-width rear roller

The rear roller is made from anodised aluminium, which is every bit as strong as its steel predecessor. The rear roller clicks into place when fitting, with two simple track nuts in the side frames.

Pre-assembled KammBar legs

The KammRack Black’s legs arrive with the saddle and plastic cowls already in place for fast fitting.

Keep am eye on our socials for new on the upcoming launch, give us a call if you want to join our pre-order list for this hotly anticipated product. We have a feeling this is going to be a very popular product.

Introducing KammRack

Extremely aerodynamic and our quickest ever fitting roof rack, requiring only person to install, the new KammRack replaces Rhino’s AluminiumRack product, which was a market leading commercial vehicle roof storage system.

While at first glance the new rack looks similar to its predecessor, a large number of changes have gone into taking this product to the next level. Most notably, and as implied by the new name, the rack now benefits from the ultra-aerodynamic ‘Kamm’ bar profile, as well as sharing its feet with the KammBar range.

Why do we think the KammRack will be a Hit?

Watch the video below to find out more.

Aerodynamic nose cone

The highly aerodynamic nose cones provide minimal wind noise and great aesthetics.

Aluminium full-width rear roller

The rear roller is now made from anodised aluminium, which is every bit as strong as its steel predecessor but also fits in better aesthetically with the rest of the rack. The rear roller clicks into place, with two track nuts in the side frames

Pre-assembled KammBar legs

The KammRack’s legs arrive with the saddle and plastic cowls in place for fast fitting.

Weight reduction

As modern commercial vehicles continue to reduce in weight, the requirement for strong but lightweight accessories has also increased. Our design team have managed to considerably reduce the weight of the KammRack, without compromising on any of the strength.

Aerodynamic ‘Kamm’ shape cross bars

Providing minimal wind noise thanks to Rhino’s innovative ‘Kamm’ bar profile

‘Click’ together side frames

The KammRack’s side frames are delivered in two halves for easy shipping, in a single one-man-lift box – the frames can then be joined together in seconds during the fitting process.

One person installation

Thanks to the KammRack’s quick and easy installation, with ‘click together’ side frames, the rack requires one person to fit, taking only 25 minutes and 14 minutes for two people.

The ULTIRack+ is Van Guard Accessories latest design of roof rack, constructed from heavy duty aluminium & composites, offering a reduced fitted weight allowing for a higher payload to be carried.

As a gallery style roof rack the ULTIRack+ has evenly spaced cross bars & raised side rails making it well suited for roofing contractors, builders or trades people looking for a quiet, durable roof rack capable of carrying ladders, 8 x 4 sheets & building materials, the innovative T-Slot on every cross bar allows adjustable load stops, eyebolts and other accessories to be quickly installed & adjusted allowing multiple points to tie down. A full width stainless steel rear roller allows for simple loading and unloading without damaging the rear of your van.

The aerodynamic shape of ULTIRack+ cross bars & side rails drastically reduce wind noise & drag for a better driving experience when fitted.

The ULTIRack+ is built tough, watch the ULTIRack+ prototypr being put thru its paces during crash testing in this slo-mo video.

KEY FEATURES

• Heavy Duty & Lightweight
• Aerodynamic Design
• Anodised Aluminium & Composite Construction
• Full Width Rear Roller Included
• 8 x 4 Capacity (Ideal for sheet materials)
• T-Slot Cross Bars
• 4 Adjustable Load Stops Included
• Fitting Instructions & All Fixings Included
• Quick & Easy Installation
• Designed & Made in Britian

FIND YOUR ULTIRACK+

Available to order today.

VW Caddy Cargo & Caddy Cargo Maxi roof racks & roof bars by Rhino Products Ltd.

Vehicle specific options available for all variants.

Use the links below to jump straight into your specific model.

/shop/volkswagen-caddy-cargo-2020-on-swb-twin-door-van-roof-racks-roof-bars

/shop/volkswagen-caddy-cargo-2020-on-tailgate-van-roof-racks-roof-bars

/shop/volkswagen-caddy-cargo-maxi-2020-on-twin-door-van-roof-racks-roof-bars

/shop/volkswagen-caddy-cargo-maxi-2020-on-tailgate-van-roof-racks-roof-bars

M1 Tested seat conversion kit is a 3 person seat offering 2 outer positions with full three point inertia reel seat belts and 1 x centre position with lap seat belt.

The kit is compliant and tested for M1 specification installations, a certificate of conformity can be provided if installation is carried out by ourselves or one of our approved installers.

Our standard kit comes trimmed in hard wearing Perforated Black Leather , with sculpted comfort foam, single handed folding operation, ISO fix and 3 adjustable headrests.

As the seats are made to order, we do offer the option of upgrading the trim to matching leather to the front seats and the seat to a Sprung seat base.

Included in the conversion kit is a carpet trim kit, spray adhesive and all necessary fixings and brackets to carry out standard installation.

When not in use, our Defender 110 Commercial seat kits can be quickly folded, allowing a high percentage of the floor space to be retained for general use.

See product details here: 

New Defender 110 Seat Conversion Kit

New Defender 90 Seat Conversion Kit

Chris Evans - Virgin Radio Presenter & Roof bar Specialist

Who'd of thought it?

Read on for details of the story from Rhino Products

"On Thursday of last week, while listening to the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio, the team at Rhino Products heard that Chris was in need of a van roof rack or bars for his VW T5 Caravelle, prior to a trip away that weekend"

Quickly, our team was in contact with Chris and by midday on Thursday, had arranged for his van to be fitted with the premium Rhino KammBars the next afternoon. KammBars can carry 75kg per bar and are extremely durable and aerodynamic, adding to the aesthetics of any modern commercial vehicle.

By Friday afternoon, Chris’s van had been dropped to one of our trusted dealers and had a set of four KammBars fitted, ready for his weekend trip. On Tuesday morning’s breakfast show, Chris spoke of his ‘brand new, beautiful roof bars from Rhino Products’, that came in extremely handy for transporting his kayak over the weekend – we’re delighted that Chris is happy with his new bars and that we were able to source and fit them in time for his weekend trip.

Dear Customer,

We are pleased to confirm that our main supply chains offices and factories will begin to reopen from Monday 4th May.

This will be a careful return to operating with a series of extra safety measures in place to protect  staff, suppliers and customers.

Please bare with us and our suppliers as we work through these testing times, our usual high standards will likely suffer but rest assured we will do our best to help serve you.

We are expecting slower deliveries, delays on restocking and a multitude of other operational situations to cause disruption whilst a new way of working is formed.

Deliveries will generally be dispatched on a next day service but in no way is an assurance that this will be met, we are expecting deliveries to face delays of up to 10 working days.

We look forward to helping you soon, and thank you for bearing with us during these challenging times for us all.

For help or more details please get in touch.

Please call us on 0800 411 81 20

Or email us at: sales@vanarack.com

Tool theft from van's is on the rise

The statistics are alarming and there seems to be no letup, more than three-quarters of Britain’s tradespeople have been victims of tool theft from their vans,  with thousands of pounds worth of tools stolen in the past ten years.

Misery - Thousands of business's and trades people throughout the UK suffer.

Not only will new tools have to be purchased but the effect of loosing multiple days of work whilst their van is repaired from the attack takes a massive toll on business's.

Taking measures to reduce your risk

Adding additional van security locks to the exterior of your van will help deter attacks but the stats are showing that even vans that are protected are increasingly targeted.

Removing tools from your van overnight and whilst onsite is the best option but is often impractical and doesn't solve the problem of being attached during the work day.

If the idea of removing tools and equipment sounds right for you & space in your van allows then considering the practical Barrobox BB2 may work for you.

Proven to be one of the best methods to avoid theft is storing valuable tools and equipment in a secure in vehicle storage unit that can be bolted securely to the van.

Worth a read...

An article from one of our favourite suppliers Van Guard Accessories Ltd with some great tips on keep your van safe & secure.

https://van-guard.co.uk/top-10-van-secuirty-tips/

VIEW OUR RANGE OF VAN GUARD SECURITY PRODUCTS

At Vanarack we believe we have an incomparable range of van racking and racking accessories that will help any professional to keep their tools and consumables safe and sorted both when on the road and on site.

With a range of lightweight aluminium or birch ply racking bays, different shelf and drawer configurations, non-slip inserts, dividers, sorting bins, specialised tool holders, and secure removable van boxes, there’s a solution to every storage problem you’re likely to have. If you’re still not convinced, we’ve put together a few ideas relevant to specific trades, although the great thing about having such a wide range is there will always be ideas that are unique to you.

Van Racking Ideas for Carpenters

Kitting your van out with a professional racking system presents a good image to the customer, but more importantly, it makes your job easier too. Whether it’s keeping your screws sorted, and your screwdrivers close to hand, or making sure your power tools are safely locked away when not in use, you’ll find everything you need to kit out your van into a carpenter’s paradise. Check out  van racking ideas for carpenters.

Van Racking Ideas for Electricians

Make sure you can find exactly the right fuse first time every time. Reach out and grab the strippers without searching in the bottom of a box full of wires. Whatever job you’re on, a professional quality van racking system will save space, show the customer that you mean business, and help you do your job efficiently. Find out about  van racking ideas for electricians.

Van Racking Ideas for Plumbers

With so many different consumables like washers, joints, valves, tapes, solder, traps, and loads more to keep sorted; plus a range of tools, from valve keys to pipe benders, there are plenty of benefits to having a professional racking system to keep everything in your van tidy. Not only will it help present a good image to customers, but more importantly you save time and space. Find out more about  van racking ideas for plumbers.

Even if you’re not a carpenter, an electrician, or a plumber, that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from a properly kitted out van racking system. Painters and decorators, mobile dog groomers, locksmiths, and plenty more trades can save space in their van and keep their tools and consumables safe and sorted. Just head on over to our racking pages and find your make and model of van to see a range of products already guaranteed to fit.

Van Storage ideas step 1

Choose your van manufacturer below to show all the products we supply that suit your van

Van Storage ideas step 2

Choose your van model below to show all the products we supply that suit your van

VAN RACKING IDEAS FOR PLUMBERS

It’s probably fair to say that plumbers have to carry one of the largest stocks and widest ranges of consumables of all professional trades. In order to be sure of having what you need on site, you need to carry everything from assorted different sizes of washers in various materials, to lengths of copper, or indeed plastic pipe in different diameters plus all the joints and jointing materials and that doesn’t even begin to cover cisterns, or waste management.

General benefits of van racking

Van racking doesn’t just save you time by keeping your tools and consumables properly sorted and ready to hand, it can also save you space. That can either mean you can get by with a smaller van, which could save you an enormous amount of money, or that you can carry more stuff, which means you can get more work done before having to get supplies. Turning up to the job with your van kitted out with professional racking shows you mean business.

Sorting and storage options

With a range of van racking options in either lightweight aluminium of birch ply, with various shelf and drawer configurations, plus accessories like non-slip mats, sorting bins, shelf dividers, and more you should be able to keep everything from the smallest washers, to things like taps, waste pipes, and tools sorted. Other accessories include specialised storage for caulking guns, spray bottles, paperwork, gloves, hoses and more, while hooks and spring clips are great for keeping your most commonly used tools handy. Having a place for everything and everything in its place means you can concentrate on the job at hand and not waste time looking for the right item when you need it.

Pipe carriers

Although this is an article about van racking, it would be remiss not to mention the option of Rhino or Vanguard, roof mounted, fully lockable, pipe carriers up to 6 metres in length. If your van is long enough you might not need it, but on the other hand, keeping pipes safely stored up top in a lockable carrier does free up a lot of space internally for preparation and other storage. Buy pipe tube carriers

The right racking for your van

The range of racking available is huge, but if it doesn’t fit in your van then it’s no use to you. So to make it easier, you can select the right make and model of van and drill down through options like wheelbase and roof-line and year until you get to the right one. Then you can select your racking options from what’s listed safe in the knowledge that it is suitable for your van. If you’re still in doubt, or need any more help, there’s a freephone number you can call and we’ll be happy to advise you.

Van Racking Ideas for Carpenters  

Carpentry is all about precision. It’s a craft, in some cases almost bordering on an art-form. You’re a professional tradesperson working with a wide variety of tools and fixings and, as such, you will probably want to continue that professionalism across to your van, and how you store your equipment. Of course, as a carpenter, you could easily be thinking you could do the job yourself, but your skills are in demand, and with a huge range of van racking systems already designed and worked out specifically for each make and model of van, you are probably better off taking on another job and leaving the racking to us. Although with a choice of aluminium or birch ply, you might well go for the latter option making it easier for you to come up with your own unique adaptations in future.  

Fixings

Screws, and other fixings and accessories need to be kept sorted and easily accessible. You don’t want them flying about while you’re driving. Of course, you may want to keep these in sorted storage boxes that can easily be taken onto site, in which case regular racking bays are ideal, but if you want to keep things sorted in the van there are drawer units, and deep sided, or angled, shelves with a range of dividers, sorting bins, and non-slip mats, available to configure the layout according to your needs. Having a place for everything and everything in its place means you spend less time looking for the right screw, and more time getting the job done.

Power tools

With thefts from vans being reported all too often, nobody wants to leave their tools in the van unattended. But sometimes you just don’t have any choice. There are, however, options available to help keep your tools safe. Vanguard storage boxes are fully lockable and come with a number of great security features like an internal anti-jemmy system. Will your most expensive tools safely locked away you just have one box to take indoors at night. The larger ones can even be fitted with castors or can be moved with a fork lift or pallet truck.

Racking Accessories

As well as top quality shelving units there is a wide range of accessories to put the finishing touches to your van organisation. Things like spring clips for holding things like screwdrivers and other hand tools, spray bottle or sealant gun holders, hooks, and even somewhere to keep documents such as worksheets.

Van Specific

Whichever make and model of van you drive you don’t need to worry whether the racking you choose will fit. Using our van selection you can drill down to the exact make model and year to be certain that everything you order will be tailored to your van. Of course you will still need to have a measure up inside to decide which components will give you the best configuration, but even then, if you’re in any doubt you can always contact us for more ideas.  

Van Racking Ideas for Electricians 

Working with electricity requires focus and attention to detail because mistakes can literally be fatal. It’s an in-demand skill, both in the domestic and in the commercial side, and that means you don’t want to waste time searching for the right component or leave important kit loose in the back of the van. Here are a few thoughts on how van racking can save a sparks time and money.

General benefits of van racking

Kitting your van out with a professional racking system keeps your kit tidy and saves space. That might mean you can use a smaller van which would save a fortune on running costs, or that you can carry more kit meaning fewer trips to pick up spares. Having a place for everything and everything in its place will save you time, which means you can get the job done quicker, keeping the customer happy, and moving on to the next job quickly too.

Modular system

Just like electrical systems, van racking from Vanarack comes in a wide variety of components, starting with racking bays, in lightweight aluminium or birch ply, in a range of sizes, and then choosing the shelf and drawer configurations that best meet your needs. Whether it’s small items like fuses and screws, or reels of cable, there’s a configuration to suit with things like tray dividers, tubs, and non-slip mats, angled or deep sided shelves, and specialised add-ons like spring clips and hooks for keeping tools readily to hand, and even a document holder so you don’t lose your paperwork. Everything you need to get your consumables sorted, and your tools safely stored, is right here.

Van boxes

For keeping tools safe in transit, you have a range of van floor boxes in birch ply, or if you require extra security, there are strongboxes that can be removed from your vehicle overnight. Some can also be fitted with castors or have fork-lift rails for ease of movement. With strong steel construction and anti-jemmy systems, they can help keep your valuables safe, both on and off site. Buy van boxes & cabinets

The right system for your van

With such a huge range of van racking modules to chose from you will want to be sure that what you order will fit in your particular van. That’s where our easy to use website comes in. Just select the right make and model, then select the correct wheelbase and roofline, and you will be taken to a range of racking that is specifically suited to your van. You will still need to measure up to make the most of the space available of course. If you are still unsure about anything, then you can call our freephone number for more help and we’ll be happy to advise you.

The Armorgard PowerStation is a charging locker station that is ideal for charging power tools, electronic equipment and mobile devices, whilst keeping them safe and secure.

Now, with a new size, the PowerStation features 10 separate compartments allowing for even more devices to be charged at once.

Now with a bigger 10 compartment option, our PowerStation range includes the PWS6 with 6 compartments and our latest launch, the PWS10 for securely charging more electrical devices at once.

When contractors are working with electrical equipment or power tools, it is important to keep equipment fully powered up and reliable. The PowerStation provides a secure space for contractors to charge their tools together, or in separate compartments. It is the ideal choice for storing and leaving your equipment charging whilst other jobs get completed

Watch the new bigger Powerstation PWS10 in action here: 

Since you are already here reading this, I probably don’t need to spend long explaining the virtues of roof bars or roof racks. For all those items which are too large to fit inside your van, be it ladders, pipes or other long items, sheet materials, furniture, or anything else that is just too big for the back of the van, the obvious practical solution is to secure the load on top.

In this article, we hope to give you a general ‘everything you need to know about van roof racks and roof bars’ guide with more detail available in some specific areas in other articles.

We’ll talk about the difference between van roof bars and roof racks, cover some general information about accessories which can help with a variety of load types, and briefly cover how you can make sure that you get the right type of roof system for your van.

In regular conversation, the terms ‘roof bars’ or ‘roof racks’ are often interchangeable although the difference is indicated in the name.

What is a roof bar?

Roof bars will usually consist of two, three or more separate parallel cross bars across the width of the vehicle. Roof bars offer a lightweight solution to transporting items, and when paired with appropriate accessories, do most things a roof rack can for much less money.

While there are cheap budget roof bars available, these are only suitable for occasional use such as taking an old piece of furniture for recycling or collecting materials. If you intend to use your roof bars regularly you will probably want to choose a system which is strong and durable enough for professional use. Vanarack offer a range of top-quality roof bar systems from leading manufacturers Rhino Products and Van Guard Accessories at great prices with a roof bar system to suit all budgets.

Important considerations will include choosing lightweight yet strong aluminium rather than heavy steel, this will help maximise your payload whilst an aerodynamic profile offers low drag for better fuel economy and reduced wind noise.

Another issue is whether the roof bar system has the appropriate accessories to help you make the most of your bars, from adjustable load stops and ratchet straps to help contain loads or a rear load roller to help with loading. You can find details of complementary accessories that fit your chosen product within the details area for any item. Here you will also find specification like dimensions, and the all-important maximum weight per bar which varies across the ranges we offer.

What is a roof rack?

A roof rack is made up of multiple evenly spaced cross bars & raised side rails creating a large support area to transport materials whilst a full-width rear load roller will help with loading.

Due to a roof rack having multiple cross bars and raised side rails this makes it versatile for a wide range of applications, especially suited to carrying 8 x 4 sheet materials and heavier items which can be easily secured with a pair of ratchet straps.

A roof rack will usually cost more than bars although it may be that it saves you needing certain additional accessories such as load stops & load roller, broadly speaking, a roof rack is probably the ultimate solution to most roof loading challenges.

Vanarack offers 3 ranges of roof rack from Rhino Products & Van Guard Accessories, available for most vans & varying in the way they are constructed and fitted but all offering the same great load carrying capabilities.

Important points to consider, as with roof bars, are weight and streamlining. Aluminium rather than steel will save weight, and therefore fuel, and an aerodynamic profile will save on fuel, and reduce noise as well.

As with roof bars, there are details of appropriate accessories on the specification pages of all our roof racks, as well as details of load capacity dimensions and much more.  

How do I know what roof rack or roof bars fit my van?

The most important factor of all is making sure the roof bars or roof rack you choose will fit to your make and model of van. After all, no matter how versatile the system is, it’s of no use to you if you can’t fit the bars on your roof

Different van makes, and models have different types of roof designs, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to fitting roof racks and roof bars. Your van may have raised roof rails or metal rain guttering, it may have a hi-roof made of fiberglass or a metal roof with recessed threaded fixing points.

Most popular work vans on the market today do however come prepared to allow safe easy fitting of roof racks & roof bars to the factory locations, in very rare cases the vehicle manufacturer may have failed to provide any obvious fixing altogether, and may require careful drilling of the roof panel to obtain a fixing,

How are you supposed to work out which roof bars and roof racks will fit your van’s roof, and which will end up giving you a massive headache?

Fortunately, the answer to that question is very simple. Arguably one of the best features of buying from Vanarack is that you start by selecting your make and model of van from the easy to use menu, and then you will be shown only the roof rack or roof bars systems which are suitable for your vehicle.

VAN ROOF RACKS & ROOF BARS

Choose your van

With full specifications on each product you can check important details such as the load capacity (which is also subject of course, to your vehicle’s overall load capacity) and perhaps most importantly, any accessories that you might need to go with the system.

We’ve all seen those videos of people who have failed to strap items on securely. It may even seem hilarious to watch as a sheet of plywood catches the wind and flies off but, of course, there’s nothing funny about it when it happens to you.

So, you can find everything from straps and stops, to ladder mounts and pipe tubes, so you can be sure you have what you need to get the job done safely and professionally.

For more details on the safe loading of your van roof rack or roof bars, and in particular with regard to maximum weights, there is a more detailed article below.

How to install Van Guard ULTI Bars

The New SafeStow4® provides you with safe, secure and effortless ladder storage and handling.

Read our Quick Fire Guide To Help You Decide

Sign the petition today 

Help fellow Trades Men & Women protect their livelihood's.

Snippet from article found at Professional Plumbing & Heating Installer website.

"Theft from vans has become the scourge of tradespeople across the UK. Heating engineer Peter Booth is leading the fightback against this epidemic that could be costing installers their livelihoods.

This November, Peter Booth is launching a campaign calling for tougher action on the perpetrators of van crime… and he is asking you to get behind the campaign by signing a petition and using the hashtag #noVANber across social media.

There have been many of these petitions in the past but, unfortunately, they have never achieved the amount of signatures required to get the government’s attention in the short time frame allowed. So even if you think you have already signed and shared one of these petitions, please do get behind this campaign and help Peter, supported by TradesTalk and Breedon Cement, get 100k signatures needed in the month of November."

QR code scan for quick Signup.

Read our recent article we published at the popular Business Vans website.

Snippet from the article below.

"How can internal van racking save time and money?"

"Whether it’s cabinets, van boxes, or racking accessories, the increase in usable space that can be achieved with purpose-built van storage will mean you can carry more and still keep everything in order.

Keeping components, tools, and materials properly sorted, with a place for everything and everything in its place means that you can spend less time searching for the right tool for the job and more time actually doing the job."

Is Van Racking the right choice for me?

Invest 10 minutes now and save many hours of frustration over the life of your van.

Read our Quick Fire Guide To Help You Decide

Read Full Article on Van Racking Storage

FORD TRANSIT VAN - A VAN FOR EVERY JOB

With nearly 10 Million vans sold worldwide since 1965 the Transit van is possibly the best definition of a work van.

With a range of Transit Van models from large to small to suit every job, the Transit is without doubt the most comprehenisve and versatile range of vans available in the UK today.

To make the most of your Transit Van we offer a massive range of roof racks and roof bars from Rhino Products & Van Guard Accessories for every Ford Transit van in the market today, from a simple 2 bar system to a full builders roof rack we have you covered.

To help find the best roof rack or roof bars for you van

Ford Transit Range - Roof Rack & Roof Bars

Professionals prefer quality...

It comes as no surprise to us that Professional Trades Men & Women prefer to spend a little extra if they know they are getting a quality product.

In fact we find this across the board from plumbers & electricians to cabinet makers that every trades person wants quality and value.

Were sure this ethos comes from relying on quality tools day in day out to provide there craft to customers in the best possible way.

At Vanarack we carry only market leading Brand roof racks & roof bars from Rhino Products & Van Guard Accessories as customer opt for quality.

Our top selling roof rack is for the Transit Custom, with a choice of three racks to choose from which one do you think customer go for?

You got it, the most expensive one......

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 5 COMMERCIAL FOLD UP SEAT CONVERSION KIT

M1 Tested seat conversion kit is a 3 person seat offering 2 outer positions with full three point inertia reel seat belts and 1 x centre position with lap seat belt.

The kit is compliant and tested for M1 specification installations, a certificate of conformity can be provided if installation is carried out by ourselves or one of our approved installers.

Our standard kit comes trimmed in hard wearing Black Leather look vinyl, with sculpted comfort foam, single handed folding operation, ISO fix and 3 adjustable headrests.

As the seats are made to order, we do offer the option of upgrading the trim to matching leather to the front seats and the seat to a Sprung seat base.

Included in the conversion kit is a carpet trim kit, spray adhesive and all necessary fixings and brackets to carry out standard installation.

When not in use, our Discovery 5 Commercial van seat kits can be quickly folded, allowing a high percentage of the floor space to be retained for general use.

InstructaHut has many talents…

It’s a meeting point, an emergency station for your first-aid, fire and H&S items, a notice board for your regulatory documentation and more. This all-in-one solution provides a home for the lot and is therefore an essential part of your on-site inventory.

VIEW THE RANGE

For details on the promotion follow the twitter link:

Grant UK Pipe Carrier Promo

#Transit_Custom UK’s bestselling van for the last few years carry's on its success into 2018. And its by far our most popular model for every one of our vast range of van accessories: https://www.vanarack.com/shop/van-accessories/all-products/ford-van-accessories/ford-transit-custom-van-accessories/ford-transit-custom-l1-h1-twin-door-van-accessories … #Ford_vans #Van_Accessories

VIEW THE RANGE

The ULTIBar van roof bar is strong, durable, and one of the best looking heavy duty van roof bar in the UK. Combine this with the fact that it is a high quality product made from anodised aluminium and comes with FREE load stops, you’ll understand why it is often the commercial van roof bar of choice for British Tradesmen. 

Ulti bar - the ultimate van roof bar

• ULTI Bars are made from anodised aluminium to handle the British wet weather.
• Plastic components are UV coated to extend the longevity of the product, by preventing fade and deterioration.
• Aerodynamic design reduces wind noise and gives reasonable fuel efficiency.
• Flat bar is better for loading.
• Lightweight and extremely strong.
• 2 FREE pairs of adjustable load stops come with each ULTI Bar roof system.
• Range of roof accessories which fit the innovative T-track – load stops, eye bolts and beacon brackets – provide the opportunity to secure unusual loads.
• Designed and made in Britain.
• Affordable.
• Easy to fit, starting from 5 minutes per bar.
• Spare parts are readily available for the life time of the Ulti bar Van Roof Bars

WE HAVE YOU CRAFTY VW CRAFTER CUSTOMERS COVERED.

/search/crafter/brand/rhino-products

See our latest tweet regarding the ongoing epidemic of Ford van break ins.

Another day another van, repeated break in attempts to his Transit Custom our latest customer has decided to so have our Rep_locks Van_locks fitted.

This should sort the problem:

https://www.vanarack.com/shop/van-accessories/van-security/ford-van-security/ford-transit-custom-van-security

Quickly, easily and accurately compare and configure light commercial vehicles & VANS

What does lcv chooser do? 

lcv chooser gives you the flexibility to select and compare light commercial vehicles, so you can quickly match any customer requirements. Using cap hpi’s comprehensive datasets, the full technical and specification data is clearly displayed, together with the finer details such as VAT and vehicle excise duty.

Once you have a short list of vehicles you can choose which data fields to export, as either an Excel file or PDF document.

To checkout this useful resource visit:

Compare Vans

Are your loads secure?

At Vanarack we believe that securing any load onto your van roof bars or roof racks must be treated with utmost respect, that is why every set of van roof bars purchased from us come with 4 Free load stops.

When used in conjunction with properly rated ratchet straps, load stops offer a safe means to help secure your materials like 8x4 sheets and timber products to the roof bars.

For ladders we would suggest using a pair of ladder clamps like the Rhino SafeClamp RAS21 for quick, safe and secure transportation of ladders.

See this article we recently stumbled across on the Daily Mail which demonstrates the dangers of poorly secured loads.

Dashcam captures terrifying moment a huge piece of wood flies off a van's roof rack and shatters car windscreen while driving at 50mph down a busy road

At Vanarack Automotive Accessories Ltd, we are pleased to offer you the entire range from Rhino Products,

Rhino Products are Europe’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of roof racks, bars, steps and accessories for the commercial vehicle market.

The brand has built its prominent position as market leader with an evolving approach to product design, manufacturing, life cycle and crash testing backed by TUV approval on many products.

With over 15 years experience in manufacturing high quality, innovative, commercial vehicle accessories, Rhino can confidently claim to deliver exactly what the end user is looking for to make their job easier, safer or more productive.

Designed for professional trades people to make everyday work tasks safer and easier, allowing you to get on with your job in a safe and efficient way

Key product ranges available from Rhino Products

• ROOF BARS
• KAMMBAR ©  - Premium aerodynamic aluminium roof bar systems & rollers
• DELTA BAR © - Great value steel aerodynamic roof bar systems & rollers 

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• ROOF RACKS
• ALUMINIUM RACK - Premium aerodynamic aluminium heavy duty roof rack
• MODULAR RACK - Great value Tried & tested steel heavy duty roof rack

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• LADDER RESTRAINTS
• SafeStow4©
• LadderStow©
• SafeClamp©

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• REAR SAFETY STEPS
• Impact Step™
• SafeStep™
• TowStep™
• TowStep duo™

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• ACCESSORIES
• PipeTube
• Rear Door Ladder

With a  55,000 sq. ft head office is located in Deeside,U.K. and providing constant product development and manufacturing alongside first class support from their UK sales and customer services department.

With great customer service and products, partnering & dealing with Rhino Products is an easy choice.

The New SafeStow4® provides you with safe, secure and effortless
ladder storage and handling. SafeStow4® is available in four variants,
one of which will fit perfectly into your working day

• KEY FEATURES
• 3kg weight saving over previous SafeStow3 for increased payload
• New Enhanced ladder protection - Upgraded Beltstow and anti-vibration assemblies
• Enables safe loading and unloading of roof mounted ladder systems from ground level
• Four versions available (single, double, extra-wide and special-purpose)
• Fully adjustable gas-ram assisted lifting and lowering
• Constructed from highly robust aluminium alloy with stainless steel components
• Improved aerodynamic design
• Extremely secure and lockable for added security (padlock not included)
• Available in 2.2 or 3.1 metre lengths
• Load Stops included
• SafeStow4® has a load limit of 60kg*
• Designed specifically to fit to Rhino Products roof bar and roof rack systems
• TUV Rheinland Certified & 20g crash tested