Installing E-track in a cargo van

Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

What's the inside of your van look like? Can you see the rib framework that the external sheet metal is attached to? If so, I would screw my etrack in place to the ribs and then take it to someone with a welder an have the etrack spot welded.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Not sure how nice your van is or what you want to spend, but the usual suspects make nice kits with liners to keep the gear from wrecking the van walls. These kits usually come with ETrack. I got a quote from Masterrack for about $1500 for my Express that I'm planning to do.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

I did 2 rows, so I can stack stuff.

18" center & 42" center.

They are adding the E-Track to the front tomorrow...

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Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Rob Gow said:
The only difference with a van is the headroom. I was mainly talking about the heights, and having 2 rows of E-Track...
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There are more differences that you'd think.

E-track on the sliding side door might tear up the outside side of the van

Also, the insides of a van are not as rectangular as a trailer. Probably need to install it in sections or pre-bend it to fit.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Steve Hurt said:
There are more differences that you'd think.

E-track on the sliding side door might tear up the outside side of the van

Also, the insides of a van are not as rectangular as a trailer. Probably need to install it in sections or pre-bend it to fit.
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I just added D-rings to my van. Much cheaper and you don't really need that many anchor points to dog things down. I have a bulkhead behind the drivers seat and can use the narrow U-haul ratchet straps to fasten to that.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Our Econoline van came with a steel front wall which is a valuable component to being able to use E track effectively but a proper length load bar might suffice. The van arrived with a bare metal interior, nothing but frame ribs and exterior sheet metal. We diligently custom cut 1/2" plywood ( bends well to fit the contours of the body ) to fit the side doors, passenger side panel and a couple of separate pieces to fit the driver side panels. Used flat head stainless sheet metal screws after pre-drilling into the frame ribs to attach all of the plywood to the van. Painted everything white to improve visibility then screwed the E track into the plywood with pan head screws. It's proved quite reliable for eight years.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Silas Pradetto said:
I have found locking wheels to be a more than suitable alternative to E-track.
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Yikes! Maybe I drive on the DC beltway more than you, but I would never trust locking casters to hold a load in a truck. Not only are you relying on the friction of the tiny footprint of the wheel to the floor to hold a heavy load in place, but I can't count the number of times a shifting load has unclicked the wheel locks on cases. Hell I'd trust a $3 harbor freight ratchet strap before I relied on a wheel lock.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Locking casters are no substitute for E-Track, load bars and straps.
If they were I wouldn't be flipping cases off their wheels on every load out.
 
I do both. Though, if you remember the trailer pic I posted a little while back, I use the wheel locks to hold stuff against the walls then strap it. For the center corridor I push the cable cases in the middle with the locking wheels to the rear and lock them on each case as I go. The back of the trailer gets a strap too.


Sent from my iPhone
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

Riley Casey said:
Our Econoline van came with a steel front wall which is a valuable component to being able to use E track effectively but a proper length load bar might suffice. The van arrived with a bare metal interior, nothing but frame ribs and exterior sheet metal. We diligently custom cut 1/2" plywood ( bends well to fit the contours of the body ) to fit the side doors, passenger side panel and a couple of separate pieces to fit the driver side panels. Used flat head stainless sheet metal screws after pre-drilling into the frame ribs to attach all of the plywood to the van. Painted everything white to improve visibility then screwed the E track into the plywood with pan head screws. It's proved quite reliable for eight years.
Click to expand...
I would like to see a pic of this setup. I have been considering covering the walls but was thinking 1/4". Probably the 1/2" is a better move wondering how it was to work with flex wise and how the final product looks.
 
Re: Installing E-track in a cargo van

I thought about installing E-track into my Express... but never did.

My Express has a thick padded/rubber floor mat in the van. After packing the gear the same way for the last 2-3 years, nothing moves. I have the divider cage in my van; I could never live without this safety feature.

My pack is: (front/cage)
QRx212/SRX718x2/SRX718x2
Snake box/RF-rack/Amp-Rack (with monitor wedges sits on top)
01V96/Power Box/LS9-32
Mic-Box/hazer-case
Mic stands (in a drum hardware bag); dolly laid on top

Lights, toolbox, & laptop bag: get tossed on top of everything.
Light stands are lined up against the driver’s side wall.


The 01V96, Power Box & LS9 sort of “lock” into place in front of the wheel wells. All the wheels have made dimples into the mat and I don’t need to use the wheel locks. Also I drive on the Washington DC & Baltimore beltway without the load shifting. The last few thrown on items do wiggle around the first couple bumps & curves, but settle into place and don’t move afterwards.
 
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