I recently bought a van to haul musical equipment (starting a band), and this site has convinced me that E-Track is the best thing since sliced bread... but while there are lots of nice "after" pictures, I'm still a little unsure as to how to proceed as far as mounting is concerned. First my general plans as they are now (open to change of course).
Load is primarily PA, amps, drums, instruments, an such. Not extremely heavy, but potentially fragile, so the ability to lock stuff down really appeals.
(attached picture from before removing shelving... just in case the general case wasn't clear from my description)
Load is primarily PA, amps, drums, instruments, an such. Not extremely heavy, but potentially fragile, so the ability to lock stuff down really appeals.
- Standard length van (cargo area a tad under 10 feet) with standard (non-sliding) doors, cargo trim (old MediaCom van)
- I have sourced (locally) 3 10 ft lengths of horizontal E-track, and one 5 ft length. My plan was to mount two on the floor, two on the walls (with the short run on the side with the doors)
- I've had trouble sourcing plywood any longer than 8ft lengths. I'd prefer to have the length in one board, but perhaps this doesn't matter so much? Intend to finish it with some water-based General Finishes (found in another thread here)
- Did people route the back of their plywood such that they could overlap the mount points of the e-track? Is that overkill? I figure once I decide on mounting methodology for track, I can use similar technique for plywood?
- I'm concerned about the e-tracks on the walls... my intent was to use those primarily to block off shorter loads with a bar and blocks of some sort. NOT to use straps (warnings found here taken to heart). Had a brother-in-law suggest there were safe ways to use straps that didn't bear straight across... but unsure if that's valid (and sure I'm not quite visualizing it)
- I removed the MasteRack shelves that was in the van previously... have no need for them in my current plans, but not entirely sure the best way to divest myself of them. Craigslist I suppose... I figure most people who need them buy them WITH the van.
- When I removed said shelves, I saw some interesting anchor bolts that, through my research appear to be most like "rivnuts" (although these left a star-shaped anchor on the back of the ribs... doesn't look exactly like rivnuts. Not sure if either of these solutions would be strong enough, but they certainly seem convenient. It seems like I'd be limited in how many I could drop (as opposed to the floor tracks)
- The floor tracks seem the most straightforward... I could use simple bolt/washers combination, but I do note that some vendors sell backing plates. My gut is that would be over-kill, but... who knows. Ideas about ideal spacing? Dude at the trailer places suggested self-tapping screws. That'd be convenient of course, but sounded sort of slapdash to me.
- I've seen the suggestions about vertical e-track at the ends of the cargo area... is this primarily related to the pallet loading (that won't apply to me), or is that something I should be considering too?
(attached picture from before removing shelving... just in case the general case wasn't clear from my description)
