If you're tired of your equipment sliding around each time you take a sharp corner, installing some solid van tracks might become the single greatest upgrade you can make in order to your rig. It's one of those things you don't really think in relation to throughout the initial "dreaming" phase of the build—where you're concentrating on cedar ceilings or fancy li batteries—but once you actually start living or working out there of a van, you realize that securing your stuff is a constant battle.
Van tracks, often referred to as L-track or airline monitor, give you the particular kind of modularity that fixed mounting points just can't touch. Instead of being stuck along with four hooks within the corners of your floor, you obtain a continuous line of mounting points. It means you can move your tie-down rings specifically where you need them for a specific trip. Regardless of whether you're hauling a mountain bike nowadays and a stack of plywood down the road, these tracks associated with transition painless.
Choosing the Perfect Style for the Setup
Not every tracks are created identical, and picking the right one depends heavily on how you plan to make use of your space. Most people gravitate towards L-track because it's low-profile and looks pretty sleek. It was originally designed intended for securing seats plus cargo in airplanes, therefore you know it's created to handle several serious tension.
You've generally obtained three choices whenever it comes in order to the profile: recessed, surface mount, plus angled. If you're at the outset of your develop and haven't place your floor down yet, recessed van tracks are the strategy to use. You can cut the channel into your subfloor so the particular track sits even with your top layer (like plywood or coin-grip flooring). This is a massive plus since you won't become tripping over it, and you will still glide heavy boxes throughout the floor without having them getting hung up on a metal ridge.
Surface mount tracks are easier in order to install in case your floor is already performed. You just mess them right upon top. They stay up a bit, which can be the literal pain in case you're walking around barefoot, but they're incredibly strong. After that there's the curved stuff, that is perfect for those uncomfortable corners where the particular wall meets the particular floor.
Precisely why Flexibility Matters More Than You Think
The greatest mistake I see individuals make is constructing a "static" van. They bolt everything down—the bed, the kitchen, the storage—and then six months later, they realize these people hate the design. Or worse, they realize they can't fit their fresh hobby gear inside just because a permanent cabinet is within the way.
This is how van tracks really sparkle. By mounting your heavier furniture—like the removable bed system or a kitchen area galley—to tracks rather than directly to the ribs of the particular van, you provide yourself an "undo" button. If you want the full cargo area to help the friend move, a person can just put the fittings out there and slide the furniture out associated with the back.
It's not really just about the particular floor, either. Placing tracks on the particular walls or even the roof opens up a whole new world of storage. You can hang soft storage bags, mount a shovel for off-roading, or even create the modular hanging program for clothes. The ability to shift things by a good inch or 2 the huge distinction when you're attempting to pack a little living space effectively.
The Set up Process: Don't Tension, But Be Smart
Installing van tracks isn't rocket science, but it does require a little bit of bravery since you're likely likely to be drilling openings through the ground of your expensive automobile. The key is to verify twice (or three times) what's beneath the van prior to you pull the particular trigger on the drill. You really don't want to place a hole through your fuel container or a brake line.
Many pros recommend using "plusnuts" or "rivnuts" for wall installs, however for floor tracks that will hold heavy loads, through-bolting is usually the gold standard. This requires operating a bolt all the way through the track, the floor, and the framework, then securing this underneath with a large washer and a nyloc nut. This creates the "sandwich" effect that is incredibly solid.
If you're worried about rust—and you should be—make certain to treat every hole you drill down. Some touch-up color or a rust inhibitor goes a long way. Also, using a bit of silicone sealant around the bolt holes can keep moisture from sneaking in in the road, which is a common formula for floor decay over time.
Safety First: Securing Heavy Loads
We've all seen those photos associated with "aesthetic" van develops with heavy cup jars sitting on open shelves. That looks great for Instagram, but in a collision or even even just a sudden stop, those things become projectiles. Van tracks give a structural anchoring point that may actually save your life.
Think regarding your fridge. A full 12V refrigerator can weigh 60 or 70 pounds. In a 30mph crash, that fat is multiplied significantly. If it's just held down along with some flimsy wood screws into a piece of plywood, it's going to fly. Using heavy-duty band attached with floor-mounted tracks helps to ensure that your equipment stays where it belongs, no issue what happens on the highway.
Managing the particular Dirt and Muck
One point people don't often mention is that will floor tracks can become magnets regarding dirt, sand, plus dog hair. If you're living the particular "van life" within the desert or at the beach, those little circular holes in the tracks are going to fill up fast.
The good news is that they're easy to clean with a vacuum or a compacted air canister. Several companies also sell rubber "filler" pieces that you can press into the particular track whenever you aren't using a particular section. This retains the gunk out and makes the floor a little bit smoother to walk on. It's the small detail, when you're a stickler for a clear van, it's worthy of researching.
Innovative Uses You Might Not Have Considered
While bikes and boxes are the obvious choices, I've seen some very creative uses for van tracks recently. Some people make use of them to create a modular partition wall behind the driver's chair. Others make use of the wall tracks to mount foldable desks or even workbenches that could be shifted up or straight down depending on whether you're sitting or even standing.
I actually even saw a build where the particular owner used brief parts of track on the outside of the van. They mounted these to the side associated with the roof rack to hold recuperation boards and additional fuel cans. Considering that the fittings are quick-release, they can consider the gear off and store it inside when these people were parked within a city in order to prevent theft.
Final Thoughts on the Investment
Let's be sincere: van tracks aren't the cheapest method to secure your equipment. You can purchase a pack of basic D-rings intended for twenty bucks in a hardware store and call it a day. But in case you value your own time and the particular versatility of your own vehicle, the expense in a correct track system will pay for itself pretty quickly.
The peace of mind you get from knowing your expensive gear is bolted down to the framework may be worth it alone. Plus, if you ever decide to sell the van, using a professional-grade track system installed is a massive offering point for the particular next person. It demonstrates the build was done with thought which the interior is looking forward to whatever they would like to throw with it.
With the end associated with the day, a van is a tool. Whether it's a tool with regard to work, a device for travel, or a tool intended for weekend adventures, you want it to become as functional as you can. Adding some tracks is the simplest way to show the static box into a truly modular, multi-purpose machine. Just take your time along with the layout, gauge everything twice, plus you'll wonder exactly how you ever got by with just bungee cords plus luck.