Month: <span>January 2017</span>

Your van needs to be maintained to a good standard; which means that you will regularly need to carry out a check list of items to ensure it doesn’t end up needing unnecessary repairs due to premature wear and tear. One way that you can help towards this can be by fitting a ply lining inside your vehicle.

Ply lining means having sections of plywood attached to the inside of your cargo area or, in some cases, the passenger cab also. There are a number of benefits and advantages to this; with most commercial vehicles it is extremely likely that heavy and large items will be transported and moved within the cargo area, all of which can cause damage. Fitting a ply lining to commercial van such as a Ford Transit or Ford Transit Connect can significantly protect and deter scrapes and bumps that happen over its working life.

For ease of installation most suppliers sell kits that are already measured and prepared for easy installation straight from the container depending upon your model. This also means that should you need to replace a certain panel it will be just as easy to remove. Should you be good with your hands you may well be able to make your own ply lining panels for your van. This will, of course, take more time than buying the parts but will certainly work just as well; it just depends on your handicraft skills!

When it comes to selling your van, you will find that ply lining is a great advantage; removing the panels will give a potential buyer a good impression that the vehicle has been looked after and is a good investment. Should you be looking to invest in a new commercial van you will find that many do not have ply lining as standard, some newer models though may have similar and just as effective systems in place.

For many companies, a van is one of the largest investments that they will have to make, so this small investment could mean an overall saving and will stop wear and tear, meaning you won’t have to purchase a new vehicle due to unnecessary damage.

Once you have ply lining in place it means you are ready to have any other accessories added to help with space saving and safety. Items such as shelving, racking and window mesh can help with a wide number of features such as safety, space saving and security.

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To a veteran air conditioning service technician, his HVAC van storage is second nature. He knows where everything is stored, each item has its own place, and when that place is empty, he’s missing something critical for his job. The experienced AC repair person has also figured out the best configuration to make his HVAC van storage help him be as efficient and safe as possible.

If a rookie service technician were to apprentice under him, here are some things he might learn during a normal conversation about proper van setup for the air conditioning industry.

Q. Why is it important to plan out where all the small parts are kept in the van?

A. Locating parts, tools, and equipment quickly leads to faster completion of service calls, satisfied customers, and increased revenue for the company. Imagine the time it would take to dig through a large box in your van that is filled with relays, switches, connectors, thermostat boxes, pipe parts, and everything you need all jumbled together. If you were looking for one small part in that large box, you’d waste a lot of time.

Customizing the HVAC van storage with smaller drawers and bins makes it easy to locate and retrieve the parts you need. It also makes it faster to identify when you are missing parts, and when you need to restock your van before the next service call.

Q. What’s the best way to haul refrigerant tanks in a service van?

A. There are a couple of different options, and it’s a matter of preference, and how many tanks you usually haul at one time. Some HVAC van storage layouts have tank holders that sit on the van floor, securing one tank in an upright position.

Another tank storage option is a tank rack that is welded with sloped cradles, which make it easy for loading and unloading the tanks. Heavy steel tank racks can usually hold 3-4 tanks in nearly the same footprint space as one upright tank holder. As an extra storage solution, a welded tank tray rack can be installed on top of the rack system, offering another storage shelf for equipment.

Both of these options use a strap or bungee cord to secure the tank to the storage fixture, and can often be located where it’s best for you in the van. Most technicians put these near the doors, for easy access without having to crawl inside the van.

Q. How do I optimize the best layout for my HVAC van storage?

A. There are a lot of customization options available. These vary from homemade solutions strapped together to pre-designed packages already configured as a solution for the HVAC industry. Solid steel modular components can also fit together for an effective storage solution.

The benefit of pre-designed trade packages as the storage solution is that careful spacing, design and planning have incorporated every need of a specialist in the industry. An air conditioning service technician carries specific tools, parts, and equipment; and the pre-designed packages incorporate trade specific items such as tank racks, vice mount holders, divided shelving, drawers, and hooks into the HVAC van storage layout.

Knowing how to organize the repair technician service van can save time and effort, and ultimately, money for the company. Take time to think through the flow of parts and equipment needed for a job, and organize your HVAC van storage in a way that allows you to operate more efficiently.

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Source by Naomi J Lolley

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Starting your own mobile locksmith business is a great opportunity as an entrepreneur, and protecting your inventory and equipment with proper van storage will improve the overall return on your investment as you begin your business.

Outfit your van properly, and you will be more organized, efficient, and committed to your work. It’s frustrating trying to accomplish a task when you have to search around a haphazardly arranged van arrangement to find the right tools or supplies.

You don’t need to buy a brand new van to start your mobile locksmith business; however, it would be a wise investment to spend some time and money on the storage ideas that will help you do your job more efficiently. Some of the higher vans allow you to actually move around inside and sit at a workbench while cutting keys, without the risk of banging your head whenever you need to locate a tool.

Here are three things to consider when selecting van storage systems for your locksmith business.

Plan Van Storage Space for a Workbench

Since you are a mobile locksmith business, plan your storage space with a workbench in mind. Don’t settle for standing outside, at the rear doors of your van. Put yourself inside your mobile office and get yourself out of the weather to do your work in comfort. Take time to measure out your space and find the best location for a workbench and a step stool for comfort. A good mobile workbench allows for six or seven feet of space to spread out and accomplish your tasks.

A full-length workbench can accommodate a key machine as well as file storage and the locking drawers necessary for your keys and other supplies. Maximize the storage space at your workbench by including catalog organizers, hooks, safety equipment and other accessories that will make your job easier.

Van Storage Should Include Locking Drawers

There is nothing more annoying than listening to hundreds of key blanks jangling like loud wind chimes while you are driving down the road. Storing your product in well-cushioned, locking drawers is a wise use of your cargo area. The keys will be protected from “road rash” marks from rubbing against each other or other items.

Locking drawers as part of your storage space will also protect you from flying objects if you need to stop or swerve suddenly. Plus, it looks very professional to have drawers full of your product, categorized and ready to use.

Van Storage is Best Organized with Adequate Shelving

One of the most important storage concepts is to determine your shelving needs. What tools and equipment will you need for your mobile locksmith business? What storage location of these tools will make your work most efficient?

Look at your van as a mobile work cell, and set it up as efficiently as possible. You will accomplish your service calls faster, and will be able to make more service calls throughout the day because your van storage plan has helped you become efficient.

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Source by Naomi J Lolley

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Vans do not just produce shoes exclusively for skaters anymore. They are now for all of us. The first Vans shoes every designed for skaters but with time as the company became popular worldwide they started producing shoes for every types of occasion, formal and informal. They are now labeled as the fashionable and designer shoes for both men and women. Vans Authentic footwear was first started by Paul Van Doren in 1966. In the beginning they only involved in manufacturing skating shoes. The first shoes had a diamond like structure embedded in their soles. Later with time they stared producing many different types of shoes the designs of which were no more only restricted to skaters.

Today you can find arbitrarily 70 designs of Vans Authentic shoes in the market. All the shoes differ in color, designs and prices. The shoes are made from good durable quality material and are incredibly comfortable to wear as walking, jogging and sports shoes. They are the most flat bottomed shoes that you will get in the market, so wearing this shoes you can just glide into any type of activity. The two most popular styles of Vans shoes are Slip On and Era shoes. These shoes when they were first launched in the market were not so popular but with time they gained their own distinguishing position in the market. Today you can get these two brands of footwear in a huge range of collection fashioned out of different colors available in all types of sizes.

As Vans footwear were originally made for skaters they are made to be durable and strong that can sustain good grip on the floor. The soles of shoes are made from high quality rubber material and come with the lining. You can search for Vans footwear in the various online stores where they are available at great discount prices at free shipping cost.

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Source by Dylan Riegler

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Conversion vans do not boast best-in-class fuel mileage numbers like they boast the number of fun adventures had, but they can offer fuel economy if maintained regularly. The typical conversion van will get approximately 12-16 miles per gallon (mpg), depending on the model. Let’s explore factors that effect fuel economy and how to get the best gas mileage out of your van.

Conversion Vans and Fuel Efficiency

Weight is a primary foe of fuel efficiency. Most safety technologies have added weight. Hauling around more weight means engines need to produce more power.

Mark owns a 2002 Chevy Express high-top conversion van. He drives the van roughly 70% on the highway with cruise control on, and the rest city driving. His van is equipped with a wheelchair lift, which adds weight. “My gas mileage is 10 mpg.”

Susan owns a 2001 Chevy Express 15-passenger van on a 1 ton chassis. “I purchased it used with nearly 40,000 miles. About four years later, I got a tune-up at 91,000 miles. My van still averages 10-11 mpg.” Her van’s 30-gallon fuel tank allows for a total trip of 390-320 miles before she needs to stop for fuel.

According to The U.S. Department of Energy, Mark’s and Susan’s Chevy Express vans should be getting 14 mpg, combined city and highway.

If you ask different owners of the same conversion van models, they are getting 15 to 18 mpg. What is their secret?

Weather conditions (wind), van maintenance, road conditions (hills, traffic congestion, etc.) and driving city or highway are among the factors affecting your van’s gas mileage. City driving brings the average down real fast. The only mileage that you can reliably compare between vans is highway mileage (with no city) at the same speed.

8 Helpful Tips for Conversion Van Gas Mileage

Gas mileage for any vehicle is affected by driving style (if you are an aggressive driver, for example), speed, driving conditions and vehicle maintenance.

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas and can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is safer for you, pedestrians and other drivers, so you may save more than just gas money.

While each van reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds); gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 50 mph.

Each 5 mph you drive over 50 mph is like paying an additional $0.25 per gallon for gas.

Here are tips for ensuring you get the best fuel economy:

1. Make sure your tires are inflated properly.
2. Verify that the engine air filter is clean.
3. Spark plugs. Do you have the right ones? Is the gap right? Check the three in the front; they are easiest to access.
4. Does the torque converter lock? When you’re driving at a constant speed of about 40-45 mph the converter should lock, so the rpm’s drop by about 500.
5. Check the engine oil and transmission fluid levels. Have oil changes been done regularly, or is the engine clogging up?
6. Avoid excessive idling. Idling can use a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on engine size and air conditioner (AC) use. Turn off your engine when your vehicle is parked. It only takes a few seconds worth of fuel to restart your vehicle.
7. Use cruise control. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.
8. Remove excessive weight. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your mpg by up to 2 percent.

How to Calculate Your Conversion Van Gas Mileage

The best way to calculate your conversion van’s gas mileage is to divide the miles driven (as registered on your odometer) by the gallons of fuel used. You can also use the trip computer miles-per-gallon calculation, if your van model is equipped with one.

Your conversion van trip computer may display the distant to empty (DTE). DTE is an estimate of how many more miles you can drive based on the amount of gas in the tank and your recent fuel economy. It will reset automatically when you fill the tank and will depend on your driving style, speed and fuel economy. The DTE can reflect whether you use a heavy throttle foot.

The DTE will get more accurate as you use up gasoline since it tells you what remains. It does not subtract from the initial number; for example, the DTE reads 300 miles, but you drive 150 miles and now the DTE reads 200 miles.

The U.S. Department of Energy has a handy annual fuel cost calculator to help you estimate what your yearly and lifetime fuel costs may be.

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Source by Edward Jules Goodman