The ones that use vertical track, we use those in a box truck. I like them. Don’t get the kit with the track, get the 5’ track from harbor freight

 

get the 5’ track from harbor freight

You mean THIS? It works with Milwaukee Packout system? ???

 

I like the packout systems, but i cant see spending that much money on this stuff.

The regular rolling pack out bin, with maybe 2-4 of the direct attachments are all you need for small jobs and service calls. The rest of your materials fit great in shelving. Only throw what you need in the snap in boxes, and maybe keep a “misc stuff” bin handy. And that should get you through 99% of jobs.

 

I am doing a full van and trailer with the packout. Just working out the finishing touches on the shelving units.

Once that is done, I am making 1/2 and 1/4 units so I have all the options available to me.

Cheers
John

 

Not trying to be too nosy here, but if you don’t mind, how much do you think your going to be dropping on this set up?

 

No not nosy at all. The quick answer is I don't know. I have acquired all the packouts over time and varying prices (I have a room of about 100 packout units of various shapes and sizes still in the boxes. Since the shelf units are custom, I am paying a premium for the first batch (basically R&D costs). I am also not costing out any labour to do this as it is a bit of a "project" for me.

My intent is to kit out my shop the same way so that there is a ready replacement kit in the shop, so guys do not need to continually stock the trucks. When the kit gets low or fully depleted they just grab a replacement kit off the shelf and the "old kit" is replenished and put on the shop shelf ready for the next use.

Right now I am getting 30 of the double shelves cut and it will cost me about $5000; I have not 100% decided on the gauge of aluminum yet. I probably only need about 8-10 shelves per truck so I have over supply for my shop or will look at selling them maybe to offset my costs. My other trucks all have shelving in them now, I am not going to rip that out, but as I replace trucks I will likely convert them to packout or continue to build out my shop and trailers.

I think it would be reasonable to say that it would cost me about $3000 in material and labour per set up (not including packout) if I had all the units built and have had determined the frame configuration, etc. Right now it is way more then that simply because I am trying and testing to figure out what I like the best.

Cheers
John

 

Thanks for sharing.

I always see the posts on Facebook where guys have decked out their vans with thousands of $$$$ worth of packout systems. Not that they don’t look good, its just that I cant see the expense being worth the squeeze.

The packout system is great for transporting your tools, and materials for your job from the van, to the job. But for organizing your entire van….I dunno. I’m be glad to hear what someone who has done it has to say, but Im to cheap to go down that route right now.

 

I will admit, I have a hard time justifying in my head why I would use a $40 or $50 dollar case to store $10 worth of receptacles and switches... but I also have seen the costs of not being able to keep the truck organized and the costs that it takes to send a helper / tradesmen to the supplier because they need $0.50 in reducing washers to finish off a job. One trip like that pays for a packout unit all day long.

I also think there is a bit of a safety issue with it. Not that it has happened to me, but I have heard of stories where small parts have injured people in accidents, both inside and outside. Although I have a divider in all my vans I can just imagine a projectile of a #10 x 2" wood screw flying in the air and doing something to a person or to another piece of equipment like a propane bottle, gas can, etc. At least if the stuff is in rigid containers, when the van does a 360* roll most of the stuff will stay contained and help eliminate any potential injuries from the contents in the van. I also have to admit, I think this is pretty rare and maybe impossible for this to happen, but it is part of my "self justification" to spend the money on it.

I am also not a FanBoy, but when you buy into a system you make the commitment and you are stuck with it. If somebody came out with a less expensive option tomorrow, I would still be going down this route simply because that is the line I chose.

Cheers
John

 

I will admit, I have a hard time justifying in my head why I would use a $40 or $50 dollar case to store $10 worth of receptacles and switches... but I also have seen the costs of not being able to keep the truck organized and the costs that it takes to send a helper / tradesmen to the supplier because they need $0.50 in reducing washers to finish off a job. One trip like that pays for a packout unit all day long.

I also think there is a bit of a safety issue with it. Not that it has happened to me, but I have heard of stories where small parts have injured people in accidents, both inside and outside. Although I have a divider in all my vans I can just imagine a projectile of a #10 x 2" wood screw flying in the air and doing something to a person or to another piece of equipment like a propane bottle, gas can, etc. At least if the stuff is in rigid containers, when the van does a 360* roll most of the stuff will stay contained and help eliminate any potential injuries from the contents in the van. I also have to admit, I think this is pretty rare and maybe impossible for this to happen, but it is part of my "self justification" to spend the money on it.

I am also not a FanBoy, but when you buy into a system you make the commitment and you are stuck with it. if somebody came out with a less expensive option tomorrow, I would still be going down this route simply because that is the line I chose.

Cheers
John

100% agreed that keeping things organized pays for itself in the long run. And this system definitely keeps stuff organized.

Im not a fanboy either, but once you buy in, your commited. To me it wouldn’t have mattered if it was a Dewalt, Rigid or Milwaukee packout system. Milwaukee just happened to be the first one to perfect it and get it mainstreamed. And I’ve got to say, they did a good job at it too!

 

I looked at those, but you loose too much space between the units. I also looked at the "plates" and using threaded rod, but there was no way to cleanly interlock them and again too much space lost between units. I have about 10 or so of the plates... doubt I will find a use for them.

Cheers
John

 

[OP] - I have my reasons for the interest in packout, and don't care about the price. My question was about their rack system, and how it holds up in a moving vehicle -- particularly since the crucial support for each unit is only at two points, on the wall bracket (and how does the bracket hold up?)

 

I had the same consideration, that is why my design is supported on three sides. I do not have faith in the connection point on the shelving units once the box is weighted and then gets jarred / bounced around.
I may have to install a stiffener in the middle, but my hope is to use the bend in the plate to act as a stiffener. The "front" bend can be used to add a label / decal, but it is really there to stifffen the plate.

Cheers
John

 

Interesting. How did your 3-point design work, and is it a success? Any chance for pics?

 

Also. I'm wondering, with standard e-track, multiple packout shelves (48-22-8481) and multiple organizers (48-22-8430): IF the shelves are spaced every other slot, will the organizers fit?

 

I’ll try tomorrow and show you how close they’ll get

 

@Navy guy did you ever complete this shelving ? and would you be willing to sell or make?

 

@Navyguy