Planning Your Tradie Van Setup
A great tradie van setup starts with planning. Before you buy any storage system, think about how you actually work day to day. What tools do you use most? What parts do you need to restock regularly? What gear do you need to secure overnight? Answering these questions first means your fitout works for you, not against you.
The best tradie vans are designed around the workflow of the specific trade. An electrician needs different storage to a plumber, who needs different storage to a builder. There is no one size fits all answer, but there are principles that apply to every trade.
The Core: A Rear Drawer System
Every great tradie van setup starts with a rear drawer system. This gives you two or three large lockable bays accessible from the back doors, perfect for power tools, large equipment and anything you need to secure. A false floor top deck above the drawers creates a flat cargo surface for additional gear.
Look for heavy duty sliders rated to at least 200kg per pair. Lawson Automotive drawer systems use sealed stainless twin row roller bearing assemblies rated to 247kg per pair, engineered for the daily load and vibration of trade work.
Shelving for Organisation
Shelving is where your van goes from secure storage to organised workshop. Drawer top shelving makes use of the space above your drawers. Slide out shelves let you reach items at the back without climbing in. Easy access slides keep your most used tools within arm's reach.
Cable holders are essential for electricians and anyone carrying extension leads or hoses. Full height shelving maximises vertical storage for parts boxes and consumables. The key is choosing shelving that integrates with your drawer system rather than bolting on random units.
Milwaukee Packout Integration
If you use Milwaukee Packout modular tool storage, van shelving and slides that integrate with your Packout gear are a game changer. Dedicated Packout slides and mounting bays let your crates lock securely into the van and slide out smoothly at the back doors.
Lawson Automotive engineers Packout compatible shelving and drawer systems tailored to the exact internal dimensions of your van. No rattling, no wasted gap, no guesswork.
12 Volt Power for the Mobile Workshop
Modern tradie vans need 12 volt power for tool charging, work lights, phones and tablets. A dedicated 12 volt system with lithium power and charging ports integrated into your storage system means you always have power on site without idling the engine.
Lawson Automotive PowerDeck systems integrate 12 volt power with your van storage, so your charging ports and power are exactly where you need them.
Best Vans for a Tradie Setup
The Toyota HiAce is the most popular tradie van in Australia and has excellent cargo bay dimensions for storage fitouts. The Ford Transit Custom and Renault Trafic are also strong platforms with growing support. The Hyundai Staria Load and LDV G10+ round out the options.
Lawson Automotive engineers dedicated storage systems for all of these vehicles, with each system precision CNC cut to the exact internal dimensions.
Build Your Mobile Workshop
The best tradie van setup is one designed around how you actually work. Talk to Lawson Automotive about your trade, your gear and your van, and we will help you design the perfect mobile workshop. Call 1300 300 450 or request a quote online.