Commercial sprinter vans are some of the most versatile vehicles that you can use for business. Whether you’re an employee or you own your own company, learning all of the features that sprinter vans have to offer will benefit you in your professional endeavors. However, many people don’t utilize one of the most effective ways to get the most out of a sprinter van.
Instead of driving to a warehouse or office any time you need to get some work done, why not work in the van? By following the proper steps, you can transform your sprinter van into a dedicated workspace that can serve as a one-stop shop for all your needs. With that in mind, here’s a guide on how to turn your sprinter van into a functioning work van.
Start by Creating a Budget
Before you can start gathering equipment and materials, you must create a thorough budget of everything you need for your conversion. It isn’t easy to estimate the cost without considering which industry you’re in and how you want to convert the van. However, you must decide whether to keep the budget as low as possible or buy higher-quality materials.
There’s a middle ground between these two extremes, but it requires more planning and decisions. It’s easier just to pick one option and stick with it. Once you create a budget that encompasses all aspects of your build, you can start planning how you want to carry out each task.
Learn How To Convert the Van for Your Specific Industry
Depending on which industry you’re in, the types of things that you’ll want for your sprinter van will vary. For instance, if you require constant communication with different people, you may want to install Wi-Fi capabilities for your van. However, this procedure will add to your costs significantly, so you need to consider each component and its price tag individually.
You can run many types of businesses straight out of your van, so don’t worry if you think you won’t be able to mobilize yours. People run X-ray clinics, dental offices, food trucks, and even barbershops from inside their sprinter vehicles. You should brainstorm how a sprinter van conversion could benefit your line of work.
If You Don’t Already Own One, Pick a Van
Many sprinter van drivers already own one, but if you work for a company that leases them or if you want your own personal vehicle, then you need to choose a van to purchase. There are numerous types of sprinter vans available, from ones made for specific industries to dedicated travel vehicles.
However, if affordability is your main concern, you can search through listings on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to find used vans in your area. If you want to buy a used van, you also need to consider what repairs your van will need, so sometimes paying for a newer model is worth it in the long run. You need to purchase a van before creating a budget because you have to tailor your conversion to the model that you drive.
Design the Layout of Your Workspace
After you’ve purchased your vehicle and created a budget, it’s time for you to design the layout of your workspace. You can do this with blueprints, but there are also many applications and software that can help you with this process.
Whatever tool you use, make sure your dimensions are exact so that construction can go smoothly. Double-check each area to ensure that you measured your dimensions accurately. Also, you need to ask yourself how many people you think will be working in the vehicle on any given day so that there’s enough space for everyone.
Another helpful tip is to lay out specific areas for multiple functions, such as a storage space or desk area. Finally, determine the key components you want for your permanent setup, and then decide which materials you can put into storage after each workday.
Gather All the Necessary Tools
Once you complete your layout design, it’s time for you to start gathering tools for your build. Many retailers offer sprinter cargo van accessories specifically for conversions, so check to see if you can find a build kit with the right components.
You probably won’t need every piece of equipment at the hardware store, and you can rent the ones you need just for this project. Whether you rent or buy is something to consider for your budget, so once you figure out what you want to do, the next step is to obtain each piece of equipment.
Prepare Your Van for the Conversion
By now, you should already own a sprinter van. If there are still mechanical problems with your vehicle, you need to repair them, so everything is in working condition when you start your project.
After this, you can start to get things ready for construction. The first thing you should do is completely gut your van from the top down. You’ll need an empty chassis to serve as a blank canvas for your design.
Depending on the condition of your vehicle when you purchased it, there may still be things you need to clean or remove to get your van completely empty. Once everything is out of there, you can remove the utility floor and move on to the next step.
Take Measurements and Start Building
When your van is empty, you can start taking measurements so you can get ready to build. Using a tape measure, follow your blueprints and mark out the dimensions with a marker or pen so that everything is clearly visible while you work.
This keeps your specifications exact and makes it much easier to create what you had in mind. After completing this step, it’s finally time to begin construction!
If you’re struggling to install certain parts, check the instructions that come with the product. Otherwise, there are many helpful tutorials on YouTube that go through each step in the installation process.
Overall, converting your van takes lots of time and effort, but it’s all worth it when you can use the final product. Now that you know how to turn your sprinter van into a functioning work van, you can reap the benefits of increased productivity in your profession.
