The Essential Guide to Van Upfits

Friday, June 27, 2025
The Essential Guide to Van Upfits

A proper van upfit requires careful planning, preparation for the unexpected, and future-proofing your vehicle. Equipping your van to handle any job can feel overwhelming — but our team of experts is here to help you optimize your mobile workspace. Let’s break it down and get your van ready for anything.

What is a "Van Upfit"?

A commercial van upfit involves equipping your work van with commercial-grade organization equipment such as shelving, ladder racks, and partitions. With thousands of accessories to choose from, it can be hard to know what to look for. The key to a successful upfit is choosing the right equipment for your specific needs.

Consider your occupation – for example, an electrician may need plenty of hooks, wire reel holders, and steel shelving; but a delivery van upfit would most likely choose folding aluminum shelves, grab handles, and side steps since the driver will be hopping in and out of the vehicle constantly. Below we'll go over what goes into trade-specific upfit packages, and what you'll need for a useful upfit.

Trade-specific Upfit Packages

Sprinter Upfit

CT Truck & Van offers commercial van shelving systems and upfits that were designed with your trade in mind. We install commercial van interiors for Electricians, HVAC Technicians, General Contractors, and more!

Electrician Van Upfits

Electricians carry a vast range of tools and parts that must be organized and within reach:

  • Wire reel holders for easy cable management

  • Drawer units for screws and hand tools

  • Extra hooks for hanging accessories

  • Ladder racks for extension or step ladders

HVAC Van Upfits

HVAC professionals need to secure tanks, tools, and fittings:

  • Tank racks accessible from the rear or side doors

  • Hooks to hang manifolds and hoses

  • Bins and dividers for small parts

Delivery Van Upfits

Delivery drivers need an efficient, ergonomic workspace to move quickly and safely:

  • Side and rear steps to reduce strain on joints

  • Grab handles for safer entry/exit

  • Aluminum folding shelves to maximize storage

 

We also offer trade packages for:

  • Plumbers

  • Gas & Utility Workers

  • AV & Network Installers

  • Painters

  • Locksmiths

  • Building Maintenance

 

Starting From Scratch

If a standard package isn’t the right fit, we can build a fully custom upfit. Start by adding:

  • Partitions — protect the cab area and meet Connecticut legal requirements

    • Steel: Durable and strong

    • Composite: Lightweight with improved climate control

    • Sliding door: Great for frequent stops

    • Wire mesh: Good visibility for compact vans

  • Rubber/Composite Flooring — improves traction, especially in winter

  • Wall Liners — protect metal or glass from shifting cargo

Note: If you skip flooring and wall liners now but want them later, you’ll need to remove your shelving to install them, which can be a hassle.

Choose Your Shelving

Van Shelving

Van shelving is crucial for staying organized and efficient. We offer:

  • Adjustable Steel Shelving — standard and durable

  • 16” Deep Shelving — extra capacity without sacrificing aisle space

  • Aluminum Shelving — lightweight, ideal for electric vans

  • Folding Shelving — perfect for delivery routes 

Benefits of van shelving:

  • Streamlined inventory management

  • Reduced wear and tear on tools

  • Improved safety during transport

  • Professional presentation to clients

 

Accessories to Optimize Your Upfit

Once shelving is in place, choose accessories to tailor your workspace:

  • Tank storage

  • Conduit carriers

  • Drawers and cabinets

  • Cable & wire organizers

  • Portable parts cases

  • Shelf dividers and door kits

  • Power inverters

  • Hooks

 

Ladder Racks

Ladder Rack

Free up interior space by storing ladders on the roof:

  • Drop Down Ladder Racks — load/unload from a comfortable height

  • Grip Lock Ladder Racks — secure smaller ladders on low-roof vans

  • Utility Racks — maximize roof cargo capacity

  • Interior Ladder Racks — mount step ladders inside

  • Rear Door Ladder Racks — access your roof without a step ladder

(See our Essential Guide To Ladder Racks for a deeper dive).

 

Safety & Security

Dash Camera

Protect your investment and keep drivers safe with:

  • Parking Sensors — warn drivers of obstacles

  • Dash Cameras — record incidents for legal or insurance use

  • Rear Camera Mirrors — improve rear visibility

  • Cargo Van Locks — prevent theft

  • GPS Fleet Tracking — monitor your fleet and get alerts

 

Let's Get Started!

Now that you know the basics of a van upfit, you’re ready to start building the perfect workspace on wheels. Whether you choose a trade-specific package or a fully custom setup, our experts are here to help every step of the way with equipment from top brands like Adrian, Ranger Design, Holman, and more.

Call us today at 860-347-0141 or stop by our showroom for a free consultation and quote. 

Browse Related Products

Steel Van Shelving

Steel Van Shelving

Add steel shelving units to your cargo van to stay organized and efficient.

Learn More
Aluminum Van Shelving

Aluminum Van Shelving

Lightweight and Corrosion-resistant Shelves.

Learn More
16" Deep Van Shelving

16" Deep Van Shelving

Enjoy more storage capacity without sacrificing aisle space with increased shelf depth.

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Folding Van Shelving

Folding Van Shelving

Aluminum Folding Shelves for Last-Mile Delivery.

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Adrian Steel ProLift Ladder Rack

Adrian Steel ProLift Ladder Rack

Adrian Steel's ProLift is up to 50% easier to operate than comparable drop-down style ladder racks.

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Adrian Steel Grip Lock Ladder Racks

Adrian Steel Grip Lock Ladder Racks

Ditch the bungee cords and start securing ladders with a tight grip in seconds.

Learn More

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