Sprinter Van

[Stephen Lovett]

Thanks for the updates.

Thanks for the updates.

Cool stuff.

As this thread is about the Sprinter specifically, I started a new thread for details and pictures on the box truck fitting out that's underway at my end.

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=37210

All the best, and keep those photo's coming,

Steve

 

[David W. Jones]

Easy Panel Build.

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

Very interesting thread. Thanks for posting here, David (and everyone else).

I'm currently trying to find a good way of outfitting my VW Transporter to my needs. It's a rather small van and I need it for different purposes. As much as I'd like to outfit it as a mobile editing/grading van there's just not a market for it here in Denmark. Being mainly a DIT and AC I'm thinking of turning the van into an offload/backup van along with the ability of using it for videoassist purposes when in the field. So I'm going to outfit it with a Panasonic 17" monitor (possibly two - or a 25") and if the job needs it then I can install my Mac Pro and watch or transcode dailies.

Powering this whole thing is something I'm currently working on with my dad who is an electronics engineer ;-)

My biggest concern is figuring out a way to securing things in it so everything doesn't fly around when I'm driving Suggestions are welcome - in particular some kind of suspension for the gear to minimize bumps which can hurt the gear.

Here's a photo of it from the back. I just had a floor installed and will soon be insulating it further.

 

[David W. Jones]

Looking good Tony!

 

[David W. Jones]

I got around to spraying bedliner to freshen up the floor a little, and then went safety gaga to remind folks where the edge of the world is.

 

[David W. Jones]

Rule Number 1 after you spray bed-liner... wait a couple of days for the fumes to dissipate before you take a drive. Otherwise a block an a half later you will start to feel very loopy.

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

Haha - that's funny David

 

[Alexis Vanier]

The yellow safety lines is an excellent idea. Always safety first.

What material is it? Is it the anti slip 'sand in tar' kind of thing? Will it resist anvil cases being slid on top of repeatedly?

 

[David W. Jones]

It is a reflective strip that will likely wear quickly, but it was all that I had at the moment.
I did add some non-skid strips as well.

 

[Jarred Land]

the bedliner is a badass touch... good job.

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

Love this thread

Love this thread

Modding stuff for production is a love of Mine.. I put a lot of thought into how I would move my crap from point A to point B, and I ended up going a different direction than most, but I have loved the results.

I went with a 12' double axis trailer. It's a slick little bugger that carries:
All camera gear
a 10'x25' green screen
doorway dolly
26' jimmy jib with all the trimmings
Full size magliner
Buttloads of lights and grip equipment.

I chose 6' wide so the wheel wells would stay OUTSIDE the trailer, allowing for a completely flat plateform inside. The right hand wall is all shelving with a small workbench for any number of things.. It usually becomes the DIT station on smalle RED shoots.. We keep a nice 2000 watt genny inside, and there is a power tap outside the trailer.. Look at the night photos, we have so much light in that damn thing you can find anything.

The cieling is extra high to allow for storage above your head (Only problem is that the extra height makes it look like the horse trailer from hell... No windows, but if they think it's a horse trailer, they have no reason to break into it just to find a dead horse!)

So why a trailer?
1: Harder to break into. With no windows, it's like a rolling safe.
2: Great on location: When on long term shoots, I can roll up, disconnect, and then have a nice clean EMPTY car to tool around in off-hours.
3: Walk in height allows me to park the magliner inside, lock it down, and leave. I save about 60 hours or more per year in unloading and unloading.

I'm the kind of guy who always worries about what I did not bring. Clients are cheap on the phone and spend on set. So I bring the trailer, and when they see it, they say "oooooo can we use this or that?!" I say "No, but you sure can RENT it.. Sign here!"

These pics are old, we've added a diamond pattern rubber floor since these were taken.

Enjoy!

 

[David W. Jones]

I think I really needed to go thicker on it, but hey at some point you gotta roll a cart across it.
I will test fit a small edit/workstation tomorrow if I have time.

 

[David W. Jones]

I like it Jay, it's pretty darn slick!

 

[Tony Lorentzen]

Thanks for sharing, Jay. That is a great trailer - and nice touch with the first aid kit on the door! That's difinately something I'll add to my permanent inventory.

 

[David W. Jones]

Well it's experimentation time, I have a couple extra low cost edit desks, and thought the larger of the two would be a better option in the van, but I did a test fit yesterday with the smaller of the two, and think now the lager one may be too large. Of course by going with a modular design the layout can change as needed, so if the need should arise the larger desk can always be used. The other issue I'm working on is weight. Trying to keep the base weight of the Sprinter as light as possible before gear load in. For example... In an audio situation installing a mixing console with X-number of inputs weights X amount. Adding a patch-bay with high quality wire and connectors can weigh as much as a small console, so by adding full access to everything on the console, you have basically doubled your weight. When using a power inverter you will need batteries to run things. They can weigh 125 pounds each. So you can see where a good amount of weight can start to build up even before you start to load your kit. I know that many of you are probably thinking... What's the point? You are going to load down the van full of gear anyway. Well being the Mr. Frugal Ass that I am, I know that any weight I can keep off the vehicle will increase the performance and gain fuel savings, which multiplied over time equals some pretty good drinking money.
I'll post some pics when I can.

 

[david_winters]

Hi David

Nice work! I've always lusted for Sprinters because of years of cracking my head on the ceiling of American cargo vans, and many days of lower back pain from being hunched over loading cases in vans.

Are you planning to roll loaded carts into the van? Have you come up with some type of ramp with winch system? There are a few location sound guys in Los Angeles that have added a ramp and winch to pull in fully loaded carts. Pretty slick.

 

[David W. Jones]

I have a ramp ordered, and should be here next week.
I will be using a combination of loaded carts & storm cases.
The winch is a primo idea! The ramp I ordered is a little shorter that I wanted, The next longer length was a substantial price increase. So a winch would be fab.

I agree, being hunched over loading cases in a van is no fun on the back.

 

[Alexis Vanier]

Wow, those are wonderful rides. David, have you figured out how to rig the electrical system? BTW, be careful with that, just recently one of the best guys in town nearly had their package grip/electric truck (a very nice five tonner) catch on fire because of electrical failure. Would have been a shame. The thing is very well thought out. It even has a hydraulic tailgate that goes all the way to the truck's top, which is covered with diamond plating and is bordered with railing and 1k receivers.

Jay, your trailer is absolutely great. The first aid pack in the door is an excellent idea.

That said, doesn't it pull to the right with all the shelving on the passenger side?

 

[David W. Jones]

Well here is an early look at the work area. This is using the smaller edit desk. Having a place to work on a camera or what ever will be handy.

 

[David W. Jones]

The work area is something I had sitting around. I got it a few years back from Guitar Center for something like $69 because they screwed something else up. The Cart is the cheap Sam's $59.00 variety.