Cable reels, conduit, testers, power tools and endless consumables — electricians carry more variety than almost any trade. Here's how to lay out a van that earns its keep.

Electricians have some of the most specific van storage requirements of any trade. Between cable reels, conduit, testing equipment, power tools, and endless consumables, a disorganised van costs you time on every job. The right racking setup changes that — here's what to look for.

What electricians actually need from van racking

Before choosing a layout, think about how you use your van day to day. Most electricians need:

Secure storage for expensive power tools and testing equipment
Easy access to frequently used consumables like cable, connectors, and fixings
A way to carry conduit and longer materials safely
Somewhere to store larger items like cable reels and consumer units

The challenge is fitting all of this into a van without it becoming a jumble every time you hit a pothole.

The case for Euro box racking

Euro box container racking is one of the most popular choices for electricians and for good reason. The standardised boxes keep small parts, fixings, and consumables clearly separated and visible, so you're not digging through a toolbox every time you need a cable gland.

A good electrician's racking layout will typically include two or three tiers of Euro box racking on the passenger side, giving you space for 9-12 boxes depending on your van size. Each box can be labelled and dedicated to a specific category — cables in one, fixings in another, testing leads in a third.

Pipe and conduit storage

Conduit is one of the trickier things to transport safely. Left loose in the back of the van it shifts around, gets damaged, and gets in the way of everything else. The best solution is a dedicated pipe storage section — either integrated into a false floor system or running along the top of a racking unit.

At Ply Van Racking we build pipe storage into many of our electrician fit-outs, allowing conduit up to 3 metres to run safely through the bulkhead without taking up your main load space.

False floor systems for electricians

A false floor is worth serious consideration if you carry a lot of equipment. By raising the floor level you create significant underfloor storage for heavier items — cable reels, junction boxes, consumer units — while keeping your main load area clear and accessible.

Many electricians opt for a false floor with a pull-out drawer at the side door, giving them quick access to everyday tools without needing to climb into the back of the van. It's a small detail that saves a surprising amount of time over the course of a working week.

Secure storage for test equipment

Electrical testing equipment is expensive. A Fluke multifunction tester can cost over £1,000, and leaving it unsecured in the back of a van is a risk. If security is a concern, an Armorgard or Van Vault integrated into your false floor gives you lockable storage for high-value items without taking up much space.

Which van size suits an electrician?

Most electricians run a medium wheelbase van — a Ford Transit Custom, Vauxhall Vivaro, or similar. These give you enough room for a comprehensive racking layout without being difficult to park on residential jobs.

For domestic electricians a well-organised SWB setup is often enough. Commercial electricians working on larger sites often benefit from an LWB van with more racking capacity.

Getting the layout right

The best electrician van layouts we've built at our Shrewsbury workshop tend to follow a similar pattern:

Driver side: angled racking for toolboxes, larger storage compartments for cable drums and equipment
Passenger side: Euro box container racking for consumables and small parts
False floor: pull-out drawer at the side door, pipe storage running through the bulkhead
Bulkhead: shelving for items you need quick access to

Every electrician works differently, so every fit-out we build is designed around the individual — what you carry, how you work, and what your van needs to do.

See our electrician van racking

If you're an electrician based in Shrewsbury or the West Midlands and you're ready to get your van properly organised, we'd love to help. Browse our range of van racking systems or book a free design consultation to talk through your requirements.