In the locksmith business, your vehicle is much more than your main method of transportation — it’s your mobile office and storage facility, too. That’s why it’s a good idea to make sure that your van or truck is set up to store all of your on-the-job essentials as efficiently as possible.
Locksmith Van Setup Ideas & Tips
Common Upfits for Locksmith Vans
Benefits of Having an Organized Locksmith Van
How to Select the Right Van
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the vehicle that best fits your needs — whether you’re just starting out in the locksmith business or adding a new van to your fleet. To help make your decision easier, here are a few things to consider:
New vs. Pre-Owned
Most of the time, deciding whether to buy a new or pre-owned vehicle is a matter of budget. While cost is an important factor in choosing between a new or new-to-you van, there are other considerations to take into account. For example, if you’re planning on relying on your locksmith van for the next 10-plus years, then a new vehicle might make the most sense for you. On the other hand, if budget is a main concern, then buying a pre-owned van may be the way to go.
Size
Since your van will also double as your supply closet, it’s important to choose one that can comfortably fit all of your tools, materials, and equipment. You don’t want to cram your essentials into a space that’s too small, so if you tend to carry a larger inventory of parts or bulky supplies, then a roomy cargo van could be a good solution. Having a vehicle that’s too large for your needs isn’t ideal either. If you operate with fewer items on hand, a more compact model might make more sense.
Fuel Efficiency
If your locksmith business is a small, primarily local operation, this may not matter as much to you. However, if you have a fleet of vehicles that travel farther afield to offer your services, fuel economy becomes a more important consideration — with a fuel-efficient vehicle (or vehicles), the savings add up.
Features
How many passenger seats will you need? Is it more convenient to access your cargo space through a back door or a sliding door on the side of the van? Depending on how you run your business — and maybe some personal preferences, too — different features will make certain vans more appealing than others.
Locksmith Van Setup Ideas & Tips
Now that you have the perfect van, it’s time to get it ready for work. When it comes to locksmith van setup, you need to think about the layout of your vehicle first. How much space do you have? What organization and storage solutions will you need to add? How can you configure the setup of those solutions to make the most of your space? Once you figure this out, the rest will fall into place.
To help you make the most of your locksmith van setup, here are a few extra tips:
- Think about environmental factors in your cargo space.
If you’re planning to spend any amount of time working in the back of your van, climate control, lighting, and safety are all important factors to think about. For example, to power heaters, fans, or any extra lights, you’ll need an AC adapter. Additionally, heavy duty rubber flooring (or cargo mats) not only helps protect your van from scratches but makes for a slip-resistant walking surface.
- Keep in mind that your van is much more than just a van.
A locksmith’s work is inherently mobile. Because of this reality, your van not only serves as your method of transportation between jobs, it also acts as your warehouse and sometimes even your office, which means it must be equipped for all of its roles. Adding storage systems keeps your files, lock scopes, and impressioning tools secure and within reach while lockboxes store sensitive paperwork or valuable tech devices.
- Consider adding branding decals to help with advertising.
With all the miles you drive, it’s safe to assume that hundreds of people are seeing your locksmith van every day. Why not take advantage of the exposure by adding some branded decals to the sides and back of your van? Don’t forget to include the name of your business and contact information!
Common Upfits for Locksmith Vans
Adding upfits is a great way to customize your van. When you upfit your vehicle, you not only make great use of your space but you get to make that space work for you as well. Some additions to consider include:
- Workbenches for a space to work when the weather doesn’t cooperate, as well as extra storage
- Lockboxes for storing sensitive or valuable items like invoices, payments, or technology (e.g. tablets)
- Storage bins for keeping parts organized
- Shelving to store tools, storage bins, and equipment
- Anti-slip flooring to increase safety when entering the cargo space
- Drawers and cabinets for efficiently using the space you have
- Lighting so you can see when you’re on the job after the sun sets (or before it rises)
- Temperature controls to keep you comfortable year-round
- Partitions to create designated spaces within your cargo hold
Benefits of Having an Organized Locksmith Van
Just like any storage space, you’ll get the best use out of your locksmith service van when it’s organized. With a tidy van, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for quickly because everything has its own place.
In addition to finding what you need in a pinch, an organized van comes with benefits such as maximized space, protection for your cargo and equipment, and showing clients that you operate your business with thought and care.
Best Locksmith Vehicles
Whether or not a certain van will be right for you depends on the individual needs of your business. In general though, some details to keep in mind when narrowing down your options include:
- 3D, 3D extended, 3D low roof, and 3D medium roof cargo vans are all ideal work vehicles.
- Exterior dimensions of cargo vans are approximately 230” long, 100” high, and 80” wide.
- Cargo vans can seat up to two passengers.
- They feature four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engines with front- and rear-wheel drive capabilities.
- Features typically include Bluetooth audio, cruise control, navigation systems, parking assistance, rearview camera, satellite radio, and more.
Here are a few models we recommend:
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
This 3D cargo van comes in a variety of makes and models. Common features include keyless entry, rearview camera, emergency brake assist, cruise control, hitch and tow packages, and more.
Ford Transit
This is a popular work van for a wide range of vocations. Many recent models feature Bluetooth connectivity, automatic high beams, emergency brake assist, lane departure warning, keyless entry, and extensive hitch and tow packages.
Chevy Express
The Chevy Express 2500 work cargo van is a trusted locksmith vehicle. Recent models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, automatic climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, heated seats, blind spot monitoring, and more.
When it comes to locksmith van setup, there’s a lot to consider. But now that you know what to look for in your next van and have some ideas about how to tailor it to fit your business, you’ll be getting your vehicle ready to go in no time! At Merchants Commercial, we have all types of vehicles and can help you find the right ones for your needs.
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