Ford Transit Weatherguard van shelving

We just completed another installation of a Ford Transit Weatherguard van shelving for Ewald Venus FordWeatherguard has  many van shelving options available for the contractor depending on the Ford van purchased.  A contractor can pick a standard Ford Transit Weatherguard van shelving package or customize it for specific applications.  Van shelving is available in 13.5″ and 16″ widths and different heights.  If you need to carry a ladder there are many options available.  For the low roof and mid roof Topper Mfg. make a hot dipped galvanized rack that is great for carrying items  of different lengths and widths.  For the high roof van Weatherguard  manufactures a drop down ladder rack that makes it easier to get your ladder down from the roof.  If storage is required in the cab a command center is available.  You can also check on our site for for pricing.  Another option available when security is required are slick locks.  They are installed without having to drill any holes in the van.  The contractor can also incorporate floor drawer unit that are lockable. Many other accessories are available  from Weatherguard.  If you already own a van and would like to update we have installation available at our St. Francis location.  Packages are also available for GM vans, Promaster and Promaster City, Merceds Sprinter and Metris, and Nissan NV and NV200.  With all these options there is no reason for a contractor to not have a van that is a rolling work shop.

ford transit van shelving

Ford Transit

Van Locks Can Help Save Tools, Valuable Operating Equipment, and Your Business

image of Slick Lock Van Security Locks

Slick Lock Van Security Locks

If you’re the owner of a fleet, a handful, or even just one service vehicle, you’re being targeted. News reports reveal every day that the number of service vehicles that are broken into by thieves is increasing, and it’s costing business owners time, money, and, in some cases, even their businesses.

Last summer, for example, police in the Long Beach, CA area arrested eleven suspects and were searching for four more that were part of an elaborate ring of thieves that targeted work vans. The criminal organization was allegedly responsible for stealing work vans from a variety of service professions including plumbers, painters, landscapers, and construction workers. They stole thousands of dollars of tools and professional equipment, but they didn’t stop there. This gang of thieves was also selling the stolen vans, and in some cases, selling them to chop shops for scrap metal. Police were able to recover 25 of the stolen work vehicles, but many more were missing. Continue reading

Bird Ladder Open House May 15th

Bird Ladder will be having their annual open house May 15th. Every year we have customer appreciation day which includes a truck load sale on everything. Werner ladders, pump jacks, planks, Granite scaffolding, MBW compactors, trowels and mixers, Werner fall protection, Acro roofing equipment, Tie down shingle hoists, Van Mark brakes, Knaack job boxes, Weatherguard truck and van equipment, Reechcraft PowerPole, PowerLift and PowerMast to name a few.

We will also have factory reps demonstrating their products. We will be introducing new products at the show.  The NEW Knaack 118 data vault will be on display with demonstrations. We will also have the new Reechcraft Powermast set up. They also have a new free standing base that will be shown. We will also have new MBW plate compactors on display.

Free safety classes will also be returning this year. We will offer ladder safety courses, fall protection courses and also a presentation by Acro products on use of their roof edge protection. Cards will be issued for the ladder and fall protection training. We are also attempting to have a representative from OSHA here to answer questions.

We also serve lunch from 12:00 till the food runs out. So bring your shopping list, save money, get trained, and have lunch.

Weatherguard Van Solutions

WernerCo Introduces New Weather Guard OEM Van Solutions

van interior

van interior

Range includes Ford Transit Connect, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes Sprinter and others.

WernerCo announces the introduction of professional trade packages for commercial van OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturer), including the Ram ProMaster, the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit Connect and others.

Designed for contractors and remodelers on the move, the Weather Guard OEM van solutions packages provide secure, durable and organized van solutions for professionals, regardless of the vehicle. The custom designed Weather Guard Van solutions are developed to fit every detail, including the contours of specialty vans, such as the Ram ProMaster. Continue reading

Preventing Theft

Unfortunately in the world today, we have to lock our doors and be concerned about preventing theft.  But, such is life.  There are two products that exist to address this for contractors.  It is surprising to me that both of them were created outside of Chicago.  The first solution was created by American Lock Company, which has been purchased by Masterlock.  Both use the hockey puck style locks, and there are distinct advantages and disadvantages.  I will discuss both.  First the original American Lock 800, this product can be used to secure swinging doors on a van.  The Hockey puck lock is protected on all sides and is very secure.  The second solution is the Slick Lock, this utilizes the locking mechanism on the door of the vehicle and works really well on new vehicles.

Since both systems utilize the hockey puck locks, I will discuss the other differences.  The Slick Lock is great for new vehicles, you don’t have to drill any holes, and it works on sliding doors.  This is really important, as the American lock doesn’t have a solution for sliders.  The disadvantage of the slick lock is that on old vans they often won’t work, because the hinges are sagging or the doors are a bit out of alignment.  Now, that being said the other necessity for the slick lock is the spinner, this is so someone can’t take a 48″ pipe wrench and grab the hockey puck lock twist it off.

So the advantage of the American lock 800 is that it is very secure and it can be installed on older vehicles as long as the doors close. The disadvantage is that you have to drill six holes in your vehicle.  That equals rust in Wisconsin.  We use stainless hardware when we install it, and caulk it, but sooner or later it will rust.

The other two necessities are the covers which keep snow, ice, salt, etc. out of the hockey puck lock itself.  The Reda Guard, was also invented in Illinois, it works with the American Lock 800.  Slick Lock has their own cover, because the Reda Guard doesn’t work with the spinners.