Is Van Racking Worth It? Why Timber is the Smart Choice | Custom Solut – Custom Solutions UK

For Trades, Van Racking Isn’t a Cost—It’s an Investment

If you're spending £500 to £4,000 on van storage, you want to know it'll last. And it can. At Custom Solutions UK, we’ve seen hundreds of customers reuse their wooden van racking over 7–8 years, even when upgrading vans.

For sparks, plumbers, chippies and more, it’s not about having the flashiest kit and if it was we can also help there—it's about keeping tools organised, easy to reach, and protected on the move. Done right, van racking saves you time every single day.

Why Wooden Racking Beats Metal for Trades Real-World Use

Forget the hype around metal racking—it’s expensive, heavy, rattly, and hard to adapt for trades. Wooden racking, on the other hand, is:

Purpose-built for trades – Designed around real toolkits and workflows
Easier to modify – Our Timber racks can be adjusted or added to at any point.
No replaceable parts – All wood drawer system like furniture from the early 1900’s
More affordable – SWB Systems start from just £599, and still outperform metal for value over time, including durability.
Light but strong – Our ply setups are CNC-cut, and designed to hold up under daily use, making sure everything is at reach with NO double handling.

It’s not just cheaper—it’s smarter.

Built to Last: 7+ Years and Still Going

We've got systems still in use 7 to 8 years after first install, now fitted into their owners’ second or third van. Our setups are modular and trade-specific—so you’re not stuck with a one-size-fits-all shelf. Simple to re-scribe and re fit

Whether you’re on a tight budget or going full custom, our wooden racking offers serious value without compromise from day one.

➡️ Explore £500–£4,000 Install Packages

Find What You Need — Faster

We’ve made it easier than ever to get the right van racking first time. On our site, you can:

✅ Search by trade — Sparkies, plumbers, gas engineers, joiners
✅ Filter by install length — Need a quick half-day job? Or full fit-out? Sorted.
✅ Check vehicle fit at a glance — Each product card shows your van model clearly

No more guessing, no more scrolling. Just clear, reliable solutions made to work.

➡️ Browse Trade Filtered Products

Go Beyond Basic Shelves: Modular Drawer Systems Available

Need more than shelves? We also offer drawers, where the bases double as shelves, built from the same long-lasting timber. These are all light weight yet strong. Get a faulty shelf, we will happily send you a replacement free of charge.

And unlike big-brand metal kits, our components are:

Fully modular
Designed for all van models out the box.
Fits and new van you change to.

If you’ve looked at the market and thought “nothing really fits how I work”—you’re exactly who we build for.

➡️ View Drawers Systems orAccessories

Need a Specific Height? We’ve Got You Covered

All our units are available with custom height adjustments at no extra fuss. When ordering, simply choose a unit height that’s equal to or taller than your required size—we’ll trim it down to fit your van perfectly.

✅ Available on all SET’s
✅ Ideal for customer with unique setups
✅ Just let us know your custom height during purchase add at checkout

We make everything in-house, so customising your racking to fit tight or awkward spaces is what we look to offer as standard.

FAQs

Is wooden van racking durable enough for trade work?
Absolutely. Our timber racking is designed for daily use by UK trades, with many systems still going strong 7+ years and reused across multiple vans.

What if I want drawers or more advanced storage?
We offer drawer systems as standard on our Pro Unique Range or add drawers to any other range on the fly, or drawer stacks on the Unique Range, all with height adjustable shelves as standard, simple 3 drawer height 44mm, 108mm, or 172mm and custom. These are ideal for trades needing serious van efficiency.