If you're one of the 45,300 professionals who works as a glazier in the United States or if you're in another industry that requires you to carry large sheets of glass to work sites, you may need to invest in a glass rack for your van. There's a lot of different makes and models, and ultimately, you need to choose a glass rack that works with your particular type of van. On top of that, you may want to look for the following great features.
1. Lightweight Construction
Glass is heavy, and adding weight to your vehicle increases the drag on the motor and causes your fuel economy to get worse. To help lessen that effect, you may want to look for a van glass rack that claims to be lightweight.
2. Bolts to the Frame
Rather than just bolting to the side of your vehicle, you want a rack that's designed to be bolted directly to the frame. That design gives the rack more stability and allows it to carry more weight. If you want to be able to carry large loads with several pieces of glass, this can be essential.
3. Field Installation
You may also want to look for a van glass rack that can be installed in the field. Field installation allows you to order the rack and install it yourself or pay your mechanic to do it. If the rack has to be factory installed, you may need to bring your van into a shop and leave it there for several days during installation. That can be time consuming and may cut into your ability to keep working.
4. Aluminum, Stainless Steel, or Other Corrosion-Resistant Metals
Your glass van rack is going to spend a lot of time sitting in the elements. So that it can withstand the pressure of moisture without getting rusty, you absolutely need to look for a rack made of aluminum or stainless steel. Alternatively, you can also use other metals that have been coated with a rust-resistant coating. If the rack gets rusty, the rust will spread to your glass.
5. Adequate Width
When looking at the dimensions of the glass rack for your van, pay attention to length and height, but also make sure to look at the size of the ledger board. That is the bottom piece of the rack where the sheets of glass rest in place. You need the width adequate to carry the amount of glass you generally need to carry. Ideally, you want it to carry a day's worth of glass so you don't need to keep returning to the shop in between different clients.
6. Sign Panel
You should also look for a glass rack that comes with a sign panel. That is an area where you can set up a sign advertising your company's name and phone number. Depending on the design of the rack, you may be able to have a professional paint on your sign, you may be able to attach a metal sign, or you may be able to put a magnetic sign on a rectangular piece of metal attached to the outside of the rack.
7. Glass Pads
Finally, it cushion the glass from the metal as you drive along, your glass rack needs to have the right cushioning. Generally, you want to look for a lightweight cushion or pad material such as neoprene or a similar material. Materials like that can survive the elements without degrading, and they can ensure that your glass is safe.
To get more tips on which features you need, contact a company like Weldco Sales that specializes in glass racks for vans.
