Ultimate van fitout guide

Whether you’re decking out your van for work or transforming it into your dream weekend escape, getting the layout right is a total game changer. We’ve seen too many empty vans turn into noisy, chaotic messes where tools bounce around, camping gear gets battered, and you end up wasting precious time hunting for that elusive spanner or your morning coffee beans.

When planning a van fitout, you should always focus on balancing weight, accessibility, and durability. Using top-notch hardware and Aussie-made modular components, you can turn your van into a seriously efficient mobile workspace or camper that’s built to last.

Let us walk you through the essential building blocks for a professional-grade van fitout.

Build a solid base with industrial drawer slides

Before you even think about shelves or boxes, always start with how the storage will move. If you use heavy timber drawers on flimsy plastic runners, they’ll warp, jam, or even drop out completely once you hit those rough Aussie tracks or load them up with heavy gear. Heavy-duty drawer slides are the backbone of any quality van build. Get the load rating right, and your gear will stay safe and secure, no matter where you’re headed.

• 125kg locking drawer slides: Ideal for everyday cargo drawers, tool organisation systems, and slide-out kitchen components.
• 227kg locking drawer slides: Designed for heavy-duty applications, these slides easily handle heavy loads such as fully loaded tool boxes, slide-out battery boxes, and large refrigerators.

Top tip: always go for locking drawer runners in your van fitout. They’ll keep your drawers locked tight while you’re driving, so nothing flies open on those steep Aussie hills. Plus, they lock out when fully extended, so you won’t have a heavy drawer slamming shut on your fingers when you’re parked on uneven ground.

Optimise space with cargo drawers & slide-out pantries

Forget building heavy timber boxes from scratch. We always recommend using prefabricated 3mm aluminium storage components—they save heaps of weight and are built to last for years of hard use.

Premium cargo drawers

We love installing modular aluminium cargo drawers—they give you a tidy, secure spot to stash your tools or camping gear out of sight. Our Deluxe Aluminium Cargo Drawers and Eco Series Cargo Drawers are all made right here in Australia, tough enough for trade work and outback adventures. You can even choose versions with a built-in slide-out bench, so you’ve got an instant workbench or food prep area right at your tailgate.

Slide-out pantries

If you’re planning a campervan layout, a Slide-Out Pantry is a real space-saver. No more digging into dark cabinets—these vertical shelves glide right out on heavy-duty runners. Made from lightweight aluminium, they keep all your jars, cans, and spices upright and organised while you’re on the move.

Keep things cool with a heavy-duty fridge slide

No van setup is complete without a trusty 12V fridge, but let’s be honest—hauling a heavy chest fridge out from under a low bench or mattress is a recipe for a sore back.

That’s why we recommend always fitting a dedicated fridge slide. It lets you pull your fridge all the way out of the van for easy, hassle-free access.

Standard and Sideways Fridge Slides are perfect for vans with low clearances. They glide out smoothly on 125kg or 227kg locking runners. If your setup needs a wide, shallow storage footprint, the sideways option is a winner.

If your fridge sits high on a false floor or drawer module, standard slides can make it tough to see inside. That’s where a drop-down fridge slide comes in—it pulls out and drops the fridge down by 300mm, so everyone can reach in easily.

Top tip: Fridge Cage Barriers protect your investment by mounting a structural metal cage around your fridge. This allows you to stack bags, tools, or firewood right up against the unit without blocking its ventilation ports or trapping the sliding mechanisms.

Handles, hinges, and seals

The real difference between a rattly DIY job and a pro-level fitout is all in the details. If you’re building your own custom cabinets or access hatches, we always say go for industrial-grade locks and Handles. We recommend using heavy-duty, flush-mounting T-Handles or L-Handles to keep our gear safe and secure. Key-lockable options are a must for extra peace of mind, whether you’re parked on-site or at a busy campsite.

Gas struts

Forget timber props for holding up heavy bed frames or locker doors. Fit high-quality gas struts—they make lifting heavy panels a breeze and let you access your storage with one hand.

Foam and rubber seals

To keep road dust and moisture out of your custom cabinets, line the edges with automotive-grade rubber pinching bulbs and foam seals. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.

Ready to start your van fitout?

From our experience, a successful van conversion takes patience, clever planning, and hardware that won’t let you down halfway through your adventure.

If you’re after a one-of-a-kind layout built just for your van, we’re here to help. Whether you need a single heavy-duty drawer runner or a fully customised, Aussie-made aluminium drawer system or pantry, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us or fill out our custom vehicle fitout form, and let’s turn your van into the ultimate mobile workspace or camper!