Loads on my mind

I new I would change it. My battery box was originally going to be a stand-alone item. But doing some research (pouring over Google image searches) into expedition vehicles I discovered it's de rigueur to have a load shelf,  drawers or cabinets to organise and safely store loose pieces of equipment.

That looks fun I thought, and this way I could safely carry my trolley jack, and have some tidiness in the boot section.

So off to the DIY store I went and came back with an amount of 12mm MDF and some batten.

The frame is made to fit between wheel arches, and is divided into 5 sections. The 3 rear sections are for the fuse / battery box which will is now built in, and also to house a pair of plastic crates for carrying cooking utensils or whatever. These will be accessed from the tailgate and simply slid in/out of position. I still need to come up with a way to secure them during whilst driving.

The 2 front sections are for "recovery equipment", including my 2 tonne trolley jack, wheel braces, fuel can (empty), snow socks and foldable shovel. These are accessed through 2 hinged doors in the top with lockable catches.

Originally I planned to use the same carpet tiles that I will use on the floor, but it will be easier to use hard wearing speaker box carpet.

Another use for the load shelf is as a seat when parked up. Now we can open the tailgate, climb in the back and sit in the shade / out of the rain.

Whilst the main shelf sits between the arches, the angles front and sides will actually extend over the arches. It's neater this way and also provides suitable real estate for fitting some sockets and switches in the rear next to the battery box.

The shelf edge will be protected / neatened using some aluminium treadplate corner protectors, this ties in with the rest of the van.

I'm thinking of adding a load net to the top, but for now this will do me proud.