If your glass transport vehicle is feeling cramped but you're not quite ready to invest in a second van or truck, you're not alone. Many glaziers reach a point where their workload grows, but their fleet can't — yet. The good news? There’s often hidden potential in your current setup. With a few upgrades and mindful loading, you can boost your hauling capacity without adding another vehicle.
Here are 7 Tips to Maximize Glass Transport Capacity and Efficiency:
1. Fine-Tune Your Rack Set-up
Start by evaluating the layout of your existing racking system. Is there room for an additional exterior rack on the vehicle’s opposite side? Do you avoid portions of the rack because they need maintenance? Small changes can create space and make loading easier.
2. Use Overhead or Roof Storage for Tools and Hardware
Ladders, toolboxes, supplies, and window channel can be stored in a roof rack or in shelving along the walls and ceiling. That frees-up your rack and floor space for glass related cargo.
3. Add an Interior Rack or Rack-Shelf Combo Unit
If you're using a box truck or van, an interior rack quickly adds capacity. A rack-shelf combo unit will increase your usable racking area by storing tools and supplies up off the floor. For larger interiors such as box trucks and high-top vans strap-in racks can also be quickly and temporarily installed and removed. For the ultimate in convenience, check out the Slider retractable interior rack.
4. Use Glass Dollies, A-Frames, or Harp Racks
Portable A-frames, glass dollies, and harp racks let you transport extra glass securely and efficiently. They add versatility and capacity, and can be left at the jobsite for remote loading and unloading. A single 44” harp rack can store up to 29 additional sheets of glass in a very tiny floor footprint.
5. Utilize the Upper Portion of Your Rack
The second ledge system snaps into E-track installed onto your rack to secure smaller pieces of glass above glass stored on the rack’s bottom ledge. Glass can still be secured to the rack using poles or E-track and straps. It's a simple way to add smaller loads to delivery routes without compromising safety.
6. Take Advantage of Extra Cleats, Poles/Stakes, or E-track
More options for glass securement result in increased loading flexibility. Add cleats to your glass securement poles/stakes, or extra poles to your racking system. You can also add E-track and utilize cargo straps for securement along the entire width of the rack.
7. Consider a Tow-Behind Trailer
Pairing your vehicle with a small glass hauling trailer — like our Sidekick — gives you flexible overflow space for bulky items, oversized sheets of glass, or crates. It also frees up your main cargo area for better-organized, efficient loading.
Your current truck, van, or pickup may have more capacity to offer than you think. Add an additional rack or trailer, make a few upgrades and save time, reduce physical work, and delay that second vehicle purchase.
Want help upgrading your vehicle for better glass transport?
Let us know what you're driving and what you're hauling—we’ll recommend rack and truck body options that help you make the most of it.
Call (856) 595-9069 or click here to get in touch.
