Love the Uni strut, you and Greg got me going this way...Bugger the outrageous cost of the racks and rails online...The secret to painting galvanized steel is white vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar will react with the metal, treating the surface to promote paint adhesion. The acidity of the vinegar will react with the metal, treating the surface to promote paint adhesion...Then use a primer ( Do not use alkyd-based paints or oil-based primer) then your top coats..
great roof rack mel!....soooo bonkas i just bought some ladders 3m last wk...for my van was soo funny lil ad in corner shop( rare these days) 5mins around bend & the funniest older couple selling them for just 10quid...like a propa old comedy act, telling him to open them up fully and how NOT to trap your fingers when putting down, they were sooo sweet & hilarious..loved them !!and theyd only used once ...bargain!!i wrap a few layers of bubble wrap on top of ladder, so doesnt scratch van OR that grey pipe stuff that just slit dwn side n holds on great, even better !! cheers for more outtakes ! take it easy bab! :)
Mel, have you considered putting a roller on the back of the unistrut to help with putting your kayak up there? I bought 300mm unistrut brackets that I'm going to mount vertically at the ends of the cross members, adds some height to the van but will make my kayaks more secure and less chance of them sliding off while getting them up there.
Hi Mel is it not better to use stainless steel bolts and another we bit of advice, I know everyones a critic lol, maybe drill a small hole in the bottom of the end caps to let any build up of moisture escape due to ambient temps. Great job by the way
Somehow all you did was tighten up two screws to a roof rack and its enjoyable stuff to watch love the space saving ladder mel real handy piece of kit watch your fingers when putting it away though
Looks great , nice & neat 😁😁. I bought one of those ladders , bloody brilliant , use mine loads .. collapse it and put it in my garage area under my bed 😁😁
Mel you might want to checkout the Thule magnetic ladder holder. No chance if the ladder slipping with this baby. Super strong magnetic clamps to the body panels and attaches to the ladder. Useful for other stuff too. Not cheap though.
As always Mel, entertaining and informative. Just bought one of the ladders, they're going fast. Outtakes are always an amusing end, keep them coming vanmate.
Gotta tellya mr mels weld thats lookin mighty dang scpiffins n stuff .. ooow and what a rack ..shame aboot the boat race ..😂🤣😂get in there ..fabbo job mate .
Excellent job. Out of interest those Unistrut nuts also come with a spring on the bottom affectionately called Zebedee's by sparky's and keeps the nut from disappearing in to the channel if you take the bolt out.:) Looking great, keep up the great video's.:)
Yes but if you try to slide them across the spring jams we nearly always rip them of if you use a channel nut under the 20mm strut and then put a square washer on top and use an eye bolt and nut you have some where to strap to and by turning the eye bolt you can move them and tigjten where you want
Hi Mel. I have a crazy idea of fitting the spare wheel on the top of my van on the unistrut. What do you think of that? Apart the fact that it will be a challenge to carry it up there 😄 But sure it will look cool 😜
I haven't seen those infill strips before. I did have end caps but they went "ping" and missing a long time ago. Luckily my roof is so high no one will notice.
That was so funny, watching yourneighbour 'filming You' filming yourself :-) ......... Do 'they' have a RUclips channel d'ya reckon?? ............. It was good of you to show the local yobbery how to quickly remove that Camera?/Light? off the back of your roof :-) I can't believe the price of that ladder Mel!! ..... My daughter bought one to do her EPC's a short while ago ... a few pence under £100- .... AARRGGHH!!!!!! :-(
Always like the out takes :) looking soo smart Mel ;) um be ok for a link to the plastic trim and the bolts please mel I’d ok for the ladder too? As I made my roof like yours not finished yet only the two rails on the roof. I didn’t know you can’t buy the trim :) 🙏🤗😊
@@BigVanSmallWorld Be careful with the ladders guys, I have the same and after about 4 hours use the metal tube has gone through the rubber feet! On the hunt for some replacements shoes.
@@BigVanSmallWorld Sound quality is awful 😂 in any video when you move away from the camera or turn your back, the camera microphone isn't up to the job 🙁 aside from that, love your videos 👍😁
Mell i have a very important question for you that i dont think you have touched on and that is why have you chosen a log fire over a diesel heater ,you are the only one that can address this thanks.
When I originally purchased my van the first thing I did was purchase a telescopic ladder 👍 Have you nipped your fingers or thumbs with it yet? You know it's a right of passage 😂 Great rack 👍👍👍
Mel put some grease on your nuts incase water hangs around there in the channel . Cheers for ladders been meaning to get that type to keep in the van, so just bought them 👍
@@keltic_nomad You need to use the unistrut threaded plates, nuts won't work. Watch the video again as it's hard to explain. FWIW loctite costs about £10 not really an issue given the cost of converting a van to a campervan.
@@keltic_nomad You suggested using nuts and then go on to say of course nuts won't work? Maybe you're referring to using locknuts somewhere else but there's nowhere in the video where he could have used regular nuts or locknuts, he had to use the unistrut threaded plates.
Quick question Mel if you don't mind me asking. Could the unistrut go even further back and towards the front as well ? As in, would it be possible to run a length right to the very back of the van above the doors? Lovin your vids bud :)
Hi Mel, where did you get the trim from? And the nuts etc specific for the unistruts - about to do my roof rack and no idea where to get the nuts etc and what I’ll need.
Interesting Mel, I basically did the same although I had to make risers for the roof bars to raise them above the solar panels (my solar panels are mounted on roof rails made from uni strut) I used the low profile 41mm x 21mm un-slotted uni strut for the rails and bars. I almost choked when you mentioned carrying a sea kayak as that's my intention too, I don't have a sea kayak yet, just a sit-on-top but plan to get one. I'm curious though how you get the kayak on the roof, I was considering making a rear roller bar or a slip in side extension, any thoughts on that? The clip in trim strips look good, I may have to get some :-) Cheers p.s. My van is a mk7 Transit, swb Mid Roof.
@@BigVanSmallWorld I think a roller is the better option as sometimes there isn't room once parked to load/unload from the side. A side loading extension would be simpler to build though, I'll probably go for that option until I (or you :-)) come up with a means of making a rear roller set-up.
here you go rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575467911&toolid=10001&campid=5338454651&customid=&mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FMEMORY-FOAM-ORTHOPAEDIC-MATTRESS-DOUBLE-KING-3FT-4FT-5FT-DEPTHS-6-8-10-12%2F331944277628%3FssPageName%3DSTRK%253AMEBIDX%253AIT%26_trksid%3Dp2057872.m2749.l2649
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Love the Uni strut, you and Greg got me going this way...Bugger the outrageous cost of the racks and rails online...The secret to painting galvanized steel is white vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar will react with the metal, treating the surface to promote paint adhesion. The acidity of the vinegar will react with the metal, treating the surface to promote paint adhesion...Then use a primer ( Do not use alkyd-based paints or oil-based primer) then your top coats..
Namdor thank you that’s a great tip 👍🤓👍
Please do a video of mounting that sea kayak. I want to see how you secure it and how you manage getting it up there on your own!
No worries I’ll get round to it eventually 👍😊👍
great roof rack mel!....soooo bonkas i just bought some ladders 3m last wk...for my van was soo funny lil ad in corner shop( rare these days) 5mins around bend & the funniest older couple selling them for just 10quid...like a propa old comedy act, telling him to open them up fully and how NOT to trap your fingers when putting down, they were sooo sweet & hilarious..loved them !!and theyd only used once ...bargain!!i wrap a few layers of bubble wrap on top of ladder, so doesnt scratch van OR that grey pipe stuff that just slit dwn side n holds on great, even better !! cheers for more outtakes ! take it easy bab! :)
Thank you 😊
Mel, have you considered putting a roller on the back of the unistrut to help with putting your kayak up there? I bought 300mm unistrut brackets that I'm going to mount vertically at the ends of the cross members, adds some height to the van but will make my kayaks more secure and less chance of them sliding off while getting them up there.
Hi yes I have thought about that too 👍
Uni strut is cracking stuff 👍👍. Love your tips and tricks buddy 👌 stay well 🙏
Thank you that’s really appreciated 👍😊👍
Nice bit of racking, well done!!!
Thank you 😊
My factory brackets were ripped off after it went under a low bridge and this is a very good solution... Many thanks Mel 👍
Oh crap that’s bad news I’m glad this video has proven helpful to someone 👍🤓👍
Hi Mel is it not better to use stainless steel bolts and another we bit of advice, I know everyones a critic lol, maybe drill a small hole in the bottom of the end caps to let any build up of moisture escape due to ambient temps. Great job by the way
They are stainless and the end caps don’t really fit that well but a great idea though 👍🤓👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Better safe than sorry. Keep that metal cancer away as much as possible. Great stuff mate you will be dying to get away.
Still loving it Mel well done.👍🇬🇧🍺🤘
Thank you 😊
Another fantastic vid Mel,,, love the ladder
Thank you so do I I don’t know how I’ve managed without it 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld they are really good,, ur van looking very smart
Mel, try some pipe foam lagging for extending ladder. It works well on painted surfaces. Keep up the good work. Mike
Thank you buddy that’s a great idea 👍
Have one of those ladders, also from ebay, great job - just watch when collapsing it, very easy to trap your fingers.
Thank you that’s really appreciated
Surely your opening should be my names mel it's all about van with windows and van with windows related stuff lol
Haha I love it 👍😂👍
Somehow all you did was tighten up two screws to a roof rack and its enjoyable stuff to watch love the space saving ladder mel real handy piece of kit watch your fingers when putting it away though
Thank you don’t worry I’ll be careful 👍🤓👍
Looks great , nice & neat 😁😁. I bought one of those ladders , bloody brilliant , use mine loads .. collapse it and put it in my garage area under my bed 😁😁
Thank you yes I wish I had got the ladder years ago 👍🤓👍
Mel you might want to checkout the Thule magnetic ladder holder. No chance if the ladder slipping with this baby. Super strong magnetic clamps to the body panels and attaches to the ladder. Useful for other stuff too. Not cheap though.
Thank you I’ll have a look
@@BigVanSmallWorld could even approach them for a freebee promotion 🤣
As always Mel, entertaining and informative. Just bought one of the ladders, they're going fast. Outtakes are always an amusing end, keep them coming vanmate.
Thank you that’s really appreciated 👍🤓👍
Like the trim idea. May try it on mine once I’ve mounted light bars. Wonder if it’ll help with wind noise a bit.
Thank you and maybe it will help
Gotta tellya mr mels weld thats lookin mighty dang scpiffins n stuff .. ooow and what a rack ..shame aboot the boat race ..😂🤣😂get in there ..fabbo job mate .
You nutter 👍😂👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld nnyes ...😁😁
Excellent job. Out of interest those Unistrut nuts also come with a spring on the bottom affectionately called Zebedee's by sparky's and keeps the nut from disappearing in to the channel if you take the bolt out.:) Looking great, keep up the great video's.:)
Hi thank you 😊
Yes but if you try to slide them across the spring jams we nearly always rip them of if you use a channel nut under the 20mm strut and then put a square washer on top and use an eye bolt and nut you have some where to strap to and by turning the eye bolt you can move them and tigjten where you want
@@shropshireladoutdoors743 yes I''ve done that too and also chopping the spring down has been an option on many projects if its too long to slide.:)
Every van should have a good Rack 😉
That’s rite
Great idea, looks really neat mate
Thank you 😊
Nice one Mel. I've a similar ladder and I've not regretted the purchase, I just sometimes forget ive got !! 👍
Haha that’s brilliant 👍🤓👍
Hi Mel. I have a crazy idea of fitting the spare wheel on the top of my van on the unistrut. What do you think of that? Apart the fact that it will be a challenge to carry it up there 😄 But sure it will look cool 😜
I did think about that too but decided getting it down would be a pain 🍻👍
I haven't seen those infill strips before. I did have end caps but they went "ping" and missing a long time ago. Luckily my roof is so high no one will notice.
Great work always entertaining, your missing the link to the trim for the top of the unistrut. Much appreciate your efforts.
Oh the missing link I’ll find it and post it later
@@BigVanSmallWorld Too many smoothies, can't wait to try your recipie.
Brilliant video as always Mel. I've a set of 3.8m telescopic ladders for polishing my truck. If they hold my fat ass then your gonna be safe. 😁😁😁
Thank you that’s really nice to know lol 😂
yay
Thank you 😊
That was so funny, watching yourneighbour 'filming You' filming yourself :-) .........
Do 'they' have a RUclips channel d'ya reckon?? .............
It was good of you to show the local yobbery how to quickly remove that Camera?/Light? off the back of your roof :-)
I can't believe the price of that ladder Mel!! ..... My daughter bought one to do her EPC's a short while ago ... a few pence under £100- .... AARRGGHH!!!!!! :-(
Thank you 😊 and don’t worry about the camera it’s going on my rack I didn’t see anyone filming me lol 😂
Nice job can you do a metal detecting video cheers
I was just thinking about that 👍
Always like the out takes :) looking soo smart Mel ;) um be ok for a link to the plastic trim and the bolts please mel I’d ok for the ladder too? As I made my roof like yours not finished yet only the two rails on the roof. I didn’t know you can’t buy the trim :) 🙏🤗😊
Hi I put links in the description 👍
Mel’s Van World thanks bud um the trim on the top is that got a special name? As when I used eBAy can’t find the top trim you used? :)
Ive ordered the ladders 👍
Good choice 👍 I’d be lost without mine now so handy
@@BigVanSmallWorld Be careful with the ladders guys, I have the same and after about 4 hours use the metal tube has gone through the rubber feet! On the hunt for some replacements shoes.
Another great video Mel 👍 can we have the version with audio please 😂
A??
@@BigVanSmallWorld Sound quality is awful 😂 in any video when you move away from the camera or turn your back, the camera microphone isn't up to the job 🙁 aside from that, love your videos 👍😁
Hey Mel great videos.. what paint did you use for the galvanized unistruts… doing exactly the same to my roof, thanks
You can use anything but you need a special primer first
Hi Mell rather than a beer matt why not use foam pipe insulation to cover the end of your ladder. 😉
That’s my bath towel lol 😂
Mell i have a very important question for you that i dont think you have touched on and that is why have you chosen a log fire over a diesel heater ,you are the only one that can address this thanks.
Hi that’s a good question I do have a diesel heater as well as a log stove too I just love the wood burner it’s as simple as that 👍🤓👍
Hi Mel another great one. Have you got a link to the finishing trim on top of unistrut thanks
I’ll add a link when I finish work
When I originally purchased my van the first thing I did was purchase a telescopic ladder 👍
Have you nipped your fingers or thumbs with it yet? You know it's a right of passage 😂
Great rack 👍👍👍
Hi thanks for the warning ⚠️
Mel put some grease on your nuts incase water hangs around there in the channel . Cheers for ladders been meaning to get that type to keep in the van, so just bought them 👍
Thank you that’s really good tip
Hi Mel, I could not find the telescopic ladder could you please let me know the link again. Thanks.
Links in the description
Hi Mel, from Norway again here...🇧🇻
Where did you buy the hinges for your cabinets... nothing to find here...
Any online tips you have???
I got them for a local DIY shop gate hinges good luck
...are those nuts locking nuts your using as I'm sure the vibration will work normal nuts lose❓good ladder for the price👍
Thank you 😊
I use the same set-up, no the nuts aren't lock nuts, I put Loctite on the bolts.
@@keltic_nomad You need to use the unistrut threaded plates, nuts won't work. Watch the video again as it's hard to explain. FWIW loctite costs about £10 not really an issue given the cost of converting a van to a campervan.
@@keltic_nomad You suggested using nuts and then go on to say of course nuts won't work? Maybe you're referring to using locknuts somewhere else but there's nowhere in the video where he could have used regular nuts or locknuts, he had to use the unistrut threaded plates.
@@keltic_nomad You said " threaded plate yes, nuts won't work that's rubbish, of course, you need nuts"
Like I said, he couldn't use regular locknuts.
Quick question Mel if you don't mind me asking. Could the unistrut go even further back and towards the front as well ? As in, would it be possible to run a length right to the very back of the van above the doors? Lovin your vids bud :)
Yes i don’t think it would be a problem
@@BigVanSmallWorld Thanks Mel, I wasn't sure it there was anything in the runs on each end where the unistrut goes. :)
💙
Cheers 🍻
Was that a pair of minelab headphones I spied
Yes you did 👍😂👍
New digs Mel..?
Yep 👍
Hi Mel :) do you have a link for the Unistrut top cover strips please? xx
Sorry they sold out
Hi Mel, where did you get the trim from? And the nuts etc specific for the unistruts - about to do my roof rack and no idea where to get the nuts etc and what I’ll need.
Unistrut direct co
Bloody hell Mel,,,, Have u ever tgought in your new cap as being a double lookalike as Fred Dibnah 🤣😎 ,,,,,
I don’t know 🤷♂️ who that is sorry 😐 😂👍
Lucky you just noticed no garage behind you
That’s rite 👍
Great video Mel thanks alot, I will be getting some of those ladders soon do you get commission from ebay on your link?
Thank you and yes I do get something back not a lot but it all helps I’m ever so grateful 👍
Yeah I know mate, I will be buying some as soon as my next pay comes in i just wasn't sure if it was only amazon that did it!
Interesting Mel, I basically did the same although I had to make risers for the roof bars to raise them above the solar panels (my solar panels are mounted on roof rails made from uni strut) I used the low profile 41mm x 21mm un-slotted uni strut for the rails and bars. I almost choked when you mentioned carrying a sea kayak as that's my intention too, I don't have a sea kayak yet, just a sit-on-top but plan to get one. I'm curious though how you get the kayak on the roof, I was considering making a rear roller bar or a slip in side extension, any thoughts on that? The clip in trim strips look good, I may have to get some :-) Cheers
p.s. My van is a mk7 Transit, swb Mid Roof.
Hi ya yes definitely need a roller to help get the kayak on the roof I’m still trying to figure it out 👍😂👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld I think a roller is the better option as sometimes there isn't room once parked to load/unload from the side. A side loading extension would be simpler to build though, I'll probably go for that option until I (or you :-)) come up with a means of making a rear roller set-up.
How long are your ladders when closed up Mel? As you know, I live in a shoe box so don't have much room. But those ladders look reet handy 😁👍
On it’s side it’s 45cm retracted it’s 72 cm it’s the smallest one i could find
@@BigVanSmallWorld So 72 cm in length retracted?
Hi Mel. Where did you get your mates from, my bed is pretty much the same. Been looking at made to measure foam, not sure which foam to use. Cheers
here you go
rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5575467911&toolid=10001&campid=5338454651&customid=&mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2FMEMORY-FOAM-ORTHOPAEDIC-MATTRESS-DOUBLE-KING-3FT-4FT-5FT-DEPTHS-6-8-10-12%2F331944277628%3FssPageName%3DSTRK%253AMEBIDX%253AIT%26_trksid%3Dp2057872.m2749.l2649
What size ladder did you buy Mel ?
2.6 meters 👍🤓👍
❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙
Thank you
The uni-strut fixings are called zebedees in the trade hence the spring. A bit of useless information for you 😁
Thank you 👍😂👍
Mel wer did u get the plastic trim from
Unistrut direct
@@BigVanSmallWorld thanks mel
Hi Mel. How many meters is your ladder please?
Yes 2.6 meters Thanks Mel : )
2.6 meters
Nice Rack Mel.... erm think ill re word that :)
Lol 😂
Have you moved Mel ?
Yep new driveway 👍
Have you moved home mel
Yep 👍 I’m always moving 👍😂👍
Was looking for a new Mel upload, this came up seconds after shutting down RUclips ... Thanks🙃
Thank you you are absolutely welcome
🤣 I only watched it for the title. NOJUGS TO SEE HERE🤬
not yet but I’m working on it haha
Mell feed ur 2 cats
Thank you 😊
Mel i cant subscribe to all your videos as your videos are set to "children's content" apparently.
Really that’s odd
Yeah, second time I've tried. I am subscribed to your channel, but don't get notified when you post sadly