Fun Accessories for Chevy Vans

Chevy vans are available for sale in two main styles: the Chevy Express Cargo and the Chevy Express Passenger. The Express Cargo is a perfect design for the handyman’s trusty work van, and it can be customized with accessories to fit the needs of any type of worker. The Express Passenger is designed to seat either 12 or 15 people comfortably and efficiently and can be upgraded and customized to make long journeys both practical and luxurious. When it comes to adding accessories to trick out your Chevy van, no matter which style you own, the possibilities are limitless.
Customizable Partitions

The working man’s cargo van is made all the more useful with thought to storage space and organization. The first area of your van that you’ll want to customize is the partition. There are many different types of partitions available to choose from, based on what best fits your needs.

Do you want the partition to create a soundproof cabin area so that the driver and passenger area remains quiet and peaceful? If so, take a look at Adrian Steel’s sound-deadening partitions. In fact, Adrian Steel’s custom van partitions are available to suit whatever preferences you may have. Need more leg room in the front cabin? Go for his Leg Room Partition, which comes in an angle that allows both the front-seat driver and the passenger to kick back and recline, making the cabin more spacious and inviting.

The Climate Control Partition is designed to make an airtight seal between the front cabin and the back of the van. That means instead of worrying about keeping your tools nice and cool on a hot summer day, you can focus on the temperature where it matters most: in the front cabin where the driver and passenger need it to be cool and comfortable.

Though there are plenty of ways to organize the back half of your cargo van that will let your Chevy van hold all the tools you will ever need, some work vans simply haul too much stuff to organize neatly in the space provided. If that is the case for your work van, there is an Organize Partition that will do just what you need. These partitions have hooks and brackets that allow you to hang important tools, such as extension cords, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and more. If you need a door to go in between the cabin and the back of the van to separate them, that can happen too, as many of the partitions available on the market have hinged or fixed doors that can be assembled easily.

Make the Most of Your Cargo Storage Area

In the back of the van, instead of having your tools strewn about recklessly, you can design and customize your own cargo storage area to take advantage of the space your roomy Chevy van provides to you. Accessories are for sale that can really save the day, such as bin systems that take up an entire side of the van to keep your tools organized and easy to access. The tools are divided and stored in bins that you can utilize and label for easy access and organization. You can also even choose to install shelving or drawer systems on either side of the cargo unit.

Adjustable shelving allows van owners to change their minds and reset the shelves to fit their ever-changing needs. If you know what you want and you know that you want to keep it that way forever, you can choose to purchase welded-in shelving units instead. Maintenance work comes with lots of paperwork as well. Keep track of important files by installing file folder shelving that fits right into the back of the van where you need it—and never lose track of important documents when you’re on the go with them again.

Protective Accessories

Customizable van accessories are not limited to just partitions and storage pieces. It’s also important that van owners protect the investment they’ve put into the van itself. Heavy-duty floor mats are available at many retail outlets and online locations, including carid.com, which carries a broad range of protective mats that help keep your van safe from nasty spills and prevent heavy equipment being tossed around in the cargo area.

There is not always a hook or a shelving unit for every piece of equipment one might want to haul. Sometimes, you have oddly shaped or massively heavy items that have to be transported from one place to another. Often, these large items are just thrown helter-skelter into the back of your van. With heavy-duty protective mats lining the back, you will never have to worry about scratches, scrapes, and dents lowering the value of your van as these tools slide around the floor.
The Roof Is on Fire

The cargo area is not the only place in your van where you can store invaluable tools and equipment to make it easy for you to access them on the go. The van’s roof is also an excellent place to store large items, such as ladders, for safe and easy transport. Check out the immense selection at americanvan.com to see the different types of roof racks available to customize your van’s overhead capabilities and increase its cargo hauling capabilities. There are racks that are made exclusively for ladders as well as racks designed to carry large items, such as big planks of plywood or aluminum siding. If you can haul it, there is probably a rack that was designed to make hauling it easier and more convenient.

Passenger Van Accessories

There are tons of options you can choose between to customize your cargo van, but there are also accessories to help improve the quality of your passenger van as well. For example, you may shop for steering wheel covers, seat covers, or alternative seating. You can even install seats that fold out into beds for long journeys—if you are willing to sacrifice the number of passengers you can hold. You can also install alternative lighting, window blinds, and even personal TVs into every seat in the house. With a Chevy Van, the possibilities are limitless.

So remember, the way your Chevy van came straight off the showroom floor is not the van that you are stuck with forever. You can turn your van into a fully customized beast practically overnight with just a few clicks of the mouse and a little installation know-how. Accessories are available for every type of need imaginable. Get started tricking out your van today.

2021 Update

Since our original article was published in 2018, Chevrolet has proven its commitment to innovation by offering drivers the latest features, accessories, and customization options on the Chevrolet fleet of commercial vehicles. This is especially true on the 2021 Chevrolet Express Van, which can be outfitted as the Express Cargo Van or the Express Passenger Van. These models offer drivers plenty of power, performance, and customization.

The Express Van’s power is delivered to the tune of a maximum 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft of torque on both the Cargo and Passenger models. The Cargo Van boasts a maximum payload of 4,280 lbs that makes hauling cargo a breeze, while the Passenger Van offers seating for up to 15. But what about customization? Chevrolet continues to offer a long list of features and accessories that allow drivers to fully customize and upfit the Cargo or Passenger models to meet their specific needs.

Cargo Management

Chevrolet calls the Express Cargo Van “your most valuable tool,” and rightly so, since many contractors, electricians, and plumbers use the van to haul equipment from one job site to another. So, how does Chevrolet handle cargo management in the van? It all begins with the interior bulkhead divider, which divides the front of the cabin from the rear cargo area.

There are two bulkhead options available—a bulkhead divider with a center door or a bulkhead divider with a fixed center panel. Both options protect the driver and passenger from the cargo area and allow the climate to be more easily controlled in the front cabin, which is especially helpful in extreme conditions like frigid winter temperatures or those scorching summer highs. The bulkhead with the center door offers quick and easy access to the rear cargo space, while the bulkhead with the fixed center panel offers more room for cargo storage. Deciding between these options can be tricky, but it comes down to what layout best meets your operational needs.

After you have settled on the best divider for your van, it’s time to figure out how you’ll design the cargo area to maximize space and use. Chevrolet makes this easy by offering a variety of options like Westcan’s Premium Shelving Package. The modular shelving, which is made of 18-gauge galvanized steel, is fully customizable, with each shelf capable of holding up to 120 lbs. What sets this system apart is the many compatible accessories that give drivers further options to customize the space. These accessories include the garment locker that features three interior hooks for hanging garments, the tote holder with multiple compartments, the tank holder, and the cylinder mount.

Security and Safety

With drivers hauling a variety of tools and equipment in the Express Van, security is a primary concern. Chevrolet goes to great lengths to remedy that concern by offering several products to enhance security. Among the most popular accessories added to the van are the metal security screens that mount to the interior of the vehicle’s stationary windows. This creates a barrier that helps protect the vehicle’s cargo.

Chevrolet takes security to the next level by offering the EchoMaster Standard Thinkware F200 Dashcam. This user-friendly camera is designed for drivers who need a reliable video witness. Providing a 140-degree viewing angle, the camera can be controlled from a smartphone app and offers several different modes. The Parking Surveillance mode detects impact while the Motion Detection mode records any attempt of vandalism and theft. The camera also powers down into an Energy Saving mode, which extends the camera’s life to ensure it is always ready and available to record.

For Chevrolet, security extends beyond protecting the van’s cargo to protecting drivers and passengers when they’re on the road. To do this, Chevrolet offers a variety of safety and security accessories that aid drivers whether they’ve had a flat tire, a dead battery, or simply need a Band-Aid for a minor cut. Chevrolet has everything covered.

Chevrolet’s safety accessories include the First Aid Kit, Highway Safety Kit, and the Roadside Emergency Reflective Triangle. Chevrolet also sells a 2,000-amp Battery Jump Starter by NOCO. This is a great addition to any vehicle since it can double as a portable power source to recharge USB devices like smartphones and tablets. It also features a seven-mode LED flashlight and can deliver multiple jumpstarts on a single charge.

Trailering Accessories

The Express Cargo and Passenger Vans not only offer impressive customization options on the interior, but they are also capable of towing heavy loads depending on the powertrain. When outfitted with a 2.8-liter four-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine, the van can tow up to 7,000 lbs. A 4.3-liter V6 engine delivers a maximum towing capability of up to 7,400 lbs, and a 6.6-liter V8 engine takes that even further by offering a maximum trailering weight of up to 10,000 lbs.

This impressive trailering ability is why Chevrolet offers many different trailering accessories depending on the powertrain and capability. For example, drivers who outfit the van with the V8 engine can opt for the 10,000-lb Capacity Hitch Trailering Package that features a 2-in receiver opening and a 7 and 4- pin connector. Other options include 5,000-lb and 7,500-lb trailering packages as well as compatible accessories like various size trailer hitch balls, hitch pins, wiring adapters, and more.

Electronics

When it comes to accessories for the Passenger and Cargo vans, Chevrolet thought of everything—even electronics! Chevrolet’s suite of electronics accessories ranges from micro-USB charging cables and waterproof Bluetooth speakers to smart chargers and headphones. The Bullfrog Portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker is popular since it’s wireless and can run up to 20 hours on a single charge. Also weatherproof, the speaker delivers 360-degree sound and is ideal for contractors, electricians, and plumbers who like to have music while they work. Heck, it’s even great for non-work use whether you’re at the lake, pool, camping, tailgating, etc.

The Genius Smart Charger by NOCO is also a popular item since it can be used as both a battery charger and a battery maintainer. Dirt, crush, water, UV, and impact-resistant, this rugged charger is designed to charge engine batteries. Its ruggedness and its easy-to-use compact design make it a great accessory to have on hand should the van’s battery ever die!

Taking Customization to A New Level

As we have seen, Chevrolet offered a long list of accessories and features for their 2018 commercial van lineup. However, this pales in comparison to the features and accessories offered on the 2021 models. Once again, Chevrolet goes the extra mile to ensure the Express Cargo Van and the Express Passenger Van are fully customizable to meet every driver and company’s needs.

Whether you’re a contractor, electrician, plumber, or a business that needs to haul equipment or passengers, Chevrolet is there. With Chevrolet’s accessories and features ranging from smartphone chargers and jumper cables to trailering packages, first aid kits, and beyond, it’s easy to see why Chevrolet is the brand of choice among drivers looking for fully customizable commercial vehicles. After all, Chevrolet knows that a vehicle like the Express Cargo or Passenger Van can quickly become a business’s greatest asset or a professional’s most valuable tool.