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I'm getting ready to order L-Track. I noticed that some use airplane L track and some have just used L-track or did not specify. Which is best and where is the best (cheapest) place to order it from? Thanks, Shawn
L-Track vs Airplane L-Track
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I looked at this also. I did contact US Cargo Control as they sell both and the person I spoke with indicated the Aircraft version they had was supposed to be stronger than the non-aircraft type. But.... what held me back from buying it is I wanted the recessed style to work with my flooring approach and that was not available in their "aircraft style".
US Cargo Control lists 6351-T6 alloy for their aircraft style but lists the alloy for the recessed style as 6061-T6. But ...... if you go to US Cargo Control's page on recessed track they still call it "airline style" so.... what is what?
The place I purchased the recessed L-track from (Steadymate/Amazon) listed 7075-T6 alloy for the recessed style.
What is very hard to detiremine is are the alloy specs correct or will they offer material certs if requested? In the end I didn't push it that far and just got on with the project as I really needed the recessed type and there was little choice at that point with more and more of it looking to be the same stuff.
The price I found on Amazon was in the ballpark and qualified for prime shipping (free 2 day) if you have a prime account, this was the final deciding factor for me. US Cargo had it for $58 for 100" length + shipping and Amazon was $64 free 2 day shipping. Prices are for the recessed style with drilled holes on 4" centers.
The Steadymate L-track I received was produced in Canada so at least it wasn't coming from Asia...., I'm not sure where the other track is produced.
I did find a couple other sources, Cargo Equipment has the same and lists 6061-T6 for $58 for a 100" length of predrilled flanged style.
After working with the Steadymate track I believe it is also 6061-T6 and I wouldn't be surprised if all of it comes out of the same foundry.
That's my experience so far.
US Cargo Control lists 6351-T6 alloy for their aircraft style but lists the alloy for the recessed style as 6061-T6. But ...... if you go to US Cargo Control's page on recessed track they still call it "airline style" so.... what is what?
The place I purchased the recessed L-track from (Steadymate/Amazon) listed 7075-T6 alloy for the recessed style.
What is very hard to detiremine is are the alloy specs correct or will they offer material certs if requested? In the end I didn't push it that far and just got on with the project as I really needed the recessed type and there was little choice at that point with more and more of it looking to be the same stuff.
The price I found on Amazon was in the ballpark and qualified for prime shipping (free 2 day) if you have a prime account, this was the final deciding factor for me. US Cargo had it for $58 for 100" length + shipping and Amazon was $64 free 2 day shipping. Prices are for the recessed style with drilled holes on 4" centers.
The Steadymate L-track I received was produced in Canada so at least it wasn't coming from Asia...., I'm not sure where the other track is produced.
I did find a couple other sources, Cargo Equipment has the same and lists 6061-T6 for $58 for a 100" length of predrilled flanged style.
After working with the Steadymate track I believe it is also 6061-T6 and I wouldn't be surprised if all of it comes out of the same foundry.
That's my experience so far.
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Thank you for the information. As with all things cars or construction, I know nothing. So everything helps. I got a price of $300 to install 3 sections of L-track and $150 to put on new running boards. They only carry e-track so I have to order it myself. They do not carry the running boards I want so I have to order them myself. I do not need recessed. I just want it strong and to look good. So thank you.
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I went back to the upfitter with pictures of wagons with the walls and headliner taken off to see what was possible without much expense/problem. He thought that he would be able to put L-track along the wall at the floor on both sides. Under the cup holders on both sides. On the ceiling where the plastic trees hold up the head liner on both sides. Each track for labor only would be $75. So for 6 strips it would be $450. Does this sound do-able? With roof vents for AC, not sure the L-track will be able to be mounted at the trees? Would I need the black end pieces on the L-track? Angled vs flat? Input on price and advice is welcomed before I order the track. Thanks.
ilovehotshot,
I'm including a link to the different types of Q-Straint flooring attachments, below. These are designed for wheelchairs, but can be used for just about anything. There are 3 different types of "L" track design (regular, flange and surface mount) that you can look at along with smaller 3-4" ones that you can place anywhere you want without having to buy long pieces of "L" Track.
You might find something you like.
Semper Fi
http://www.qstraint.com/en_na/products/floor-anchor-systems
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Thanks USMC Vet. I looked at those at a mobility upfitter. Since I am so unsure as to what I am ultimately going to want to carry or tie down, I am trying to cover all my bases. Right now I have a bunk bed cot and motorcycles, but mom's mobility is not good so a wheelchair is in her future and I want her to be able to ride in the wagon. Hince the roof track and a hammock might be fun also. I also serve as the family mover so lots of tie downs are better for me.
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I like those short sections, they could be very handy.
It looks like the track itself is the same as the other suppliers.
"L-Track is the most widely used floor anchorage in the transportation industry, offering superior strength and corrosion resistance. Installing L-Track provides maximum flexibility to accommodate many different wheelchair positions. OMNI L-Track is an aluminum alloy (6061-T6) and can be configured in custom lengths, anodized finishes and drill patterns."
ilovehotshot,
Understand your situation better now, and I have a suggestion from out of left field (love baseball). In my Wagon, they installed a "monkey bar system", basically roll bars with added sections and strength, to help me grab on to and assist shifting myself around the wagon. You can see some of it in post #7 of the Thread, "On the Road Again". They run from the front of the drivers compartment to about a foot behind the slider.
Now don't start laughing,
but you could have something like that installed by the up fitter , starting either in front of the slider, or behind it and running to the rear of the Transit. You could hang a lot of items, including a cot above your bikes, from them and then take the cot down to store. There is a company in Phoenix that makes replacement straps for Jeeps (replacing the OEM attachments) to use as hand holds etc that are made out of para-cords with 1000 lb capability for each strap.Google, surprisestraps.com
Good Luck searching for what will help you best.
Semper Fi
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Not laughing. I saw your roll cage. Love it. That is what gave me the idea of the track around the ceiling. Endless possibilities. School teacher nearing retirement so funds are very limited. I have more time than money now that summer has started so really trying to weigh the cost/benefit of everything before I go forward.
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Hi,
Not sure if you are planning to use the track to hold down seats for passengers, but one thing to keep in mind is that if the "airplane" track is actually track for commercial airplane seats, airplane seats (and the tracks) are only designed for a 9g forward crash load -- this is pretty low but automotive standards. You may want to look for something stronger.
My first van had airplane seat tracks and actual airplane seats (all bought from Boeing surplus). This was back when people were not so sensitive to crash protection. I'd not do the same thing myself today.
Gary
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I'm not holding seating down. Others have said it is better than E-track. I will be strapping stuff down. Lightweight electric motorcycles and crap. I would like to be have to hang a hammock or something similar. If you have a better suggestion, I am totally open to ideas.
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Hi,
I think the airplane track should be fine for those kinds of things.
The airplane track is handy stuff to use, but I don't have any experience with the other kinds of track.
Gary
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Got L-Track installed today. Very happy to finally have tie down points. I would have preferred to have the bolts flush but I can change them out myself. Took Auto Xtra 6 hours to install the insulation that I got from Hein and to put the L-Track up. I'm glad I did not attempt to do it myself if it took the professionals that long.
Next, I want to put 2 strips on the ceiling.
Next, I want to put 2 strips on the ceiling.
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Looks really great !
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for what its worth, i use to convert used airport shuttle buses (ford truck bodies with fiberglass bus bodies) to church buses which involved mostly just upgrading the seats, all of these bus bodies use unistrut for seat tracks! http://unistrutsales.com/
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I used through bolt with nuts for all of my L-track, floor and walls. I used 1/4-20 SS flat head allen bolts with SS nylock nuts with SS washers. I was able to reach most of the holes in the walls pretty well but for a few I had to get real clever and made a flexible wrench extension to reach up into some areas.
Here's a few photos of the wrench extension I made. The black section is a piece of 1/8" thick ABS plastic sheet I cut and drilled. I zip tied the wrench to the plastic. I used double sided tape to hold the washer to the flange nut and then scotch tape to hold the nut/washer assembly to the open end of the wrench. When I was done tightening I pulled down hard and the scotch tape would break free allowing me to remove the wrench.
If there are areas you want to mount L-track where it's just not feasible to reach behind I'd use rivnuts in the sheet metal then attach to that. There are a few areas I just didn't drill for bolts as it was impractical but for both the floor and walls there's only a few places with no bolts.
Cargo Equipment Corporation offers the heavy-duty aircraft L track in various lengths and profiles. They also have end caps for the surface mount angled as well as the recessed with flanges. They offer seat stud fittings and the single stud and triple stud fittings as well. They also make custom straps with the L track fittings to accommodate The L track.
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