---
title: "How much should the van carry? | LocoTap"
description: "Enough to last until you restock, and a spare. 6 used a week, 5 working days until you restock, 2 spare: carry 8."
url: "https://locotap.com/learn/van-stock"
---

# How much should the van carry?

Enough to last until you restock, and a spare.

**For**

Keep the parts you use most in the van, so no job needs a second trip.

**When**

Each time you restock the van

## Try it

6 used a week, 5 working days until you restock, 2 spare: carry 8.

Carry = used a week ÷ 5 × days until you restock + spare, rounded up.

Count what you use; carry that and a spare.

## Worked out

| Used a week | Restock in 2 days | In 5 days | In 10 days |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| 6 | 5 | 8 | 14 |
| 10 | 6 | 12 | 22 |
| 20 | 10 | 22 | 42 |

## Easy to get wrong

- A whole shop for one job a year.
- Restocking from memory, not a count.
- No spare of the part that always fails.
- Using the last one and forgetting it.

## The tool for it

**Van stock** What each van carries, what it's out of, and the order to restock it [About it](https://locotap.com/tools/van-stock) [Start free](https://locotap.com/sign-in?back=%2Fapp%2Flearn%2Fvan-stock)

## Questions

**Which parts go on the list?**

The ones you used in the last month. Leave the rare ones at the shop.

**How do I count what I use?**

Note each part as it goes into a job, then add up the week.

**How big a spare?**

One or two of small parts; one of anything costly.

**What if I run out on a job?**

Raise that part’s count, so it doesn’t happen twice.

**Do I bill parts from the van?**

Yes, at the same price as if you’d bought them for the job.

**How often should I restock?**

On a set day each week, so it’s never a rush.

**What about costly parts?**

Carry them only if you use them most weeks; order the rest.

Next · On the job: [Why track when tests are due?](https://locotap.com/learn/test-due)