What size van do I need when hiring a van?

If you’ve never tried flexi van hire before, then it’s not always easy to immediately decide which van is best suited to your needs. Luckily, our guide can help answer a number of the key questions you’re probably asking yourself.

Hiring a van that’s either too big or too small can leave you dealing with unnecessary costs and hassle, so we’ve made it our mission to help make the process of finding and selecting the right van simple. Here are all the questions you need to answer before you hire a van for the first time.

How much do you need to move?

OK, let’s start with the obvious. It may seem simple, but in order to decide what size van you need, you first need to work out the amount of stuff you’re transporting. Pick a van that’s too big and you’ll be paying more than you need to. Pick one that’s too small and you’ll have to do multiple trips.

Of course, vans come in different shapes and sizes, so you need to consider the shape of the items you’re transporting as well as the amount. While a short wheel base panel van like a Ford Transit can comfortably transport standard white goods and moving boxes, the van isn’t much longer than a standard car, so it can’t transport sofas and other long items.

If you need additional space for the transportation of larger items, then you’re better off opting for a large van, such as a 4.3m long wheel base jumbo panel van. This is more than twice the length of the Ford Transit, so you can carry double the amount and fit even the bulkiest items.

If you have a lot of stuff to transport, then generally speaking a Luton is a good option. These have body boxes that sit above the van’s wheels and are completely square. They also offer a little more width than a panel van and a useful space over the cab where you can store light but bulky objects.

What kind of access do you need?

As well as considering how much stuff you need to move and the size of the items, you’ll also need to consider how you’re going to get the items on and off the van.

If you want to make the process of getting your items on and off the van easier, then it’s best to opt for one with a tail lift. This is a mechanical device that can help you move your items from ground level to the level of the vehicle bed and vice versa.

How far are you moving it?

If you’re transporting items over a long distance, then it’s vital that you rent a van that’s large enough to transport all of your items in one trip. If not, the process of doing multiple trips can be time consuming and costly.

In addition to this, if you’re travelling a long way, then you also need to consider fuel economy. While a small van like a Vauxhall Combo will do 40-50mpg, an extra-long van like a Mercedes Sprinter XLWB will generally only do 22-30mpg, so while they’re useful for getting large loads across long distances in one go, the cost on petrol can quickly add up if you’re making multiple trips.

How long do you need the van for?

Finally, consider how long you actually need to hire the van for. If you’re only doing one trip, then daily van hire is likely to be the best option for your needs. However, if you have to do multiple trips or you’re unsure whether you’ll require the van on an ongoing basis, then flexi van hire may be a better option. This way, you can keep the van on a long-term basis but don’t need to worry about a long contract.

If you’d like to rent a van on a daily, weekly or flexible basis, then look at the fantastic selection we have available here at Intack Self Drive. If you need any extra help deciding which option suits your needs, then speak to our experts. With around 50 years of experience behind us, you can trust us to provide the answers in as much or as little detail as you need. Feel free to give us a ring on 01254 57811!