Van size guide

So, you’ve decided that you need to hire a van? But there’s a huge difference between a small van, which offers a step up from a standard car, and a large Luton with several square metres of space.

Of course, you don’t want to spend over the odds and end up paying for space that you don’t use. But equally, you don’t want to end up with a van that’s too small either. Don’t forget that you’ll be paying for your petrol too, and the cost of multiple trips will likely add up to more than just splashing out on a larger van.

But don’t worry - with this handy guide, you can be sure that you choose the right vehicle for your requirements.

The first step is to measure up. Obviously, if you’re moving house, you won’t want to measure each individual lamp and shoebox. But by measuring the larger, bulkier items, you can get a clear idea of the sort of loading space that you’ll need. And if you just need a van to shift a couple of pieces of furniture, getting those dimensions down should allow you to make the right choice.

Finally, don’t forget about ‘payload’ - the weight limit that a vehicle can legally carry. Usually, as long as your items fit within the loading space you should be OK, but if you’re carrying anything especially heavy it’s worth taking note of its weight.

Now you know how much space you need, you can use this chart to get a rough idea of what each vehicle offers. Please note that these are approximate figures, and will vary from van to van.