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If you’re looking to hire a van, you’ve likely found yourself in a sea of choice. With panel van, crew van, dropside van and Luton van options, the list probably seems endless. And it gets even more confusing when you start exploring the sizes of these vans. That’s where we come in. We have prepared a comprehensive van sizes guide that will help you choose the right size van for your needs.
We’ll also cover the typical load space dimensions that come with each type. No matter if you need to carry heavy items for your business or simply have to transport your personal cargo, we can assure you that there is the right type of van for you.
Table Of Contents
Van Sizes Lexicon: Understanding The Terminology
Here is an overview of the basic things you should be aware of when discussing van sizes:
- Internal vs external dimensions – Internal dimensions refer to the usable space inside the van for cargo or passengers, while external dimensions encompass the overall size of the van measured from outside.
- Wheelbase – It represents the distance between the centre of the front and rear wheels. Vans with longer wheelbases tend to be more stable. Click here, for a more in-depth dive into wheelbases.
- L and H specifications – These abbreviations will help you understand the overall size of the van. The ‘L’ stands for the length of the wheelbase. It starts from L1 (short wheelbase) and goes all the way to L4 (extra-long wheelbase). ‘H’ represents the height of the roof, with H1 being the standard roof and H3 being a super-high roof.
- Correlation between payload and size – Generally, you can expect bigger payload capacity with larger vans (though this isn’t always the case).
- Correlation between wheelbase length and overall length – A longer wheelbase can, and usually does, contribute to a longer overall length.
Comprehensive Van Sizes Guide
To understand van dimensions, it’s important to make a distinction between the size and wheelbase of the van. The terms SWB, MWB, and LWB refer to the length of the wheelbase, while terms like small, medium and large van refer to the overall van size categories. Many times, they are used interchangeably, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, a MWB van can be categorised as a large van depending on the length of its rear.
There are many popular models of vans. Some of them being the Ford Transit, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Renault Master, Peugeot Partner and Renault Trafic, with options across various size ranges.
Small Vans
A SWB van is a good choice for busy people who live in bigger and more crowded places. Because it’s a small van, handling it in that kind of area and finding a parking space would be really easy.
If you’re planning to use this compact vehicle for courier services or simply to drop off some cargo of a bigger size, here are the average dimensions you’ll find:
- Load space dimensions – Perfect van for tradespeople, electricians, photographers and anyone looking to carry a smaller load. You can expect the following approximate dimensions: length of 1700 mm, width of 1500 mm and height of 1200 mm.
- Payload – Despite being a small one, it surprisingly has a lot of space to carry any kind of equipment. The payload capacity ranges from 500 to 900 kg.
- Fuel consumption – The fuel consumption of the smaller van typically ranges from 40 to 50 MPG.
If you’re on the hunt for small van hire deals, SDVH has some awesome offers under its sleeve.
Medium Vans
The MWB van strikes a balance between cargo space and manoeuvrability. Its typical load space dimensions are bigger than in a small van and it has more internal space for passengers.
Here are the approximate dimensions you can expect:
- Load space dimensions – A medium-sized van will offer you moderate load space with the following average dimensions: length of 2400 mm, width of 1700 mm and height of 1400-1650 mm.
- Payload – A medium van offers a payload capacity of between 900 and 1200 kg.
- Fuel consumption – You can expect a consumption of 30 to 50 MPG.
If you think this vehicle can offer you just the right load space for your needs, you can check out SDVH’s medium van selection for a good van hire deal.
Large Vans
If you wondered what an LWB van is, it’s a large van capable of handling substantial cargo loads. One famous example of a long-wheelbase van is the Luton van. What sets it apart from panel vans is that its load space is above the rear wheels.
Here is an overview of the most important dimensions:
- Load space dimensions – It boasts an average length of 3400 mm, width of 1700 mm and height of 1700 mm.
- Payload – It has a considerable payload capacity of 1200 to 1500 kg.
- Fuel consumption – This van has an average fuel consumption of 28 to 35 MPG.
If hiring a long-wheelbase van is the missing piece of the puzzle to make your business shine, our fleet of large vans features many high-quality ones you could hire.
Extra Large Vans
Commonly known as XLWB (extra-long wheelbase) vans, they are notable for being the biggest in the size lineup.
The average dimensions are as follows:
- Load space dimensions – The range of load dimensions this van can offer is expansive, with a length of 4000 mm, a width of 1700 mm and a height of 2000 mm.
- Payload – It has a significant payload capacity of up to 1900 kg, allowing for the transportation of furniture and any large and heavy item.
- Fuel consumption- The exact number might vary, but the extra large van usually has a fuel consumption of up to 35 MPG.
Typical Van Sizes Among Different Van Types
We’re continuing our van size guide with a section that will tell you a little bit more about the capabilities of each size van type.
SWB Van Size
Here are the dimensions of the most common small van types:
- Box and Luton vans – The dimensions are as follows: overall length of 2500 mm, height of 1770 mm and width of 1400 mm.
- Dropside, Tipper and Flatbed – Although they are associated with large vans, there are a few compact-size models. You can expect these dimensions: an overall length of 2500 mm, height of 1770 mm and width of 1950 mm.
- Passenger vans and Panel vans – The average dimensions are: overall length of 1600 mm, height of 1400 mm and width of 1700 mm.
MWB Van Size
MWB vans have the following average dimensions:
- Box and Luton vans – Most medium box vans can be found in these dimensions: length of 2940 mm, height of 1740 mm and width of 1700 mm.
- Dropside, Tipper and Flatbed – Many of the medium vans in this category can also be considered large. The dimensions are a length of 3450 mm, a height of 2220 mm and a width of 2000 mm.
- Passenger vans and Panel vans – Medium panel vans usually boast a length of 3200 mm, height of 2000 mm and width of 1700 mm.
LWB Van Size
Large-wheelbase vans boast these dimensions:
- Box and Luton vans – When it comes to these long wheelbase van dimensions, you can expect a length of 5,970 mm, height of 2300 mm and width of 2000mm.
- Dropside, Tipper and Flatbed – Large enough to fit any kind of load, these van types usually boast a length of 6022 mm, a height of 2220 mm and a width of 2400 mm.
- Passenger vans and Panel vans – The famous panel van with a large size has a length of 5981 mm, a height of 2530 mm and a width of 2000 mm.
XLVB Van size
The biggest van in a lineup has these dimensions:
- Box and Luton vans – Extra large box van has a length of 6500 mm, height of 3000 mm and width of 2000 mm.
- Dropside, Tipper and Flatbed – When it comes to dropsides, tippers and flatbeds, the average length is 6000 mm, the height is 2300 mm and the average width is 2000 mm.
- Passenger vans and Panel vans – If you opt for an extra large crew or panel van, expect a length of 6300 mm, a height of 2700 mm and a width of 2000 mm.
Mastering Van Dimensions: Calculating Van Size
Most van manufacturers and rental companies will provide the exact dimensions of a van, so you typically won’t need to do anything. You can use tape to manually measure the size of the van if you have any doubts. Using this tape, measure the length, width and height from both inside and outside of the van.
It’s also a good idea to have all of your items measured. You’ll need to calculate the length, width and height of your cargo so you can be sure that the van’s load space can fit all of it. If you need space to work inside the van (carrying out deliveries, for example), calculate the space you need for that too, so you can choose the appropriate size van.
To calculate the payload capacity of a van, subtract the kerb weight from the gross vehicle weight.
Choosing The Right Van Size For Your Hire
Having different types of vans to choose from is a blessing, and picking the right size van to hire is a crucial decision. It mainly depends on the nature of your task or move. Yes, a panel van might be the most popular one, but it doesn’t cater to every possible transport need. First and foremost, assess the volume of your items so you can know which van with what kind of load space is the best choice.
Smaller vans can be a lot easier to drive and park in crowded settings than bigger ones. Large vans, on the other hand, work way better on open roads. Opting for a choice that comes with a tail lift is a good idea as well since it will make loading and unloading your cargo so much easier. Consider your budget, as the larger ones with additional features, such as a tail lift, typically come with a higher rental price.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Of Van Do I Need For Moving House?
The size of the van you need for moving a house will depend on the amount of furniture and belongings you’re moving as well as the travelling distance. If you want to move only your necessities, a small van will suffice. A medium van presents higher payload capacity and can help you move more bulky items. Typical load space dimensions that a large van can offer will have enough space for large boxes and furniture.
What Size Of Van Can You Drive On A Normal Licence?
You can drive any van that doesn’t exceed 3.5 t (3,500kg) on a normal licence. Most vans fall below this limit, which makes them a popular choice for people on regular licences. Despite their lenient licence requirements, most vans boast significant loading space and capacity, so they’re great for space-demanding transport tasks.
What Is The Size Of A Standard Van?
The size of a standard van is as follows: length 2400 mm, width 1700 mm, and height 1400 mm – 16500 mm. With their moderate wheelbase and versatility, they offer a good compromise for those who want bigger internal space than the one that a compact van offers. These vehicles remain manageable in crowded settings.
How Does The Wheelbase Of A Van Affect Its Size And Usability?
The wheelbase of a van affects its size and usability by determining the dimensions of the van. A long wheelbase generally means a larger van with more payload capabilities (although the wheelbase doesn’t always offer more load space, it has more interior space). This vehicle also offers more stability on the road. On the flip side, short-wheelbase vans tend to be more manoeuvrable in tight spaces and urban environments.
Conclusion
No matter if you want to hire a panel van, dropside van or any other type of van, being aware of the information from this van sizes guide and approximate van dimensions will help you pick the right van hire deal for you. The typical load space dimensions each size van offers can be used for different purposes, so there’s a suitable van for every need.
