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The UK is seeing a rise in the number of crew vans as more people turn to these vehicles because of their versatility and comfort. Crew vans offer multiple advantages that make them an ideal addition to any driveway. This begs the question, ‘What is a crew van and what makes it so special?’
In this article, we’ll define a crew van and compare it to the more popular cargo vans. We’ll also examine the differences between a crew van and a car, explaining why you may want to choose a new crew van as your next investment.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Crew Van
A crew van is a van with an additional row of rear seats, side windows and large back doors. Some people also refer to this vehicle as a double cab or a kombi van. A crew van is quickly becoming a popular vehicle for transporting workers and goods, especially with the more recent models having removable seats.
Crew van leasing is popular among private companies that need to transport their employees to and from the workplace. These vehicles offer the best in terms of carrying capacity and comfort.
Click here to learn what an LWB van is.
Why Is It Called A Crew Cab Van?
It is called a crew cab van because of its appearance and intended use. The word ‘crew’ indicates that the vehicle can transport a large group of people. It’s considered a ‘cab’ because it helps passengers get from one point to another. Lastly, the term ‘van’ describes vehicles with large, cuboid shapes like this one.
Is That Not A Car?
A crew van is not a car because it differs in appearance and size. A van is generally much higher than a car and demands more clearance overhead. Vans are also wider and longer than cars, with box-like designs meant to fit a lot of equipment or passengers while keeping passenger comfort on a high level.
A crew van is typically shaped like a minivan, with two rows of seating behind the driver’s seat and plenty of room to spare, which even the largest SUVs lack. People often confuse a crew van being a car due to its primary function of passenger transportation, but due to its size and design, it is a van.
Crew Vs Cargo
These are the biggest differences between a crew and a cargo van and their benefits.
Advantages Of A Crew Van
Crew vans offer the following perks:
- Seating space: Crew cab vans have a primary focus on passengers. They feature more seats than a cargo van. Depending on the size, the number of seats can range anywhere from five to twelve on average.
- Comfort: Crew vans are often more comfort-convenient than cargo vans because they prioritise the transportation of people over the load.
- Versatility: Crew vans are very versatile. They offer removable seats, allowing you to free up more space for equipment. However, in most new crew van models, only the second row of seats is removable.
Tip: Invest in a steel bulkhead if you plan to carry passengers and equipment at the same time.
Advantages Of A Cargo Van
Here are some of the advantages of using a cargo van:
- More cargo space: A commercial vehicle like a cargo van is primarily meant for carrying goods. As such, it offers three seats at most, with the rest of the space remaining open for equipment and goods.
- Flexibility: Since cargo vans have more room, they allow you to fit items of various shapes and sizes without seats blocking the way.
- Price: While having fewer features, a benefit of buying cargo vans today is the price. You often pay a lower premium for a van centred on carrying goods.
What is a box van? Find out on our site.
Who Should Choose A Crew Van?
You should choose a crew van if you need to transport people or equipment efficiently. The unique design of the seats and back doors in crew vans allows them to accommodate multiple passengers and items that are difficult to move. Despite being spacious, crew vans are compact, which is important if you travel via narrow roads.
The Ford Transit Custom Crew, Vauxhall Vivaro Crew and Mercedes Vito Crew are among the best in the class of crew vans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Crew Vehicle?
A crew vehicle is a vehicle with an extra row of seating at the rear. These vehicles provide a convenient and reliable way to transport groups of people from one place to another.
Crew cab vans offer room for up to 12 passengers as well as the benefit of being able to accommodate equipment when you take out their additional seats.
What Is The Difference Between A Crew Van And A Cargo Van?
The difference between a crew van and a cargo van is that the crew van is mostly oriented toward moving people, whilst a cargo van is oriented toward moving cargo. While a crew van possesses the ability to carry equipment by removing some of the seats, a cargo van is only able to carry equipment. Crew vans offer more features and have a higher price than cargo vans.
What Is The Speed Limit For Crew Vans In The United Kingdom?
The speed limit for crew vans in the United Kingdom is often similar to regular car limits. You can drive 30 mph in cities and towns, the same speed as a car.
You can also drive the same as a car on motorways, 70 mph. On single-carriageways, the crew van speed limit is 50 mph; on dual-carriageways, the speed limit is 60 mph.
What Is The Best Crew Cab Van For A Family?
The best crew cab van for a family is one that is comfortable and spacious. Some examples of crew cab vans that are great for families include the Mercedes Sprinter Crew Van, Ford Transit Custom Cab In-Van, Vauxhall Vivaro double cab and Renault Trafic Crew. If you have a small family, consider opting for an SWB van instead.
You can learn more about an SWB van on our site.
Is Ford Custom A Crew Van?
Ford Custom is a crew van, but only for certain models. If you’re looking for Ford crew cab vans, consider selecting models such as the Ford Transit Custom Cab in-van or Ford Transit Custom double cab van. Double cab vans are those with two rows of cab sets for more passengers.
The answer to ‘What is a Transit van?’ is available on our site.
Conclusion
What is a crew van? A crew van is a special vehicle designed to convey passengers and equipment effectively. This vehicle features at least an additional row of seats, which makes it capable of moving small to large work crews in a single trip. There are numerous crew cab vans on the market, but you can also lease one if you only need it temporarily.
