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If you ever ordered some items from an online store or had to move some items from one location to another, there is a huge chance you’ve come across a panel van.
But what is a panel van? We wrote this article to help you clear up any confusion. You’ll learn the basics of the vehicle, how it compares to crew and box vans and what its best uses are. Having all this information under your sleeve will undoubtedly help you make a good decision regarding whether a panel van is good for you.
Table Of Contents
What Is A Panel Van?
A panel van is a cargo vehicle with a passenger car chassis but no rear windows. This van is primarily designed to transport goods, although it can serve as both a commercial and personal transport vehicle.
A panel van is sometimes referred to as a ‘car-derived van’ in the UK and a ‘sedan delivery’ in the USA.
The main benefit of a panel van is its practical load space. They are one of the most popular and commonly known vehicles, and they come in various sizes to suit different business needs. If you’re interested in getting into the nitty gritty of common van types on the market, you can click here.
The Origin And Evolution Of A Panel Van
Although it is unclear which company manufactured the first panel van, it is known that this body type was familiar to the public by the end of the 1920s. It had a utilitarian base model, and it was useful for many people.
Because panel vans are based on a passenger car design, their evolution is inextricably linked. In North America, these vans kicked off as a pumped-off version of two-door station waggons. Meanwhile, in Europe, the narrow roads forced manufacturers to downsize vans and utilise smaller door chassis from subcompact cars.
The Australia-made panel van was a light pickup truck based on a passenger car platform. Today, this van embraces gadgets, connectivity and everything that the innovative technology of the 21st century has to offer.
Original Manufacturers
While the information about the very beginning is largely lost, we still have some clues about each sedan delivery model that was popular in older times. Here are some of the main stars:
Ford created some of the most notable models of the 1920s. The best Ford sedan delivery vans were called ‘Town Car Delivery’ and ‘Wood Panel Delivery’.
Chevrolet and Ford introduced more popular sedan deliveries in the 1970s. The models were named the Chevrolet Vega Panel Express and the Ford Pinto Panel Waggon. The Express made up only 2% of the total Chevrolet Vegas produced, but the sales were strong, and the Vega Panel Express peaked at 7,800 units in the first year. The Pinto Panel Wagon was offered in two versions, as a commercial and a ‘factory customised’ panel van.
The Holden Sandman panel van, produced between 1974 and 1980, was extremely popular among contemporary Australian youth culture and was a primary vehicle for couples.
Panel vans were popularly used by the Australian police force in the 1970s.
Common Uses Of A Panel Van
Practical and reliable, this van is commonly used for various purposes. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Cargo transport – Panel vans are widely popular for transporting goods and cargo. With a spacious and enclosed cargo area, it’s an ideal choice for businesses involved in moving and logistics.
- Courier deliveries – Courier companies often rely on this vehicle to efficiently transport parcels and documents. It’s the best way to safely transfer them from one location to another.
- Commercial deliveries – If you ever ordered something online, there is a big chance your product was delivered by a panel van. Businesses often use it for the delivery of packages.
- Equipment transport – If you provide an on-site service, this vehicle is a great choice to transport all the tools you need to do your job successfully.
Panel vans are also great for homeowners looking to transport items to the recycling centre.
Comparing Panel Vans To Other Van Types
Before you decide to hire this vehicle, it’s a good idea to compare these sedan delivery models with other offers on the market so you can be sure which one fits your needs.
Panel Van Vs Box Van
Box vans have a unique design and boast a box-like structure. This distinct vehicle is ideal for transporting bulky items. The box van can transport goods that require additional height and can’t fit into a panel van.
Due to their size, box vans may be less manoeuvrable compared to panel vans. In a box truck, the cargo space is separate from the passenger cab. Box trucks generally only have rear doors, and a panel van has both sliding and rear doors. See here to learn all about the box vans.
Panel Van Vs Crew Van
The crew van can be used to transport both people and cargo since it has additional seating for passengers. This makes them different from panel vans and perhaps more suitable for businesses that require a mobile workforce or need to transport crew to job sites. We wrote a comprehensive article where we explore exactly what a crew van is, so you can check it out for additional information.
The Popularity Of Panel Vans
This van has consistently dominated the vehicle market. It’s extremely popular, and a lot of people rely on it to conduct their business. The Ford Transit Custom was the best-selling van in the UK in 2019, 2021 and 2022. There are many reasons for the widespread popularity of this vehicle. Some of the main ones are its adaptability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Moreover, the design of panel vans is capable of meeting the needs of businesses in a variety of industries. Other famous models of panel vans come from big names such as Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Transporter, Toyota, Nissan, Citroen, Renault, Fiat, etc.
Is There A Panel Van Over 3.5 Tonnes?
Yes, there is a panel van that’s over a 3.5-tonne van. One such example is the Iveco Daily model, which has a panel body style and exceeds 3.5t MAM. Such models, however, deviate from the conventional classification of standard panel vans. The maximum weight for any van body style is 3.5 tonnes. When it comes to those who exceed 3.5 tonnes, such vehicles are usually categorised as trucks.
Who Should Hire A Panel Van?
Anyone involved in transport or delivery services should hire a panel van. The enclosed cargo will provide you with a secure and organised space for your needs. It can also serve its purpose for tradespeople, catering events and promotional campaigns. You can drive both smaller and larger vans of this type, and it’s suitable for both older and younger drivers.
If you want to turn your deliveries into a joyride, reach out to us today. SDVH’s courier vans for hire will give you a perfect combination of speed and style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do They Call It A Panel Van?
They call it a panel van because it has solid panels in place of windows on the rear side. It is also known to some as a blind van due to the absence of windows. Panel vans benefit from having lower taxes than most other vehicles in the UK, which makes them a popular option for a wide range of businesses.
Is A VW Transporter A Panel Van?
Yes, a VW Transporter is a panel van. The Volkswagen Transporter boasts a reliable and practical cargo area that’s very versatile. Van drivers opt to use it for both commercial and recreational purposes. You can also find it in many other different configurations, such as the camper van and kombi van style.
Is Mercedes Sprinter A Panel Van?
Yes, a Mercedes Sprinter is a panel van. The Sprinter van is a high-quality commercial vehicle that’s produced by Mercedes-Benz, a renewed brand that has stood the test of time. It’s well-known to be a durable and efficient vehicle. This brand of panel vans is among the most popular among businesses working with cargo transport.
How Big Is A Panel Van?
How big a panel van is depends on the model. Generally, they come with a different distance between the front and rear wheels, which allows this type of van to accommodate various cargo needs. Other dimensions you should look up are the internal and external length, height, width and cargo space.
Is A Panel Van A Cargo Or A Passenger Van?
A panel van is a cargo van, not a passenger van. As panel vans evolved on different continents, they’ve been based on all kinds of passenger car platforms rather than truck chassis or commercial vehicle chassis. However, since their primary focus is on transporting goods, they usually don’t have many passenger seats.
Conclusion
And so the educational journey finishes. Now you know all you need to know about the topic, ‘what is a panel van’. On top of that, you also learned what its best uses are and how its famous models made history. All those facts aren’t just fun to know but are also extremely helpful for people who are thinking about hiring or buying a van outright. You can decide whether a panel van is the right one for you!
