Size guide: What’s the best type of van for your needs?
For many tradespeople, buying the right-sized van is a no-brainer. Some people prefer smaller, nippier vans for inner-city small jobs, while others will take the biggest thing they can get, given they’re shifting loads that are only ever restricted by the GVW of the van they drive.
However, making the wrong calculation on your job can work against you. Pick something too small, and you’ll be carrying out more trips than needed. Pick something too large, and you’re stuck with an inefficient engine, worse aerodynamics, and generally larger running costs from day to day.
In this guide, we’ve split van sizes into three distinct categories, with examples of each, as well as the benefits you’ll get from each one. Naturally, these can be customised to become the likes of a Luton, tipper or flatbed to your specifications, but these common characteristics define what you can expect from the core vehicles.
Small vans
Examples include: Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Connect, Fiat Fiorino, Nissan NV200,
If you’re in need of the perfect van to take on urban environments – something that’s agile and nimble, and able to face traffic and car parks with no problems whatsoever, then you might only need a small van. While a lot of people in cities and towns opt for car-derived vans (e.g. the Ford Fiesta van or Vauxhall Astra van), they simply offer a somewhat glorified boot space – great if you’re only carrying a few tools, but far from ideal if you’ve got to shift anything of substance on a regular basis.
The benefit of small vans truly shows with their return on investment. Engine horsepower can range from low 80s to high 120s, and there’s usually the option for an automatic gearbox – perfect for city work. Road tax is mercifully low, miles to the gallon can be in the 60s or 70s, and you can get a new van for as little as £14,000. Ask yourself: do you really need a big van?
Medium panel vans
Examples include: Ford Transit, Fiat Talento, LDV V80 SWB, VW Transporter
As the backbone of the British working fleet, medium-sized vans are usually everywhere to be seen, and can be customised in order to give exactly what you need. Medium vans bring you a great load capacity but also carry over the agility of small vans, giving you the best of both worlds.
Payloads can exceed two tonnes, meaning you can carry the people and tools for the job. They maintain an aerodynamic profile and still don’t often require big engines, so you can get where you need without having to pay through the nose for fuel. With the likes of the Ford Transit, you can customise your ride to the nth degree, from different roof heights and wheelbases to the addition of a crew-cab, meaning you can carry four or five passengers along for the journey. Unless you’re really going large on your cargo, chances are this is the perfect van for the job.
Large/long wheelbase vans
Examples include: Fiat Ducato, Nissan NV400, Volkswagen Crafter
If you need to shift big loads, then you’re going to need something a little more robust and reliable. Boasting generous volumes payloads, large and long-wheelbase vans offer even more in the way of wheelbases, heights and doors, while still maintaining a fair and decent fuel economy.
From reinforced suspension to heavy-duty flooring, larger vans are built to take anything you throw at them. Loadspaces can range from 7m3 to 10m3, so you can cram everything in you need. When you get to this size, your choice of wheelbase, height, length, payload and engine is unrivalled – you can get exactly what you want from your van. And don’t forget its customisation: from side and wide-opening doors to tippers, dropsides and crew set-ups, these big vans will be able to cover you in every job.
What’s more, the Fiat Ducato is class-leading for its MPG: getting an amazing 47.9mpg with its all-new two-litre diesel engine. Impressively, competitors will at least meet the 40mpg milestone.
Are you still finding it hard to pick the right van for you? Just drop us a line and we’ll give you any advice you want – and hopefully hook you up with the van you need! All you need to do is click “Call back” or “Enquiry” at the top of the page, and we’ll get right back to you.
