Tips for Van Rental
If you are looking to hire a van but you don’t know the first thing about it, don’t worry. It really isn’t much different than hiring a car for a few days. However, it is nice to know what to expect and for that reason, I am going to provide a few important details here.
Before you actually go about the task of hiring a van, you should figure out a few important points that will narrow down your options for you as well as provide you with the facts that you need to have beforehand. This will help to ensure that you fire a van with sufficient capacity for the task at hand.
Determine How Much Space
One of the most important facets when hiring a van is to determine how much space you are going to need in the load compartment. Start this task by figuring out the size of the largest item that you will have to transport. Next, figure out everything else that is going to have to fit around the largest item. Measure the dimensions of the largest item so you have a starting point.
Don’t forget to take into consideration that some of the items that you are transporting might not be stackable. In fact, you might want to measure any items that will need to be positioned on their side since they will probably take up more room this way. Once you make all of these calculations, even if they are only rough estimates, you will be able to determine whether you need a small, medium, large, or extra long van.
Determine the Minimum Length and Minimum Width
In order to determine whether you need a short wheel base or a long wheel base, you should calculate the length of the longest item that you need to transport in the van that you hire. For example, items that are approximately 3 m. long will require a van with a long wheel base or an extra long wheelbase. Alternatively, you also have the option of hiring a Luton van when dealing with lengthy items to transport.
As far as the width of the items that you will be transporting go, you also need to calculate that. Keep in mind that the rear doors of the vans are typically somewhat narrower than the inner width or load space of the van. Therefore, you must measure the width and depth of the items to ensure that you will be able to fit them through the doorway. Also, if one of your items is very wide, there’s no need to worry that you won’t be able to find a suitable van for hire. The Luton van offers extra width for bulky items.
Determine the Weight of the Load
Most van-size loads will fit in a 3.5t van. However, it is important that you calculate the weight of the load that you will be transporting as the vans do have weight restrictions. The typical payload of a small van is between 600 and 900 kg. The typical payload of a medium van is between 900 and 1200 kg. The typical payload of a long wheel base van is between 1200 and 1500 kg. The typical payload of an extra long wheel base van is between 1200 and 1500 kg. The typical payload of a Luton van is between 1600 and 1800 kg.
Check Out the Height Restrictions of the Delivery Area
Not only do you have to worry about the payload, but also, you need to worry about the delivery location and its particular measurements. Height restrictions are especially common when dealing with private car parks as well as underground car parks. Check into the height restrictions. A common height restriction is 2 metres or 6 feet and 6 inches.
If this is the case, you might not be able to use a large van or a van with a high roof. This only leaves you with two options. The first option is to simply hire a smaller van and take more than one trip as long as your payload will still fit through the van doors and in the load space. The second option is to look for a different location to unload your items.
Determine the Dates that You Will Need to Hire the Van
Since most van hire companies only provide for pick up and drop off during their regular business hours, you are probably looking at an extra day or two of rental. The worst case scenario is that you might need to hire the van for the day before you need it until the day after you need it.
With some van hire companies, the rental is based on a 24-hour timeframe, so you might be able to work something out that fits your schedule relatively well. Think about picking up the van at the last possible minute if you need to pick it up the say before and you are getting a 24-hour rental. This strategy might save you some money.
Remember Your Documentation When You Pick up the Van
Although different van hire companies might have different requests, each of them will require certain types of documentation when you go to pick up the vehicle. In general, you will need to bring your driving license as well as any other documentation that has been specified.
Remember to Calculate the Cost of the Fuel
If you need to determine the affordability of hiring a van, you should calculate the cost of the fuel in your calculations. Remember that the larger vans will get poorer fuel consumption and so they will have a higher cost to them. Typical fuel consumption figures will also vary according to the weight of the load and the type of driving that you are doing. However, each van hire company should be able to provide you with a rough estimate as to the fuel consumption figures for each type of the vans that they hire out.
