Sizing a van around what you are moving
List the largest items with rough length, width and height, and give an estimate of total weight, because bulk and payload limit a van in different ways. Mention anything awkward, such as a wardrobe that cannot be dismantled or long timber. Describe loading at both ends, including stairs, lift access, distance from the kerb and whether anyone will help lift.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
Start with the load, then choose the van. A small van works well for boxes, tools and light collections; medium and long-wheelbase vans suit furniture, stock and trade equipment; and a Luton is the better choice for bulkier items on a house move. Subject to dates, driver details and availability, the range includes the Volkswagen Caddy, Ford Transit SWB, VW Transporter Automatic, Ford Transit MWB and Ford Transit LWB. Make, model, transmission, seats, payload and licence position are all confirmed at quote stage, so treat these vehicles as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Moving Hobby Equipment by Van
One decision worth making early is whether the hobby gear travels in one trip or several. Anyone moving a canoe, a model railway collection, a set of DJ decks or a workshop's worth of tools can start by writing down each item with its rough length, width and height, including any cases or covers it stays in. Note whether anything dismantles, such as a trestle table or a bike rack, and which parts remain fixed. If the equipment is headed to a show, a storage unit or another person's address, record that recipient's name and phone number. This list can then accompany the hire enquiry, letting the team consider the job alongside the van options available and flag anything that needs a second look while the dates are still open.
Checking Sizes Before You Enquire
Dimensions tend to cause the most trouble when they are guessed rather than measured, so a tape measure is a sound investment of a few minutes. Work through the item list and record the tallest, widest and longest pieces, then compare them with the entrances involved at each end of the trip, including doorframes, garden gates, stairwells and the doorway of a storage unit. Where a measurement is unknown, perhaps for a venue being visited for the first time, the property's own contact can be asked directly, as they hold that information. Note anything that cannot be tilted or turned. With these figures written down, the enquiry can include hard numbers, and any remaining questions can be put to the team alongside the access arrangements and hire dates.
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Things to check before booking
Before the hire is confirmed, go over the key points: whether the vehicle is available, the driver requirements, mileage, insurance, the delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for. Make sure payload, loading height, tail-lift needs, driver details, deposits and insurance excess are confirmed before you settle on a van size. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, a rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the passengers or load you expect and any special requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.