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.
Picking a suitable van
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.
Measuring before you load
Will your largest item actually fit through the gaps it needs to pass? This question is worth answering at home, before a van is reserved. Measure the height, width and depth of the biggest pieces, then compare them with the doorways, corridors and stair turns at both ends of the journey. A sofa that leaves one living room easily can still defeat a narrow entrance elsewhere, and knowing this in advance changes what you plan. The same goes for garden furniture or workbenches that come apart. Note the figures down, because the team can use them when suggesting a suitable vehicle. Asking the recipient about access at the destination, including where a van can pull up, rounds out the picture.
Carrying hobby equipment
Hobbies produce some of the most awkward loads to transport. A van solves many of these jobs in one go, whether that is a model railway layout, diving gear for a club weekend, or the pieces of a dismantled greenhouse. The common thread is that equipment is often fragile, oddly shaped or valuable, so it deserves a little thought before the day. Photograph or list what you are taking, then consider how it will sit in the load and what padding you might bring. If any single item is unusually long or tall, mention it specifically when you arrange the hire, as this shapes the vehicle the team suggests. A clear description of the equipment avoids guesswork on both sides.
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Last checks 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.