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.
Fitting the van to your route
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.
Recording Hobby Gear Before You Book
Start your enquiry with a complete inventory of the hobby gear heading onto the van, whether that is canoeing equipment, woodworking machinery, gardening tools or camping kit. List each item with its approximate length, width and height, and note anything that dismantles into smaller pieces or travels in a protective case. Decide which dates you need the van for, including whether a weekend or midweek slot suits the event you are attending, and record where the equipment starts and finishes its journey. If someone at a club, showground or storage site needs to be told about the delivery, keep their contact details with your notes. Access details, such as gate widths or opening hours you already know, are also worth writing down. Anything you are unsure about can be raised as a question when the team quotes.
Keeping a Load Inventory Together
A load inventory is simply a written record of everything you plan to move, and starting one early leaves room for revisions. Go room by room or job by job, listing items with their dimensions where they are large or irregular, and mark boxes by contents rather than just numbering them. Note the hire dates you have in mind, whether the load needs to reach one address or several, and who should be contacted at each stopping point. If some items might be sold or given away before the move, put them in a separate section so the list stays accurate. Photographing awkward pieces can help you describe them later. Once the inventory is drafted, share it with the team when asking about van options, and keep a copy for the day itself so nothing is overlooked.
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What to confirm on the phone
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.