Van hire question
Discussion
I’m helping a friend move, and he needs a van to long distance move half his home items to a new city.
I’ve seen two vans. Europcar want £160 for a VW Crafter whilst Enterprise want £400 for a Ford Luton with a tail lift. I appreciate the latter is bigger, but it’s more expensive too. I know the Crafter comes in different sizes too.
Any thoughts on the size differences? Other hints and tips would be appreciated. Including loading/unloading and driving a long distance with it.
I am minded to visit both hire places to check the vans in real life.
I’ve seen two vans. Europcar want £160 for a VW Crafter whilst Enterprise want £400 for a Ford Luton with a tail lift. I appreciate the latter is bigger, but it’s more expensive too. I know the Crafter comes in different sizes too.
Any thoughts on the size differences? Other hints and tips would be appreciated. Including loading/unloading and driving a long distance with it.
I am minded to visit both hire places to check the vans in real life.
Edited by thebullettrain on Friday 28th July 00:17
I've used a Luton a couple of times for house moves and it's absolutely worth it to have the proper lift for furniture.
Long distance driving is fine and pretty comfy, just need to get used the dimensions and be cautious at first.
Making multiple trips with a smaller van may quickly add up in fuel costs too.
Long distance driving is fine and pretty comfy, just need to get used the dimensions and be cautious at first.
Making multiple trips with a smaller van may quickly add up in fuel costs too.
People usually have more stuff than they think.
I did a similar move and was given a Luton with tail lift instead of the smaller van I’d booked. It wasn’t far off full by the time we’d done and no way it would have actually fitted in the van we booked.
Unless your mate has actually got everything packed up and knows for certain that the smaller van will work then, if there’s any doubt, go with the larger one.
I did a similar move and was given a Luton with tail lift instead of the smaller van I’d booked. It wasn’t far off full by the time we’d done and no way it would have actually fitted in the van we booked.
Unless your mate has actually got everything packed up and knows for certain that the smaller van will work then, if there’s any doubt, go with the larger one.
Some places, more likely to be the local ones rather than the big chains, do Lo-liner Lutons these days. These are brilliant for furniture etc, all the space of a Luton, but front drive and a low step height at the rear so you’re not messing about with getting things on and off the tail-lift. If you’re expecting to be loading washing machines etc on trolleys then get a ramp for the back of it. Won’t be a fun drive, but will do the job effectively.
The Rotrex Kid said:
Rental company manager here!
Use the Luton (tail lift will save you time and pain) and the square body and height will allow you to make a lot more use of the space. £400 ain’t that cheap though, is that just for one day?
Friday to Monday: need time to load, travel, unload and travel. Use the Luton (tail lift will save you time and pain) and the square body and height will allow you to make a lot more use of the space. £400 ain’t that cheap though, is that just for one day?
Luton with tail-lift is better for house moves, unless you're in really tight spaces.
The pricing difference here is quite strong though, so if you can get everything into the crafter (still pretty bloody large, but will fill up much quicker if you have bulky furniture), I'd get that to save the money. It'll be slightly better on fuel too...
FWIW I've often used a combination of local rental places as well as Enterprise (depending on availability primarily), and Enterprise have been absolutely fine the few times I've rented a large van from them, with reasonable pricing.
Make sure you have lots of boxes and straps!
The pricing difference here is quite strong though, so if you can get everything into the crafter (still pretty bloody large, but will fill up much quicker if you have bulky furniture), I'd get that to save the money. It'll be slightly better on fuel too...
FWIW I've often used a combination of local rental places as well as Enterprise (depending on availability primarily), and Enterprise have been absolutely fine the few times I've rented a large van from them, with reasonable pricing.
Make sure you have lots of boxes and straps!
Done my own and family house moves half a dozen times. Always hired a luton with a tail lift.
You won't regret it.
Couple of years ago now, but i think we paid £80 per day for a Luton from the local hire place. Bit battered and bruised but cheaper and less likely to stiff you for excess when it's already f
ked. 
You won't regret it.
Couple of years ago now, but i think we paid £80 per day for a Luton from the local hire place. Bit battered and bruised but cheaper and less likely to stiff you for excess when it's already f
ked. If you're carrying furniture or anything remotely fragile make sure everything is properly strapped down so it cannot move, especially forwards. You'll be amazed how often people pull right out in front of you when you're in a van causing you to slam on, and then anything in the back that can move will collide with the bulkhead.
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