A practical guide to selecting the appropriate van size for your relocation. Learn about the internal dimensions and typical carrying capacities of various commercial vehicles, from small vans for single items to Luton vans for multi-room house moves.
↵ What Size Van Do I Need? A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Man and Van Service↵
↵↵ Not sure what size van you need? You’re not alone. People often overbook (and pay for empty space) or underestimate what will fit↵ (and end up needing a second trip). This guide breaks down the four common van sizes—Small, MWB, LWB, and Luton—so you can match↵ your job to the right vehicle.↵
↵↵ The golden rule: list your bulkiest items first (sofas, beds, wardrobes, appliances), then estimate your boxes. Van choice is↵ basically “big items + box count + access constraints.”↵
↵A quick guide to common jobs
↵Use this to match a typical job type with the most suitable van size.
↵↵| If your job is… | ↵The right van is likely… | ↵
|---|---|
| Single item pickup (sofa, washing machine) | ↵MWB Transit (or Small Van for compact items) | ↵
| Marketplace collection (multiple items) | ↵Small Van or MWB Transit | ↵
| Student move (bed, desk, boxes) | ↵LWB Transit (often the sweet spot) | ↵
| Studio / 1-bed move | ↵LWB Transit or 3.5T Luton (if furniture-heavy) | ↵
| 1–2 bedroom move (full contents) | ↵3.5T Luton | ↵
| Mostly boxes and bags | ↵MWB or LWB Transit | ↵
↵ Access matters: narrow streets, tight turns, low bridges, and limited parking can influence what’s practical even if the load “fits”↵ on paper.↵
↵Understanding man and van pricing
↵↵ Pricing usually depends on vehicle size, distance, time on the job, and whether you↵ add extra helpers. A smaller van can be more cost-effective for light local moves, while larger vehicles (and longer distances)↵ increase cost due to capacity, fuel, and handling time.↵
↵↵ Tip: if you’re near the borderline between sizes, it’s often better value to size up once than pay for a second trip (or rebooking on the↵ day).↵
↵Small van
↵↵ Ideal for single-item deliveries, small pickups, or light student loads. Easy to park,↵ great for narrow streets, and usually the most fuel-efficient option.↵
↵- ↵
- Washing machine, small desk, compact drawers ↵
- Several bags or a handful of boxes ↵
- Single mattress/bed parts (small double with care) ↵
↵ Typical internal space (approx.): Length ~1.7 m · Height ~1.2 m · Width ~1.5 m · Payload ~500–800 kg↵
↵Medium wheelbase (MWB) Transit
↵↵ The all-rounder. Ideal for studio moves and mixed loads (furniture + boxes). Compact enough for city↵ streets but roomy enough for a proper stack.↵
↵- ↵
- Bed frame + mattress (up to double) ↵
- Small sofa or armchair ↵
- One major appliance (fridge/washer) plus boxes ↵
- Roughly 10–15 medium boxes (depending on furniture) ↵
↵ Typical internal space (approx.): Length ~2.4 m · Height ~1.6 m · Width ~1.7 m · Payload ~900–1,200 kg↵
↵Long wheelbase (LWB) Transit
↵↵ Great when you’ve got longer or bulkier pieces and want a strong chance of doing it in one trip.↵ Common for bigger student moves, flat moves with multiple furniture items, and clear-outs.↵
↵- ↵
- Double/king mattress and bed parts ↵
- Two-seater sofa, dining table, chairs ↵
- Tall wardrobe or large drawers ↵
- Roughly 15–20 boxes plus appliances (load-dependent) ↵
↵ Typical internal space (approx.): Length ~3.2 m · Height ~1.8 m · Width ~1.7 m · Payload ~1,200–1,500 kg↵
↵3.5-tonne Luton
↵↵ The big one. Ideal for larger, boxy loads and multi-room moves where completing in a single trip matters.↵ The box body is efficient for stacking, and a tail lift can make heavy items safer to handle.↵
↵- ↵
- Multiple sofas, tables, wardrobes ↵
- Several appliances ↵
- Large volume of boxes (often 30–40+ depending on furniture) ↵
↵ Typical internal space (approx.): Length ~4.0 m · Height ~2.0 m · Width ~2.0 m · Payload ~1,200–1,600 kg↵
↵Still unsure which van to choose?
↵↵ No worries—you don’t need to be a van-volume wizard. The most reliable way is to list your bulkiest items and give a↵ realistic box estimate.↵
↵↵ Include details like “1 x 3-seater sofa”, “1 x double bed”, “1 x wardrobe”, and “15 boxes”. That makes it much easier to recommend the↵ right size and avoid surprises on the day.↵
↵Estimating how many boxes fit in your van
↵↵ Using standard moving boxes (around 45 cm), here are practical, “real-world” estimates. Uniform boxes pack better than a random pile↵ of bags.↵
↵- ↵
- Small Van: a handful of boxes alongside one main item ↵
- MWB Transit: ~10–15 boxes plus some furniture ↵
- LWB Transit: ~15–20 boxes plus larger furniture ↵
- 3.5T Luton: ~30–40 boxes plus bulky items ↵
↵ Tip: Overstuffed boxes waste space and split. Well-packed, consistent boxes stack safely and make loading faster.↵
↵When a man and van service is suitable
↵↵ This type of service is ideal when you’ve got more than a car can handle but don’t need a big team. It’s a strong fit for↵ student moves, furniture collection, marketplace pickups, and local transport tasks.↵
↵Next steps and a handy tip
↵↵Remember the “man” in “man and van”
↵↵ Choosing the right van matters—but so does the help. Many bookings include one driver who can assist with loading and↵ unloading. If you’ve got heavy items or tricky access (stairs, long carries, no lift), adding an extra helper can make the job faster↵ and safer.↵
↵↵↵ Ready to book the right vehicle for your job? Start here:↵ man and van.↵
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