VAN HIRE JARGON EXPLAINED
Need a van but confused by the jargon? Our easy guide below clarifies common van hire jargon used for van types and sizes, van weights and capacities, van features and other descriptive terms such as panel van, LWB, XLWB, Luton van, tail lift, 3.5t, and SLD. Understanding can help you find the right vehicle for your needs.
Van Types and Sizes
Barn Doors
Twin rear doors on most vans that open outwards, like traditional barn doors. Useful for loading tall objects.
Box Van
A van with a square, box-shaped body, often mounted on the chassis. 3.5t box vans are usually referred to as Luton vans.
Crew Cab or Double Van
A van or pick-up with two rows of seats, accommodating more passengers.
Chassis Cab
A van without a back to it. These consist of the cab mounted to the chassis allowing many types of bodies to be added to the rear.
Curtainside Van
Curtainside vans resemble small trucks, featuring a solid roof and flexible, retractable side curtains (canvas or plastic-coated). These curtains allow for side loading by forklift.
Dropside Van
A van or truck with an open load area and short vertical sides that can be unfastened and opened outwards.
Ideal for large or awkwardly shaped loads.
Extra-Long Wheelbase (XLWB)
Vans with an exceptionally long distance between the front and rear wheels, offering maximum cargo space.
Popular examples include the Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit Jumbo.
Flatbed Van
Flatbed vans have a simple, open, flat load area without sides. Commonly used in construction, they often feature a crane mounted behind the cab or at the rear of the deck.
Long Wheelbase (LWB)
Vans with a longer distance between the front and rear wheels, providing more cargo space than SWB vans.
Luton Van
A 3.5t van with a box body that extends over the cab, offering a large and flexible load space.
Ideal for furniture and household moves.
Medium Wheelbase (MWB)
Vans with a wheelbase between SWB and LWB, offering a balance of cargo space and manoeuvrability.
Panel Van
A standard van with a closed, panelled body, similar to a car body.
Pick-up
Not technically a van, but the pick-up truck is still a commercial vehicle. Variants can have single cabs with one row of seats, double cabs with two rows and XL cabs that have one row of seats and space for storage in the second row. Pick-up trucks also come with the option of hard tops to make their loadspace secure and watertight.
Short Wheelbase (SWB)
Vans with a shorter distance between the front and rear wheels, making them easier to manoeuvre and park, but less cargo space.
Single Cab
A van or pickup with only one row of seats.
Tipper
A van or truck with a load area that can be mechanically raised to 'tip out' its contents.
Truck
Generally used to describe goods vehicles of 3.5t maximum laden weight and above.
