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When faced with the task of selecting a vehicle for transporting items or a complete house removal, the array of options can be overwhelming. However, fear not, we have the perfect solution for you. If you need a vehicle with ample space and a secure zone for transporting your heavy items, look no further than the Luton Van.
Have you ever heard this name before? Several companies used them for removal or delivery purposes. The first question that comes to mind is, if this is a van, does it have enough space? What are the pros and cons of using it? Is it similar to other vans?
Rest assured, we’ve covered all the bases in this comprehensive blog post. Let’s dive in and explore the world of Luton Vans together.
What is a Luton Van?
Also known as “Luton Peak” and “Luton Box”, the Luton Van is a practical and versatile vehicle used for moving and delivery services. Its unique feature, the additional cargo box extended above the upper part of the driver’s cab, known as “Luton”, provides extra space inside the van, enhancing the truck’s carrying capacity.
Pros and Cons of a Luton Van:
Perks do not come alone; there must be some drawbacks because nothing is 100% ideal. However, it can be close to it, so before considering a Luton van, it’s essential to understand both its pros and cons.
Pros:
- A larger carrying capacity makes it easy to travel with larger furniture and bulkier items.
- The tail lift makes it easy to load and unload heavy items.
- Provides a safe space to avoid any potential damage and scratches during transportation.
- There is no need to consider weather conditions like rain when serving transportation.
- Allows driving on a standard category B driving license in the UK.
Cons:
- Large-sized vehicles require more space to travel, making them challenging to drive in busy urban environments.
- Challenging to park and navigate in narrow streets poses a problem for pedestrians or locals.
- Fuel consumption is higher in larger vans than in smaller ones, primarily due to their larger carrying capacity and the additional weight they carry during travel.
Key Characteristics of a Luton Van
These key characteristics of a luton van are:
- Van Dimensions: Different models have different heights, lengths, and volumes. Luton van comes in several shapes and sizes. However, generally, about 3.5-ton luton vans have heights of up to 2.2 m, as the average ceiling height in the UK is around 2.4 m. Comes in a length of around 4 meters, a width of 2.2 meters, and features a flat & smooth loading floor that supports a payload of 1000 to 1200 kg.
- Tail lift: Most Luton vans come with a fitted Tail lift that significantly reduces manual loading and unloading labour and lowers the risk of injury when lifting heavy objects. It makes work easier, considering it serves as an extra hand from the bottom side. Ensure that the tail has a strong life that can bear the weight of up to 300kg or more.
- Versatility: A vehicle for serving home removals to commercial deliveries. It’s highly versatile across different industries, including furniture and equipment transport, courier and logistics, construction and trades, and event and catering services.
Hiring Costs of a Luton Van for House Removal
Costs depend on the distance to travel, as it’s directly linked to fuel consumption costs and the amount of weight being carried in the van. A Luton van hire starts from just £100 per day. However, consider the rental extras, such as an additional driver, a ratchet strap, or a stack trolley, etc. According to an estimate, the affordable price for a 3-bedroom house move within a 15-mile radius in 2025 is £1,000. Consider JH Removals your affordable choice for top-notch home removal services. Moving faster where you wish, JH offers careful deliveries.
Important Considerations about a Luton Van
A unique blend of versatility, spaciousness, and practicality makes it an ideal option for moving and transporting services. However, there are some instructions you should be aware of when using or transporting via Luton Van.
- You indeed require a standard license for driving a luton van, but only if it weighs under 3.5 tons. If your luton van exceeds this weight, it may require a C1 category license in the UK.
- While driving through the lower banks, consider the height of your Luton van and the lower ceiling of the banks or sheds when parking under sheds.
- When travelling via highway, keep the van at a distance because it’s tough to stop immediately in case of an emergency.
- For environmental considerations, consider hiring or buying an alternative, such as an electric, eco-friendly luton van.
Luton Van vs Panel Van vs Long Wheelbase (LWB) Van:
Depending on cargo space, loading height, and versatility, this table explains the differences between them and provides a guide to help you choose the perfect one.
| Features | Panel Van | Luton Van | LWB Van |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo Space & Capacity | The compact cargo area is sufficient for navigating busy areas. | A more spacious cargo area than a panel van provides greater carrying capacity. | The cargo area is much larger than that of a panel or a luton van, offering more carrying capacity. |
| Handling and Driving | Best manoeuvrability makes it a good choice for businesses operating in urban areas. | It requires careful handling and driving in rush areas due to its larger size. | Not so easy to handle and drive because it carries longer items. Less manoeuvrable than smaller vans. |
| Loading and Unloading | Lower to ground makes it easy to load and unload lighter items. | Tail lift – aids in loading and unloading heavy, bulky items easily, reducing the risk of injury and manual labour. | Depending on specific models, they may or may not have a tail lift. |
| Customisation and Versatility | Customisable, both internally and externally | Customisable to a limited extent, it is primarily a size-focused vehicle. | An extended chassis can allow for customisation, but it's not as easy for a tail lift. |
| Cost and Insurance | It is the most cost-effective in terms of buying, maintenance, and operating. Smaller size, lower fuel consumption. | More expensive in terms of buying, operating costs, and insurance costs than both vehicles. | Lower in price to buy and other costs. Thus, lower insurance costs as compared to a luton van. |
The most important thing is to keep your needs in mind. Don’t panic! When you call a company to book, they might share a handbook about the load, items, and size of the van. Choose according to that.
A panel van is the best option for travel, as it offers tools and equipment and comes with lower fuel and maintenance costs. Moreover, panel vans are not ideal for delivering or transporting heavy household furniture and other heavy items.
A luton van offers larger space used to carry larger things for both commercial and domestic purposes. It provides a tail lift feature. A layperson with a standard driving license and no special training can easily drive a 3.5-ton heavy luton van in the UK.
A long-wheelbase (LWB) van is a good choice for those seeking more space when transporting or delivering long objects. It comes with lower initial costs for buying and offers higher customisable options.
Conclusion
A stable choice for hiring among different vans – the Luton van serves according to your needs. Whether you’re looking to self-drive or hire a driver, Luton vans are highly versatile in transportation. Luton vans can be a little expensive, but we don’t think that a small amount is more expensive than your belongings. In Birmingham (UK), a JH Removal company offers clearances and removal services using their best vehicles. Give JH a chance to serve you.