WHAT van is right for you? Two things: size and weight. When you’re choosing a van, make sure it’s big and strong enough to handle your typical cargo.
Check the width, length and height of the van’s cargo hold. Check its maximum payload. And if you tow, check its maximum trailer weight.
Then ensure the van meets your cargo needs. These typical weights and sizes will help you choose.
Baled hay, straw | 130-225kg per cubic metre |
Barrel (36 gallons) | 275kg |
Beer case (24 x 1 pint) | 35kg |
Beer crate (24 x 10fl oz bottles) | 23kg |
Books | 815-1125kg per cubic metre |
Bricks, building | 2300-2500kg per 1000 |
Bricks, engineering | 2000kg per 1000 |
Bricks, house, standard pallet | 1000kg |
Coal, loose | 920kg per cubic metre |
Coal, loose | 1000kg per 1.1 cubic metre |
Copper tubing | 3000mm length |
Cement, bag | 50kg or 25kg |
Chipboard, sheet | 2440mm x 1220mm |
Euro pallet | 1200mm x 800mm |
Gravel, loose | 1635kg per cubic metre |
Hardboard, sheet | 2440mm x 1220mm |
Hardcore | 1940kg per cubic metre |
Ladders | 2000mm, 2500mm, 3000mm, 3500mm |
MDF, sheet | 2440mm x 1220mm x 25mm weighs 51-62kg |
MDF, sheet | 2440mm x 1220mm x 15mm weighs 30-37kg |
Milk crate, 20 bottles | 27kg |
Paint tin, 5.0 litres | 7kg |
Paving slab | 600mm x 450mm x 65mm, 40kg |
Paving slab | 600mm x 600mm x 65mm, 52kg |
Plaster, bag | 25kg |
Plastic guttering | 4000mm, 2000mm |
Plywood, sheet | 2440mm x 1220mm |
Potatoes, loose | 530kg per cubic metre |
Potatoes, bag | 50kg |
Sand, dry | 1330kg per cubic metre |
Sand, wet | 1600kg per cubic metre |
Slate | 2800kg per cubic metre |
Softwood, lengths | 1800mm, 2100m, 2400mm, 2700mm etc |
Soil | 1200-1490kg per cubic metre |
Water, 10 x 1.0-litre bottles | 10kg |
When choosing a business van it’s important to remember that, if you only need to carry really large items occasionally, sometimes it’s more financially advisable to buy a small van, and rent a bigger van for the days you need it.
Business van operators should also make sure that they keep within the law for van weights, particularly if you are towing.
Now you know what van type you should buy click on our Van Reviews to choose the right van for you.
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