Hiring a Van to Move House...

David333

Hi there. I hope this is the right forum to leave this message in.

I am looking to hire a van next week to move flats and having been trying to do some price comparisons online. At the moment the choice seems to be limited to Europcar and EasyVan.

I'm not really sure of what size van to get but I need to move a bed as well as a number of boxes (probably about twenty small/medium boxes) and a desk. I'm thinking of a 'large van' which in Europcar terms seems to be a Iveco Daily with a loading volume of 12.00m3 or in Easyvan terms a Ford Transit LWB.

First question is whether these would be big enough for a bed (I can always make a couple of journeys if there are too many boxes). Second question is whether I am covered to drive them with an ordinary license I have had since 1998?

My third question is what EasyVan means by its 'excess waiver insurance'. It seems to cover all of my excess so that whatever happens I only have to pay the fee for the van hire (£40.58+£7.49). Can anybody confirm that I am reading this right? http://www.easyvan.com/nossl/ExcessReimbursementInsuranceTsAndCs.aspx

Thanks for your help!

forgotmyname

3.5tons gross laden weight so your OK there, The single wheel models may only be 2 tons. Larger twin wheel ones upto 3.5 tons.

Big enough for a bed, Depends how big the bed is, Does it not breakdown into smaller parts?

Most have the base in 2 sections and thge mattress may fold. Beware you can damage some by folding them.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Transits don't exceed 3.5tonnes so your licence is fine.

paddedjohn

You will be better off getting a Luton if possible, could do a flat in one hit.

David333

forgotmyname wrote: »

3.5tons gross laden weight so your OK there, The single wheel models may only be 2 tons. Larger twin wheel ones upto 3.5 tons.

Big enough for a bed, Depends how big the bed is, Does it not breakdown into smaller parts?

Most have the base in 2 sections and thge mattress may fold. Beware you can damage some by folding them.

I have no idea what 3.5tons gross laden weight equates to in the real world: hopefully a 'flatful' of stuff. Nothing particularly heavy (besides several boxes of books!) and not a great deal of furniture. I'm not sure whether the bed folds or not (it's at my fianc!e's) but it's a double and I think breaks down a little in terms of the headboard and legs. I will have to check.

However, that size of van sounds okay to you in terms of my license and possible general requirements?

David333

paddedjohn wrote: »

You will be better off getting a Luton if possible, could do a flat in one hit.

As I say, it's not a big flat and not a great deal of furniture (bed, desk, possibly a chair or two); mainly just boxes...

On the EasyVan website, a Ford Transit LWB is £40, Mercedes Sprinter £55 and a Luton Taillift £65. Petrol, according to Google Maps, will be about £20 there and back for my move, so I'm thinking that it would be just as cheap to get the Ford, assuming that my largest object will fit in it...

andy111

It may pay you to phone a few man and van businesses and get a quote.

It's a very competitive business and for c.£50 depending how far you need to travel you'll also have another pair of hands.

It will also save you driving an unfamiliar large vehicle.

David333

andy111 wrote: »

It may pay you to phone a few man and van businesses and get a quote.

It's a very competitive business and for c.£50 depending how far you need to travel you'll also have another pair of hands.

It will also save you driving an unfamiliar large vehicle.

I did look into that but most charge by the hour and focus on local journeys. Our move is to somewhere a good hour and a half away...

dacouch

Does the bed have a solid fabricy base or is it a frame with wooden slats

paddedjohn

If you are moving an hour and a half away I would definitely get a Luton, easier to get everything in and cuts down on your travelling by a few hours.It's amazing what you can cram into one if you pack it right.

Sgt_Pepper_2

paddedjohn wrote: »

If you are moving an hour and a half away I would definitely get a Luton, easier to get everything in and cuts down on your travelling by a few hours.It's amazing what you can cram into one if you pack it right.

If he does that he has to watch the weight. The van will hold more in volume than weight and even less if it has a taillift.