1st time driving van

Captain_Flack.

custardy wrote: »

Does it matter
We are talking about advice to a driver
Plenty of cycle 'advice' threads on the go as it is

Not if he takes out a collision damage waver.

custardy

Captain_Flack. wrote: »

Not if he takes out a collision damage waver.

and there's the attitude

Nilrem

This may sound obvious, but make sure your licence covers the van you're hiring.

IIRC in about 97 or 98 they changed the automatic entitlements for new drivers so that whilst people who passed before the cut off could drive a 7.5ton van with their normal car licence, after that they couldn't (they needed a separate test).

You need a C1 category on the licence for a 7.5 ton van.

AdrianC

Nilrem wrote: »

This may sound obvious, but make sure your licence covers the van you're hiring.

IIRC in about 97 or 98 they changed the automatic entitlements for new drivers so that whilst people who passed before the cut off could drive a 7.5ton van with their normal car licence, after that they couldn't (they needed a separate test).

You need a C1 category on the licence for a 7.5 ton van.

You ever tried to rent anything over 3.5t? It's not easy, and it's not cheap.

3.5t is as big as Transit-sized vans go, with a (very) few exceptions.
Bigger than that is "very large van" - Iveco Daily, Merc Vario. Not easy at all to rent.
7.5t is "small truck".

skivenov

When reversing, if in doubt, get out and have a look.

As stated previously, pull up at 90 degrees to a give way line, so you can see down the road out of your side window.

Make sure your mirrors are set right.

Remember, especially when empty, your braking distances are longer.

If it's rear wheel drive, especcially when empty and in a long van, watch for it getting tail happy.

If somewhere looks tricky to back into, it'll be worse to back out of, so back in.

As a general driving rule, assume everyone on the road is an absolute idiot, and assume they're going to do the most !!!!!! thing imaginable. Plan what you're going to do in this situation. It's amazing how often you're right.

Stooby2

Just remembered this. You can only drive a van after a full English breakfast and a read of The Sun.

bob_a_builder

In the same vein, feel free to use your mobile at any point in your journey because with that large panel blocking out the rear view -

What are the chances that anyone will spot that you are on the phone ?

Only the excessive weaving in and out of lane could possibly give you away !

And don't get me started on texting ...

TheEffects

Iceweasel wrote: »

What size of van are we talking about here?

What make? How long?

I know someone who was accustomed to driving a mini-sized car and hired a long wheelbase Transit. First LH corner they ran over the kerb and wrecked a rear tyre.

Luckily no pedestrian was standing on the corner - or a kiddy, or a nun with a box of kittens.

Also look out for cyclists coming up behind you on the left.

And look out for folks treating you like rubbish as there seems to be a hatred of white van drivers for some unknown reason.

Hi Iceweasel

I think the van is a Transit LWB or jumbo

Hopefully you will know the size of either of these vans.

Thanks so far everyone for the useful advice, been given for the transformation from car to van

Keep them coming

custardy

TheEffects wrote: »

Hi Iceweasel

I think the van is a Transit LWB or jumbo

Hopefully you will know the size of either of these vans.

Thanks so far everyone for the useful advice, been given for the transformation from car to van

Keep them coming

dont worry
you will soon get the feel for it
they are very car like to drive these days
so its just the width/length to deal with

Captain_Flack.

TheEffects wrote: »

Hi Iceweasel

I think the van is a Transit LWB or jumbo

Hopefully you will know the size of either of these vans.

Thanks so far everyone for the useful advice, been given for the transformation from car to van

Keep them coming

What do you intend to carry?

With a gross weight of 3500kg you may find its at its max on weight long before volume.