Anyone driven a luton van?

Britannia12345

Not sure if this is the right forum but here goes.
We're moving house soon and we've always moved ourselves in the past using a small luton hire van. 
My husband has always driven but now he has no licence due to medical conditions so it will be up to me to drive the van. 
Question is - how hard is it? They look scary to me as the biggest van I've driven in the past was a 9 seater transit. I drive a japanese van day to day. 
My husband says it's easy - they have a wheel at each corner and you're high up to see everything around you but I'm still nervous. 
Any tips? 

caprikid1

If you drive a van then it's just a bigger one, they are easy to drive and nothing really to worry about.

I did hire a luton once and they had ran out and gave me a 7.5T lorry, whilst I could legally drive it that was another league with air brakes etc.

Just take your time you will be fine.

molerat

The only difference with a luton is the height which may or may not be of concern depending on your route.

I did hire a luton once and they had ran out and gave me a 7.5T lorry, whilst I could legally drive it that was another league with air brakes etc.

Used to regularly hire a luton and had that happen, on the first occasion I was glad I had a seat belt on

CliveOfIndia

I've driven a Luton many times over the years, there's nothing particularly difficult about them to be honest.

Be aware of the height, as noted by molerat.  Make sure you're familiar with the speed limit applicable to the van (typically 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways, so lower than a standard car).

If you need to reverse, it's handy to have someone standing behind to watch/guide you.  Like everything you get used to it eventually, but if you've not done it before it can be tricky to begin with as you don't have a rear-view mirror, and you can't turn round and look out of the rear window - you have to rely on the wing mirrors alone.

DullGreyGuy

Britannia12345 said:

Not sure if this is the right forum but here goes.
We're moving house soon and we've always moved ourselves in the past using a small luton hire van. 
My husband has always driven but now he has no licence due to medical conditions so it will be up to me to drive the van. 
Question is - how hard is it? They look scary to me as the biggest van I've driven in the past was a 9 seater transit. I drive a japanese van day to day. 
My husband says it's easy - they have a wheel at each corner and you're high up to see everything around you but I'm still nervous. 
Any tips? 

Driven them many several times for home moves, they drive like a big car but you are higher so better visibility. The only thing to remember is its height and not just its width, something dont normally think about. We just set the satnav to avoid height restrictions and so wasnt a problem. 

Was equally nervous the first time but was no way near as bad as I feared.

maman

I drove a Luton van from Hampshire to Devon to help my aunt with a house move. Like you, I was a bit apprehensive as previously the biggest vehicle I'd driven was a Land Rover. 

All went fine and I'm sure you'll fine too. 👍

Mildly_Miffed

If your husband can't drive for medical reasons, don't feel pressurised into driving something you aren't comfortable with...

Also - have you considered if the two of you are up to loading and unloading the van?

Britannia12345

Yeah we've got muscle to help us in the way of grown up kids but none of them drive 

SiliconChip

As you're used to driving smaller vans I wouldn't expect you to have too much trouble with a Luton. If you can get one with a tail lift that might make moving larger/heavier items easier.

RandomTourist

Be aware of two things - it's wider than a normal van, and more importantly it's taller and you may well not be insured for overhead damage which can be VERY expensive. So ensure you insure.

And NEVER let someone stand or get behind while reversing. Get your banksman to stand to one side, or better still as the Army trains you, in front.

And a tail lift is wonderful.

Oh...and check the weight limits on payload. A tail lift does reduce that.

And remember speed limits are lower than a car except on M-ways.

HillStreetBlues

I drove one once and didn't get on with it, it wasn't the size as driven a cheese bus but lack of rear view mirror.