Anyone driven a luton van?

jimbo6977

Pray it's not windy. Avoid certain bridges. Remember that the vehicle's limit is weight, not volume. Otherwise, not very different from driving and SUV. 

DullGreyGuy

jimbo6977 said:

Pray it's not windy.

In my, limited, experience a fully loaded Luton is much less prone to wind -v- a tiny car like a Saxo

WellKnownSid

We hired a Luton moving out to Europe and then again coming back six years later - quick back of the envelope that was just over 6,000 miles total in two journeys.

Fully loaded they're fine, but all that body weight is heavy so don't underestimate how easy it is to actually overload one.  

Tail lift is absolutely essential unless you plan to get fit, but as another poster has said, it adds to the weight.

Drove back empty from Scotland to Southampton during a storm on the last leg, one particular gust of wind was pretty terrifying.  In hindsight it was probably stupid to travel (I saw a few overturned lorries on the journey) but this is what happens when you've got a plane to catch and you're young and invincible stupid...

As others have said - no different to any other van, just a bit more creaky and groany.  And vans are no different to a car these days.

You almost certainly won't be insured for roof damage - which should be remembered for all types of manoeuvring not just height reasons...

teaselMay

Britannia, did you hire a luton in the end? If so how was it to drive? Pondering hiring one myself for my move, primarily because of the tail lift. My regular vehicle is a long high Transit and so I'm guessing not all that different to drive, she says hopefully

Mildly_Miffed

teaselMay said:

Britannia, did you hire a luton in the end? If so how was it to drive? Pondering hiring one myself for my move, primarily because of the tail lift. My regular vehicle is a long high Transit and so I'm guessing not all that different to drive, she says hopefully

More weight up high, and more body width.

teaselMay

I'm guessing they catch the wind more than a panel van too? It's quite a windy route

MEM62

Britannia12345 said:

My husband says it's easy

Do you value our opinion above his?  

If you have only driven a car then you will need to be aware of the size - particularly when maneuvering.  It takes up more space on the road and will feel more cumbersome than a car - particularly when loaded.  Also, you need to use your doors mirrors more as there is not internal rear view mirror.    

Britannia12345

I didn't get a luton van in the end - I got a long wheelbase transit. My experience is on another thread