So far in this series, we’ve looked at small vans, medium vans and luton vans.
In this article, I’m going to take a look at another type of van – long wheelbase and extra-long wheelbase panel vans.
Two popular XLWB vans - the Iveco Daily and the Mercedes Sprinter. Note the long tail overhang - this is a characteristic of extra-long vans. Each of these vehicles is about 7m long
These are the vans you are mostly likely to see driven by couriers (usually Mercedes-Benz Sprinters) but they are also favoured by van rental companies and tradesmen who need large vans that can be driven on a car licence.
Large Panel Vans: LWB vs. XLWB
First of all, it is important to understand that LWB (long wheelbase) is not the same as XLWB (extra-long wheelbase).
These are the most popular long and extra-long wheelbase vans used by UK van hire companies:
- Ford Transit (Ford calls the extra-long Transit the ‘Jumbo’)
- Renault Master
- Mercedes-Benz Sprinter / Volkswagen Crafter (these are the same van with different badges and engines)
- Iveco Daily
Each of these has slightly different dimensions, but this is approximately what you will get:
| Model | Vehicle length | Load length | Typical payload |
| Long wheelbase | Approx. 6m | 3.4m-3.5m | 1000kg – 1400kg |
| Extra-long wheelbase | Approx. 7m | 4.1m-4.5m | 900kg – 1,300kg |
(By way of comparison, a typical medium panel van (short wheelbase) is 5m long with a load length of approximately 2.4m.)
It is also worth noting that that LWB and XLWB vans usually come in both high and extra-high roof models – obviously a higher roof provides a greater cubic capacity inside but does not increase the van’s maximum load weight. Just because you can fit more in does not mean it is legal to do so.
Take care when loading your van to keep the heaviest objects low down to help stability and prevent things shifting or getting damaged while you are driving.
Large vans that have been overloaded are an increasingly common problem and the police are very wise to this. Overloading is an offence and the driver is always responsible – ignorance is no excuse.
Disclaimer:
Please remember that van payloads and dimensions all vary slightly between different makes and models of van. If you need to know the exact dimensions or payload of the van you are hiring, you will need to speak to the company concerned when making your booking or when collecting the van. Do not use the figures on this page as a guideline – they are intended as an approximate illustration only.
It is standard practice in the car and van hire industry to specify a ‘typical’ model when customers make bookings – this won’t necessarily be the exact make or model you get. Usually, this doesn’t matter, but it can do if space or weight is tight.