Everyone knows what a van is – but sadly that’s only a start. Vans come in as many shapes, sizes and different models as cars – and the jargon is far more confusing.

Let’s start with a few easy ones:

• SLD
• SWB
• LWB
• 3.5t
• Luton

These are actually quite useful – even if you are just renting a van to move house. Here’s a translation:

• SLD = Side loading door (the sliding door on the nearside of most panel vans)
• SWB = Short Wheelbase – describes the distance between the front and rear wheels, but what it means to you and me is that it is just a little longer and wider than a large car, but holds quite a lot
• LWB = Long Wheelbase – much longer than a large car and very capacious – good for small house/flat moves
• 3.5t = 3.5 tonnes – used to indicate the maximum gross (laden) weight of a van. Includes most hire vans. Vans up to this weight can be driven on a car licence.
• Luton = those big box vans with a storage area that extends over the cab – ideal for small-medium house moves.

If you’d like to learn move about van jargon, have a look at our van hire jargon buster guide – and if you come across a term we haven’t included, let us know and we’ll add it in!