2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

New Sprinter promises to be safest, most connected van

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2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The new 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – available to order now for delivery from June.

The new Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is now available to order, for delivery from June onwards. Prices for the new Sprinter model will start from £24,350 +VAT.

The new van breaks new ground for Mercedes and also for the van industry, with a string of firsts:

  • First Sprinter available with front wheel drive
  • First van model fitted with 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission (FWD models)
  • “Most advanced connectivity solution ever fitted to a van” — Mercedes PRO will provide 18 connected services customers can choose from at the time of launch
  • Sector-first safety features, including Active Brake Assist with pedestrian protection
  • MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience. Carried over from the firm’s cars, the new Sprinter will get a 7-inch touchscreen as standard with features including DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and steering wheel touch pads.

Range & Powertrain

The new Sprinter will be available in three wheelbases, four vehicle lengths, three roof heights and chassis van models.

There will also be a tourer (minibus) and a tractor head model for motorhome converters. This is basically a cab + front wheels with no chassis or rear wheels, allowing for a purpose built motorhome chassis to be fitted to the rear. It’s a sign that Mercedes is trying to go head-to-head with FIAT, whose Ducato model dominates the growing motorhome market.

Buyers will be able to choose between four-cylinder and V6 diesel engines, in line with the current engine lineup. FWD models will be available with the firm’s nine-speed automatic gearbox, while RWD models will have the option of a seven-speed auto.

Safety, Comfort & Connectivity

The firm has also raised the bar in terms of comfort. Keyless Start, multi-function steering wheel, the Mercedes MBUX infotainment system and improved storage. Personally I like the look of the new cab and drivers choosing the automatic option will get plenty of walk-through space from the driver’s seat – great for motorhomes.

New Sprinter cab interior

Inside the new 2018 Sprinter.

There are big steps forward on safety, too.

One of the flagship safety features of the new van will be Active Brake Assist with pedestrian protection. This can brake the van automatically to avoid rear-end collisions and pedestrian collisions.

Other new features include Attention Assist (drowsiness detection), an Emergency Call system that dials 999 in the event of a crash and Rear Cross Alert, which brakes the van if an obstacle is detected while reversing.

Features aimed at fleet operators include built-in telematics services such as Eco Monitoring (fuel consumption) and Theft Management, which monitors the alarm and pre-defined geofences. Location data and servicing parameters can also be monitored.

Still the best?

It seems very likely to me that the new Sprinter will remain the class of the field in terms of safety, performance and quality. It will be interesting to see how many front-wheel drive models are sold — will operators abandon rear-wheel drive to cut weight and lower the floor?

Fiat Ducato minibus

What minibus can I drive?

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Fiat Ducato minibus

Source: Fiat Professional

If you’re planning a big day out with a group of people, hiring a self-drive minibus can be the ideal solution. Instead of several cars, you only have one vehicle to park — and you only need one driver.

We often get questions from people who aren’t sure what kind of minibus they can drive on a standard car licence. So here’s a summary of what’s possible.

Be aware that some self-drive minibus hire companies may have additional restrictions. For example, some have a minibus age of 25. 

What’s a minibus?

A minibus is defined as a vehicle with between nine and 16 passenger seats (plus the driver).

Fewer than nine passengers is a car.

More than 16 passengers is a bus.

Driving licence held since BEFORE 1 January 1997

Your driving licence should have category D1 entitlement with a (101) code. This means you can drive a minibus with up to 16 passengers, but not for hire or reward.

This means you cannot drive in any commercial capacity – e.g. taxi, hotel shuttle bus.

You can still share the costs with your passengers, if it’s a family or social club outing, for example.

If you want to drive a minibus for commercial purposes, you’ll need to take an additional test.

Driving licence held from AFTER 1 January 2017

Your driving licence won’t have category D1. To drive a minibus without restrictions you’ll need to take a D1 test.

However, you can still drive a minibus with certain additional restrictions:

  • You’re over 21 and have had a full driving licence for two years or more.
  • You’re under 70 or else you pass the “Group 2 medical standards“. See your GP if unsure.
  • You are driving on a voluntary basis for social purposes for a non-commercial organisation.
  • The minibus has a maximum weight of 3.5 tonnes or of 4.25 tonnes if adapted for disabled passengers. Be aware — some 16 passenger minibuses are rated at 4.25 tonnes without disabled equipment. Check with your rental company.
  • You’re not towing a trailer

Driving abroad

Your UK licence might not allow you to drive a minibus abroad. Check before you travel.

Ready to hire a minibus? Compare minibus hire prices with our search tool.

 

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is correct to the best of our knowledge. However, vanrental.co.uk cannot be held responsible for any damages or losses resulting from any errors or omissions or from improper or unlicenced usage of a vehicle.

LVT Transport Luton with 1 curtainside

Can I hire a van like this? A Luton van with one curtainside

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LVT Transport Luton with 1 curtainside

LVT Transport of Pontyclun operates an unusual luton with one rigid side and one curtainside.

Most van hire companies offer luton vans with standard rigid boxes.

A handful of rental firms also offer 3.5-tonne curtainsiders, which are basically luton vans with canvas sides that can be pulled back to allow loading and unloading from the side of the vehicle.

Curtainsiders are useful for wide loads and those which need to be loaded by a fork lift, rather than a trolley jack or manually.

But I don’t think any rental firms offer vans offering the best of both worlds — one rigid side and one curtainside.

Pontyclun-based LVT Transport specialises in kitchen and furniture delivery for major retailers. With new customers coming on board in 2018, founder Ceri Leigh has invested in additional vehicles for this year.

One of these is a Sprinter 314 CDI on a long wheelbase that’s been fitted with a luton body with one rigid side and one curtainside.

This unusual configuration allows 3.0-metre wide loading access for forklift trucks, while preserving the traditional luton advantages of rigid sides with load securing restraints. The van will be used by the firm’s uniformed two-man delivery teams, who provide a ‘white glove’ service, positioning, unpacking and assembling furniture for customers before removing all packaging.

Like most Sprinter owners, Mr Leigh waxes lyrical about the quality and reliability of Mercedes-Benz vans:

“We purchased a Sprinter five years ago which now has 320,000 miles on the clock, and is still on its original engine, gearbox and clutch. It has never let us down. That’s nothing out of the ordinary, though – it’s just what we’ve come to expect. So good has that vehicle been that while it’s no longer covering the whole country, we’re keeping it for local deliveries.”

Mr Leigh teamed up with co-owner and fellow Director Amy Van Tiel in 2013, when they rebranded the company as LVT Transport.

In 2016 the two broadened their service offering by forming LVT Warehouse & Distribution – they started out with 3,500 sq ft of storage space but so successful has the new venture been that since then they have more than tripled the total capacity, and plan to have in excess of 30,000 sq ft of warehousing before the end of 2018.

MAN TGE dropside van conversion

Van hire size guide: should I hire a dropside or tipper van?

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MAN TGE dropside van conversion

The new MAN TGE dropside van conversion, pictured at the Birmingham NEC at CV Show 2017

Choosing the right type of van to hire isn’t always easy. But if you need a dropside or tipper then your choice should be pretty clear, as these types of vans are designed for quite different jobs to standard panel vans.

In this series, we’re taking a look at the popular sizes of vans offered by the hire companies who supply the results for our price comparison system.

Today I’ll explain what dropside and tipper vans are, and what they’re normally used for. But before I get started, here are links to the other types of van we’ve already covered in this series:

Dropside & Tipper vans

The defining feature of these vans is that they have an open load area that’s enclosed by folding sides which lock into place for transport and can be folded down for easy loading and unloading.

Tipper models look the same but have lifting gear which raises the load bed at the front, meaning that its contents are tipped off the back of the van.

Nissan NV400 tipper

A Nissan NV400 tipper van conversion.

The size of the load area can vary widely on tippers and dropsides, but a typical example might be 3m long by 2m wide. Dropsides are likely to be slightly larger than tippers, typically.

Tippers vs. dropside: You can use a tippers like a dropside. The only disadvantage to this is that the available payload (weight limit) will often be lower than it would be on a dropside, because of the extra weight of the tipper gear.

Load capacity: These vans are often used for transporting building materials, which tend to be pretty heavy. With a typical payload of 1,000-1,200kg, it’s easy to go overweight if you’re loading packs of bricks and bags of cement, for example.

Remember — items in the load area are exposed to the elements and may need securing to ensure they don’t move or fall out while being transported.

Crew cab or single cab: These vans are available with a single cab (driver + 2 passengers) or a crew cab (driver + 5 passengers). Crew cab models sometimes have a smaller load area, so if you hiring a tipper or a dropside, make sure you know what you’re getting.

Volkswagen Crafter Luton

Van size guide: should I hire a Luton van?

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Volkswagen Crafter Luton

A Volkswagen Crafter-based Luton van, with tail lift.

If you’re not used to hiring a van, it isn’t always easy to know what size to choose. That’s why we’re running this blog series. We’re taking a look at the popular sizes of vans offered by the hire companies who supply the results for our price comparison system.

Today we’re looking at luton vans, which are top choices for small house removals, furniture and other bulky items. I’ll explain why in a minute, but first here’s a quick reminder of the van sizes we’ve already covered:

What’s a luton van?

Named after the Bedfordshire town of Luton in which they were invented, luton vans have box bodies on top of a van chassis. If this sounds too technical, then what you need to know is that they provide a wide square load area that’s ideal for furniture and household goods.

Luton vans also have vertical sides, making it easier to strap tall heavy objects like furniture into place securely.

The final characteristic of a luton is the storage area that sticks out over the driver’s cab. This isn’t suitable for heavy items but is ideal for large, bulky light items. For example, clothes, bedding and sofa cushions.

How big is a luton? The length of the body will vary, but a typical example designed for removals might be 4m long, 2m wide and 2m high. In a standard luton, this will be a completely square space — there are no wheel arches as the luton body sits above the wheels (like in the picture above).

What can you fit in a luton van? The large, square shape of these vans makes them ideally suited for furniture and other bulky object such as washing machines, fridge-freezers and so on. I’ve moved house from a one-bedroom flat with our furniture in a Luton without a problem.

Is there anything that won’t fit? One area where you might have problems is if you’re not able to use the space effectively. Removal men are expert at fitting huge amounts into these compact vans. The trick is to use the space inside the van as fully as possible.

So furniture might be stacked or perhaps stood on its end, and then strapped to the side of the van. Doing this requires a bit of thought if you want to avoid any damage. You’ll also need plenty of old blankets, suitable straps and at two pairs of strong arms!

The other area that might be a problem is weight. The payload of a standard 3.5t luton is typically around 1,000kg. Furniture and household goods probably won’t be a problem. But if you’re moving something heavy, such as packs of bricks or tiles, then you may use up your weight allowance before you run out of space. A panel van is often better for this kind of work.

Tail lifts: The load deck of a luton is quite high off the ground, as the luton body normally sits above the wheels. Many luton hire vans come with a tail lift. This allows you to lift raise heavy items from ground level up to the level of the load floor, from where you can lift them inside the van.

Tail lifts often have a load capacity of 500kg, although this can vary. The downside of a tail lift is that it’s quite heavy, so it reduces the amount of weight you can carry inside the van.

Not all luton hire vans have a tail lift, so if you need one, make sure it’s listed when you book — or ask.

Coming next: In the final instalment of this series we’ll take a look at 3.5t dropside and tipper vans.

Christchurch Priory

Christchurch van hire is now available on vanrental.co.uk

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Christchurch Priory

Christchurch Priory, Christchurch, Dorset. By Gillian Moy, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11949637

The latest location to be added to our van hire database is the town of Christchurch, in Dorset.

This medieval market town has a thriving population of more than 45,000 and benefits from being close to Bournemouth International Airport, at Hurn. Road and rail connections are also good, providing good access to nearby Poole and Bournemouth, as well as Southampton.

At the time of writing (Feb 2018) we have one van hire supplier listed in Christchurch, Enterprise. Known for its wide Uk branch network and global reach, Enterprise normally offers a full range of vans for rent in Christchurch, including small, medium, long and luton vans. People carriers with up to nine seats are also available.

We’re keen to add more van hire suppliers in Christchurch. If you run a rental company in the area and would like to add your firm to our van and minibus hire search system, then please check out our options for getting listed or get in touch with us directly.

Extra-long wheelbase Nissan NV400 van

Van size guide: Should I hire an extra-long van?

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Extra-long wheelbase Nissan NV400 van

An extra-long wheelbase Nissan NV400 van. XL models are recognisable by the big overhangs behind the rear wheels.

Choosing the right-sized van can be the hardest part of hiring a van. You rental company should be able to help you choose, but if you’re booking online and are unsure then you may need help.

That’s why we’re running a series taking a look at the most popular van sizes offered through our van hire price comparison system.  (You can also find a summary of this information with typical load bay dimensions on our van sizes page.)

So far we’ve covered:

Today we’re looking at the longest vans you can drive on a car licence — extra-long wheelbase vans.

Do I need an extra long van?

Extra-long vans are normally the same width and height as their shorter siblings. What’s different is that the van body has been lengthened so it stretches out behind the rear wheels, like in the picture above.

What will fit? The load area in these vans will typically be between 4m and 5m long — so you really can fit a lot of stuff in. Just remember that the weight limit probably won’t be any higher than in a smaller van, so you probably won’t be able to fill it with — for example — packs of bricks or tiles.

If you’re shifting furniture, then to work out what might fit I’d measure the longest items (probably sofas) and then subtract that length from 4m and see what’s left. You should have a bit more space than this but you don’t want to have to force the rear doors closed!

As a guide, I’d expect to move a one-bed flat with some furniture and other bulky possessions inside one of these vans, if it’s packed carefully.

What won’t fit? Very wide objects might be a problem. Another consideration is that tall items such as wardrobes may not stand flat against the side of the van, due to the curve of the side and the intrusion of the wheel arches. This can make it hard to load such large items securely without wasting a lot of space.

For really large furniture, a luton van is still the best option. So that’s what we’ll look at in our next post.

Staines high street

Staines van hire is now available on vanrental.co.uk

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Staines high street

A statue recognising the town’s historic Lino Factory. Source: By Al Menzies, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9128420

We’ve recently added two van hire suppliers in Staines-upon-Thames to the vanrental.co.uk search engine, in our continuing effort to improve our price comparison results.

Staines (as it’s more commonly known) is a town in Surrey that lies on the River Thames, It’s lies alongside the M25, midway between the Slough junction with the M4 and the Chertsey junction with the M3. It’s a busy area for traffic, not least because it’s also just 3 miles from Heathrow Airport.

At the time of writing (Jan 2018), we’re listing two van hire suppliers in Staines, Avis and Budget. Both companies normally offer a good selection of popular van sizes and Budget also offers one-way hire, which can be very useful.

Staines-upon-Thames itself is a picturesque town by the River Thames with a generous helping of historic buildings. Home to around 18,000 people, it incorporates the villages of Laleham, Stanwell and Wraysbury and runs almost continuously into Egham.

We’re keen to add more van hire suppliers in the Staines area to meet strong search demand. If you run a rental company in the area and would like to add your firm to our van and minibus hire search system, then please check out our options for getting listed or get in touch with us directly.

Questor Insurance logo

Exclusive: Questor Insurance 7.5% discount code [EXPIRED]

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Questor Insurance logo

Just in time for Valentine’s Day (!) we have an exclusive 7.5% discount code for Questor Insurance vehicle hire excess insurance.

Don’t forget you can buy now and start your policy later in the year, so there’s no reason not to save now!

*** THIS DISCOUNT CODE HAS NOW EXPIRED***

 

Please check our van hire excess insurance page for the latest Questor Insurance discount codes.

Volkswagen Transporter T6

What’s the minimum age for van hire?

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Volkswagen Transporter T6

It’s well known that young drivers often find it difficult to rent a van (or a car). But the actual minimum age varies widely with different hire companies.

Although it’s usually somewhere between 21 and 25, we understand that a couple of years can make a big difference if you’re a young driver who needs to hire a van. To help you work out which van hire suppliers might be able to help, we’ve gathered up age limit information for most of the major van rental firms in the UK.

All information was believe to be correct as of February 2018. 

How old do I need to be to hire a van?

Van hire company Minimum age for van hire Additional fee for under 25?
Europcar 22 Young driver surcharge applies to under-25s. At the time of writing (9 Feb 2018) this was listed as £32.50 on Europcar’s website.
Hertz 23 Young driver surcharge applies to drivers aged under 25.
Thrifty 21 Drivers under 25 can only rent compact and short wheelbase vans. A young driver surcharge also applies.
Sixt  21 Drivers under 23 must not have any endorsements on their licence. Restrictions apply to van choice for under 25s. A young driver surcharge applies to under 25s.
Enterprise 25 n/a
Avis 25 n/a
Budget 25 n/a
National 25 n/a
Northgate 21 Drivers age 21-24 must pay a young driver surcharge of £10 (last checked on 9 Feb 2018)

P.S. If you’re looking for information about maximum age limits for van hire, click here.

Disclaimer: vanrental.co.uk accepts no liability for any damages or losses suffered as a result of errors or omissions in the information provided on this page.