VanHeads: what's the largest I can rent?

[J B L]

Simple, quick question for those in the know: what's the vehicle (assume it's a van) with the largest capacity I can rent in Britain today with my car licence?
Cargo area needs the be fully closed. Will travel 900 miles per day x 2 so a bit of comfort would be a plus.

Cheers.

[Flanders.]

Ford Tranny with a Luton box with a tailift. I used to have one as a company van and they are very comfy.

[J B L]

Flanders. said:

Ford Tranny with a Luton box with a tailift. I used to have one as a company van and they are very comfy.

Thanks for the reply. (and a shameless bump for the evening crowd)

[vxrandy]

We run a jumbo wheelbase high roof iveco 3.5t, i measured it to be over 20 cubic yards internally.

[Papa Hotel]

You don't need to bump it, he gave you the right answer. You'll not get anything bigger on a B licence.

[EDLT]

It depends on when you got your license. There was a change in 1997:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

[geeteeaye]

What about a transit tipper? potentially unlimited capacity upwards

[Jazoli]

EDLT said:

It depends on when you got your license. There was a change in 1997:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

This, you might be able to drive a 7.5 tonner, it all depends on when you passed your car test

[jackthelad1984]

long wheelbase merc sprinter or vw lt35 perhaps? can vouch for the lt35 having a bit of poke even overladen with scrap wood!

[Shaw Tarse]

Jazoli said:

EDLT said:

It depends on when you got your license. There was a change in 1997:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensi...

This, you might be able to drive a 7.5 tonner, it all depends on when you passed your car test

This is true.
When driving the van don't forget the different speed limits.

[frosted]

Is it right to say that it's legal to rent a Luton but to drive it loaded is illegal ?

[fatwomble]

Shaw Tarse said:

This is true.
When driving the van don't forget the different speed limits.

And don't have your first drive in central London like I did.

[v8will]

frosted said:

Is it right to say that it's legal to rent a Luton but to drive it loaded is illegal ?

Nope, it's always based on the gross laden weight regardless if running empty or not.

[thepeoplespal]

Jazoli said:

This, you might be able to drive a 7.5 tonner, it all depends on when you passed your car test

You won't get a 7.5 tonner from a hire place without an O'licence I'm afraid, that and probably a "smart card" for the digital tachograph too, unless the vehicle is pretty old.

[Acheron]

fatwomble said:

And don't have your first drive in central London like I did.

Ive always wanted to drive though London. At rush hour.

[Ed.]

v8will said:

frosted said:

Is it right to say that it's legal to rent a Luton but to drive it loaded is illegal ?

Nope, it's always based on the gross laden weight regardless if running empty or not.

Luton will be the biggest volume as others have said but if you can fit it in a LWB it will less of a struggle on the hills and save fuel. Also Luton box can weigh 500kgs leaving 1000kg ish payload.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

thepeoplespal said:

You won't get a 7.5 tonner from a hire place without an O'licence I'm afraid, that and probably a "smart card" for the digital tachograph too, unless the vehicle is pretty old.

Even for private use ?

( it has been a while since I drove one)

[J B L]

Right that'll do, cheers guys

Lots of places for these don't want you to take them out of the UK. Need to phone to see what can be done.

[Jazoli]

Southern Spain by any chance?

I've done that run a few times in a van, a Luton will be painfully slow at times

[J B L]

Jazoli said:

Southern Spain by any chance?

I've done that run a few times in a van, a Luton will be painfully slow at times

Southern France, Perpignan. From the Midlands.

That'll do!