Renting a van, short wheelbase Transit, anyone drive one?

d_brennen · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:22

Daft question as title, I'm renting a swb Transit to move house soon. Never driven anything bigger than your average car/Berlingo/Partner type thing, are these vans easy enough to drive? Is there anything in the same size range that would be a better bet? It's a 450 mile trip

Deep · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:23

Yeah vans are easy to drive!

laiman · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:32

"Is it easy to drive?"

It's got pedals a steering wheel and a windscreen and these all work so... yes it's easy to drive.

Seriously though never had a problem driving the works van, unexciting and a somewhat disconnected experience but you're biggest worry is securing a load of random stuff (don't wanna chip the furniture) and even that's pretty simple.

paradigm · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:32

Nothing taxing about driving an LWB transit either. Last time I rented one was in December to help my brother move house.

Clarkey · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:35

Drove a LWB, no sweat really. Reversing a large vehicle using only mirrors takes a bit of getting used to though.

ste_bla · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:42

Reversing easier than most cars just turn in to corners/side streets little later otherwise more likely clip kerb/objects

3 days after passing test started driving vans and done so since easy as

West · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:42

Just be mindfull of your blindspots (No rear visability remember other than your mirrors) give a little extra room when turning and you'll be fine. No need to take HGV lines lol

mattyprice4004 · 18 Feb 2013 at 13:55

I drove a LWB Sprinter for my old job - had never driven anything big before.

That was fun! Nearly hit a few bits and bobs due to the sheer size though. Damn small Bolton streets.

Firestar_3x · 18 Feb 2013 at 14:04

Blindspots in the mirrors and no rear windows take some getting used to.

Other than that it's simple.

sovietspybob · 18 Feb 2013 at 14:04

You'll be fine, just remember the blindspots and its fine.

I've driven lots of vans from SWB to LWB to a luton tail lift van and its totally fine after 5 minutes.

phil675 · 18 Feb 2013 at 16:19

I drove a 59 plate one a few months ago. You can see loads in the mirrors, reversing is a bit weird without an assistant though. I thought it was pretty easy to drive, although the diesel engine is noisy as hell, as said watch out for sharp turns, you have to put the nose a bit further out.

s0ck · 18 Feb 2013 at 16:25

As long as you don't get complacent and drop back into this-is-just-a-car mentality you should be fine

sovietspybob · 18 Feb 2013 at 16:37

Oh and if its white remember to drive like a total tool everywhere - its just expected of you

Windle · 18 Feb 2013 at 16:47

Have you checked that the SWB will take everything you need? They don't have a great height compared to the LWB.

phil675 · 18 Feb 2013 at 16:48

Make sure you honk at short skirts too.

d_brennen · 18 Feb 2013 at 17:07

sovietspybob said:
Oh and if its white remember to drive like a total tool everywhere - its just expected of you

phil675 said:
Make sure you honk at short skirts too.

These go without saying

Windle said:
Have you checked that the SWB will take everything you need? They don't have a great height compared to the LWB.

Yep, no need for anything bigger. Only really need to take the little one's cot, nursery furniture, toys, some clothes and my computer/AV stuff

Thanks all

Sin_Chase · 18 Feb 2013 at 18:29

I find reversing vans easier than a car, rearview or not. They are literally boxes on wheels!

cjgardens · 18 Feb 2013 at 18:56

Vans are easy to drive.

I wouldn't hire a swb transit you would be there all day there tiny.

Get a mwb high roof

Cupra · 18 Feb 2013 at 19:04

Same as a car, just need a little more room.

Orford · 18 Feb 2013 at 19:12

Also make sure once you are loaded to test the breaks and get used to stopping with a load in the back. First time you get to a junction and have to press a bit harder can come as a surprise if you have gotten used to driving it empty.