Driving a van./

Noni Juice

Noni Juice

Noni Juice

Associate
Joined
21 Oct 2006
Posts
1,239
I'm going to have to drive a rather large van tomorrow. I'm a good car driver but what should I make sure I do when driving a van? What will be different?

I'm a bit worried!
 
When you would normally turn the wheel to go around a corner.

Drive another 5 meters, then turn.... otherwise you will end up cutting the corner and putting the back wheels up the kerb/ontop of someone.

The speed limit in NSL areas is 10mph less than it is in your car.
 
Just make sure you mind the rear wheels on the inside curb on corners as depending on the van it may be a lot longer than your used to.

Aside from that there isn't much difference in terms of handling, braking and acceleration with modern vans.
 
Main thing is when you go round a tight bend give yourself more room otherwise you'll scrape the van, Be especially careful near walls/posts.
You will be pleasantly surprised though as vans are built to be driven for 8+ hours a day so are relatively easy to drive.
 
Its easy peasy, I have been driving a sprinter Luton after driving a little connect normally over the last couple of days and you get used to how wide/long it is almost instantly.

the only thing you have to make a note of are to swing slightly wider on corners and keep an eye on low hanging branches/bits of road furniture, it might feel slightly funny at first but just take it steady to begin with and you will be fine :cool:


Unless its a 7.5 tonne one you dont need to worry too much about going wide, even a 8 metre long sprinter/ luton van isnt that bad round tight corners
 
As long as it's a fairly new van you won't find it that different. just remember it's bigger and that you need to position yourself at right angles to junctions so you can see traffic coming from either side.
 
I've done it and it was pretty easy to adjust tbh (and my first van drive was a long wheel base Transit!). You'll appreciate van drivers a lot more and give them more lee-way after doing it yourself :) . Just remember to turn into junctions a bit later (so the back wheel doesn't hit the kerb) and use your mirrors a lot and you should be fine! Also drive slower round corners and in high winds (on the motorway etc), you have a higher centre of mavity and big flat sides which make a good wind sail... you'll probably do that naturally though!
 
When people say they're not that bad when pulling round corners for clipping the rear wheels on the kerb it's actually down to you sitting right on top of the front wheels so it skews your positional sense a bit so just be aware of that and remember the middle/axis is 3-4ft further back than you're used to as a result, even more so if it's one of the lwb models.
Do you know what make/model it is yet? If you're lucky it'll be a merc sprinter which will pretty much feel as easy to drive as the average car once you're used to the length. If it's a luton type affair it will fit through widths so long as you keep it centered you'll have a good 2-3inches either side :D (edit: this may be 1 inch either side in some cases)
Especially remember the length if you have to go through width restrictions right on a junction as you'll rip the back apart if you turn too soon then ;)
Oh and pay attention to height restrictions too! Had 2 of the trucks from sainsburys (where I worked for a period) get the backs ripped off from (lady drivers both times!) ignoring those.
Lastly, wear your seatbelt! It's a long way down and you will be using your face to brake once free of the cab confines :eek:

Not much else comes to mind as I've done my best to forget everything I learnt driving them 8-10hrs a day which is good as I don't want to tell you how to powerslide them round roundabouts :cool:
 
You need to sit a little further away from the kerb when setting up for a corner, you need to check street furniture and parked cars as you past to make sure you are not drifting into them as you pass.

If you mirrors fit, so will everything else, if its a panel van you will fit under everything apart from drive ins and NCP car park barriers.
If you've not driven a loaded van before be smooth and progressive on the brakes.
 
Drive absolutely flat out everywhere.

Rev the engine right to the edge of it's very existence.

Ensure you're always within 3 feet of the car in front.
 
Have you checked that your licence covers you to drive it and are you aware of the different speed limits for it, lots of people get caught out with the speeds.
 
If you are on a tight junction on an angle you need to think of your positioning so you can see both ways out of the front windows. I find this even in a small van as in a car you would glance a little out of the rear windows.
 
Ooh ooh forgot cyclists (bah!). Be very aware of the blindspots. Check those mirrors religiously! Cyclists tend, in the main, to not be aware of those blindspots and will sit in them until crushed or able to find another truck/vans blindspot. Oh and of course everyone will expect you to have been driving vans for years so expect zero patience from everyone around you :D
 
Driving a 'big' van is great (not those little ones, they are just like the rubbish cars they are based on! ...only noisier) ...you feel invincible, your high up ...you hardly feel the bumps in the road and people fear you :D ...I don't drive a van often but I do enjoy it in an odd sort of way when I do, as-long as it's a full sized van.

You might think someone who loves luxury cars as much as I do would hate vans, but no ...I like em, they aren't cars nor do they claim to be refined ...they are vans, tools built to do a job and they can be a bit of fun from time to time.
 
I can't believe it's not been mentioned before, but depending on the Van...

vanbridge.jpg


Pay attention to the signs you always just ignored in your car! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom