Van body types explained
Once you’ve decided to lease a van, your next step is to choose between the types of vans available. Making the right choice affects how your business operates and your fleet’s effectiveness.
Vans come in various sizes and body types, all of which have features that are tailored to different operations. To support businesses looking for the right van, we’ve looked at the different van body styles available at Synergy, so you can find a van best suited to your business needs.
What are van body types?
A van’s body type normally refers to its size or body style, and each type of van caters to specific driving and transport needs. Here are the three most popular types of vans to lease with Synergy.
Small vans
Small vans are popular with businesses that work in congested urban areas but still need to transport commercial goods. They’re similar in size to SUVs and estate cars, which makes them easier to drive, and because of their size, they’re often the most affordable.
There is a wide range of small vans to choose from, including the Ford Transit Courier and Nissan Townstar.
Small van dimensions
Small vans typically have the following dimensions:
- Length up to 1.7 metres
- Width up to 1.5 metres
- Height up to 1.2 metres
Medium vans
Medium vans comfortably meet the needs of sole traders and limited companies alike. They’re easy to manoeuvre and benefit from increased payload figures and competitive efficiency. The Ford Transit Custom, Vauxhall Vivaro and Nissan Primastar are all great choices for the many medium vans available.
Medium van dimensions
Medium vans normally have the following dimensions:
- Length up to 2.4 metres
- Width up to 1.7 metres
- Height up to 1.4 metres
Large vans
Large vans maximise storage space and are great for transporting larger, heavier loads. Their added load space and powerful engines make them a versatile option for couriers and delivery companies. The most popular large vans include the Ford Transit and VW Crafter.
Large van dimensions
Large vans normally have the following dimensions:
- Length up to 3.4 metres
- Width up to 1.7 metres
- Height up to 1.7 metres
Specific van body types
If your business needs vans that are tailored to specific transport needs, we have a range of specialised platform vans on offer.
Crew vans
A crew van benefits from an extra row of seats and full-size side doors with windows. Although this reduces cargo space, a crew van can carry more passengers, which is often more of a priority for businesses.
Dropside vans
A dropside van has an open rear flatbed that allows you to release and lower the sideboards. These vans are popular with scaffolding companies that need easy access to a fixed rear platform.
Luton vans
Luton vans have a large distinctive body style that extends over the driver’s cabin. This has been done to maximise space and add extra storage. They’re popular with delivery and removal companies that regularly carry larger, more unusually shaped or sized items.
Minibus or passenger vans
A minibus typically has up to 16 seats and replaces all cargo space with seating. This type of van is designed to carry many passengers whilst still being a manoeuvrable size.
Tipper vans
Tipper vans introduce a hydraulic rear flatbed, which can be tilted to unload cargo. They’re similar in size to dropside vans but are typically only available as a single-cab variant. These types of vans are designed to handle loose materials such as dirt and gravel, making them popular with landscaping and construction companies.
Does my van body type affect my insurance?
If you’re running a fleet of specialist platform vans, you’ll need to find the right insurance policy. There are many different factors that affect insurance costs, including the vehicle type, operating location and your driving history. There are also different levels of coverage, from third-party only to comprehensive. The right insurance ultimately depends on your business leasing needs.
Van types available to lease at Synergy
At Synergy, we offer a range of top van lease deals available, making van leasing a great option for any growing business. We pride ourselves on transparent pricing, free UK mainland delivery and our Best Price Guarantee.
Whether you want to refresh your existing fleet of vans or are looking to lease a van for the first time, Synergy is here to help. Our vehicle leasing consultants can help balance technical requirements, stock availability and lead times. To find out more, get in touch with our team today.
