TIPS ON HIRING A VAN

• Before choosing a vehicle from a van and truck rental company, first think about what you are transporting. Bear in mind that the larger the vehicle is, the more costly it is going to be to hire it. In addition to this, bigger vehicles may come with different driver licence requirements, and you are guaranteed a higher expense on fuel.
• Most van and truck rental companies have a wide variety of vehicles for you to choose from – something to fit every customers demand. Find out the specs and prices of the different vans and trucks available to you to see whether or not you’re getting value for money. The Luton (box) van is always a good, all-round option compared to the normal panel van which cannot be as easily loaded owing to the sides that slope gently inwards making it increasingly difficult to lean items against. As a general rule, a good all-round van should easily carry 800kgs at one time, and it should average 55 kilometres to every 4.5 litres of fuel.
• The Luton van has always been a popular choice when it comes to self-drive removals. The box is designed in such a way, that it is easier to pack your belongings into. Always remember to pack thoughtfully in order to maximize the space available to you in the van - it is said that a Luton van should be able to hold the contents of a two bedroom house or apartment in one trip.
• If you have lots of heavy-duty items to move then you should considering hiring a truck that has a hydraulic tail-lift. It will automatically lift heavy items like safes and pianos into the back of the truck while saving you a lot of agony.
• Remember to keep your driving licence code in mind when hiring a van or truck. In Ireland, you can typically drive any vehicle up to a Luton van on a normal class B licence.  However vehicles over 7.5 tons typically require a Class C or Class C1 licence.  Check out our Moving truck guide for more details on driving licence requirements.
• If you are driving a rental vehicle yourself, remember to be cautious of any overhead obstructions (trees, bridges, wire). These are things that you won’t be used to looking out for after driving a regular vehicle on a daily basis.
• Before you consult a van and truck rental company, work out how far you will be travelling and how many trips you intend making. This is necessary because many companies start charging for mileage after a fixed allowance (the mileage allowance varies between companies). Should you be travelling further than the mileage allowance then you should investigate prices from companies that offer unlimited mileage – this way you will avoid hidden costs when you return the van.
• Enquire about special offers. Many companies offer special rates on the weekend with the added bonus of not having to return the vehicle after 24 hours.
• Make sure you choose a company that has a full insurance policy included in the price.
• When you take delivery of the vehicle, inspect the exterior and interior condition. Note any irregularities down so that the company cannot hold you liable when the vehicle is returned.

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