If you’ve only ever driven a car before, getting behind the wheel of a van can take a little bit of getting used to. Empty or fully loaded, driving a van is a totally different experience to driving a car and there’s a few things you should be aware of before you hit the road.
So, if you’re about to hire a van from Skipton Self Drive for the first time – here’s all you need to know.
Before You Set Off
Take a Seat
The first thing to do when you get into any vehicle that you’re unfamiliar with – is to get comfy. Take a few minutes to find a seating position that you’re happy with - one that provides easy access to all the pedals and controls. If you’ve only ever driven a car before, you’ll immediately notice that the driving position in a van is considerably different. You’ll be seated much higher up, and you won’t have the use of a rear-view mirror. But you will have larger wing mirrors and your elevated position will make it much easier to get a full view of the road ahead. It can take a little bit of getting used to, but you’ll soon adapt, and many car drivers say they much prefer the amount of visibility they get when they’re behind the wheel of a van.
Know Where Things Are
When you pick up your van from Skipton Self Drive, we’ll take you through all the main controls, like the windscreen wipers, lights and heating. The last thing you want is to be halfway down the motorway in a thunderstorm not knowing how to turn the wipers on, so give this part your full attention. You should always quickly re-familiarise yourself with these controls before setting off on each journey.
Get To Know the Dimensions
A van is much bigger than a car and it can take a bit of getting used to this change in size. Before you set off on a long journey with a full load and lots of traffic everywhere, consider taking the van somewhere quiet and spending a little time getting used to its dimensions. The more comfortable you are behind the wheel, the easier it will be to transport your heavy load when the time comes.
Load It Up Properly
Whatever you’re planning to transport in your van, the way you pack it all inside can make a big difference as to how the vehicle will perform when it’s out on the road. Try and distribute the weight of your load evenly for a smoother, more predictable driving experience. And make sure everything is securely fastened in place – you don’t want things flying around and getting damaged, or even worse, damaging you.
It’s also a good idea to re-check the tyre pressure once your van is fully loaded to see if one or more of your tyres needs a top-up. Ensuring all four tyres are properly, and evenly, pressurised will help you maintain a strong grip on the road surface.
Out On The Road
Braking
An empty van is heavier than a car – a fully loaded van is much heavier than a car. Heavy things take longer to stop. In fact, studies have shown that at just 30mph a fully loaded van can take up to two extra metres to stop compared to when it’s empty. At 60mph that stopping distance increases to around five extra metres. And that’s not taking into consideration difficult road conditions or the weather. If it’s icy or raining heavily, those distances will be considerably larger. That’s why when you’re driving a fully loaded van it’s always best to try and brake in plenty of time – which means good anticipation is crucial. Concentrate on what’s coming up, react early and try and avoid breaking late – or breaking hard. Smooth and steady is the aim.
Corners
Taking corners in a fully loaded van will certainly feel different to what you’re used to in a car. Turning too sharply or too quickly can shift your load around and make it difficult to maintain control as the heavier back end tries to go in a different direction to the lighter front end.
The best practice is to take corners slowly and a little wide. This will ensure you’re able to stay in complete control with plenty of room to manoeuvre and time to react.
Maintain Momentum
Unlike a car, it’s hard for large heavy vehicles to slow down and speed up quickly. It also requires a lot more fuel and puts a lot more stress on the engine when you’re constantly altering your speed. Which is why you should try and drive at a steady, consistent pace wherever possible. Again, anticipation is the key here. Be aware of what’s going on around you and slow down in plenty of time if there’s traffic or a tight corner coming up. Try and plan ahead to avoid sudden braking or acceleration and you’ll enjoy a smoother, safer journey that’s also better for your wallet - and our van’s health!
Smooth and Steady
Making the switch from a car to a van does take a bit of getting used to and it can be easy to forget that you don’t have the same manoeuvrability. A fully loaded van is not a nippy vehicle. Don’t try and drive it in the same way you would a car. Overtaking takes longer and you won’t be able to weave in and out of traffic with the same level of ease. It’ll also take you longer to pull away from junctions and get up to your desired speed. So don’t rush. Keep it smooth and steady and you’ll find the journey more enjoyable and far less stressful.
Conclusion
And there you have it - all you need to know about how to drive a fully loaded van.
Ready to hit the road with your load? Whatever you need to move, we’ve got the perfect vehicle ready and waiting. Click here to see the full range.
