Large Van Hire: Everything You Need to Know

Why hire a large van instead of leasing?

Let’s be clear! Leasing a van doesn’t mean that van is yours. You will be tied to a fixed contract. You will not technically own the van until the end of the lease agreement. And if you decide you do want to purchase it, you’ll probably have to pay a good amount at the end of the lease period.

Lease contracts come with mileage restrictions, which can be a disadvantage if you cover a lot of ground. And going over your mileage limit will be costly.

Also, while lease contracts come with maintenance and repair services included, if you damage the van substantially, you’ll have to pay.

Van hire is a much more flexible option compared to leasing. Hiring usually allows you to change the hire length easily, allowing you to adapt your large van hire around your business requirements, and the hire company will also cover all upkeep and maintenance costs. Hiring a large van is very similar to leasing one, except you’ll have much less responsibility and much more flexibility.

Large vans available for hire

Basically, you can hire any large van you want. Depending on your budget, brand preferences or if you want an electric van, you can be sure you’ll find a solution. If you’re after a Mercedes Sprinter, a Ford Transit or any other van, there will be a large van rental for you.

To help your narrow down your choice, here are some of the most popular vans:

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

The Sprinter is a class-leading large van, known for its reliability and adaptability. It’s a favourite choice for many businesses and fleet managers in need of a large van.

It’s very comfortable and easy to drive, it’s well equipped even as standard, and it offers top notch safety features – it is a Mercedes after all. These are just some of the features that make it a top choice.

Key features:

• It comes in four vehicle lengths making it suitable for any business requirements you may have. You can choose from L1 with a cargo volume of 7.8 m3 to L4 with a cargo volume of 15.5 m3 or anything in between.
• With a payload of over 1,000 kg, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter easily accommodates your transport needs.
• The newest Sprinter models now come with front-wheel drive option as well, 9 speed automatic gearbox, and 4×4 options.
• More than 1,700 versions of the new Sprinter are available to order from Mercedes-Benz.
• It comes in electric van version as well – which is detailed below.

Mercedes-Benz eSprinter

The future is electric and each day we are getting closer to that future. If your business is looking for green van solutions, hiring an electric van is a great option.

The eSprinter is probably the large electric van all other electric vans are measured against. Similar to its conventionally powered counterpart in terms of features and safety, the eSprinter is the top choice for companies looking to switch to electric.

Unlike the conventional Sprinter, the eSprinter comes in just one size – L2 H2. That means a medium length body, with total length of almost 6 metres.

Key features:

• Zero emissions, which means no ULEZ and congestion charges.
• Despite not having the option to choose the length, you’ll still benefit from great cargo volume of 11m3 and payload at 731 kg.
• Choosing electric, you’ll save a lot in terms of fuel and maintenance costs. That’s right, electric vans are much cheaper to maintain and have lower running costs.
• The 55 kWh battery offers a range of 81-103 miles. Plus, it can charge in about 2 hours. Or upgrade to rapid charging and reduce this time to 30 minutes.

Ford Transit

The Ford Transit is a reliable large van, fit for nearly every business need. It is one of the best sold large vans in the UK and among the favourite choices of fleet managers and businesses.

The Transit offers a good driving experience. It seems much smaller than it actually is while driving, which makes it suitable even for beginner drivers.

Key features:

• Various wheelbases to choose from (L2, L3, L4) with a load capacity of up to 15.1 m3 for L4, making it suitable for every need.
• Absolute max. payload weight reaches a bit over 2,200 kg for the longest wheelbase model.
• It’s a safe van with nice safety features even as the standard model goes.
• Great 10-speed automatic gearbox option.
• If you’re after the looks, the new models got a really nice facelift.
• If you’re going for a large electric van, you can choose the Ford eTransit model.

Let’s discuss large van hire options

We may sound like a broken record, but large van hire really gives you the flexibility you need to grow your business. You can adapt your requirements regularly and have agreements in place to update your hire vehicle with a newer model. Business vehicle hire also means you don’t suffer from the rapid depreciation of assets that comes from owning your vehicles.
There’s a solution out there to suit every need, whether you need a large van rental for one day or for five years.

If you’re looking to hire a large van for a shorter period of time or are looking for higher flexibility, flexible vehicle hire might the right choice for you. It’s particularly useful for companies that take on short burst contracts utilising vehicles not currently in their fleet.

On the other hand, if your business needs are more constant and predictable, long term van hire will make more sense. This option might prove to be cheaper in the long run and you are guaranteed a vehicle for the time you need it.

Does your business need a cash injection? The sale and hire back option could be what you’re looking for. How does that work, you may wonder? You simply sell your existing vans and you hire them back. It frees up some finance that you can invest elsewhere and you still get to use your old vans. Plus, the new owners have to cover the costs of upkeep and maintenance.

Find your best solution

Not sure which vehicle rental solution is best for your business or what large van to choose? We’re here to help.

We can deliver on your behalf a comprehensive analysis of some of the UK’s most trustworthy and reliable vehicle hire specialists. We compare swathes of providers to find the option we feel is most suited to your business’ needs.