What size removal van do you need?
Planning your move starts with choosing the right van. This guide helps you understand the different van sizes and what they can usually carry, including boxes, furniture, and appliances. Use it to get a clear idea of what van will work best for your move and make moving day as smooth as possible.
Van Sizes at a Glance
Not sure which van you need? Use this quick guide, or try our van size calculator for an instant recommendation.
| Van Type | Load Volume | Weight Capacity | Best For | Example Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small van | 3–4 m³ | 500–800 kg | Studio / bedsit, single items | Boxes, chairs, TV, suitcases |
| Medium van | 6–9 m³ | 900–1,200 kg | 1-bedroom flat, IKEA runs | Sofa, bed, fridge, 10–15 boxes |
| Large van | 11–15 m³ | 1,200–1,500 kg | 1–2 bedroom flat move | Wardrobe, sofa, bed, 25 boxes |
| Luton van | 18–20 m³ | 1,000–1,400 kg | 2–4 bedroom house move | Full house contents, 35+ boxes, beds |
Moving van sizes
Please note that this is only a recommendation. What can fit into the vehicles depends on various factors, such as the shape and weight of the items. We aim to assist you in understanding what you can expect to load into each vehicle type. All dimensions listed below are average measurements.
Small van
Standard delivery van. Suitable for single items, a few boxes, single white goods, or small furniture.
- Length: 1.70m / 5.58ft
- Width: 1.30m / 4.30ft
- Height: 1.20m / 3.94ft
- Payload: 500-750 kg
Example vehicles: Mercedes Citan, Citroën Berlingo, Renault Kangoo, Ford Transit Connect
Medium van
Suitable for individual items: Up to 25 medium boxes or up to 3 white goods/small furniture pieces (such as a two-seater sofa, double bed, or double-door wardrobe).
- Length: 2.30m / 7.55ft
- Width: 1.60m / 5.25ft
- Height: 1.40m / 4.60ft
- Payload: 800-1150 kg
Example vehicles: Mercedes Vito, Citroën Dispatch, Renault Trafic, Ford Transit Custom
Large van
Standard short wheelbase or long wheelbase delivery van. Suitable for studio or one-bedroom flat contents with average furniture.
- Length: 4.10m / 13.45ft
- Width: 1.70m / 5.58ft
- Height: 1.90m / 6.23ft
- Payload: 900-1450 kg
Example vehicles: Mercedes Sprinter, Citroën Relay, Renault Master, Ford Transit
Luton van
Standard Luton van. Suitable for average house/flat moves, heavy items, furniture, boxes, etc.
- Length: 4.10m / 13.45ft
- Width: 2.10m / 6.89ft
- Height: 2.20m / 7.21ft
- Payload: 1200-1550 kg
Example vehicles: Mercedes Sprinter Luton, Peugeot Boxer Luton, Iveco Daily Luton, Ford Transit Luton
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Recommended van size for moves
| Move Type | Recommended Van | Load Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Student room | Small or Medium | 3–9 m³ |
| Single item delivery | Small | 3–4 m³ |
| IKEA / flat-pack shopping | Medium | 6–9 m³ |
| 1-bedroom flat | Large or Luton | 11–20 m³ |
| 2-4 bedroom home | Luton | 18–20 m³ |
| Office equipment | Medium or Large | 6–15 m³ |
| Bulky furniture set | Luton | 18–20 m³ |
For a clear understanding of your moving costs, see how our man and van prices are calculated to plan your move and get the best value.
Why Luton vans have tail lifts (and why it matters)
A tail lift is a hydraulic platform at the back of the van that lowers to ground level, so heavy items get wheeled or slid on rather than lifted by hand into a high load bed. A Luton van's load bed sits well above street level, and without a tail lift, getting something like a washing machine, a full wardrobe, or a dishwasher up and in usually means two or three people lifting it by hand.
When a tail lift actually matters
- Washing machines, dishwashers and other heavy appliances, especially if they're still on their transit bolts or castors.
- Wardrobes and chests of drawers moved fully loaded rather than emptied first.
- Anything on a trolley or sack barrow that you'd rather wheel in than carry up.
- Moves with one person booked rather than two, where there's nobody free to help lift.
Not every Luton van has one. It adds weight and cost to the vehicle, and plenty of jobs don't need it. If you're moving anything heavy or awkward, mention it when you book. On URemovals you choose your own man and van from the list of available providers, you're never just assigned one. If you flag that you need a tail lift and it turns out your chosen provider doesn't have one, we can check directly with them or help you switch to a different provider for the job.