Before you set off on a long trip in a van
A long trip around the Czech Republic in a van is no more complicated than in a car; it's just harder to improvise. A loaded van goes more slowly, brakes worse and is harder to pull into a random car park. So half an hour of preparation before you set off will save hours on the road.
Go over the van more thoroughly at pick-up
For a long trip it pays to spend more time on the pick-up than for a drive across town. Check and photograph the condition of the van, look at the tyres and make sure all the lights work. Pick-up is contactless via the web app, and you'll find the keys in the passenger-side compartment.
Adjust your seating position and mirrors calmly
A badly set position will show up as back pain over a long distance. The seat, headrest, steering wheel and above all both mirrors. In a van the mirrors are your only source of information about what's going on behind you, so set them so that you can see as much as possible along the sides of the vehicle.
Check the tyre pressure
A fully loaded vehicle needs a different pressure from an empty one. The recommended values are usually on a label in the driver's door frame. On a long trip with a load, this is a check that really pays off.
Secure the load for long distances, not just round the block
At motorway speeds, the load behaves differently. Hard braking from a hundred kilometres an hour shifts everything that isn't secured. Use straps and an anti-slip mat and distribute the load evenly, with heavy items as low as possible and over the rear axle.
Choose your route by its profile, not just by kilometres
With a loaded van, a longer motorway route is often quicker than a shorter one on minor roads. Climbs, roads through villages and narrow roads will hold you up more than a few extra kilometres. The vehicles come with a valid Czech motorway vignette included in the price, so choosing the motorway costs you nothing extra.
Check the wipers and washers
On the motorway, the windscreen gets dirty within tens of kilometres. A smeared windscreen is even more unpleasant in a tall vehicle than in a car, because you sit higher, facing the sun. If something doesn't work, get in touch before you set off, not halfway along the route.
Pack some essentials in the cab
Water, something to eat and a phone charger are the basics. With a van you can't stop at every snack bar, and finding a space with a load costs time. Work gloves and a head torch also come in handy if you'll be loading or unloading after dark.
