Van load floor dimensions and how to measure them

Which load floor dimensions really matter

A van's load floor dimensions are usually given as length, width and height. In practice, however, whether your load fits is decided at completely different points. Most often it is the width between the wheel arches and the height of the rear opening. It pays to know them before you are standing at the van with a bed in your hands.

Width between the wheel arches

The wheel arches narrow the space at floor level. A van may have a much greater internal width, but at floor level there is only part of that figure between the wheel arches. If you are carrying anything that has to lie flat, this is the limiting dimension.

Above the wheel arches the space is wider again. Longer items can therefore sometimes fit if you lay them across the wheel arches rather than between them. This does mean, though, that the space underneath them is left unused.

Height of the loading opening

The opening is always lower than the interior. The door frame takes away a few centimetres, so a wardrobe that would stand inside often can't get in. This is a classic reason why a move gets delayed.

The sliding side door has its own dimensions. It tends to be narrower and lower than the rear doors and is useful mainly for smaller items that you don't want to drag the whole length of the van.

Floor length and length above the seats

The floor length is the safe figure. It is measured from the bulkhead behind the cab to the closed rear doors, so you can always count on it.

Sometimes there is more available. Some vans have a through-loading hatch above the cab or under the passenger seat, where you can slide in battens, mouldings and pipes. This is not a given, though, so don't count on it for a load that has to fit entirely in the back.

Height of the cargo area

Height is measured from the floor to the ceiling along the vertical axis. In vans with a curved roof it is lower at the sides than in the middle, so a tall wardrobe placed against the wall may not fit even if the figure looks sufficient.

Lighting and shelves take away centimetres. Lamps, wiring and any roof struts reduce the usable height at specific points.

Loading height

The height of the floor above the ground often determines the pace. The higher the floor, the harder it is to lift heavy items. You will notice it straight away with a washing machine or a wardrobe. If you transport heavy things regularly, a loading ramp or a sack truck is worth having.

Where to find the figures

We list the dimensions of each van for every model in our fleet. Go through them before booking and compare them with what you are actually going to carry.

How to measure the dimensions yourself

Measure the load, not just the van

Start with what you are carrying. Write down the length, width and height of each large item. For furniture, include the legs, handles and the packaging you will transport it in. The cardboard around a washing machine can easily add five centimetres on each side.

For large items, measure the diagonal too. A sofa set or a table top often only goes through an opening at an angle. If you know the diagonal dimension, you can tell in advance whether it is worth trying.

What to do at the van

Measure at floor level. Lay the tape measure on the floor and measure the narrowest point between the wheel arches. This is the dimension that determines what can be laid flat.

Measure the clear opening. It is not about the external dimensions of the doors, but the free space between the frames when fully open. For height, measure from the loading edge to the top edge of the frame.

Measure the route to the van too. The load floor dimensions are no use if the wardrobe won't fit in the lift or through the door to the hallway. Measure the width of the door frames, the landing by the stairs and the inside of the lift.

Leaving a margin pays off

Don't count on precision to the centimetre. The load has to be got into the van, turned and secured. If you have a difference of two centimetres, assume it won't work.

A paper test at home takes five minutes. Mark out a rectangle on the floor with string according to the load floor dimensions and try to arrange the biggest items within it. You will see whether you are planning for one trip or two.

The most common mistakes

Counting on the full height up to the ceiling. You will only rarely use the last few centimetres below the ceiling, because the load still has to be secured and must not lean against the roof.

Forgetting the packaging. New appliances and furniture are transported in cardboard, which adds several centimetres on each side. With borderline dimensions, that is exactly the difference that makes it fail.

Measuring only once. Measure the key items twice and note the figures in your phone. Once you are there, you won't have the time or calm to do it.

When you are not sure

Go one size up. More free space means faster loading and a lower risk of damaging furniture while manoeuvring it. If you need regular transport of goods, take a look at the business terms in the PROFI programme. We have the rest of the questions about picking up and returning the van covered in the FAQ.