What size van do I need for a 1-bed flat?

A 1-bedroom flat is usually handled by a large LWB van with 2 crew members. If you have minimal furniture, a medium van may suffice. If you have extra items in storage or a loft, we may recommend a Luton van.

What size van do I need for a studio flat?

A studio flat move typically requires a medium SWB van. If you have a large sofa, a double bed, and a full set of boxes, we may upgrade to a large LWB van to ensure everything fits comfortably in one trip.

How big is a Luton van inside?

A standard Luton van has internal dimensions of approximately 4.0m long × 2.1m wide × 2.1m high, giving a total load volume of 17.6 cubic metres. This is roughly equivalent to the contents of a 2–3 bedroom house, or 80–100 medium removal boxes. The height is full walk-in — no crouching required.

What is the weight limit of a Luton van?

A standard 3.5-tonne Luton van has a maximum payload of approximately 1,000–1,200kg (gross vehicle weight minus the van’s own weight). For heavier loads — pianos, safes, large quantities of books — our drivers factor this into the loading plan. We also operate 7.5-tonne vehicles for larger commercial jobs.

Can I drive a Luton van on a standard licence?

Yes. Standard 3.5-tonne Luton vans can be driven on a standard UK category B driving licence — the same licence used for ordinary cars. Giant Van’s professional drivers hold all required licences for every vehicle in our fleet.

Do I need to choose my van size when booking?

No. When you book with Giant Van, we select the appropriate vehicle based on what you’re moving. You describe your items — furniture, boxes, appliances — and we assign the van. No guesswork required.

How many boxes fit in a Luton van?

A standard Luton van holds approximately 80–100 medium moving boxes when stacked efficiently. For a typical house move, you’ll also have furniture, appliances, and awkwardly shaped items — we account for all of this when confirming your van.

How many boxes fit in a large van?

A large LWB van holds approximately 50–60 medium moving boxes. With furniture also loaded, this is typically sufficient for a 1–2 bedroom flat.

What is the difference between SWB and LWB vans?

SWB (Short Wheelbase) and LWB (Long Wheelbase) refer to the chassis length of the van. LWB vans have a significantly longer load area — typically 60–70% more internal volume than their SWB equivalents. We use SWB for studio flat moves and moderate loads, LWB as our standard residential removal van.

What if my items don’t fit in one van?

If your inventory exceeds the capacity of a single van, we quote for multiple vehicles or additional trips. We assess this before you book — you’ll know exactly what’s included and what it costs. No last-minute additions on moving day.

Is a transit van the same as a removal van?

In the UK, “transit van” is commonly used as a generic term for large panel vans (the Ford Transit being the most well known). In removal terms, a transit-style LWB van is similar to our large van at approximately 10.7m³ of load space. A Luton van offers significantly more capacity at 17.6m³.

VAN SIZE GUIDE

Van Size Guide – We Match the Right Van to Your Move

Not sure what size van you need? You don’t have to be. We select the perfect removal van for your items — automatically.

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We select the van

No guesswork

Right size, confirmed before booking

Van Fleet Comparison

Van Type	Dimensions (L×W×H)	Volume	Best For
Small SWB Van	2.4m x 1.4m x 1.3m	4m³	Single items, boxes, small student moves
Medium Transit Van	3.0m x 1.7m x 1.7m	9m³	Studio flats, small furniture loads
Large Luton Van	4.2m x 2.0m x 2.1m	18m³	1–2 bed flats, multiple furniture items
Box Van with Tail Lift	5.0m x 2.2m x 2.3m	25m³	2–3 bed houses, office moves, large loads

Small SWB Van

Dimensions: 2.4m x 1.4m x 1.3m

Volume: 4m³

Best for: Single items, boxes, small student moves

Medium Transit Van

Dimensions: 3.0m x 1.7m x 1.7m

Volume: 9m³

Best for: Studio flats, small furniture loads

Large Luton Van

Dimensions: 4.2m x 2.0m x 2.1m

Volume: 18m³

Best for: 1–2 bed flats, multiple furniture items

Box Van with Tail Lift

Dimensions: 5.0m x 2.2m x 2.3m

Volume: 25m³

Best for: 2–3 bed houses, office moves, large loads

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What Fits in Each Van Size

Small Van (3.7m³)

15–20 medium moving boxes

Single sofa or armchair

Large appliances (washing machine, fridge)

Marketplace or eBay furniture collections

Flat-pack furniture (wardrobes, bed frames, shelving)

Student room contents

Medium Van (SWB — 6.6m³)

30–40 medium moving boxes

Sofa plus armchair

Double bed frame and mattress

Full studio flat or bedsit contents

Small dining table with chairs

Two or three large appliances

Large Van (LWB — 10.7m³)

50–60 medium moving boxes

Three-piece suite

Double bed, mattress and wardrobe

Contents of a 1–2 bedroom flat

Full kitchen appliance set

Small dining table and chairs

Luton Van (17.6m³)

80–100 medium moving boxes

Complete bedroom furniture sets

Large sectional sofas and dining furniture

Contents of a 2–3 bedroom house

White goods and kitchen appliances

Garden furniture, tools, and equipment

What Van Do I Need? — By Property Type

Use this table to find the right removal van for your home size. These are our typical assignments — your actual van will be confirmed based on your specific item list.

Property Type	Recommended Van	Typical Crew	Notes
Single room / bedsit	Small or Medium Van	1 driver	Light load, quick move
Studio flat	Medium Van (SWB)	1–2 crew	Includes furniture + boxes
1-bed flat	Large Van (LWB)	2 crew	Standard residential move
2-bed flat / house	Large Van or Luton	2 crew	Depends on furniture volume
3-bed house	Luton Van	2–3 crew	May need 2 vans if heavily furnished
4+ bed house	Multiple Luton Vans	3–4 crew	We quote multi-vehicle moves
Small office	Large Van or Luton	2 crew	Evening/weekend scheduling available
Medium–large office	Multiple Luton Vans	3+ crew	Coordinated loading plan provided

Single room / bedsit

Recommended van: Small or Medium Van

Crew: 1 driver

Notes: Light load, quick move

Studio flat

Recommended van: Medium Van (SWB)

Crew: 1–2 crew

Notes: Includes furniture + boxes

1-bed flat

Recommended van: Large Van (LWB)

Crew: 2 crew

Notes: Standard residential move

2-bed flat / house

Recommended van: Large Van or Luton

Crew: 2 crew

Notes: Depends on furniture volume

3-bed house

Recommended van: Luton Van

Crew: 2–3 crew

Notes: May need 2 vans if heavily furnished

4+ bed house

Recommended van: Multiple Luton Vans

Crew: 3–4 crew

Notes: We quote multi-vehicle moves

Small office

Recommended van: Large Van or Luton

Crew: 2 crew

Notes: Evening/weekend scheduling available

Medium–large office

Recommended van: Multiple Luton Vans

Crew: 3+ crew

Notes: Coordinated loading plan provided

Get an Accurate Quote for Your Move

How We Select the Right Van for Your Job

You Describe Your Items

Tell us what you’re moving using our online quote tool — furniture, boxes, appliances, or the full contents of a property.

We Calculate Space Needed

Our booking system estimates the load volume required, drawing on standard item dimensions and real-world packing efficiency from thousands of completed moves.

We Assign the Right Van

We select a removal van with capacity to spare — ensuring everything fits safely with room for proper loading and securing of fragile items.

We Confirm Before You Book

If your job needs a larger van, multiple vans, or additional crew, we tell you before you commit. No surprises on moving day.

Professional delivery driver loading packages into white removal van — van size guide for UK house moves

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What is a Luton Van?

Internal length: 4.0m (approximately 13 feet)

Internal width: 2.1m (approximately 7 feet)

Internal height: 2.1m — full walk-in height

Load volume: 17.6m³

Maximum payload: up to 1,200kg

GVW: 3.5 tonnes (standard) or 7.5 tonnes (heavy-duty)

Driving licence: standard UK category B (up to 3.5t GVW)

Tail lift available on request for heavy items

Get Your Quote See Our Reviews

Transit Van vs Luton Van — Side-by-Side Comparison

The term “transit van” is commonly used in the UK as a generic name for large panel vans — the Ford Transit being the best-known example. In removal contexts, a transit van typically refers to a large LWB van.

FeatureTransit Van (LWB)Luton Van

Internal length~3.5m~4.0m

Internal height~1.8m~2.1m (walk-in)

Load volume~10.7m³~17.6m³

Best for1–2 bed flat moves2–3 bed house moves

Box capacity50–60 boxes80–100 boxes

Tail lift optionNoYes

Internal length

Transit~3.5m

Luton~4.0m

Internal height

Transit~1.8m

Luton~2.1m (walk-in)

Load volume

Transit~10.7m³

Luton~17.6m³

Best for

Transit1–2 bed flat moves

Luton2–3 bed house moves

Box capacity

Transit50–60 boxes

Luton80–100 boxes

Tail lift option

TransitNo

LutonYes

A transit-style LWB van is our workhorse for most 1–2 bedroom flat removals. For anything larger — or if you’re unsure — we’ll quote you the Luton.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A 2-bedroom house typically requires a Luton van with 2–3 crew members. The exact requirement depends on how much furniture you have — a heavily furnished 2-bed house needs more space than a lightly furnished one. Get a quote with your item list and we’ll confirm the right setup immediately.

Ready to Book the Right Removal Van?

Get your instant quote — describe your items and we’ll assign the perfect van and crew for your move. No guesswork. No surprises. Just a confirmed van, a confirmed price, and a moving day that goes to plan.

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Every job assessed individually

Right van, confirmed before you book

UK-wide coverage

Van Fleet Comparison

Van Type	Dimensions (L×W×H)	Volume	Best For
Small SWB Van	2.4m x 1.4m x 1.3m	4m³	Single items, boxes, small student moves
Medium Transit Van	3.0m x 1.7m x 1.7m	9m³	Studio flats, small furniture loads
Large Luton Van	4.2m x 2.0m x 2.1m	18m³	1–2 bed flats, multiple furniture items
Box Van with Tail Lift	5.0m x 2.2m x 2.3m	25m³	2–3 bed houses, office moves, large loads

Small SWB Van

Dimensions: 2.4m x 1.4m x 1.3m

Volume: 4m³

Best for: Single items, boxes, small student moves

Medium Transit Van

Dimensions: 3.0m x 1.7m x 1.7m

Volume: 9m³

Best for: Studio flats, small furniture loads

Large Luton Van

Dimensions: 4.2m x 2.0m x 2.1m

Volume: 18m³

Best for: 1–2 bed flats, multiple furniture items

Box Van with Tail Lift

Dimensions: 5.0m x 2.2m x 2.3m

Volume: 25m³

Best for: 2–3 bed houses, office moves, large loads

Get Instant Quote

What Fits in Each Van Size

Small Van (3.7m³)

15–20 medium moving boxes

Single sofa or armchair

Large appliances (washing machine, fridge)

Marketplace or eBay furniture collections

Flat-pack furniture (wardrobes, bed frames, shelving)

Student room contents

Medium Van (SWB — 6.6m³)

30–40 medium moving boxes

Sofa plus armchair

Double bed frame and mattress

Full studio flat or bedsit contents

Small dining table with chairs

Two or three large appliances

Large Van (LWB — 10.7m³)

50–60 medium moving boxes

Three-piece suite

Double bed, mattress and wardrobe

Contents of a 1–2 bedroom flat

Full kitchen appliance set

Small dining table and chairs

Luton Van (17.6m³)

80–100 medium moving boxes

Complete bedroom furniture sets

Large sectional sofas and dining furniture

Contents of a 2–3 bedroom house

White goods and kitchen appliances

Garden furniture, tools, and equipment

Property Type

Recommended Van

Typical Crew

Notes

Single room / bedsit

Small or Medium Van

1 driver

Light load, quick move

Studio flat

Medium Van (SWB)

1–2 crew

Includes furniture + boxes

1-bed flat

Large Van (LWB)

2 crew

Standard residential move

2-bed flat / house

Large Van or Luton

2 crew

Depends on furniture volume

3-bed house

Luton Van

2–3 crew

May need 2 vans if heavily furnished

4+ bed house

Multiple Luton Vans

3–4 crew

We quote multi-vehicle moves

Small office

Large Van or Luton

2 crew

Evening/weekend scheduling available

Medium–large office

Multiple Luton Vans

3+ crew

Coordinated loading plan provided

How We Select the Right Van for Your Job

You Describe Your Items

Tell us what you’re moving using our online quote tool — furniture, boxes, appliances, or the full contents of a property.

We Calculate Space Needed

Our booking system estimates the load volume required, drawing on standard item dimensions and real-world packing efficiency from thousands of completed moves.

We Assign the Right Van

We select a removal van with capacity to spare — ensuring everything fits safely with room for proper loading and securing of fragile items.

We Confirm Before You Book

If your job needs a larger van, multiple vans, or additional crew, we tell you before you commit. No surprises on moving day.

Get Your Marketplace Quote

What is a Luton Van?

Internal length: 4.0m (approximately 13 feet)

Internal width: 2.1m (approximately 7 feet)

Internal height: 2.1m — full walk-in height

Load volume: 17.6m³

Maximum payload: up to 1,200kg

GVW: 3.5 tonnes (standard) or 7.5 tonnes (heavy-duty)

Driving licence: standard UK category B (up to 3.5t GVW)

Tail lift available on request for heavy items