Moving to university involves many decisions, but hiring the right van shouldn’t be stressful.
In this guide to hiring a van for moving to the university, we will help you choose the perfect van, manage costs, and ensure a smooth, hassle-free move.
Read on to find detailed tips on selecting the right van, essential packing items, and safety practices.
Key Takeaways
- Selecting the right van size, based on the volume of belongings and budget, is crucial for a successful university move.
- Utilising cost-effective strategies, such as booking early and comparing prices, can significantly reduce van hire expenses.
- Properly loading and securing belongings and maintaining safe driving practices are essential for an efficient and accident-free moving experience.
Choosing the Right Van for Your University Move
Choosing the right van is key to a successful university move. The size and type of van you choose will affect your move’s cost, convenience, and safety.
Here at Hire2You, we offer a variety of van sizes to cater to different needs, from small vans for light loads to larger vans for heavy and bulky items. Understanding your specific requirements—such as the volume of belongings, moving distance, and budget—helps streamline the process and ensure the perfect vehicle is chosen.
Choosing the appropriate van ensures safe transport of your belongings and enhances the overall moving experience. Here are the different van types to help you make an informed choice.
Small Vans for Light Loads
If you are a student with few belongings, small vans may be suitable for your move. They offer:
- An economical and user-friendly option for those who don’t have a lot to move
- Perfect capacity for carrying small loads
- Ease of navigating narrow streets
These features make them an excellent choice for urban environments, student halls, and those looking for comfortable student accommodation or a house.
Early bookings can also give you access to larger vehicles if your needs change, so planning ahead is always wise.
Medium Vans for Moderate Loads
Medium vans strike a balance between space and manoeuvrability, making them suitable for students with more items or those moving together. With these vans, you get ample space for your belongings.
Flatbed vans, a type of medium van, are designed to carry oversized and heavy materials, ensuring the safe transport of substantial items. Choosing the right van type is crucial for a smooth moving experience tailored to your needs.
Large Vans for Heavy Loads
If you are moving to the university with a significant amount of belongings or bulky items like furniture, large vans are the perfect solution. These vans provide substantial cargo space and van size, making them essential for transporting heavy loads.
When selecting a large van, consider both the dimensions of the loading space and the convenience of loading and unloading your items. This ensures a smoother and more efficient moving process.
Cost-effective Tips for Student Van Hire
Moving to university doesn’t have to break the bank. There are several cost-efficient strategies you can employ to make your van hire more affordable.
Book Early to Avoid Disappointment
Booking your van hire in advance helps avoid disappointment and ensures availability. Securing a vehicle ahead of time also leads to better pricing deals and reduces last-minute stress.
This is particularly important during peak student moving times, like the start of the academic year, when demand for rental vehicles for personal use is high during this exciting time with a car.
At Hire2You, we guarantee competitive pricing and promise to beat any genuine quote, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
Look Out for Hidden Fees
Hidden fees can quickly add up and blow your budget. Be aware of additional charges that may apply for specific equipment, like GPS or extra mileage. Review rental agreements carefully to avoid unexpected charges. Common hidden fees include charges for additional drivers and fees for returning the van late.
If any terms are unclear, don’t hesitate to ask the rental company for clarification regarding the rental agreement.
Essential Items to Bring When Hiring a Van
Being prepared with the right documents and items can make your van hire experience smooth and hassle-free. Key points to consider include:
- Bring your driving license, proof of address, and a payment card.
- Know the rental terms to prevent unexpected costs during van hire.
- Having the right documents ready avoids delays and ensures a smooth rental process.
Additionally, packing essentials and safety gear are vital for a successful move. These items will help you secure all your belongings and ensure a safe journey.
Important Documents
To hire a van, you need to provide essential documents such as a driving licence, proof of address, and a credit or debit card. Utility bills, bank statements, and credit card statements are acceptable forms of proof of address. A DVLA check code is also necessary to access information about your driving record.
Confirm the required documents with the rental company to avoid delays and ensure a smooth rental process.
Packing Essentials
Efficient packing is key to a successful move. Recommended packing materials include boxes, bubble wrap, and ratchet straps to secure your belongings. At Hire2You, we provide free items for every van hire such as sack-barrows, ratchet straps and European travel packs.
You can use these straps to secure cargo in a van and prevent movement during transport. Load heavier items on the bottom and lighter items on top for better stability and safety while driving.
Safety Gear
Safety gear is essential for ensuring your safety and that of your belongings during your move. Certain van hire services, like Hire2You, also provide free high-visibility vests.
These items can make all the difference in ensuring a safe and efficient move.
Loading and Securing Your Belongings
Loading and securing your belongings properly is one of the most important aspects of a successful move. Items and methods that can help secure your belongings during transport include:
- Boxes
- Bubble wrap
- Ratchet straps
- Organising and labelling items before packing to prevent confusion during loading
- Using furniture as barriers to secure lighter items in place
Prioritising safety and securely loading items can prevent damage or accidents when handling bulky items. Properly securing all items in the van minimises movement during transit.
Distribute Weight Evenly
Evenly distributing weight in a van is essential to maintaining balance and stability. Organising items by shape and using available vertical space can significantly enhance a van’s capacity. This ensures that your move is not only efficient but also secure, minimising the risk of damaging your belongings.
Use Ratchet Straps for Fragile Items
Strapping tools like ratchet straps are essential for keeping delicate items stable during transportation. Ratchet straps apply consistent tension to hold fragile items securely in place, minimising movement and risk of damage.
Ensure the tension is evenly distributed, securing the items without putting excessive pressure on any piece.
Maximise Space Efficiently
Optimise space by:
- Loading larger items first and arranging them strategically.
- Stacking similar-sized boxes together.
- Filling gaps with soft items like blankets.
- Dismantling larger items like chests of drawers to create additional packing space in the van.
Utilising soft furnishings as cushioning can protect fragile items while maximising available space.
Driving and Handling a Hired Van
Driving a hired van requires some adjustments, especially if you’re used to driving smaller vehicles. Before driving, consider the following:
- Ensure that your seat and mirrors are adjusted for comfort and visibility.
- Secure your load to prevent accidents and legal issues while driving.
- Strap down cargo to ensure items stay secure during transportation.
Parking larger vans requires more space and awareness, and having a co-driver can simplify the process. Using a guide outside the van can help navigate parking, especially for parallel or tight space manoeuvres.
Adjusting to Larger Vehicles
Visibility differs significantly in larger vans, requiring drivers to:
- Adjust their seat height and mirrors accordingly.
- Plan for overtaking with more foresight.
- Drive smoothly.
- Check blind spots.
- Plan overtaking carefully.
This ensures a safer and more controlled driving experience.
Safe Driving Practices
When driving a larger hired van, maintain extra distance from vehicles ahead to allow for safer braking. In windy conditions, reduce speed and maintain distance from larger vehicles that can be affected similarly.
Maintaining safe driving practices is essential for ensuring the safety of all road users when operating a hired van.
Parking and Manoeuvring
Manoeuvring larger vehicles can be challenging, especially in tight spaces often found around universities. Adjust mirrors and understand blind spots when driving larger vans to ensure safe navigation.
Maintaining safe distances, planning routes in advance, and adhering to speed limits are vital when manoeuvring through crowded university areas.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by your transportation needs? Hire2You is here to help. Whether you require a reliable driver for our vans or need to rent a van with professional man service, we’ve got you covered. Experience seamless, stress-free solutions tailored to your situation. Let us handle your school transportation today.
Returning the Van
The final step in the van hire process is to return the van smoothly and efficiently. To avoid additional charges, ensure that the van is refuelled to a full tank before returning. Inspect the vehicle for any damage and ensure it is clean to avoid extra charges.
Returning the van late could incur late return fees, so plan your return according to the branch hours. It is also essential to keep copies of the return paperwork and any received receipts as proof of the transaction.
Inspect the Vehicle Before Return
It is essential to inspect the vehicle before returning it. This can help you avoid potential liability and charges for damages. During the inspection, check for any damages, wear, or imperfections and note them.
This ensures a smooth return process and prevents unexpected fees.
Refuel to Full Tank
It is crucial to return the van with a full tank to avoid incurring additional refuelling charges. Failing to refuel the van to a full tank may result in extra charges for the rental company to top it off.
Refill the tank near the rental location to avoid running low on fuel during the return trip. This step saves you money and simplifies the return process.
Document Return and Keys
Follow the specified return process outlined by the rental branch, including returning the vehicle to the agreed location at the scheduled time and within the rental period.
Before returning the van, inspect it for damage and ensure it is clean to avoid cleaning or repair charges. To avoid additional refuelling charges, refuel the van to a full tank before returning it.
Once the vehicle is inspected and refuelled, finalise any paperwork and hand over the keys to the designated return area or representative.
Benefits of Hiring a Van with Hire2You
Hiring a van through Hire2You offers flexibility and convenient moving, deliveries, or travel solutions. We offer a wide range of vehicle hire options, including Luton vans and executive luxury cars, to provide a seamless and flexible rental experience.
Based in Kent, United Kingdom, we guarantee affordable rates and promise to beat any genuine quote, ensuring you get the best value for your money.
When you hire a van with us, you enjoy a premium experience with fully serviced and clean vans backed by a friendly and responsive support team available 24/7 for a seamless experience.
Browse our fleet today to find the perfect van for your university move.
Transparent Pricing and No Hidden Costs
At Hire2You, we maintain transparent pricing with no hidden costs, ensuring that customers are fully aware of the charges they will incur.
Our rental fees typically incorporate VAT and insurance, providing clarity in costs. This approach ensures a hassle-free experience, allowing you to focus on your move without worrying about unexpected fees.
You Also Get Free Extras
Hiring a van with Hire2You comes with numerous benefits tailored for students moving to university. We include free extras such as:
- sack-barrows
- Hi-Viz
- ratchet straps
- European travel packages.
These extras enhance the convenience and safety of your move.
Exceptional Customer Service
Hire2You is committed to providing a high standard of customer support with our van hire in Sittingbourne and surrounding areas for the duration of the rental.
We focus on providing 5-star service to ensure a satisfying rental experience, making a significant difference in your moving process.
This exceptional and excellent customer service ensures that any issues are promptly addressed, offering peace of mind during your move.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to hire a van?
To hire a van, you typically need a driving license, proof of address, and a payment card. It is advisable to verify the specific requirements with the rental company to prevent any delays.
How can I save money on van hire?
To save money on van hire, book early, compare prices from various rental companies, and be mindful of hidden fees. Additionally, consider sharing the rental with an older driver to mitigate age restrictions and share expenses.
What size van should I hire?
You should hire a van size based on the volume of your belongings: small vans for minimal items, medium vans for moderate loads, and large vans for heavy or bulky items. Assess your needs carefully to select the appropriate size.
How should I pack my belongings in the van?
To ensure your belongings are securely packed in the van, use packing materials such as boxes and bubble wrap, and load heavier items at the bottom and lighter ones on top for stability. Proper packing will protect your items during transport.
What are the benefits of hiring a van with Hire2You?
Hiring a van with Hire2You provides transparent pricing with no hidden costs, free extras such as sack-barrows and Hi-Viz, and outstanding customer service. This combination ensures a hassle-free rental experience tailored to your needs.
Conclusion
Hiring a van for your university move can significantly simplify the process, making it more manageable and cost-effective. By choosing the right van size and booking, you can ensure a smooth and efficient move.
Properly packing and securing your belongings, adjusting to larger vehicles, and following safe driving practices are essential for a successful move. Returning the van with a full tank and following the proper return process will help you avoid additional charges.
Hire a van with Hire2You today for the best experience.