Removal van sizes

Choosing the right removal van sizes is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a move. The right vehicle keeps your belongings safe, avoids extra trips, and helps control costs. At House Removals North London, we offer a clear, practical guide to small, medium and large vans, including LWB and Luton vans, with plain-English advice on capacity and dimensions so you can choose the right van for your move.

Why van size matters

• Reduces the number of trips and overall time on site.
• Protects furniture and boxes from being squeezed or stacked unsafely.
• Helps you budget confidently by matching crew size and vehicle to the job.

If you’re unsure which van size you need for moving, our team can advise in minutes. Share a quick inventory or photos and we’ll recommend the most efficient option. Start with our get a fast quote or read on to compare van sizes for removals.

Overview: small, medium, large vans

Here’s how our most commonly booked vans are typically used. Exact load-outs depend on your items, packing quality, and access.

• Small van (ideal for partial moves and quick pick-ups)

  • Suited to students, single-item moves, and a few pieces of furniture.
  • Fits boxes, suitcases, and small appliances; easy for tight streets and low clearance.
  • Usually matched with 1–2 movers.

• Medium van (the versatile choice for flat moves)

  • Good for studio and one-bedroom moves when well packed.
  • Handles furniture like disassembled beds, flat-packed wardrobes, and white goods.
  • Typically paired with 2 movers for speed and safety.

• Large vans: LWB and Luton vans

  • LWB panel vans carry longer items like sofas, mattresses, and wardrobes.
  • Luton vans offer the most usable space and headroom, often with a tail lift for heavy items.
  • Common for two-bedroom flats and three-bedroom houses, usually 2–3 movers.

Tip: Tight access, stair-only buildings, or long carries may affect the van and crew recommendation. Tell us about parking and access when you enquire. Our parking and access guide explains what we need to know.

Capacity and dimensions: what to expect

Dimensions and payloads vary by make and model, but these ballpark figures help with planning. We’ll confirm the suitable van when quoting.

• Small van (e.g., compact panel)

  • Typical internal length: around 1.7–2.0 m
  • Volume: roughly 3–5 m³
  • Use case: boxes, small desks, chairs, bedside units, small appliances.

• Medium van (e.g., short/medium wheelbase)

  • Typical internal length: around 2.4–3.0 m
  • Volume: roughly 7–10 m³
  • Use case: studio to one-bed flat, dismantled bed, chest of drawers, washing machine.

• LWB van (long wheelbase)

  • Typical internal length: around 3.3–4.0 m
  • Volume: roughly 12–15 m³
  • Use case: one to two-bedroom moves, long sofas, multiple wardrobes, dining sets.

• Luton van (box van)

  • Typical internal length: around 3.9–4.2 m with over-cab space
  • Volume: roughly 16–20 m³
  • Use case: two to three-bedroom homes, bulky furniture, tall items, larger appliances.

These ranges are a guide. For accuracy, share your item list and any unusual pieces when requesting a quote. See how van size affects pricing in our transparent pricing overview.

Which van size do I need for moving?

A quick rule of thumb based on typical North London moves:

• Student room or partial move
  • Small van or medium van, depending on furniture volume.
• Studio or one-bedroom flat
  • Medium van for well-packed moves; LWB if you’ve got bulky furniture.
• Two-bedroom flat or small house
  • LWB or Luton van, often with 2–3 movers for safe handling.
• Three-bedroom house
  • Luton van, sometimes two vehicles if you want a single trip.

If you’re choosing between a medium van and LWB, consider the longest items you own (sofa length, wardrobe height) and whether they can be dismantled. We can advise on dismantling and reassembly—see our furniture assembly help.

LWB and Luton vans explained

• LWB van

  • Advantages: more length for sofas and mattresses; easier in tight streets than a box van.
  • Best for: one to two-bed moves with moderate furniture.

• Luton van

  • Advantages: square box shape maximises usable space; tall interior; can include a tail lift.
  • Best for: larger flats and houses, big wardrobes, American-style fridge-freezers, high volume of boxes.

Luton van capacity and tail lift

• Capacity: often accommodates the contents of a typical two to three-bedroom property in one trip when well packed.
• Tail lift benefits:
  • Safer loading of heavy items like pianos, range cookers, and large appliances.
  • Reduces manual handling risk and speeds up loading.
  • Helpful where ramps aren’t suitable or there’s a height difference at the kerb.

If you’re asking “how many boxes fit in a Luton?”, it depends on box size and your furniture mix. As a rough guide, a well-packed Luton can take a full set of household boxes for a two to three-bedroom move alongside key furniture. We’ll confirm suitability once we’ve seen your inventory.

Medium van dimensions for moves

Medium vans are popular across North London because they balance capacity and manoeuvrability. They suit:

• One-bedroom flats with sensible furniture quantities.
• Moves with tight access, narrow roads, or height restrictions.
• Jobs requiring multiple short hops between addresses.

If access is difficult, we’ll sometimes use two medium vans rather than a single Luton, maintaining capacity while making parking easier.

Van size for a one-bedroom flat

• Often a medium van with 2 movers.
• If you have heavy wardrobes, a large sofa, or lots of boxes, we may recommend an LWB.
• Disassembly of beds and wardrobes helps optimise loading. Ask about our packing services for a smoother move.

Van size for a three-bedroom house

• Typically a Luton van with 2–3 movers.
• For very full homes, two vehicles or additional runs may be more efficient than squeezing items.
• If you have many tall or extra-wide items, a pre-move inventory lets us allocate the right vehicle first time.

Crew size for each van

Crew levels adjust with access, floors, and volume, but a general guide is:

• Small van: 1–2 movers for light, quick moves.
• Medium van: 2 movers for most flat moves.
• LWB van: 2 movers, occasionally 3 for bulky or heavy items.
• Luton van: 2–3 movers for larger homes and heavy appliances.

Tell us about stairs, lifts, long carries, and parking distance from the door. This helps us plan the right crew safely and efficiently.

How van size affects pricing

• Vehicle size: Larger vans cost more to run but can reduce total trips, which may lower overall time.
• Crew size: More movers speed up the job but increase labour costs per hour.
• Access and packing: Good access and well-packed boxes reduce loading time and protect your items.
• Distance: Long-distance removals may favour a larger van to minimise trips.

We’ll recommend the most cost-effective setup based on your situation. Read more about our approach on pricing and quotes or submit details via get a quote. Quotes are no-obligation, and we’ll explain options clearly.

Compare van sizes for removals: quick scenarios

• Same-street move with few stairs, mostly boxes

  • Medium van with 2 movers; fast turnaround and minimal parking hassle.

• Second-floor flat, no lift, bulky sofa and wardrobe

  • LWB or Luton depending on dimensions; 2–3 movers for safe handling.

• Family home to storage with heavy appliances

  • Luton with tail lift; careful stacking to maximise space; likely 3 movers.

• Single-item delivery (sofa, fridge-freezer, or wardrobe)

  • Small van or medium van with protective blankets; 1–2 movers.

For each scenario we factor in protection materials, safe lifting, and route planning. If you’d like packing help or materials, see our packing guide for tips and best practice.

Benefits of a tail lift for heavy items

• Reduces manual lifting strain and the risk of damage.
• Enables smooth, controlled loading for tall or awkward items.
• Useful where access ramps aren’t feasible due to kerbs, steps, or steep gradients.

Let us know in advance if you have particularly heavy pieces so we can assign a Luton with tail lift and the appropriate crew.

What information we need to recommend a van

Before your move, please share:

• A brief inventory (room by room) and any unusual or fragile items.
• Photos or short videos of the main furniture pieces.
• Access notes: floors, lifts, stair widths, parking restrictions, and walking distance to the door.
• Dates, preferred arrival window, and key constraints (e.g., school runs, building rules).

This helps us match the right van and team, avoid extra trips, and keep your move efficient. If you’re at the planning stage, our moving house checklist can help you stay organised.

Packing and load planning tips

• Use sturdy, similarly sized boxes to stack safely and maximise van space.
• Disassemble beds, tables, and large wardrobes where possible.
• Wrap furniture and protect corners; label fragile boxes clearly.
• Keep essentials and important documents together for easy access.
• Reserve parking where required; see local council guidance or our parking and access tips.

We can provide professional packing, materials, and full or partial services to fit your timeline. Explore our packing services for details.

How we help you choose the right van

• Free, no-obligation guidance by phone or email.
• Clear explanation of capacity and dimensions for your specific items.
• Recommendation on crew size and whether a tail lift is beneficial.
• Flexible scheduling across North London with options for urgent moves where availability allows.

Want to chat it through? Call us on 020 4634 3846 or email [email protected] and we’ll get you sorted.

Frequently asked questions about van sizes

• Can I book two vans instead of one large van?

  • Yes. For tight streets or restricted access, two medium vans can be more practical than a single Luton.

• Do you guarantee everything fits in one trip?

  • We don’t promise exact outcomes before we’ve seen an accurate inventory. We’ll plan for the most efficient configuration and explain contingencies.

• Will a Luton van fit on my street?

  • Lutons are taller and longer than panel vans. Share your street photos or Google Maps link and any height restrictions so we can check feasibility.

• Do you supply blankets, straps, and trolleys?

  • Yes, our teams bring standard moving equipment suitable for the booked van and items.

• Is a tail lift always available?

  • Tail lifts are fitted to specific Luton vans. Tell us about heavy appliances or safes so we can allocate accordingly.

• What if I underestimate the volume?

  • If space runs short, we can complete additional runs or dispatch another vehicle subject to availability. Accurate inventories help avoid this.

• Can you dismantle and reassemble furniture?

  • Yes, where practical. Let us know in advance so we can plan time and tools. See our furniture assembly service.

• Do van sizes change pricing?

  • Larger vans and bigger crews influence cost. We’ll recommend the best value for your move. More on our pricing.

Ready to choose your van?

Whether you need a compact vehicle for a few items or a Luton with tail lift for a full family home, we’ll match the right removal van to your move and budget. Send your inventory via our get a quote form, read how the process works in how it works, or speak to our friendly team today on 020 4634 3846.

Serving North London and the wider N area with careful planning, professional crews, and the right vans for every job.