Driving a van

[Thunderchild]

Hello All,

I'm being sent out tomorrow from Wellingborough to the other side of leeds (159 miles going around leeds rather than through it) in a transit van. The largest thing i have ever driven is my mondeo.

Does anyone have any tips for driving a van for one used to driving a car ?

[RATTER15]

Just take it steady, you will adapt to the extra width in no time :) Safe Journey.

[RATTER15]

They are really easy to drive these days, all mod cons etc.

[ChuckFickens]

Transits are easy to drive. just remember you are a little longer (not much) than a car so you have to take corners a little wider otherwise the rear wheels will run over the kerb on the inside.

Also if you can't reverse using just your mirrors then firstly, don't put the van into a position that you'll need to reverse unless you have somebody to see you back and secondly... start learning to reverse on your mirrors, even in your car.

[Thunderchild]

Thanks for the reassurance, well my mondeo is wide and i adapted to that easily from an atoz (small hyundai conflake box on wheels). The length worries me more than the width, like will sharp corners and junctions

[ChuckFickens]

In some ways I prefer driving vans to cars :) if it's a rear wheel drive one they power slide really easily :)

[Maydup]

Is there any chance of a little practise round an industrial estate or somewhere beofre you set off? Just to get used to the clutch and the controls.

I think you'll find it less different than you expect but leave a little longer for the journey, especially if you have a load.

[Thunderchild]

no, no time to practice, but I'll be putting onto main roads quite quikly so will get a chance to get used to it

[RATTER15]

Dont worry about the length, just adjust your mirrors so you can see the back properly. You will be fine, just a walk in the park.

[ChuckFickens]

Good point on the load...

depending what it is, either load low and cover as much of the floor as you can, or make sure the load is pushed right up against the bulkhead so it can't slide forwards when you brake.

[RATTER15]

Chuck, I bet she will be checking out the power slides as soon as she gets into the van :-)

[Thunderchild]

I'm going up empty and coming back with 1 pallet that weighs about 100-150 Kg and is 3 feet tall (I packed it ;)

[RATTER15]

The bulkhead is the bit at the front!

[Thunderchild]

Hey ratter, I'm a "he" what is a power slide anyway ? no I'm a calm driver none of that lark ;)

[ChuckFickens]

obviously I don't condone this sort of behaviour on a public road! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0aMGnltijg&feature=related

[RATTER15]

Sorry Thunderchild lol, blame Chuck!

[Thunderchild]

oh you can't pass the buck, but it don't matter anyhow

[Thunderchild]

right chuck, nope I'm not trying any of that

[JonnyBoy12]

Is the Transit van very new? If so then it is no harder than a Mondeo, and not that much bigger either. Make sure the mirrors are in the right place, and drive very slowly at first. Agree with the other posts here, drive on an industrial estate with little traffic in first, and you should be fine. Let us know how you get on.

[Thunderchild]

I think this is front wheel drive anyway as it is recent

[gsr600]

I hope its a transit connect (car size van) just for 1 pallet,
could have got that in a car surely ??? (not palletised)