How do I choose the right courier vehicle?

Start with the weight of your load, then its longest dimension, then whether you need a tail-lift. Our quick guide above matches each answer to a vehicle. If your load is borderline between two sizes, we will recommend the smaller vehicle where possible to keep your cost down.

How many pallets fit in a Luton and in a 7.5 tonne?

A Luton van takes up to 5 standard or 6 Euro pallets. A 7.5 tonne takes up to 10 standard or 12 Euro pallets. See our Luton van and 7.5 tonne courier page for more detail.

What is the difference between the Medium, Large and X-Large vans?

It comes down to length, height and payload. The Medium van takes up to 600kg and loads up to 2.4m long. The Large van takes up to 800kg and 3.0m long with extra height. The X-Large van takes up to 1,000kg and 4.2m long with 1.8m of internal height (rear door entry 1.7m).

Do I need a tail-lift?

If there is no forklift or loading dock at the collection or delivery address, a Luton or 7.5 tonne with a tail-lift loads and unloads safely at ground level. Tell us when you book. Our Luton tail-lifts lift up to 500kg per lift and our 7.5 tonne tail-lifts up to 1,000kg per lift.

Yes. Goods in transit insurance of up to £5,000 is included as standard on all vehicle types and all bookings. For high-value consignments, additional cover can be arranged at the time of booking by advising the declared value.

Can I track my vehicle?

Yes. Every booking includes live GPS tracking. You receive a tracking link when your driver departs, and proof of delivery is sent when the job is complete.

What if I book the wrong vehicle?

Always give accurate dimensions and weight when booking, or call 0330 223 4790 for advice before you book. If a load turns out to need a larger vehicle, we will arrange the correct one as quickly as possible.

What if my load is heavier than 2,500kg?

Call us for a bespoke quote on 12 tonne and 18 tonne rigids, articulated and flatbed vehicles. See our same day freight and cargo haulage page.

Courier Vehicle Size Guide UK | Which Van Do I Need?

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Motorbike / Motorcycle Courier

Fastest urban option – beats all city traffic

Under 5kgmax payload

Max size	One A4 box / A3 document / small parcel
Storage	Top box and document carrier

What fits

Legal documents and court papers
Contracts and agreements
Medical records and referrals
Passports and ID documents
Keys and access cards
Small parcels under 5kg

Best for: Urban city deliveries where speed is critical. A motorbike beats London and city centre traffic, typically 2–3 times faster than a car on inner-city routes.

All UK cities · 24/7 · 20–30 min collection

Not suitable for: Items over 5kg, anything larger than an A3 envelope or A4 box

Get a quote Motorbike courier →

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Express Parcel Car

Fast and flexible – parcels and small items

Up to 25kgmax payload

Internal length	1.0m
Internal width	1.0m
Internal height	0.75m

What fits

Laptops and IT accessories
Multiple small parcels
Small and medium boxes
Documents and branded items
Pharmaceutical samples
Small artwork and valuables

Best for: Parcels and small items that need more protection than a top box, and longer UK distances where open-road speed matters more than city traffic filtering.

All UK routes · 24/7 · 30–45 min collection

Not suitable for: Items over 25kg, anything longer than 1.0m, bulky items needing a van

Get a quote Same day delivery →

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Small Van Courier

Compact and cost-effective – boxes, stock and light loads

Up to 400kgmax payload

Internal length	1.2m
Internal width	1.2m
Internal height	1.0m

What fits

Multiple boxes and cartons
Small office equipment
Small retail stock loads
Small flat-pack furniture
Tools and trade supplies
Bulky parcels and samples

Best for: The most cost-effective van for moderate loads that exceed car capacity: retail deliveries, inter-office stock moves and trade supplies.

UK-wide · 24/7 · 30–60 min collection

Not suitable for: Items over 400kg or longer than 1.2m, larger furniture, multiple pallets (choose Medium or Large van)

Get a quote Same day delivery →

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Medium Van Courier

Extra length and payload – single pallets and furniture

Up to 600kgmax payload

Internal length	2.4m
Internal width	1.2m
Internal height	1.2m

What fits

Single standard pallet (hand-loaded)
Multiple boxes and cartons
Office equipment and furniture
Larger flat-pack furniture
Single white good (appliance)
Exhibition materials (medium)

Best for: The step up from a small van: more length and payload for single pallets, furniture and mid-size stock moves that do not need a tail-lift.

UK-wide · 24/7 · 30–60 min collection

Not suitable for: Loads over 600kg or longer than 2.4m, multiple pallets, pallets needing tail-lift loading (choose Large or X-Large van)

Get a quote Same day delivery →

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Large Van Courier

High payload – bulky freight and larger loads

Up to 800kgmax payload

Internal length	3.0m
Internal width	1.2m
Internal height	1.5m

What fits

Large furniture items
Up to 2 pallets (hand-loaded)
Bulk stock and retail freight
Multiple white goods
Light building materials
Exhibition stand components

Best for: Bulky items and heavier freight that will not fit in a medium van but do not need a tail-lift. Ideal for man and van collections, office moves and large retail deliveries.

UK-wide · 24/7 · 40–55 min collection

Not suitable for: Loads over 800kg, items longer than 3.0m or taller than 1.5m (choose X-Large van), pallets needing tail-lift loading (choose Luton)

Get a quote Man and van service →

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X-Large Van Courier

Maximum van capacity – long loads, multiple pallets and tall items

Up to 1,000kgmax payload

Internal length	4.2m
Internal width	1.2m
Internal height	1.8m
Rear door height	1.7m

What fits

Long items up to 4.2m
Up to 2–3 pallets (hand-loaded)
Full office contents (small to medium)
Tall items up to 1.8m high
Large furniture and white goods
Large exhibition freight

Best for: Our largest van: maximum load length and height without stepping up to a Luton or 7.5 tonne. Ideal for long loads, multiple boxes or pallets that can be loaded without a tail-lift.

UK-wide · 24/7 · 45–75 min collection

Not suitable for: Loads over 1,000kg, pallets needing tail-lift loading at ground level (choose Luton), multi-pallet dock freight (choose 7.5 tonne)

Get a quote Man and van service →

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Luton Van – Box and Curtainside

Pallets and heavy loads – tail-lift available

1,000–1,100kgmax payload

Speedy Same Day Courier Luton van with rear tail-lift for pallets and heavy goods

Internal length	4.0m
Internal width	2.0m
Internal height	2.1m
Rear door height	1.7m
Tail-lift	Up to 500kg per lift
Pallets	Up to 5 standard or 6 Euro

What fits

Heavy appliances (fridge, washer)
Large furniture needing a tail-lift
Light industrial equipment
Construction materials
Palletised retail stock
Palletised cargo and freight

Best for: Pallets and heavy loads at sites without a forklift. The powered tail-lift gives safe ground-level loading and unloading, essential for offices, shops and domestic addresses. Variants: curtainside no tail-lift (1,100kg), curtainside with tail-lift (1,100kg), box with tail-lift (1,000kg).

UK-wide · 24/7 · 60–120 min collection

Not suitable for: Loads over 1,100kg, items taller than 1.7m through the rear door, or 6+ standard pallets (choose 7.5 tonne)

Get a quote Luton van courier →

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7.5 Tonne Curtainside or Box (Tail-Lift)

Multi-pallet loads and heavy freight – industrial capacity

1,700–2,500kgmax payload

Speedy Same Day Courier 7.5 tonne curtainside lorry with tail-lift for multi-pallet loads

Internal length	6.0m
Internal width	2.4m
Internal height	2.4m
Rear door height	2.3m
Tail-lift	Up to 1,000kg per lift
Pallets	Up to 10 standard or 12 Euro

What fits

Up to 10 standard or 12 Euro pallets
Heavy industrial components
Large retail and FMCG freight
Bulk automotive parts
Manufacturing batch freight
Large exhibition and heavy construction freight

Best for: Multi-pallet loads, heavy industrial freight and bulk commercial cargo that exceeds Luton capacity. Curtain sides allow forklift or pallet truck loading from either side. You must advise the load weight when booking, and please allow up to 3 hours for collection.

UK-wide · 24/7 · allow up to 3 hours for collection

Not suitable for: Loads over 2,500kg, or consignments needing a 12 or 18 tonne rigid or an articulated trailer (call us for a bespoke quotation)

Get a quote 7.5 tonne courier →

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Specialist Haulage

18 tonne rigid, articulated and flatbed – the largest freight

2,500kg+max payload

18 tonne rigid	About 10,000–12,000kg
Articulated curtain sider	About 24,000kg
Flatbed and specialist	Bespoke – call us

What fits

Full trailer pallet loads (26+)
Heavy plant and machinery
Full production batch freight
Oversized and abnormal loads
Automotive production lines
Large event and broadcast freight

Best for: For the largest freight requirements. Call us with the load details and we will arrange the right vehicle and price.

UK-wide · call for a bespoke quote

Not suitable for: Small loads that fit a van or Luton

Get a quote Freight and haulage →

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Courier Vehicle Size Guide UK – Find the Right Vehicle for Your Delivery

How to use this courier vehicle size guide

Our courier vehicles

Motorbike / Motorcycle Courier

What fits

Express Parcel Car

What fits

Small Van Courier

What fits

Medium Van Courier

What fits

Large Van Courier

What fits

X-Large Van Courier

What fits

Luton Van – Box and Curtainside

What fits

7.5 Tonne Curtainside or Box (Tail-Lift)

What fits

Specialist Haulage

What fits

Know your vehicle? Get a price in minutes

Courier vehicle comparison

Not sure which vehicle you need?

1. What does it weigh?

2. What is the longest side?

3. Do you need a tail-lift?

Courier vehicle size guide FAQs

Book the right vehicle now

Vehicle	Max payload	Load length	Best for	Collection
Motorbike	Under 5kg	A4 box / A3 document	Documents, urgent small items	20–30 min
Car	Up to 25kg	1.0m	Parcels and small items	30–45 min
Small van	Up to 400kg	1.2m	Boxes, light stock	30–60 min
Medium van	Up to 600kg	2.4m	Single pallet, furniture	30–60 min
Large van	Up to 800kg	3.0m	Bulky freight, up to 2 pallets	40–55 min
X-Large van	Up to 1,000kg	4.2m	Long loads, 2–3 pallets	45–75 min
Luton + tail-lift	1,000–1,100kg	4.0m	5 standard / 6 Euro pallets, heavy appliances	60–120 min
7.5 tonne	1,700–2,500kg	6.0m	10 standard / 12 Euro pallets, heavy freight	Up to 3 hours
Specialist haulage	2,500kg+	Varies	Full loads, plant, machinery	Call us