Although the term box truck is increasingly used in the UK nowadays, most people still refer to larger panel vans, especially those with enclosed cargo areas that are separated from the cabin, as Luton vans. Cube truck, box van and cube van are also terms that are sometimes used by commercial vehicle manufacturers – particularly those that are based in Europe. However, most British removals firms – and, perhaps more crucially, their customers – will still say Luton when they’re referring to a van that is smaller in size than an HGV but larger than a standard delivery van. This is because the town of Luton in Bedfordshire was once the UK’s hub of removal van manufacturing. The nickname caught on almost as soon as production began there and it has stuck.
However, removal contractors – including man and van service providers who do other work on top of their removals jobs – should note that Luton is a generic term. Indeed, there are many different manufacturers of box trucks that sell into the British domestic market. Although none of these vans might be officially marketed as Lutons, they are exactly that. Consequently, their designs differ quite significantly and you cannot always compare one with another simply on its asking price. In this article, we’ll look at some of the leading Luton vans on the market today. All of these are available as second-hand model and some are still current models that you can purchase or lease from dealers as new. Before we start looking at individual models, however, it will be worth examining exactly what makes a Luton such a distinct entity compared to a conventional panel van.
To begin with, Lutons have more storage space inside them than sprinter or panel style designs. This is because, by their very boxy nature, they tend to be wider and the sides of Lutons extend out over each rear wheel. In addition, there is a section of storage space used for cargo that will extend out and over the cab. Older models tended to have a box shape but modern demands for fuel efficiency often mean that they’re rounded nowadays to make the van design more aerodynamic. At the back, a roller door is the norm because this allows for Lutons to be parked close to where they will be unloaded without having to worry about hinged doors. That said, increasing numbers of new Lutons have a pair of hinged doors rather than a roller.
Some Lutons are equipped with tailgate lifts. The beefiest of these will be capable of lifting and lowering about 500 kilos but smaller electrical units mean that a capacity of around 250 kilos is more common. Please bear in mind that the continued use of tailgates is very draining on battery power so they should only be used for the largest and most bulky items during a house or office move. Another thing to note about most Lutons is that they are panelled. This protects the storage area from damage and allows for anchor points to be installed so that the contents can be held in place when in transit. There is no standard wheelbase length for Lutons today. Typically, they’ll be something around the four-metre mark. This means that the storage capacity of an average Luton is between 19 and 20 cubic metres. A sprinter-style van, by comparison, would offer you somewhere between 11 and 14 cubic metres of storage.
If you are thinking about upgrading your current van and investing in a Luton for your business, then the following models are certainly worth considering taking a closer look at.
Renault Master Low Loader Luton
The Renault Master is a very versatile van suited to all sorts of applications. The low loader version is the one that would probably be most sought after among removals contractors thanks to the ease by which items can be stowed at the rear. The lower-than-average frame of the van means that manual lifting can be kept to a minimum. What’s more, the lower loader Luton from Renault comes in a good selection of engine types. Importantly, they’re all efficient no matter which one you opt for. However, in 2020, Renault announced that it would be upgrading its ZE master range of electric vans, ideal for removals contractors who tend to stick to jobs in the same city or town. At this time, the French vehicle manufacturer said it would introduce a 3.5 tonne electric model of Luton to match the diesel one it already produced. The ZE low loader can cope with a tonne of cargo and will offer a whopping 20 cubic metres of storage space. That’s about double the capacity of the panel van version of the Master. No space has been lost with the batteries required for the all-electric Luton, either, since these are positioned in the place where the gearbox would have been.
LDV V80 Luton
The V80 by LDV is very much a workhorse. Like the Master by Renault, it comes in an astonishing array of different van models and you can even obtain a 15-seater minibus variant if you want. The Luton version is the one we are interested in, however. The first thing to say about it is that it is a good deal cheaper than just about any other new Luton you will find on the market today. Part of the reason for this is that the V80 Luton is basic. From a driver’s perspective, you will get everything you need from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. However, there are very few creature comforts in the cabin meaning that longer journeys can become a little uncomfortable. There’s a six-speed gearbox that supplies power to the front wheels only. That said, the Luton vans in the range are generally available without needing to wait for a specific order to be placed. On the second-hand market, LDV V80 Lutons that are five years of age tend to be the cheapest since these will be out of warranty by that point in their lifespans.
Vauxhall Movano Luton Van
Few drivers who get behind the wheel of a Movano van – whether it is a Luton or not – will fail to be impressed by just how responsive it is. This model may not offer everything you need from the perspective of a removals contractor but it is among the best vans to use on the road available these days. In the cabin, the driver’s seat can be adjusted in numerous ways to ensure a comfortable ride. Unlike some of the other Lutons on this list, there is a fair amount of adjustment possible with the steering column, too. The Maxi Load Luton model offers a convenient height to carry goods in transit and out of but the space over the cab has been chopped back to offer greater aerodynamics. This model also offers an aluminium door that drops down. As such, you can operate it as a handy loading ramp, if wanted. Overall, this is a Luton that balances value for money with operational convenience very well.
VW Crafter Luton
With 17 cubic metres of storage space in the back, the VW Crafter might not be the biggest Luton to choose but it certainly packs a punch. This is a very solidly built van that will stand up to the rigours of commercial moves even if it is used for such jobs every day of the week. The Luton version boasts a longer wheelbase chassis than standard Crafters and a body that has been designed for it by Ingimex, a Telford-based commercial vehicle body constructor. There’s just a 2.0-litre engine on offer but it delivers 163 bhp of power and a huge 400 Nm of torque, ideal for hill starts with a full payload. Lashing rails and a non-slip floor are on offer as standard so this is a Luton van that appears to have been designed with the needs of removals contractors very much in mind. The storage area also features a useful bright lamp that illuminates the entire space, perfect for nighttime relocation jobs.
Ford Transit Luton
There are plenty of Transit Lutons on the second-hand market in either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission variant. Still available from new in both front-wheel and rear-wheel drive versions, the Transit Luton offers just a little under 20 cubic metres of storage space if you opt for a front-wheel-drive version. Indeed, the latest versions of the Luton Transit come with ten-speed gearboxes nowadays. Expect plenty of useful items inside, such as full-height grab handles, telescopic retention poles and plywood flooring. Despite some owners expressing frustration with this Luton’s reliability, the fact is that it is a good seller and there are plenty of model variants available to buy at any particular time, suiting all budgets. One of the key things to listen out for if you test drive one is how much it rattles. Generally speaking, Transit Lutons are quite quiet on the road, something that you cannot say about many box vans. Overall, the Transit is a very solid performer when it comes to removals work even if the driving experience is a little uninspiring.