As a rough guide, a large van suits the load that fills a 50 sq ft unit, and a Luton van suits a 100 sq ft unit. Both are matched by the home they’d empty: Enterprise’s van size guide says a large van is suitable for moving a one-bed flat or bedsit, and a Luton will take the contents of a two or three-bed flat or house.
How the sizes line up
| Our unit | Roughly holds | Van for a similar load |
|---|---|---|
| 50 sq ft | a studio or small one-bed flat with modest furniture | large van (up to 11.3 cubic metres) |
| 100 sq ft | a flat, or a modestly furnished home with two or three bedrooms | Luton van (up to 19 cubic metres) |
The unit sizes come from our own size guides, and the van load volumes from Enterprise’s guide. Every home is different, so treat both as a starting point rather than a promise.
When a smaller van will do
If you’re only storing part of a home, such as the things that won’t fit in your next place, you may need much less. Enterprise describes a medium van as a good choice for a two-seater sofa or the contents of a small room, so a medium van and two trips can work well for a lighter load.
Before you book the van
Check your licence. GOV.UK explains that if you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997, a category B licence lets you drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500kg (petrol or diesel). Ask the hire company for the van’s maximum authorised mass before you book.
Take beds and tables apart, and pack boxes of a similar size, so the load stacks neatly in the van and again in your unit.
At the unit
There’s free parking while you unload and free trolleys at every site. At Chipping Norton, Shipston-on-Stour and Warminster, our drive-up units let you park right by the door. If you’d rather not drive or lift, we can put you in touch with local removals and man-and-van firms.
Not sure which unit you need? Tell us what you’re storing, and measure anything long or tall, and our team will suggest a size. Our room-by-room size guide helps too. When you’re ready, get a price online, or call us on 0800 2545585.
Related questions
- How do I know what unit size I need?
- Are trolleys available on site?
- Is there anyone on site to help me unload or load my stuff?
- What fits in a 50 sq ft storage unit?
- Is a 100 sq ft storage unit big enough for my home?
Further reading
- GOV.UK: Driving licence categories
- Enterprise: Van size guide