How to choose the right van size: practical guide for moving and work
Choosing the wrong van size is one of the most common — and most expensive — mistakes. Going too small means making two trips. Going too large makes parking, fuel consumption and manoeuvring on narrow streets unnecessarily difficult. This guide helps you get it right first time.
First: understand what m³ actually means in practice
Load volume is measured in cubic metres (m³). This is the usable space available in the van's cargo area. To give you a visual reference:
- 1 m³ is roughly a cube measuring 1 metre × 1 metre × 1 metre
- A three-seater sofa takes up around 1.5 m³
- A large fridge takes up approximately 0.5 m³
- 20 standard moving boxes take up between 2 and 3 m³
Maximum payload (in kg) is just as important — especially if you're loading building materials, heavy tools or appliances.
Small van — Fiat Doblò
Dimensions: 4.40 m long · 1.83 m wide · 1.84 m high Load volume: up to 3.4 m³ Maximum payload: up to 1,000 kg
The Fiat Doblò is the most agile and easiest van to drive. It fits in any urban car park, uses little fuel and handles almost like a car. It's the right choice for:
- Moving a room or studio flat
- Collecting second-hand furniture or flat-pack from large stores
- Self-employed tradespeople with light tools (electricians, painters with minimal equipment)
- Transporting small orders or light goods
- Getting around Fuengirola and nearby towns with narrow streets
What doesn't fit in a Doblò: a large sofa, a washing machine and a fridge at the same time. If you have more than 3-4 medium-sized items of furniture, you need to go up a size.
Medium van — Opel Vivaro type
Dimensions: 4.95 m long · 1.96 m wide · 1.90 m high Load volume: up to 5.8 m³ Maximum payload: up to 1,275 kg
The jump from small to medium is enormous in terms of space — almost double the volume. The medium van is the sweet spot for most house moves and for self-employed tradespeople who work with a significant volume of materials. It's the right choice for:
- Moving a 1-2 bedroom flat
- Plumbers, carpenters and installers with tools and building materials
- Businesses with medium-volume delivery needs
- Transporting several large appliances or items of furniture at once
- Seasonal moves between a main residence and a holiday home
Important: the medium van doesn't fit in all car parks — its 1.90 m height is at the limit of many covered car parks. Check access before parking in an underground garage.
Large cargo van — Volkswagen Transporter type
Dimensions: 5.05 m long · 2.03 m wide · 1.99 m high Load volume: up to 5.8 m³ (standard wheelbase) — up to 9.0 m³ (long wheelbase) Maximum payload: up to 1,330 kg
The large van is for when nothing smaller will do. Full moves from 3+ bedroom flats or houses, businesses with high cargo volumes, or professionals who need to transport large-format materials. It's the right choice for:
- Moving a 3+ bedroom flat or a whole house
- Construction companies with bulky materials
- Transporting long items (metal profiles, boards, pipes)
- Businesses with high-volume provisioning needs
- When everything doesn't fit in the medium and you don't want to make two trips
Note: the large van requires more driving experience, especially on the narrow streets of Fuengirola and inland towns. If you're not used to driving vans of this size, take a few minutes to get familiar with it before setting off.
Quick comparison table
| Small (Doblò) | Medium (Vivaro) | Large (Transporter) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4.40 m | 4.95 m | 5.05 m |
| Volume | up to 3.4 m³ | up to 5.8 m³ | up to 9.0 m³ |
| Max payload | 1,000 kg | 1,275 kg | 1,330 kg |
| Parking | Anywhere | Check height | Needs space |
| Best for | Studio / errands | 1-2 bed flat | House / business |
How many moving boxes fit?
A standard moving box (60×40×40 cm) takes up approximately 0.1 m³. As a practical reference:
- Small van (3.4 m³): around 25-30 boxes
- Medium van (5.8 m³): around 50-55 boxes
- Large van (9.0 m³): more than 80 boxes
Remember that furniture isn't made of perfect cubes — there will always be gaps that can't be fully used. Allow for 20-30% less usable capacity in practice when mixing furniture and boxes.
The most important tip: if you're unsure between two sizes, go bigger
If you've been calculating for a while and still can't decide whether everything fits in the medium or you need the large, go large. The extra cost of a bigger size is always less than the cost in time, effort and money of making a second trip.
Book your van in Fuengirola
At 7Rent a Car we have small, medium and large vans available. If you're not sure which size you need for your move or job, give us a call — we'll help you choose before you book.
🚐 Check availability at 7rentacar.es — direct pick-up in Fuengirola, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Getting the size right from the start saves time, money and headaches.