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Information about Van

This article is about the road vehicle. For other uses, see Van (disambiguation).


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Morris Oxford van
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Sprinter(van)
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Sava]] 213 vans
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people. It is usually a rather box-shaped vehicle on four wheels, about the same width and length as a large automobile, but taller and usually higher off the ground, also referred to as a Light Commercial Vehicle or LCV. However, in North America, the term may be used to refer to any truck with a rigid cargo body fixed to the cab, even up to large sizes.

In the UK usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon/sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs (such as pick-up trucks). There are vans in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the classic van version of the tiny Mini to the five metre long (LWB) variants of the Mercedes Sprinter van. Vehicles larger than this are classified as trucks (or lorries in British English).

Word usage and etymology

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Polish Lublin III van
The word van is a shortened version of the word which originally meant a covered vehicle.

The word van has slightly different, but overlapping, meanings in different forms of English. While the word always applies to boxy cargo vans, the most major differences in usage are found between the different English-speaking countries.

United Kingdom

British English speakers will generally refer to a passenger minivan as a people-carrier or MPV (multi-purpose vehicle), and a larger passenger van as a minibus. Ford makes a distinct line of vans with short hoods and varying body sizes. Minivans are the same Vans but smaller.

United States

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Full size conversion van (1996 Dodge Ram Van)
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Full size van engine, with doghouse removed.
In the United States, a van can also refer to a box-shaped trailer or semi-trailer used to carry goods. In this case there is a differentiation between a dry van, used to carry most goods, and a refrigerated van (a reefer) used for cold goods. A railway car used to carry baggage is also called a van.

The term van is also used to refer to a Minivan. However, minivans are usually distinguished by their smaller size (190 to 200 in long), unibody architecture, and front wheel drive powertrains. Minivans have essentially replaced the large family station wagon, many luxury family sedans, and short wheelbased full-size vans that do not require extreme volume, towing, or passengers beyond 7. By comparison with full sized vans, they get good gas mileage, do not require overheight parking, have comfortable flexible seating accommodations such as folding middle or 3rd row seats, lowering windows on passenger doors on left and right side, and power hatch.

However, when it is necessary to tow a large mass, such as a camper, a full size van may be preferred for its larger engine, converted from cargo form to a family vehicle, referred to as a conversion van. A conversion van receives a full interior, extra seats, and comfort options such as air conditioning, indirect lighting, premium sound system, and a video screen system. While a minivan can tow between 2,000 and 4,000 pounds, a full size van can tow in excess of 8,000 pounds, as well as its own weight.

Full size vans are noted for their short nose, which creates a unique engine location. The engine block is located between the two front seats, next to the legs of passengers. An enclosure known as a doghouse covers the engine, and often has an inner padding, as the engine produces a lot of heat.

Japan

Early Japanese vans include the Mazda Bongo and the Subaru 360 van. The Japanese also produced many vans based on the American flat nose model, but also mini-vans which for the American market have generally evolved to the long-wheelbase front wheel drive form factor first pioneered by the Dodge Caravan. Microvans, vans that fulfill kei car regulations, are very popular for small business.

Australia

In Australian English, the term van is commonly used to describe a minivan, a passenger minibus, or an Australian panel van, manufactured by both Holden and Ford at various times.

A full size van used for commercial purposes is also known as a van, however a passenger vehicle with more than 7 or 8 seats is more likely to be called a minibus.

Finally, the term van can sometimes be used interchangeably with caravan, which in the U.S. is referred to as a travel trailer.

The British term people mover is also used in Australian English to describe a passenger van. The American usage of van to mean a cargo box trailer or semi-trailer is used rarely, if ever, in Australia.

Examples

The first generation of American vans were the 1960s compact vans which were patterned in size after the Volkswagen Bus. The Corvair based entry even aped the rear mounted air cooled engine design. The Ford Falcon had a flat nose with engine mounted between and behind the front seats. The Dodge A100 had a similar layout and could accommodate a V-8. Chevrolet also switched to this layout. The Ford, Dodge and Corvair vans were also produced as pickup trucks.

The standard or full size vans appeared with Ford's innovation of moving the engine forward under a short hood and using pickup truck components and taillights. The engine cockpit housing is often called a dog house. Over time, they evolved longer noses and sleeker shapes. The Dodge Sportsman added a plug to the rear of a long wheelbase to create the 15 passenger van. They have been sold as both cargo and passenger models to the general public and as cutaway van chassis versions for second stage manufacturers to make box vans, ambulances, campers and other vehicles. Second stage manufacturers also modify the original manufacturer's body to create custom vans for the general public.

In the 1970s, songs like "Chevy Van" and nicknames like "sin bin" became part of the culture as owners transformed them into rolling bedrooms and lounges. Conversion vans became a large market with plusher accommodations than factory seats.

Dodge ended production of their full-size vans in June of 2002 (as 2003 models), and replaced it with the Dodge Sprinter, which is based on a narrower, more fuel efficient European design pattern with a 150 hp diesel turbo I5. Typical versions of the Sprinter are taller than other unmodified vans (tall enough to stand in), with a more slanted (aerodynamic) profile in front. They have been adopted primarily for delivery and lightweight Class-C van cab motorhome applications.

Usage

In urban areas of the United States full-size vans have been used as commuter vans since 1971, when Dodge introduced a van that could transport up to 15 passengers. Commuter vans are used as an alternative to carpooling and other ride sharing arrangements.

Many mobile businesses use a van to carry almost their entire business to various places where they work. For instance, there are those who come to homes or places of business to perform services or to install or repair appliances.

Vans are also used to shuttle people and their luggage between hotels and airports, to transport commuters between parking lots and their places of work, and along established routes as minibuses.

Vans are also used to transport elderly and mobility-impaired worshipers to and from church services or to transport youth groups for outings to amusement parks, picnics, and visiting other churches.

Step Van

Another type of van, peculiar to North America, is the step van, so called because of the ease with which one can step in and out of it. Widely used by delivery services, courier companies and the parcel division of US Mail and Canada Post, they are often seen driven with the door open, especially in big cities.

Rollover safety

Recently, the larger passenger versions have appeared in news stories for having a tendency to roll over, particularly in the case of inexperienced operators. The van body is taller than the cab and bed of the pickup that uses the same style frame and powertrain resulting in the basic van having a higher center of gravity than a similarly loaded pickup from which it is derived. The suspension is also higher because of the extreme weight capacity of 15 passengers of between 150 and 200 lb each which may be over one ton of passengers alone. The seats in the passenger version raise the load, passengers, above the floor, further raising the center of gravity (and often shifting it rearward). The bench seats allow passengers to slide if safety belts are not used. In the United States it is common for only the front seat passengers to use their safety belts, perhaps because belted passengers feel they can still lean and shift a large amount. However, the NHTSA, cited below, has determined that belted passengers are about 4 times more likely to survive in rollover crashes.

Safety can be greatly improved by understanding the unique characteristics of 12- & 15-passenger vans and by following a special set of guidelines developed for drivers, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A summary of this information is available at Reducing The Risk of Rollover Crashes in 15-Passenger Vans.Among other things, this document advises that carrying 10 or fewer passengers (preferably towards the front of the van) greatly reduces the risk of rollover crashes, and it suggests that repeated operation by the same drivers tends to increase their ability to handle these vehicles more safely over time. Car rental companies have also started adding stickers to warn renters about the difference in handling while compared to standard cars. Items should not be added to a roof rack of an already top-heavy vehicle.

Models of vans by manufacturer

Chevrolet Citroën Daihatsu Dodge Fiat Ford Freight Rover FSC
  • Żuk A 03, A 05, A 14, A 09, A 11, A 15, A 07, A 18, R, M, A 151 C, A 16 B
  • Lublin van
FSO
  • Nysa N57, N58, N59, N60, N61, N63, 501, 503, 521/522
GAZ
  • Gazelle
GMC Honda Hyundai Isuzu Iveco Kia
  • Kia Bongo
  • Kia Carstar MPV/Kia Joice
  • Kia Towner
  • Kia Pregio
LDV Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mitsubishi Nissan Opel/Vauxhall Peugeot Plymouth Renault SEAT "Silvagni"
  • Silvagni Richard Van
Subaru Suzuki Toyota Vauxhall Volkswagen

Alternative propulsion

Since light trucks are often operated in city traffic, hybrid electric models are useful:

Wheelchair accessible

Some vans can be converted into wheelchair accessible vans for mobility impaired people: The following vehicles may be used in yards or in historic city centres:

See also

Van or van can mean:-

Vehicles

  • A van is a road vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.
  • A boxcar rail vehicle
  • A caboose, the last rail vehicle in a train

Abbreviations


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Transport or transportation is the movement of people and goods from one place to another. The term is derived from the Latin trans ("across") and portare ("to carry").
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automobile (from Greek auto, self and Latin mobile moving, a vehicle that moves itself rather than being moved by another vehicle or animal) or motor car (usually shortened to just car) is a wheeled passenger vehicle that carries its own motor.
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LCV can stand for:
  • League of Conservation Voters
  • Customer lifetime value
  • Light commercial vehicle
  • Lincolnville, Maine (Amtrak station code)
  • Light Combat Vehicle
  • Long Combination Vehicle, see road train

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truck is a vehicle usually used for transporting bulk goods, materials, or equipment. The word "truck" comes from the Greek "trochos", meaning "wheel". In America, the big wheels of wagons were called trucks.
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pickup truck or ute is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area.

In North America, the word pickup generally refers to a small or medium sized truck, rather than vehicles based on passenger cars.
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Mini is a small car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 to 2000. The most popular British-made car, it has since been replaced by the New MINI which was launched in 2001.
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Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Manufacturer Daimler-Benz (1995-1998), DaimlerChrysler (1998-2007), Daimler AG (2007+)
Also called Dodge Sprinter
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British English (BrE, BE, en-GB) is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere in the Anglophone world.
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English}}} 
Writing system: Latin (English variant) 
Official status
Official language of: 53 countries
Regulated by: no official regulation
Language codes
ISO 639-1: en
ISO 639-2: eng
ISO 639-3: eng  
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minivan, multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV), people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened MUV) is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van that is designed for personal use.
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minibus is a motor vehicle that is designed to carry fewer people than a full-size bus. An example of a minibus is the VW Bus/Kombi or Ford Transit, although there are many manufacturers producing models specifically for such use.
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semi-trailer is a trailer without a front axle. A large proportion of its weight is supported either by a road tractor or by a detachable front axle assembly known as a dolly. A semi-trailer is normally equipped with legs which can be lowered to support it when it is uncoupled.
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Refrigeration is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space, or from a substance, and rejecting it elsewhere for the primary purpose of lowering the temperature of the enclosed space or substance and then maintaining that lower temperature.
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CAR is a three-letter acronym that can stand for:
  • Central African Republic
  • Action Committee for Renewal, a political party of Togo
  • Canadian Airborne Regiment
  • Canadian Atlantic Railway
  • Canadian Aviation Regulations
  • Canonical anticommutation relation

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minivan, multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV), people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened MUV) is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van that is designed for personal use.
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Monocoque (French for "single" (mono) and "shell" (coque)) is a construction technique that supports structural load using an object's external skin. This stands in contrast with using an internal framework (or truss) that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin.
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Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in
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For the album by .38 Special, see .


In a vehicle, the term drivetrain or powertrain refers to the group of components that generate power and deliver it to the road surface, water, or air.
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luxury vehicle is a relatively expensive vehicle that includes additional features designed to increase the comfort of the driver and passengers. Luxury vehicles usually place more emphasis on comfort, appearance, and amenities such as technological upgrades and higher quality
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The Mazda Bongo is a van manufactured by Mazda of Japan. Since 1978, it has been exported as the Mazda E-Series and as the Ford Econovan.

1966

Mazda introduced its small van, the Bongo, in 1966.
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Dodge Caravan and Dodge Grand Caravan are minivans manufactured by the Chrysler Group (DaimlerChrysler from 1998). They were introduced in November 1983 for the 1984 model year along with sister models, the Chrysler town & Country, and the Plymouth Voyager (later
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microvan is a van that fits into Japanese kei car classification or similar. In certain regions, these models are inexpensive and widely used for small business because of tax and insurance benefits; for example, in Japan the are exempted from a certification that there is
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Australian English (AuE, AusE, en-AU) is the form of the English language used in Australia.[1]

History

Australian English began diverging from British English shortly after the foundation of the Australian penal colony of New South Wales
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minivan, multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV), people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened MUV) is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van that is designed for personal use.
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minibus is a motor vehicle that is designed to carry fewer people than a full-size bus. An example of a minibus is the VW Bus/Kombi or Ford Transit, although there are many manufacturers producing models specifically for such use.
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GM Holden Ltd

Private (subsidiary of General Motors since 1931)
Founded 1852
Headquarters Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Key people Chris Gubbey
Chairman and Managing Director
Industry Automotive
Products Automobiles
Engines
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Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA.
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A full size van is a truck characterized by a very short hood, tall body, heavy payload capacity or passenger capacity from 7 to 15 passengers. They largely replaced the compact vans which were introduced in the early 1960s to compete with the Volkswagen bus, based on compact car
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