How hard is it to drive a van when you've not driven one before?? [laughs nervously]

I've driven a few like that and to be honest, after a few minutes, you get used to the size. The main thing is that there's no rear view mirror so you have to use your side mirrors A LOT, especially when reversing. If you have someone to help back you out and guide you much the better, but I've done it on my own and its not too bad. Its also very noisy compared to driving a car and not very comfortable.

I'd say it depends on how confident a driver you are and how good you are at establishing the size of your vehicle in general. I used to be a director of a commercial vehicle centre for VW, and the first time I got into a van to drive it I was quite surprised how easy it is - given you've got great visibility in traffic due to the heigh you sit at.

Having said that, the vehicle you're looking at is quite a beast as it's a LWB. Are you going to have to drive down tiny little roads and do a lot of manouevring into small spaces? If so I'd possibly be thinking twice if you're not used to driving vans as the one thing which you won't be used to is the lack of visibility at the rear and therefore how difficult it is to establish where your tailgate is. However, if it's literally door to door down fairly standard roads and no awkward parking, then it'll probably be a lot easier than you think.

No tiny roads at all, it's a fairly straightforward drive to be honest. It's like you say, it's a beast!

A man with a van could be a handy compromise, cost-wise.

I'm feeling your pain atm! We're moving tomorrow and have hired a 3.5 tonne tail-lift Luton van to do it ourselves:

http://www.salfordvanhire.com/small_vans.html

Our move is 50 miles, up and down hills, and around wiggly roads, eekk! Fortunately I trust my OH to get our stuff there in one piece. We hired a similar van for the first time a couple of years ago for our last move, and that time I proper papped myself! I thought we were going to roll backwards down all the steep hills!

I have driven them before, i found the strangest thing being sat high up and as someone said, no rear view mirror, so that is odd, but you soon get used to it.

Then, as you say, you're a confident driver so you should be fine ? The length of the vehicle won't be an issue at all when you're actually driving, it's just maneouvring that can be difficult if you're not used to it. The side mirrors are generally really good so you'll have plenty of visibility when on the road itself. I can't speak for Mercedes, but certainly VW vans have developed over the last few years in terms of ride quality, driver comfort and general 'ease of drive' so that they feel a lot more like big cars and less like small trucks ?.

Thanks all. I feel slightly better about driving one now. I've got a firm out this afternoon to give me a quote, hopefully they'll be reasonable enough!

One thing you may want to consider. We've chosen our van because it has a tail-lift. This is great for heavy, bulky items like fridges and washers, as you don't need to lift them into the van.

Does the van you're looking at have a lift? Otherwise it'll be difficult to hoist such items up and into the van (and then back out again!).

The only really heavy thing we have got that we're taking is the washing machine, Mr G has lifted that in to the back of a car before, so he'll be ok lifting this.

Cool stuff! I wish I only had a washer in terms of bulky items - we have a couple of mahoosive sideboards and a Smeg fridge to contend with. And there is a flight of ten metal stairs that run up to my front door, eeeekkkk!!!! OH's BF is helping with big furniture, and I'll be hiding as I'm too scared in case they break their necks.

Good luck for Friday!

I'm dreading it, I really am. I'm NEVER moving house EVER again! I'm really hoping that I can get someone in to do it....

Oh good luck with it Ruth (and flissy when the time comes) I couldnt cope with a self move, and am so, so glad that we decised to get a removals firm in when our move time comes. I couldnt cope with the stress of it all, you are brave people.

Hope the move goes well x

Mercedes vans are comfier than other vans and a more car like drive - if it's a straightforward drive like you say then it will be a breeze. The main difference with Mercedes is that it may have a foot brake instead of a handbrake and this can take a bit of getting used to. I think you'll love the high driving position, you really feel like you can see for miles

L
xx

I've done it a few times and absolutely love it- being high up is great fun and it's all pretty easy. The only thing I'd suggest is having someone wave you back if you need to reverse into a tight space.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated! We've managed to get another removals firm to do it though, thankfully! I'm so relieved as my back is screwed, and I don't thnk MrG was looking forward to doing it!

I'm a bit sad that I dont get to drive the van now ?

Phew! I bet youre relieved! good luck with moving day

Driven a few vans - esp a Sprinter. Good fun - need to remember the LWB version as at least 6-7 foot overhang after the rear axle - you need to remember this when performing a sharp turn out of a tight space.