When facing a move, it is important to choose the right size van. It’s not just a matter of space; time, comfort, and peace of mind are also involved. Getting it right avoids extra trips, unnecessary effort, and that awkward moment when you realize that “just a little” doesn’t fit everything.
In this blog, we will clearly show how to calculate the correct size, the most common mistakes, and why at Rodando we make it easy even if you have never organized a move before.
Before renting: be clear about what you are moving
The first step is not to look at vans, but to look at your home with realistic eyes. It’s not enough to think “it’s a small apartment” or “it’s just a few pieces of furniture.” Take the time to review what you are taking: the sofa, bed, wardrobes, appliances, boxes, fragile items, and very importantly, tall or long furniture that affects space.
Here appears the most common mistake: underestimating the load. It’s completely normal. If you are not experienced with moves, it’s easy to think that everything takes up less space than it really does… until you try to load it.
How is the actual moving space calculated?
To get the right van size, you need to consider the total volume, the dimensions of the furniture, and the possibility of placing some items vertically or horizontally. In practice, almost no one measures in cubic meters or calculates volumes precisely, so the safest approach is always to leave a margin.
In any real move, gaps appear, furniture has irregular shapes, and objects take up more space than expected. That’s why adding roughly 15% extra space is a smart decision that avoids last-minute surprises.
The easiest way: Rodando’s load calculator
At Rodando, we provide a free moving space calculator. You just select the furniture that most resembles yours, indicate the quantities, and the tool calculates the total volume and recommends the right van.
The best part is that you don’t need technical knowledge or previous experience. The calculator does the work and gives a clear and reliable answer.
When it seems like “it won’t fit”
Sometimes the calculator indicates that no van is suitable, and this is usually due to the height of a specific piece of furniture, not the total volume. Tall shelves, large wardrobes, or refrigerators are often the cause. In these cases, the solution is simple: place the furniture correctly, something completely normal in well-organized moves.
By protecting items with blankets, securing them with straps, and placing them stably, you can maximize space without risk. In the case of a refrigerator, just remember an important detail: once at the destination, it must remain turned off and upright for about 24 hours before plugging it in to avoid damage.
What van size is usually needed?
Every move is different, but experience shows that certain sizes work as a reference:
- Small vans are ideal for studios or very small moves; medium vans work well for one-bedroom apartments.
- Large vans allow medium-sized apartment moves with several bedrooms in a single trip.
- XL vans are the best option for large homes or complete moves with high volume.
A key tip that always works: it’s better to go slightly bigger than to fall short. The price difference is minimal, and the savings in time, effort, and stress are huge.
Sometimes making multiple trips involves more fuel, more time, more fatigue, and a higher risk of bumps or damage. That’s why, in most cases, renting a larger van is more cost-effective and convenient than falling short and having to repeat the trip.
And driving a large van?
It’s not a problem, especially with modern vehicles. At Rodando, we have state-of-the-art vans equipped with rearview cameras, parking sensors, and driver assistance systems. Everything is designed so that anyone, even without prior experience, can drive safely and comfortably.
If in the coming days you need to rent a van in Málaga, make it easy from the start. At Rodando, we help you choose the van you truly need, without complications, and with new and comfortable vehicles. Contact us.