How to stay safe in your rental van this winter
If you're new to vans, winter can prove quite treacherous. Learn how to stay safe, no matter your wheelbase.
For many of us, winter means mulled wine, woolly jumpers and board games. It's the season for cosying up, spending time with loved ones and enjoying a little more downtime.
But winter has a dark side, too – and this is no more apparent than on our roads.
According to car insurance firm Admiral, the highest percentage of severe road accidents
happen between November and February. What's more, 23% of Brits admit to being involved in an accident while driving in winter weather.
The roads are riskier in winter – and the risks are there, no matter what vehicle you drive. But if you're used to driving a car and suddenly find yourself behind the wheel of a van, it's worth paying extra care.
Vans are not cars. They handle differently. Stopping distances are longer. They're less agile and more difficult to manoeuvre on icy roads, for instance, or out of a snow drift.
There's a lot to think about. But don't worry. If you're renting a van this winter, we're here to keep you on the straight and narrow. Here are six tips to help you stay safe and enjoy your drive.
1. Plan ahead
For Icelanders, checking the weather each morning feels as natural as slipping into a fresh pair of socks. That's because Iceland's winters are fierce and cold. Locals need to check the weather because climate-related road closures are common – and if they don't keep an eye on conditions, they risk being stranded (or worse).
We'd do well to adopt this mindset here in the UK. Sure, our winter weather might be a little more tame, but inclement conditions are inclement conditions. We're sure the accident rate would plummet if we all watched the weather forecast a little more closely.
So, check before you travel. Watch out for weather warnings that advise against unnecessary travel. And even if there isn't a warning in place, don't drive unless you're comfortable doing so.
2. Take provisions
Seasoned car drivers know that winter driving demands more supplies. With vans, this is doubly true.
Your biggest foe is ice. So, make sure you've packed an ice scraper, some de-icer and a pair of gloves. The last thing you want is to delay your journey while you wait for the windows to clear – or worse, get a bad case of frostbite during a gloveless, credit-card-equipped scraping attempt.
And while getting stranded or breaking down is unlikely, it's better to be safe than sorry. That's why you might also want these supplies tucked away in the back:
- A blanket for warmth
- A first aid kit (always useful)
- A few snacks and a drink in case you're waiting several hours for rescue
- A torch (with fresh batteries)
- Some rags that you can place under your wheels to prevent skidding
- A small spade to dig the wheels out of the snow if they get stuck
3. Know your stopping distance
As far as van driving tips go, this is the biggie.
You probably know the usual stopping distances for cars. At 20 miles per hour, it's 12 metres. At 30 miles per hour, it's 23 metres. At the speed limit (70 miles per hour), it takes 96 metres to come to a complete stop.
In icy conditions, stopping distances can increase tenfold. If you're driving at the speed limit and there's ice on the roads, you could find yourself travelling for nearly a
kilometre before stopping.
It's scary stuff. And when you're driving a van, it gets scarier still.
See, vans are heavier than cars, so you can expect stopping distances to increase. A laden van will take even longer to stop – as much as
36% longer if you're carrying half a tonne.
Now add ice into the equation. Yikes.
Don't become another winter statistic. Drive carefully and at a reasonable speed. Leave plenty of room between your van and the vehicle in front – and brake gradually to prevent skidding.
4. Gear up for tricky conditions
Chances are, you know how to choose gears when driving in winter. The rules are the same for vans as they are for cars – except they're even more important. You are, after all, in charge of 2.5 tonnes of metal.
Rule one: start in second gear. Finding the bite might be a little trickier, but it's worth it. It helps prevent wheelspin – and you want to start as you mean to go on.
Rule two: drive in a higher gear than you usually would. Again, this helps prevent wheelspin. You
certainly
don't want your wheels to lose grip when travelling at speed.
Rule three: use a low gear when travelling downhill. This gives you a little more traction when you need it most.
Keep these three rules in mind and you should enjoy a peaceful, skid-free journey. But if the worst happens, it pays to know what to do…
5. Know how to recover from a skid
If your wheels start to skid, don't panic and don't brake.
Slamming on the brakes might seem like the most sensible reaction, but it's a recipe for icy disaster. Braking can cause the van to swerve even more violently, which is bad news if you're trying to regain control.
Instead, release the accelerator, press the clutch and turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. In other words, if the rear of your van is veering right, swing the wheel rightwards to match. This aligns the wheels with the vehicle's rotation and helps them regain traction.
With a little luck, you'll be back in control in no time. Phew.
6. Keep on top of maintenance
With a rental van, you're already one step ahead on this front. A good hire company will carry out regular checks and maintenance on all its vehicles, so you can be confident your van will be in tip-top shape from the moment you collect it.
However, bad weather makes mechanical issues doubly challenging, so it's worth checking the basics before each major journey – especially if you're hiring the van for more than a few days.
This includes things like tyre pressure, washer fluid and lights. Spend a couple of minutes making sure everything's as it should be and you'll be all set for a comfortable drive.
Are you looking for affordable
van hire in Newcastle – with great service to boot? MVH Rental is at your service. To get started,
browse our fleet online or give us a call on (0191) 4888 700.
