How to Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Delivery

One of the most common mistakes businesses make when booking a courier is not thinking about the vehicle. You might assume that every delivery goes in a van, but the reality is more nuanced — and choosing the right vehicle can save you money, speed up delivery, and better protect your goods.

At Roebuck, we operate a mixed fleet specifically so we can match the vehicle to the job. Here's a practical guide to help you work out what you need.

Why Does Vehicle Choice Matter?

Three reasons: cost, speed, and suitability.

Cost. A motorcycle costs less to run than a large van. If you're sending a single document envelope, there's no point paying for a vehicle designed to carry pallets. Equally, trying to squeeze an oversized item into a vehicle that's too small leads to problems.

Speed. Smaller vehicles are often faster, particularly in urban environments. A motorcycle can navigate traffic and park easily where a large van cannot. For urgent document deliveries in city centres, a bike is hard to beat.

Suitability. Different items have different requirements. Fragile goods need secure, enclosed transport. Long items need a vehicle with sufficient load length. Heavy consignments need a vehicle with an appropriate payload rating.

When Should You Choose a Motorcycle?

Motorcycles are the fastest option for small, lightweight consignments — typically documents, small packages, and envelopes. They're ideal when:

• The consignment fits in a top box or pannier
• Speed is the top priority
• The delivery is within a city or urban area
• You're sending legal documents, contracts, or medical samples

Motorcycle couriers are particularly popular with legal and professional services firms that need documents delivered quickly within a city or between nearby towns.

When Is a Small Van (SWB) the Right Choice?

Short-wheelbase vans are the workhorses of the courier industry. They're compact enough for urban deliveries but offer enough cargo space for a wide range of consignments:

• Multiple boxes or packages
• Medical equipment and supplies
• IT equipment and electronics
• Automotive parts and components
• Small machinery or tooling

An SWB van is often the sweet spot between cost and capacity. If your consignment is too large for a motorcycle but doesn't need a full-size van, this is typically the right call.

What About a Medium Van (MWB)?

Medium-wheelbase vans bridge the gap between compact vans and large cargo vehicles. They're suitable for:

• Larger volumes of boxes or packages
• Longer items that won't fit in a short-wheelbase van
• Trade supplies and materials
• Multiple consignments being collected from one location

For many manufacturing and trade deliveries, an MWB van provides the right balance of space and manoeuvrability.

When Do You Need a Large Van (XLWB)?

Extra-long-wheelbase vans are the largest vehicles in most courier fleets. They're designed for:

• Full pallets and half pallets
• Oversized or awkwardly shaped items
• Large-volume deliveries — furniture, fixtures, exhibition materials
• Heavy consignments that require a higher payload rating
• Multi-pallet loads that would otherwise need a truck

XLWB vans can often carry loads that people assume need a lorry, making them a cost-effective alternative for consignments up to around 1,200kg.

How to Work Out What You Need

If you're not sure which vehicle is right for your delivery, here's a simple process:

1. Measure your consignment. Length, width, height, and weight. If it's multiple items, note the total volume and combined weight.
2. Consider the handling requirements. Does it need to be kept upright? Is it fragile? Does it need strapping or securing?
3. Think about access. Is the collection or delivery point in a tight space? Is there a loading bay? Will the driver need a tail lift?
4. Factor in urgency. If speed is critical and the consignment is small, a motorcycle might be the best option even if a van could technically carry it.

And if you're still unsure — just ask. A good courier will recommend the right vehicle based on your description of the consignment. It's in everyone's interest to get it right.

Can You Change Vehicles After Booking?

Sometimes a consignment turns out to be larger or smaller than expected. A professional courier should be flexible enough to accommodate changes where possible — though it's always better to give accurate information upfront to avoid delays.

At Roebuck, if the vehicle dispatched isn't suitable for any reason, we'll work quickly to find the right solution rather than leaving you stuck.

Get in Touch

At Roebuck Courier Service, we'll help you choose the right vehicle for every delivery. From motorcycles to XLWB vans, we match the vehicle to the job across Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, and the wider East Midlands.

Call us on 07412 554169 or visit our Get a Quote page.