Driving a Van In Adverse Weather
Practical Advice For Driving A Van When The Weather Turns Wild!
The sun doesn’t shine every day and it seems like we’re getting our fair share of storms at the moment. But life goes on, so what do you need to consider when you find yourself driving a van in wet, stormy or even snowy conditions? Many of our van hire customers are well used to driving vans and other high sided vehicles in all kinds of conditions, but for others, they’re hiring a van for the first time, so we thought we’d put together a handy guide to help everyone stay safe.
Driving a Van isn’t Difficult
The vans of today aren’t hard to drive. More than ever before, they’re just as easy to drive as a car and have many of the driver aids, comforts and conveniences you’d be more accustomed to seeing in high end executive cars. If you can drive a car, you can drive a van. They’re just bigger, so you just need to take into account that they might be longer or taller and plan your manoeuvres accordingly.
Driving a Van In The Wind
Apart from the smallest vans, like the Citroen Berlingo and similar, vans are high-sided vehicles and when driving one, you’ll be more aware of the effects of wind. Especially so if the van is unladen. Many of our vans, being the very latest and upgraded versions from various manufacturers have developed technology to combat this. For example, our Mercedes Sprinter van have Crosswind Assist which detects the effects of sudden gusts and actively makes adjustments to keep you in lane. However, the best advice for driving a van when it’s windy is to slow down on exposed routes and to be aware when there are gaps in buildings and hedges etc which may cause you to feel sudden changes in buffeting as you’re driving past them. Also be aware of ‘rolling windbreaks’ like lorries and other vans. You’re likely to feel differences in the effects of crosswinds as you pass them on exposed routes.
Driving a Van in The Rain
Wet weather is something we’re all well accustomed to driving in. With rain on the windscreen and mirrors, splashes from puddles and spray from other vehicles all conspiring to reduce visibility, you’ll need to have your wits about you, but it’s by no means difficult. When driving a van in the rain, you’ll find you’re in a commanding position. Sitting higher than car drivers and able to see more of the road ahead, you can use your elevated position to plan your manoeuvres in advance and with much larger wing mirrors too, so make sure you take advantage of that extra visibility. It goes without saying, that wet roads are slippier than dry, so keep your distance, accelerate smoothly, brake more slowly and take bends with more care. With the storms and flooding we’re experience right now, be very wary about the depth of standing (and flowing) water on the road. Driving through large puddles at speed can affect the steering almost to the point of snatching the wheel out of your hand, so if you have to drive through them slow down. Be aware that puddles sometimes conceal potholes as well. With rainwater overwhelming drainage systems, low points in the road may accumulate so much water that it’s too deep to drive through. If you can’t see the bottom, stay safe and choose another route rather than attempting to drive through.
Driving a Van in The Snow
By far the most challenging condition to be driving a van, (or indeed anything else) is when the weather turns wintry. If there’s snow on the ground, then it’s common sense to slow down significantly. There’s the snow and slush you can see, but there may also be black ice which you can’t, so be extra cautious. Bear in mind that your van, especially if it’s carrying a payload, is heavier than your car. While a van is as easy to drive as a car these days, you can’t cheat physics and a heavier object has more inertia than a smaller object. and therefore takes more to stop. With snow on the ground, the reduction in traction means that even the best tyres are less grippy. Modern ABS systems and traction control systems do wonders to help retain traction in all kinds of conditions, but it’s best to drive more carefully than to rely on the technology. Just like driving in the rain (but more so) make sure you accelerate far more slowly than you otherwise would, leave larger gaps between yourself and the vehicle in front, slow right down for turns and brake far in advance. For manual vans, make use of engine braking to help you slow down and either instead of or as well as the brakes, in particular when especially when travelling downhill, this will help you stay in better control when decelerating. If you’re unfortunate enough to find yourself skidding, try to stay calm. Keep your eyes on where you want to go and carefully steer towards it, into the slide. Don’t take your hands off the wheel and resist the urge to stamp on the brakes. An associated risk of driving in the snow is the risk of getting stuck in it. When the snow falls heavily, try to avoid narrow and country roads which are the least likely to be treated and as such the most likely to get you caught spinning your wheels and unable to get enough traction to move. Try to stick to main roads which are the most likely to be have been treated.
The Best Van For Bad Weather Is A Westwood Van
Modern vans are a farcry from what they used to be and at Westwood, we only have the best brand new vehicles available for van hire. We stock only top of the range or high spec’ vans, so as well as having everything you need to stay comfortable on the road, they also ave all the technology to keep you safe. They won’t do the driving for you (at least not yet) but they’ll give you a better chance of stying on the road and staying safe when you’re out driving a van in less than ideal conditions. You’ll pay less for them too! Need a car or van – Look no further!
