Van

This article is about the road vehicle. For the rail vehicle,
see Covered goods wagon. For other uses, see Van (dis-
ambiguation).
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods

A British Ford Transit van serving as a police van. It has

Roger Fenton's photographic van, Crimea, 1855
been modified mechanically and with reflective decals and mul-
ticoloured rooftop lights.
are found to a greater or lesser extent in the different
or people. Depending on the type of van it can be big-
English-speaking countries.
ger or smaller than a truck and SUV, and bigger than
an automobile. There is some varying in the scope of
the word across the different English-speaking countries.
The smallest vans, minivans, are commonly used for
1.1 Australia
transporting people from a family. Larger vans with pas-
In Australian English, the term van is commonly used to
senger seats are used for institutional purposes, such as
describe a minivan, a passenger minibus, or an Australian
transporting students. Larger vans with only front seats
panel van as manufactured by companies such as Holden
are often used for business purposes, to carry goods and
and Ford at various times.
equipment. Specially-equipped vans are used by tele-
vision stations as mobile studios. Postal services and A full-size van used for commercial purposes is also
courier companies use large step vans to deliver packages. known as a van; however, a passenger vehicle with more
than 7 or 8 seats is more likely to be called a minibus.
Finally, the term van can sometimes be used interchange-
1 Word origin and usage ably with caravan, which in the U.S. is referred to as a
travel trailer.
Van meaning a type of vehicle arose as a contraction of The British term people mover is also used in Australian
the word caravan. The early records of van as a vehicle English to describe a passenger van. The American usage
in English are in the mid 19th century meaning a covered of van to mean a cargo box trailer or semi-trailer is used
wagon for transporting goods (earliest reported record rarely, if ever, in Australia.
1829). Caravan with the same meaning has records since
the 1670s. A caravan, meaning one wagon, had arisen as
an extension or corruption of caravan meaning a convoy 1.2 India
of multiple wagons.* [1]
The word van has slightly different, but overlapping, In India, van is one of the most common modes of trans-
meanings in different forms of English. While the word port and is often used for commuting school children to
always now applies to boxy cargo vans, other applications and from schools as parents, especially working parents

1
 2 1 WORD ORIGIN AND USAGE

are too busy to themselves pick their children from school

and when school buses are full and unable to accommo-
date other children.* [2]

1.3 Japan

Full-size Dodge Ram Van in the United States

Suzuki Alto Van - note baggage rails in rear side windows

Early Japanese vans include the Mazda Bongo and the

Subaru 360 van. The Japanese also produced many
vans based on the American flat nose model, but also
mini-vans which for the American market have generally
evolved to the long-wheelbase front wheel drive form fac-
tor pioneered by the Nissan Prairie and Mitsubishi Char-
iot. Microvans, vans that fulfill kei car regulations, are
very popular for small business. The term is also used to
describe full-fledged station wagons (passenger car front Minivan in the United States
sheetmetal, flat folding back seats, windows all around)
and even hatchbacks with a basic trim package intended
for commercial use. These are sometimes referred to as carry most goods, and a refrigerated van, or reefer, used
“Light Vans”(Japanese: ライトバン). for cold goods. A railway car used to carry baggage is
also called a van.
A vehicle referred to as a full-size van is usually a large,
1.4 United Kingdom
boxy vehicle that has a platform and powertrain similar
to their light truck counterparts. These vans may be sold
In British English, the word van refers to vehicles that
with the space behind the front seats empty for trans-
carry goods only, on both roads and rails. What would be
porting of goods (cargo van), or furnished for passenger
called a minivan in American English is called a people-
use by either the manufacturer (wagon) or another com-
carrier or MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle, and larger pas-
pany for more personal comforts, such as entertainment
senger vehicles are called a minibus. The Telegraph
systems (conversion van). Full-size vans often have a
newspaper introduced the idea of "White Van Man", a
very short hood (bonnet), with the engine block moved
typical working class man or small business owner who
to within the passenger cabin.
would have a white Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, or
similar panel van. Today the phrase“man and van”refers A cutaway van chassis is a variation of the full size van
to light removal firms normally operated by a sole busi- which was developed for use by many second stage man-
ness owner transporting anything from the contents of a ufacturers. Such a unit generally has a van front end, and
whole house to just a few boxes. The word “van”also driver controls in a cab body which extends only to a point
refers to railway covered goods wagons, called“boxcars” aft of the driver and passenger seats, where the rest of the
in the United States. van body is cutoff (leading to the terminology“cutaway”
). From that point aft, usually only the chassis frame
rails and running gear extend to the rear when the unit
1.5 United States is shipped as an “incomplete vehicle”. A second stage
manufacturer, commonly known as a bodybuilder, will
In the United States, a van can also refer to a box-shaped complete the vehicle for uses such as recreational vehi-
trailer or semi-trailer used to carry goods. In this case cles, small school buses, minibuses, type III ambulances,
there is a differentiation between a “dry van”, used to and delivery trucks. A large portion of cutaway van chas-
 3

sis are equipped with dual rear wheels. Some second facturer's body to create custom vans for the general pub-
stage manufacturers also add a third weight-bearing sin- lic.
gle wheel “tag axle”for larger minibus models. In the 1970s, songs like "Chevy Van", written and per-
The term van may also refer to a minivan. However, formed by Sammy Johns, and nicknames like “sin bin”
minivans are usually distinguished by their smaller size or “screw canoe”became part of the culture as own-
and traditionally front wheel drive powertrain, although ers transformed them into rolling bedrooms and lounges.
many now are being equipped with four wheel drive. Conversion vans became a large market with plusher ac-
Minivans typically offer seven or eight passenger seating commodations than factory seats.
capacity (similar to the smallest full-sized vans), and bet- Dodge ended production of their full-size vans in June
ter fuel economy than full-sized vans, at the expense of 2002 (as 2003 models), and replaced it with the German
power, cargo space, and towing capacity. In addition, originated Dodge Sprinter, which is based on a narrower,
many new minivans have dual side sliding doors. more fuel-efficient European design pattern with a 150
hp (110 kW) diesel turbo I5. Typical versions of the
Sprinter are taller than other unmodified vans (tall enough
2 Examples to stand in), with a more slanted (aerodynamic) profile in
front. They have been adopted primarily for delivery and
lightweight Class-C van cab motor home applications.

3 Usage

Polish Lublin III van

The precursor to American Vans would be the Sedan de- A van equipped with professional carpet cleaning tools in
liveries of the 1930s to late-1950s. The first generation of Durham, North Carolina
American vans were the 1960s compact vans, which were
patterned in size after the Volkswagen Bus. The Corvair- In urban areas of the United States full-size vans have
based entry even imitated the rear-mounted, air-cooled been used as commuter vans since 1971, when Dodge in-
engine design. The Ford Falcon had a flat nose, with the troduced a van that could transport up to 15 passengers.
engine mounted between and behind the front seats. The Commuter vans are used as an alternative to carpooling
Dodge A100 had a similar layout and could accommo- and other ride sharing arrangements.
date a V8 engine. Chevrolet also switched to this layout. Many mobile businesses use a van to carry almost their
The Ford, Dodge and Corvair vans were also produced as entire business to various places where they work. For
pickup trucks. example, those who come to homes or places of busi-
The standard or full size vans appeared with Ford's inno- ness to perform various services, installations, or repairs.
vation of moving the engine forward under a short hood Vans are also used to shuttle people and their luggage
and using pickup truck components and taillights. The between hotels and airports, to transport commuters be-
engine cockpit housing is often called a dog house. Over tween parking lots and their places of work, and along
time, they evolved longer noses and sleeker shapes. The established routes as minibuses. Vans are also used to
Dodge Sportsman was available with an extension to the transport elderly and mobility-impaired worshipers to and
rear of its long wheelbase model to create a 15 passenger from church services or to transport youth groups for
van. Vehicles have been sold as both cargo and passen- outings to amusement parks, picnics, and visiting other
ger models to the general public, as well as in cutaway van churches. Vans are also used by schools to drive sports
chassis versions for second stage manufacturers to make teams to intramural games. Vans have been used by tour-
box vans, ambulances, campers, and other vehicles. Sec- ing music groups to haul equipment and people to music
ond stage manufacturers also modify the original manu- venues around the country.
4 3 USAGE

3.1 Step Van 3.2 Rollover safety

Main article: Multi-stop truck The van body is taller than the cab and bed of the pickup
Another type of van, peculiar to North America, is the that uses the same style frame and powertrain resulting in
the basic van having a higher center of gravity than a sim-
ilarly loaded pickup from which it is derived. The suspen-
sion is also higher because of the design weight capacity
for 15 passengers of between 150 lb (68 kg) and 200 lb
(91 kg), thus a vehicle may be over one ton of passengers
alone. The seats in the passenger version raise the load,
passengers, above the floor, further raising the center of
gravity (and often shifting it rearward). The bench seats
allow passengers to slide if safety belts are not used. In
the United States it is common for only the front seat pas-
sengers to use their safety belts, perhaps because belted
passengers feel they can still lean and shift a large amount.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-
tion (NHTSA) has determined that belted passengers are
International Harvester Metro Van
about four times more likely to survive in rollover crashes.
Safety can be greatly improved by understanding the
unique characteristics of 12- and 15-passenger vans and
by following guidelines developed for their drivers, ac-
cording to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Ad-
ministration (NHTSA). A summary of this information
is available at “Reducing The Risk of Rollover Crashes
in 15-Passenger Vans”.* [3] Recommendations include
carrying 10 or fewer passengers (preferably towards the
front of the van) because that greatly reduces the risk of
rollover crashes, and it suggests that repeated operation by
the same drivers tends to enhance their ability to handle
A Postal Service step van these vehicles more safely over time.
Tire pressure for 12- and 15-passenger vans is another
operating issue that is often overlooked, as these vans are
designed to have a higher pressure in the rear tires in or-
der to carry the heavier load safely.* [4] Vehicle manu-
facturers tire pressure requirements are on each vehicle's
information label, usually located in the doorjamb of the
driver's-side door. Underinflated tires can overheat when
driven at speed and under heavy loads, causing tire failure
and leading to a roll-over.
Car rental companies have also started adding stickers to
warn renters about the difference in handling while com-
pared to standard cars. Items should not be added to a
roof rack of an already top-heavy vehicle.

A Federal Express step van

step van, so-called because of the ease with which one

3.3 Safety equipment
can step in and out of it. Widely used by delivery ser-
vices, courier companies and the parcel division of the Many commercial vans are fitted with cargo barriers be-
US Postal Service and Canada Post, they are often seen hind the front seats (or rear seats, if fitted) to prevent
driven with the door open, especially in big cities. Step injuries caused by unsecured cargo in the event of sud-
vans have more boxy shapes and higher rooftops than den deceleration, collision or a rollover. Cargo barriers in
other vans, and are rarely employed for carrying passen- vans are sometimes fitted with doors permitting the driver
gers. to pass through to the cargo compartment of the vehicle.
 5

4 See also
• Ambulance

• Campervan
• Conversion van

• Cutaway van chassis

• Ice cream van

• Kebab van

• List of vans
• Minivan

• Panel van
• Public light bus

• Sedan delivery
• Station wagon

5 References
[1] “Van #3”@ New English Dictionary on Historical Prin-
ciples, year 1928. See also “Caravan”@ New English
Dictionary on Historical Principles, year 1893. Note: The
word van as a vehicle, being a contraction of caravan, has
no historical relation with the word van as a contraction
of vanguard.

[2] “School van operators take kids for a ride”. Hindustan

Times. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.

[3] “Passenger Van Safety”. nhtsa.dot.gov. Retrieved 8 May

2012.

[4] “15-Passenger Van Safety Whitepaper”. brightfleet.com.

September 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
6 6 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

6 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

6.1 Text
• Van Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van?oldid=709284296 Contributors: Marj Tiefert, Ed Poor, SimonP, Mintguy, Patrick, Norm,
Mahjongg, Liftarn, Ixfd64, Gbleem, Mac, GCarty, Miernik, Carlossuarez46, TMC1221, Fuelbottle, Seano1, Rsduhamel, Dina, Vaoverland,
Jhf, Monedula, Moyogo, Gecko~enwiki, Mboverload, Zoney, Grant65, Bobblewik, Pgan002, Necrothesp, Icairns, Neutrality, Sonett72,
Discospinster, Rich Farmbrough, Aris Katsaris, ESkog, Plugwash, Srbauer, Bobo192, Diceman, Slambo, Alansohn, StrawberryJAMM,
Interiot, Arthena, Stovetopcookies, Carbon Caryatid, Rwendland, Wtmitchell, Garzo, Instantnood, Sam Vimes, FrancisTyers, Firsfron,
Woohookitty, PoccilScript, Admrboltz, ^demon, Dovid, Mandarax, Graham87, Kalmia, BD2412, Zoz, Icey, Ryan Norton, Rjwilmsi,
Koavf, Wiarthurhu, Vegaswikian, Yamamoto Ichiro, Nihiltres, SouthernNights, Celestianpower, Ewlyahoocom, Karrmann, Jakg, Grey-
Cat, ApolloBoy, Chobot, RetiredUser167213, Tone, Hairy Dude, Gerfriedc, Postglock, Chaser, AKADriver, RadioFan, G®iffen~enwiki,
Maylett, Tfine80, Howcheng, Renata3, Malcolma, Ahanix1989, Mikeblas, Dddstone, Slicing, Mütze, 21655, Zzuuzz, Back ache, Allens,
SmackBot, BlakkDiamond, Colinstu, Slashme, Ma8thew, Stephensuleeman, Fitch, Bugs5382, Ohnoitsjamie, Chris the speller, Improbcat,
Colonies Chris, Nintendude, Camaro96, Trekphiler, Tsca.bot, Onorem, Ww2censor, COMPFUNK2, Xen 1986, Bretonbanquet, Wtwil-
son3, SilkTork, VWphaetonfan, Freederick, Peter Horn, OnBeyondZebrax, Iridescent, EPO, Impy4ever, Vpopescu, Dp462090, Stan-
ton BG, Filelakeshoe, Sable232, NaBUru38, Innomad, Ken Gallager, Petewailes, Funnyfarmofdoom, Cheapestcostavoider, Gogo Dodo,
Wildnox, Fh1, Thijs!bot, Coelacan, Following specific instructions whispered by a mysterious cat, John254, Parsiferon, DanTD, Men-
tifisto, Buron444, EdJogg, AntiVandalBot, CZmarlin, OSX, JAnDbot, MER-C, GurchBot, PhilKnight, Hoxxy, Bongwarrior, VoABot II,
Bwanaunsignedhype, Avicennasis, Talltim, Edward321, NatureA16, AstroMan, MaEr, R'n'B, Azer Red, Boston, J.delanoy, DifiCa, Love
Krittaya, Athaenara, Biscuits100, Maproom, Mr Rookles, Olegwiki, 555hotline, Jamesontai, DH85868993, Bass hound, Jevansen, Ban-
jodog, VolkovBot, HolyMoley, Philip Trueman, TXiKiBoT, Oshwah, Tricky Victoria, Cremepuff222, Klicka833, Timhogs, Shouriki,
Eubulides, GTHO, Meters, Graymornings, Typ932, Vchimpanzee, WatermelonPotion, Wavehunter, Nosferatütr, NHRHS2010, SieBot,
Malcolmxl5, RJaguar3, Smsarmad, Медиа, Faradayplank, Jdaloner, Manway, OKBot, Orrije, WikiLaurent, Regushee, Elassint, ClueBot,
Haruk, Chad01, Dickpenn, Seanwal111111, -Midorihana-, Alexbot, Arjayay, SchreiberBike, Abacus3, Scalhotrod, Simon Villeneuve,
DumZiBoT, TAXIcon~enwiki, XLinkBot, FGS “the man”, Mifter, JimMatczak, Addbot, Ronhjones, Fieldday-sunday, Download,
Chulo333, Favonian, 5 albert square, Petr.wudi~enwiki, Tassedethe, Alexlovesvan16, Tide rolls, 58Fury, OlEnglish, Zorrobot, Runite001,
Legobot, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Specious, Pineapple fez, Vini 17bot5, AnomieBOT, Fsopolonezcaro, Dwayne, JackieBot, Justme89, Nel-
mandela, Vanpan, Xqbot, Spaspaz, Arcadio79, OnkelFordTaunus, Vanjones, Tad Lincoln, Tomwsulcer, Jarrod Baniqued, Mr.choppers, Joy
kristine, Locks4Vans, Sophus Bie, Toolfan4567, Fontes, FrescoBot, 天然ガス, Steve Quinn, Gire 3pich2005, Degen Earthfast, Jowettwife,
HINSTAMAN, Lotje, Vrenator, Theo10011, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, DaveBrown vt 7, EmausBot, Black Yoshi, Slightsmile, Tommy2010,
Vandg, Wikipelli, Djembayz, Thecheesykid, Evan1111, Josve05a, Vanner86, Nordic Dragon, AndrewLikesCocoa, Cimmerian praetor,
Nudecline, CommercialVehicleExpert, Avionics1980, Inakithegreat, Lowkyalur, Ramitdamit, Donner60, Davey2010, ClueBot NG, Asim-
plechair, Tenkou, BaboneCar, Loginnigol, Whyday, Rezabot, Peter620, Calabe1992, Carbarfantastic, 4chanb, Northamerica1000, Avoca-
toBot, Ionica55amg, Mark Arsten, Op47, Miniotx, RGloucester, KRoock74, Deepblood13, Dad3550, Tom Welke, Mogism, Keystones,
Cadillac000, CsDix, Luketate19, Ruby Murray, Jimmbly-boo, Guccimaster, Dudanator5000, Bahooka, InvisibleUp, Qwerty12345678932,
Jacktraynor98, Robevans123, , Vieque, DusanDakic, Robk92, Jamesturner69, Ksmith0817, Helpmehelpu, KashifMunirBaloch,
Ziinom, Jpbuckland, MicFly911, Starwarshello, Mr.HerpDerp, OracleNayru, Platanoswimmy, Truckfan1990, Pritinair2, Oxnard79, Cath-
eryne.sholls and Anonymous: 277

6.2 Images
• File:2001-2004_Dodge_Grand_Caravan.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/2001-2004_Dodge_
Grand_Caravan.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Own work Original artist: IFCAR
• File:2009-03-10_Van_equipped_for_professional_carpet_cleaning.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/
8/8d/2009-03-10_Van_equipped_for_professional_carpet_cleaning.jpg License: GFDL Contributors: Own work Original artist: Ildar
Sagdejev (Specious)
• File:94-97RamVan.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/94-97RamVan.JPG License: CC-BY-SA-3.0
Contributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia Original artist: Ahanix1989 at en.wikipedia
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• File:Cumbria_police_van1.JPG Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Cumbria_police_van1.JPG License:
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• File:Fedex-truck-Chicago.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Fedex-truck-Chicago.jpg License: CC-
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• File:Lublinn.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Lublinn.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: own
work (GNU Free Documentation License) Original artist: User Mix321 on pl.wikipedia
• File:Preserved_International_Harvester_Metro_Van_in_Portland_in_2012.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/a/a3/Preserved_International_Harvester_Metro_Van_in_Portland_in_2012.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Own
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• File:Question_book-new.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/99/Question_book-new.svg License: Cc-by-sa-3.0
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Created from scratch in Adobe Illustrator. Based on Image:Question book.png created by User:Equazcion Original artist:
Tkgd2007
• File:Roger_Fenton'{}s_waggon.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/Roger_Fenton%27s_waggon.jpg
License: Public domain Contributors: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-USZC4-9240 (color film copy transparency),
uncompressed archival TIFF version (54 MiB), cropped, and converted to JPEG (quality level 88) with the GIMP 2.6.1 Original artist: Roger
Fenton (1819–1869)
6.3 Content license 7

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