Most vans have ample room, providing a distinct advantage over many other vehicles.
Vans aren't only for soccer moms. These long, four-wheeled vehicles easily transport goods as well as passengers. The word van derives from caravan, referring to groups of people and packed animals traveling together over long distances. Today's vans have designs offering comfort and luxury. Vans serve families --and are especially suitable for large ones -- as well as small businesses that often use them as delivery vehicles.
History
We can attribute the creation of the first modern passenger and commercial van to Volkswagen. Known by names such as the Transporter and Mini Bus and officially labeled as the Type 2, Volkswagen first released it in 1950. The T2 came with different variations -- a panel van without any seats for cargo, a passenger van, and a Kombi model with removable seats in the back. Soon after its release, other automakers followed; Ford released the Econoline, Dodge released the A100 and Chevrolet released the Corvair 95 Corvan.
Size and Physical Specs
Today's vans vary in size and physical specifications, although most vans can carry at least seven passengers with ease. Compared to full-size cars, vans have longer and wider wheelbases and higher ground clearances.
The 2011 model of the Ford E-series, the best selling van in the United States since the 1980s, has a standard wheelbase of 138 inches, and an overall length ranging from 216.7 inches to 236.7 inches. Its width is 79.4 inches, while its height is 82.1 to 83.1 inches depending on the model.
Types and Uses
Vans can be passenger vans, utility vans, delivery vans and sometimes a combination of each of these. Passenger vans have fixed seats in the back, while utility and delivery vans only have fixed front seats, utilizing the large portion of the back panel for cargo space. Some vans, like the VW Kombi, have detachable seats so the van can carry more cargo if needed.
Businesses often remove back seats to make room for equipment. Some larger vans are also turned into ambulances, with the back cargo area modified to accommodate a bed.
Concerns
As vans are more unstable than most vehicles, they may pose added dangers on the road, especially when driven by an inexperienced driver. The culprit of passenger vans' rolling issue is the design. A higher center of gravity results because its chassis, suspension and frame have a high ground clearance, even when compared to full-size trucks. To counter this concern, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a set of guidelines for passenger van drivers to learn to reduce the risk of roll-over when traveling.
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