Band Van Hire
If you're hiring a van for a band or musical group to go on tour, you'll need to consider several factors:
- How much equipment will you be transporting?
- How many people?
- Do you need sleeping facilities?
The type of van you need to hire for your band depends heavily on the answers to these questions. To help you get a better understanding of band van rental, here's an overview of the different types of van normally used for band and other musical tours.
Panel Vans
The standard panel van (e.g. Ford Transit) is a reliable choice for a small band with a reasonable amount of equipment. Three seats and no windows in the back so you can leave it parked loaded overnight without advertising the contents to would-be thieves.
If you don't need more than three seats, a regular panel van is by far the cheapest way to hire a van for a band tour.
(If you need a van for all your equipment but need more seats - consider hiring a people carrier as well.)
People Carrier
With comfortable seating for anything from 5-9 people, people carriers make excellent luxury transport for bands and touring music groups.
Equipment and luggage space is minimal - but when combined with a hired van or a trailer, you get the best of both worlds.
Minibus
If you're in a larger group - a jazz band, chamber orchestra or a large production, for example - then you may need a full-size minibus. Capable of carrying up to 17 people, minibuses have very restricted luggage space but are great for moving lots of people efficiently.
If you need to carry equipment, the best solution is often to rent a van, too. Another alternative is a trailer, but not all minibus hire companies allow the use of a trailer - check before you book.
Splitter Van
For bands that want to keep everything in one vehicle and don't need seating for more than 9-11 people, a Splitter can be the best solution.
Splitters are normally long wheelbase panel vans divided into two sections. The rear section houses the band's equipment while the front section has seating and perhaps other luxury minibus facilities like tables, music and air-conditioning.
Splitters are a bit more expensive than regular vans and minibuses but can be a great solution. You can transport all the band members, crew and equipment for a small tour within one vehicle - meaning your travel costs are lower and you only need one driver.
Sleeper Van or Tour Bus
The next step up from a Splitter is a tour bus or sleeper van. This is a vehicle that has been specially converted to provide seating and bunks for sleeping. It may also have basic bathroom and drink-making facilities.
Although they both have sleeping accommodation, sleeper vans tend to have more equipment storage than tour buses - which usually rely on a secondary van, truck or trailer to carry all of the band's equipment.
Trailers
Trailer rental can be the ideal solution when you are arranging a van for a band tour.
A trailer allows you to use a vehicle with plenty of comfortable seating - and carry all your equipment, all with one driver.
Not all van hire companies allow you to tow trailers with their rental vans - check before you book.
