What Is the Difference Between SWB And LWB Vans?

When looking for your perfect van, be it for your one-man-band business or a fleet for your enterprise, the key factors in your decision-making will be the cargo the van will need to carry and the sites you will be visiting. However, there is often one factor that is regularly overlooked yet no less important: the wheelbase length.

When it comes to transit, commercial and delivery vans, there are a lot of different terminologies that need to be understood before making your choice. Two specs that are you likely to see the most when weighing your options are long wheelbase (LWB) and short wheelbase (SWB). But what exactly do they mean? And which vans in each spec are the best for your business or fleet? We will tell you everything you need to know in this blog.

What Do LWB and SWB Mean?

SWB (short wheelbase) and LWB (long wheelbase) refer to the distance between the centre point of the front wheels and the centre point of the rear wheels. Essentially, how much space there is inside the van. When you are looking for a new van or fleet, it is important to remember that the wheelbase length is different to the length of the van, so getting both measurements is crucial.

If you require a larger van with more interior space then an LWB van is likely to suit you. Almost every van on the market will offer a long-wheelbase model (you might see it written as “long-wheel base van”) but to many people, this will simply mean a particularly large panel van. It is important to remember that there’s more to moving mass than the sheer size of the vehicle or the length of the wheelbase. Different manufacturers offer different wheelbases for each of their vans.

If you don’t need a particularly large van or you require a van more suited for transporting you and your tools from job to job, then an SWB model is the right option for you. While LWB vans tend to offer more space and a smoother drive, SWB vans give you greater driving flexibility, tighter handling and often a sportier driving experience.

Recommended LWB Vans

Fiat Ducato Maxi

The bigger and beefier brother of the popular Ducato van, the new Fiat Ducato Maxi van gives you more space and greater payloads for even better practicality. Sharing a bulk of its construction and technology with the Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer duo, the Fiat Ducato Maxi is a proven reliable van to drive. One big difference between this Fiat and the Citroen and Peugeot is that Fiat uses its own engines.

Available in three configurations, drivers are offered a lot of individuality with their specs. With a range of efficient engine options, the Ducato Maxi has the power under the hood to drive you and your business forward. The load bay is ready for whatever you throw at it and holds a maximum cargo volume of up to 17 cubic metres. For even more individuality, drivers can choose from a variety of different partition options, flooring choices and compartment wall protection options.

Ford Transit LWB

With a name that is synonymous with British commercial driving, the Ford Transit LWB has been a superstar in the van market for over 50 years and has held an unprecedented and unrelenting grip on the title of the best-selling van in the UK.

The Transit LWB benefits from Ford’s impressive car tech, a sophisticated body and face design as well as a range of engine variations. Ford offers a 2.0-litre diesel as their main engine choice but, in preparation for the ever-stricter emissions standards, has taken a step towards electrification with a 2.0-litre EcoBlue mild-hybrid diesel drivetrain.

Similarly to older models, there are panel van, crew cab and tipper versions of the Transit LWB as well as a chassis cab version for those with more specific requirements in mind from your Transit.

Recommended SWB Vans

Ford Transit Connect

Ford has taken the world-famous Transit name and expanded the range into an extended family of vans. The most compact and nimble of these is the Transit Connect. A well-rounded and reliable van, the SWB transit combination of sharp driving and decent tech. Seen as one of the best options in this class to drive, the Ford Transit Connect SWB offers a Euro 6-compliant 1.5 EcoBlue diesel engine in a variety of guises. All Connect vans in the family are front-wheel drive, although you can add a mechanical limited-slip differential and all-season tyres if you require a bit more traction.

Vauxhall Combo Cargo

This Vauxhall Combo Cargo was one of the first models from Vauxhall to be launched as part of the company’s ownership by the PSA Group and is popular with businesses around the UK. Originally introduced in late 2018, this latest Vauxhall Combo Cargo small van is pretty much identical to the Vauxhall-branded version of the Peugeot Partner van and Citroen Berlingo van – at least technically speaking.

What makes the Combo stand out is the squarer body shape, increased payloads and configuration variations that offer increased versatility. All vans come with heated electric door mirrors as well as electric windows and a single sliding side door as standard and make for a great commercial van when combined with its spacious interior and low floor.