Europcar gives Mum and Dad a helping hand with the University Summer pick-up
As the summer tentatively arrives, there are certain things we can be sure of – the weather will disappoint, Britain’s sporting hopes will be raised then dashed, and the kids will be making a raucous return from university. Whilst most of these are out of our control, Europcar, the leader in car hire services in Europe, recommends parents save themselves hassle, time and money by hiring a van to make the trip back from university rather than try to squeeze everything into the normal family car.
In order to help parents get the kids and their belongings back from university – and for the return journey in September - Europcar is offering a 20% discount off van hire on all bookings from 1st July to 30th September 2013. To obtain the discount, customers can simply call Europcar’s reservations line and quote 51502816 to receive the discount, or log on at europcar.co.uk.
“When looking forward to children coming back from university, it’s often only at the last minute that parents remember they need to bring back a year’s worth of accumulated clothes, books, furniture and equipment too” says Ken McCall, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group. “This presents the challenge of having to fit everything in the family car – or making several trips.
“Rather than driving across the country several times, we recommend parents opt for van hire so that they can get the whole job done in one go. And, although driving a van might be viewed by some as a daunting prospect, with the right guidance it is actually a lot safer than driving an overloaded car. That’s why we’ve compiled our van driving tips – to help Mum and Dad plan for the return from University.”
With over 130 van locations across the UK, Europcar offers a wide choice of vans from the small Vauxhall Combo to the Luton Box Van with Taillift, designed to suit a wide range of needs. The minimum age for van hire is 22 and all Europcar vans are fully maintained to manufacturer specifications and covered by 24 hour breakdown for added peace of mind. Plus, to reduce the stress even further, Europcar can deliver vans to home addresses through its freeDeliver delivery and collection service.
“We have made the van hire process as easy as possible for parents” concluded Ken McCall. “With our extensive network of van locations across the UK, no matter where the kids go to university, Europcar can provide the right van for the job. And with our 20% discount on van hire from July to September, combined with our top tips on safe van driving, van hire from Europcar is perfect for ensuring the transition from campus to home life is a smooth one.”
Very Useful Van Advice from Europcar
Watch your speed
Depending on the size of the van, the speed at which it can be driven may well be slower than the national limit so make sure you check the limits when collecting the vehicle.
Get familiar
Take the time to get to know the size and responsiveness of the van before you head out onto busy roads.
He ain’t heavy
Remember that the van will handle differently when you collect it empty to how it will feel once it is fully loaded.
Secure the load
Even a small amount of movement in a van can cause it to move around dangerously, so ensure items are packed securely.
Know your size
Make sure you are aware of the additional height and width of the van, remembering to take extra care under low bridges and overhanging trees. Also remember vans need extra room to turn corners, due to the extra length of the vehicle.
Take it slowly
Larger vehicles require a much longer braking distance, especially when fully-loaded or in poor weather, so watch your speed. In addition, make sure you take tight bends slowly as vans are more liable to tip over due to their height and increased centre of gravity.
Pick your positioning
Take advantage of the higher seat in a van and make sure you look around and use your mirrors often. There is no option to look over your shoulder in a van so make sure you angle your mirror to give you sight at junctions.
Changing lanes
Be more cautious when changing lanes and be sure to look out for two-wheeled vehicles and pedestrians.
Mind the doors
It might seem obvious, but it is easy to overlook closing the door after packing a van. Make sure both the rear and side doors are securely shut before setting off.
Parking assistance
Ask someone to guide you when reversing or parking if the van has blind spots. It might take longer, but it is a lot safer.
