If you’re in the removal industry or your job requires you to carry bulkier loads, a Ford Transit Luton van or box van might be perfect for you. Based on the Chassis Cab version of the superb Ford Transit, the One-Stop Luton is available either in on the traditional Chassis Cab or the new Skeletal Chassis; it offers plenty of flexibility to help you get exactly the vehicle you need. Ford offers a range of factory Luton builds, and I’ll describe those here. Bear in mind that it’s also possible to get a third-party Luton conversion, so more details on that below.
Transit Luton Engines, Gearboxes, and Drive Systems
The Ford Transit Luton van is available with three different engine variants all based on the EcoBlue 2.0-litre diesel. There’s a 130hp, a 160hp, and a 170hp. Models with manual transmissions can also be upgraded to an EcoBlue Hybrid. This uses “mild hybrid electric vehicle technology”, or mHEV and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery to recover and store unused energy. That energy is then used to power some of the van’s electrics and support the engine, thereby reducing the van’s ecological footprint without compromising on power or performance. And of course, diesel engines are equipped with an AdBlue tank to reduce their dangerous particulate pollution from nitrogen-oxide emissions. It’s very easy to refill the tank yourself, but it’ll last you a lot of miles anyway.
In terms of gearboxes, the Transit Luton can have either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 6-speed automatic transmission depending on the overall configuration. It’s available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or front-wheel drive (FWD); the latter offers additional payload over the RWD models, so it’s definitely worth considering if weight is an important factor for you.
While the AdBlue tank holds 24 litres — plenty given how slowly you’ll get through AdBlue — the fuel tank holds a decent 70 litres. To help the planet, all Transit Chassis Cab models are fitted with an automatic Start-Stop system. To help you, they also have Ford’s Easy Fuel capless refuelling system.
Ford Transit One-Stop Luton Features
There are slight differences between the standard Luton and the FWD versions, so I’ll briefly outline some of those features here.
FWD Luton
- Available as a Chassis Cab or Skeletal Cab
- 3.5m and 4.1m internal body length (depending on wheelbase)
- Up to 19.8m3 of load volume
- One-piece plywood floor, 15mm thickness and phenolic-resin bonded
- 2-piece profile system for the box construction with no externally visible fixations
- Aluminium-slat roller shutter with dead lock and Pull-Bar handle
- Full-width, Hi-Viz alluvium rear step (in version without tail lift)
- Fixation points for a tail lift on the steel door frame
- 3 load-retention poles (telescopic)
- Internal access grab handle (full height)
- Translucent plastic roof
RWD Luton
- Available as a Chassis Cab only
- 3735-4118mm internal body length (depending on wheelbase)
- 15.5m3 and 17.2m3 of load volume (depending on wheelbase)
- One-piece plywood floor, 15mm thickness and phenolic-resin bonded
- UPVC slat shutter, slam-shut and lockable
- Full-width aluminium rear step
- 3 load-retention poles (telescopic)
- Internal access grab handle (full height)
- Internal emergency rear-door release
- Internal load-restraint rails, sidewall mounted
- Overhead storage
- Translucent plastic roof
Dimensions and Measurements
As mentioned above, the Transit Luton or Transit box van is available as a standard (Single) Chassis Cab or the Skeletal Chassis. Both are offered in wheelbases L2-L5, but the Lutons are usually built on an L3 or L4. Not all elements are available in all configurations, but I’ll give you an overview of those dimensions so you have a basic idea of what to expect. It’s worth noting that the Skeletal Chassis is FWD only.
L3 Chassis Cab
Overall length: 6022mm
Overall height: 2194-2214mm*
Wheelbase: 3954mm
L4 Chassis Cab
Overall length: 6579mm
Overall height: 2195-2215mm*
Wheelbase: 3954mm
Overall Width: 2474mm standard, 2746mm wide (wide available RWD only)
Width with mirrors folded in: 2112mm standard, 2119mm wide (wide available RWD only)
L3 Skeletal Chassis
Overall length: 5771mm
Overall height: 2201mm*
Wheelbase: 3750mm
(FWD only)
L4 Skeletal Chassis
Overall length: 5975mm
Overall height: 2200mm*
Wheelbase: 3954mm
(FWD only)
Overall Width: 2474mm standard, 2746mm wide
Width with mirrors folded in: 2112mm standard, 2119mm wide
*This is of course the overall height of the cab; the top of the Luton box will be higher.
GWVs and Payloads
What other manufactures tend to call the gross vehicle weight, or GVW, Ford call the the GVM: gross vehicle mass. Whichever term you prefer, it refers to the maximum weight that’s legally allowed for the vehicle. This includes the vehicle itself, the payload (cargo), the driver and any passengers, and the fuel, etc. The L3 and L4 wheelbases used for the Transit Luton come in GVMs of 350 and 470: that’s 3500kg / 3.5 tonnes and 4700kg / 4.7 tonnes.
The maximum amount of cargo you’re allowed to carry is known as the payload. Payloads on Luton vans are usually around the 1000-1250kg mark; the exact number will depend on the vehicle’s body / build and whether or not there’s a tail lift. While they can make life much easier, tail lifts do add a lot of weight!
Transit Luton Trim and Specifications
The Luton is a work vehicle, but you still need to be comfortable in the cab. Ford offers the Chassis Cab and Skeletal Chassis with the Leader trim, which includes:
- Connection Radio with DAB, 4” TFT display, FordPass Connect, Bluetooth, 2x USB ports, iPod functionality, remote audio controls, and a GNSS fin antenna
- Vehicle Maintenance Monitor
- Trip Computer
- Driver’s Airbag (option for passenger and curtain airbags)
- Electric front windows
- Driver’s seat (4-way adjustable) with cushion tilt and armrest
- 2-way adjustable passenger’s seat
- MyKey
- Seatback table (fold down)
- Headlights with courtesy delay
- Indicators in the door mirrors
- Side marker lights (on some models)
- Daytime running lights
- Glovebox that can hold an A4 file
- 2x 12V sockets
Options and Safety
For an additional fee, you can add extras like air-conditioning, additional adjustability for the seats, automatic wipers, etc. You can also upgrade the the audio and infotainment facilities with an 8” touchscreen and Ford SYNC 2.5.
For safety and stability, ABS, ESC (electronic stability control), Hill-Start Assist, and Curve Control, and a few other features are included on all models of the Transit Chassis Cab (and Skeletal Chassis).
Third-party Conversions and Additional Options
We can supply the Ford factory-built Transit Luton with or without a tail lift. But if you want a more customisable alternative to Ford’s standard builds — maybe you want a refrigerated Luton — or you have extra requirements, you can consider a third-party conversion. There are a wealth of quality converters out there, and we regularly work with a variety of reputable companies. You could go for a low-loader to make it easier to get into the load space of the van; no tail lift required here so the payload can be higher. This might be a very good option for a removals firm as it makes it much easier to get sofas and other large pieces of furniture onto the van. You can have extra tie rails and rings. (It’s also possible to have these added in yourself after sales by someone local to you.) You could have a sleeper pod fitted, additional interior lighting, extra-lightweight panels, etc.
Get Your Ford Transit Luton Van Today
Our stock conversions are always available more quickly than special orders — these can take many months, particularly if you want an automatic — but we’ll work with you to find the best solution for your needs. If we haven’t got it, we can probably get it. And of course, we also stock a great selection of Luton vans by other manufacturers, including the VW Crafter Luton, the Peugeot Boxer Luton, the SAIC Maxus Luton, and more. If the Ford Transit Luton isn’t right for you, we can almost certainly help you find something that is.
We offer fantastic finance deals for Lutons and box vans, from a Ford Transit Luton lease to cash sales. At Swiss Vans, we regularly deal with lease purchase, finance lease, hire purchase (HP), contract hire, and of course cash / buying outright, so we’re well-equipped to provide whatever works best for you. Give our friendly sales team a call to discuss your options and all the possibilities; they’ll do their best to get you in your new van and on the road as soon as possible.