Is a double cab suitable for transporting building materials?

A double cab van is certainly suitable for transporting building materials, but you do need to weigh up the passenger and load capacity. You lose some load space compared to a standard box van, but you gain the ability to take your entire team with you. Whether this is the right choice depends on your daily activities and whether you often drive to project locations with several people.

What is the difference between a double cab and a standard box van?

A double cab has an extended cab with two rows of seats, allowing you to transport five to six people instead of the usual two or three. The main difference lies in the distribution of space: whereas a standard box van has almost the entire length behind the cab available for cargo, in a double cab the extra row of seats takes up about one metre of that cargo space.

The design of both variants is otherwise similar. Both have an open loading space behind the cab, both can be fitted with the same type of superstructure or covers, and both usually fall within the 3,500 kg category. The difference lies purely in how much space is available for goods versus people.

For construction companies that regularly drive to sites with a full team, a double cabin A practical solution. Your entire team sits comfortably and dry in the cab, while tools and materials remain separate in the load compartment. With a standard box truck, you would need a second vehicle or your team would have to sit cramped.

The choice depends on your priority: maximum load capacity or flexible passenger transport. Many construction companies opt for a mix in their fleet, with a few double cabins for crew transport and standard box trucks for pure material transport.

How much cargo space do you lose with a double cab?

With a double cabin, you lose approximately 0.8 to 1.2 metres of loading length compared to a similar standard box van. This is because the second row of seats and the extra space for passengers behind the front seats physically take up space that would otherwise be available for cargo. In cubic metres, this often means a loss of 1 to 1.5 m³, depending on the model and width of the cargo area.

In concrete terms, a standard box truck usually has a loading length of approximately 3.0 to 3.5 metres, while a double cab has a loading length of 2.0 to 2.5 metres. For building materials, this means that long planks or beams become more difficult to transport. Standard 3-metre construction timber, for example, no longer fits flat in the loading area, unless you load it at an angle or allow part of it to protrude.

For everyday building materials such as bags of cement, toolboxes, ladders and smaller materials, the shorter loading platform is often not a problem. You can still load quite a lot, especially if you make good use of the height with a superstructure or high side panels. It is more about the length of specific materials than the total volume.

The practical impact depends on what you transport on a daily basis. If you often work with long materials such as scaffolding tubes or large sheets, you will notice the difference. If you mainly transport tools and smaller materials, the loss is often not that significant.

What is the payload of a double cab for construction materials?

The The maximum payload of a double cab is usually between 800 and 1200 kg., depending on the specific model and version. This is the total weight you are allowed to load, including all passengers, tools and building materials. The important point is that each person in the cab reduces your load capacity by approximately 75 to 100 kg.

If you are travelling with a full crew of five people, you will quickly lose 400 to 500 kg of your payload before you have even loaded a single bag of cement. That leaves, for example, 700 kg for materials. That sounds like a lot, but bags of cement weigh 25 kg each, a pallet of tiles can weigh 500 kg, and tools also count.

This is usually sufficient for daily construction work with a normal amount of tools and materials. You can easily work for a day with what you bring with you. Where it becomes difficult is with heavy transport: a full load of tiles, large quantities of cement or heavy machinery will not fit if you are also travelling with a full team.

The 3,500 kg limit remains the guiding principle. Exceeding this limit means that you need a heavier driving licence and other regulations apply. For construction companies, it is wise to know the actual payload and to check it regularly, especially when fully loaded with both personnel and materials.

When should you opt for a double cabin in construction?

Opt for a double cab if you regularly drive to different project locations with a full team. and where you mainly need tools and lighter materials. This is ideal for maintenance companies, finishers, installers and smaller construction projects where team mobility is more important than maximum load capacity.

A double cabin works well for:

• Daily trips with three to five employees to various locations
• Work that mainly requires tools, small machines and limited materials
• Projects where materials are delivered on site by suppliers
• Situations in which the comfort and safety of your team are important

It is better not to opt for a double cab if you mainly need to transport large quantities of building materials, long materials such as scaffolding tubes or beams, or if you regularly reach the maximum load capacity. In that case, a standard box van with more loading space is the better choice, possibly combined with a separate passenger car for team transport.

Many construction companies opt for a mixed fleet. One or two double cabins for flexible shift transport, and a few standard box trucks for pure material transport. This way, you have the right vehicle available for every situation without having to make any compromises.

How Van Den Hurk assists in selecting the appropriate commercial vehicle for construction materials

We understand that the choice between a double cab and a standard box van depends on your specific work and daily needs. With over 60 years of experience in commercial vehicles, we help construction companies find the right balance between passenger and goods transport.

This is how we support you:

• Personalised advice: We will look at your daily activities, team size and material requirements together to make the best choice.
• Ample stock: With 400 commercial vehicles, including various double cabins and box trucks, you will always find a suitable vehicle.
• Practical configuration: We assist in determining the appropriate payload, dimensions, and any modifications for your building materials.
• Flexible financing: Choose between buying or leasing, with transparent prices and clear terms and conditions.
• Stock alert service: Are you looking for a specific model that is not currently available? Our stock alert will notify you as soon as a suitable vehicle arrives.

Visit our showroom in Helmond to view and compare different models in real life. Make an appointment for personal attention, or just drop by to have a look around. You can also view our current range online at www.vdhurk.nl and discover which double cab van or box van best suits your construction company.