In most new panel vans, the wheel arches are the main reason the load bay narrows between the side walls. As a rule of thumb, they reduce the usable width at floor level by roughly 200–300mm in total (about 100–150mm each side), and they also create a “pinch point” that can stop you sliding in wide items or standard pallets.
What “space” do they actually steal?
Width at the floor: Manufacturers usually quote two widths: between the wheel arches (the narrowest point) and between the side panels (higher up). The difference between those figures is effectively the space taken by the arches. On many medium vans, you might see around 1.25m between arches versus 1.35–1.40m between panels — that’s the arches taking ~10–15cm per side.
Floor area: The arches don’t just reduce width; they interrupt the floor, so long flat loads (sheet materials, trolleys, flight cases) may need to sit above the arch height or be packed around them.
Height/shape: Arch “humps” typically rise a few hundred millimetres above the floor. That matters if you’re fitting racking, a false floor, or carrying wheeled kit that needs a flat run.
Why it matters for real jobs
If you carry Euro pallets (800×1,200mm), check whether the van is designed to take them between the arches. Many aren’t. If you carry 8×4 sheets, the arches can force you to load higher (reducing stability) or choose a wider-bodied model.
How to check before ordering
Don’t guess from photos. Ask for the manufacturer’s load bay drawing and look specifically for “width between wheel arches” and “arch height”. If you’re adding ply-lining or insulation, allow a little extra loss of width.
