Handy Vehicles Setting Sail!
We get asked often if our vehicles can travel across the ferry’s. The short answer is quite simple… yes. However, depending on what kind of vehicle you need, will depend on what steps you need to take when making both your ferry booking and your Handy Vehicle booking. All Handy trucks come fitted with ferry hooks, which is a requirement for rough sailings.
What you need to know about booking:
There are two companies you can choose from when travelling across the cook straight, both of them come highly recommended as we have a relationship with both companies. While still great for passengers, The Bluebridge excels at heavy freight transportation and the interislander is a great all rounder. Both companies provide great facilities and nice boats to travel on.
Interislander:
- Booking a van on the ferry: When making the booking, select ‘Van’ and it will ask you the length of the vehicle. ALL our vehicle category lengths are listed below.
- Booking a truck on the ferry: When making the booking, select, “Truck 2500kg – 3500kg”. (This weight suits all of our truck categories)
Bluebridge:
- Booking a van on the ferry: When making the booking, select ‘Van’ and it will ask you the length of the vehicle. ALL our vehicle category lengths are listed below.
- Booking a truck on the ferry: When making the booking, ONLY our small trucks can be booked through the regular booking system by selecting “Light truck <6m & 2tonne”. If you are booking a medium, large or extra large truck this must be booked through the freight section, these vehicles are all 3.5tonne tare weight. All vehicle category lengths are listed below.
What weight is my vehicle?
You SHOULD only need to provide weights for trucks, OUR vans all weigh below 1800kg.*
Small Truck:
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): 4800kg
- Tare (Weight of vehicle empty): 2500kg
Medium Truck:
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): 5500kg
- Tare (Weight of vehicle empty): 3300kg
Large Truck:
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): 5900kg
- Tare (Weight of vehicle empty): 3500kg
Extra Large Truck:
- GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): 6000kg
- Tare (Weight of vehicle empty): 3600kg
What length is my vehicle?
Vans:
Small Van:
- 4.4m Overall
Medium Van:
- 4.9m Overall
Large Van:
- 5.3m Overall
Trucks:
Small Truck:
- 4.5m Overall
Medium Truck:
- 5.7m Overall
Large Truck:
- 6.1m Overall
Extra Large Truck:
- 6.7m Overall
Please note all vehicle lengths are taken by estimating the average length of our vehicles, the vehicle you get MAY slightly differ.
The best way to time my ferry booking with my vehicle booking?
Trying to make everything line up can be a daunting task when not planned out, the best way to secure your vehicle and ferry booking is to plan it out in these simple steps.
- Call up Handy to get a quote and advice on what vehicle is best for you
- Get in touch with the ferry company of choice asking for availability of bookings
- Once you know there is ferry availability confirm the booking with Handy
- Book the ferry once your handy vehicle is secured
The ferries understand that rental vehicle regos are subject to change so there is an option which you can select for this. Our vehicles are rented by category and not specific rego, so while we would love to give our rego’s in advance we cannot for security and logistics.
The best way to time my ferry booking with my vehicle booking?
Trying to make everything line up can be a daunting task when not planned out, the best way to secure your vehicle and ferry booking is to plan it out in these simple steps.
- Call up Handy to get a quote and advice on what vehicle is best for you
- Get in touch with the ferry company of choice asking for availability of bookings
- Once you know there is ferry availability confirm the booking with Handy
- Book the ferry once your handy vehicle is secured
The ferries understand that rental vehicle regos are subject to change so there is an option which you can select for this. Our vehicles are rented by category and not specific rego so while we would love to give our rego’s in advance we cannot for security and logistics.
Handys Ferry Travel Advice with a truck:
- Pack an overnight/comfort bag: Although the ferry is only a few hours, on a rough day it can become ‘unpleasant’. We recommend packing a ready bag with chargers, snacks, water and anything else you may need for the trip.
- Prepare to get some rest: Driving a truck or van takes more focus and energy than a normal car, especially in adverse weather conditions. If you have a long trip ahead we recommend finding a place to rest on the boat or simply booking a cabin on board.
- Secure your load: Before leaving the truck on the vehicle deck of the ferry, ensure that your load is secure, as the boat tends to move around especially in a big swell. Using furniture blankets and tie downs is the best way to secure a load.
- Make sure it’s not moving: Ensure the vehicle is in park for an automatic and in gear for a manual, ensure the handbrake is firmly pulled on and doors locked.
- Enjoy your trip: Take advantage of the time you get on the ferry to rest and recharge, get a bite to eat and something to drink or take a nap!
If you have any questions whatsoever you can contact our helpful team or get in touch with any of the support teams at Interislander or Bluebridge:
Bluebrige:
- General Enquiries: 0800 844 844
- Website: https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/contact-us
- Freight Enquiries: 0800 162 322
- Freight Website: https://www.bluebridge.co.nz/contact-us#freight
Interislander:
- General Enquiries: 0800 802 802
- Website: https://www.greatjourneysofnz.co.nz/interislander/