Bakkie for Hire in Gauteng — Single Cab, Double Cab, Panel Van & Refrigerated
Verified transporter: bakkie for hire in Gauteng, Midrand . Available for hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and long-distance hire.
Quick answer
A bakkie carries up to 1,000 kg of payload — roughly 2–3 m³ of cargo in an open bin, or more in a panel van. In Gauteng you can hire a bakkie in four body styles: single cab (longest load bin), double cab (carries a crew of 5), panel van (largest enclosed volume) and refrigerated (temperature-controlled for food and pharma). Prices start from R600.00 per day or R10.00 per km with a driver. You need a Code 8 (B) licence to drive it yourself.
Why a Bakkie Is the Most Practical Vehicle You Can Hire
The bakkie is the most versatile light commercial vehicle in South Africa. It is small enough to park in a suburban driveway, fast enough to keep up with city traffic, and strong enough to carry a full 1 tonne payload. That combination is exactly why bakkie hire is the go-to solution for couriers, small businesses, homeowners and anyone who needs to move goods without the cost and complexity of a truck.
A 1 ton bakkie sits below the 3,500 kg GVM threshold, so it can be driven on a standard Code 8 (B) licence — no heavy-vehicle licence needed. It also uses significantly less fuel than a truck, fits through drive-throughs and parking garages, and can navigate narrow residential streets where a 4 ton truck simply cannot go. For moves of a few boxes, a few appliances or a small furniture load, a bakkie is often the fastest and cheapest option available.
At a Glance — Bakkie Specifications
| Payload capacity | Up to 1,000 kg (1 tonne) |
|---|---|
| Usable volume (open bin) | Approximately 2.0 – 3.0 m³ |
| Usable volume (panel van) | Approximately 4.5 – 6.0 m³ |
| Load bin length (single cab) | 2.2 m – 2.5 m |
| Load bin length (double cab) | 1.5 m – 1.8 m |
| Load bin width | 1.4 m – 1.6 m |
| Seating | 2 (single cab) or 5 (double cab) |
| Body options | Open bin · Canopy · Panel van · Refrigerated |
| Licence required (self-drive) | Code 8 (B) — EB or EC if towing above 750 kg |
| Driver supplied | Yes — professional Code 8 / Code 10 drivers available |
| Towing capacity | Approximately 1,500 – 2,500 kg braked |
| Service area | Gauteng, Midrand and nationwide routes |
| Availability | Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly and long-term contracts |
Choose Your Bakkie Configuration
Not all bakkies are the same. The cabin layout and rear body determine how much you can carry, how many people can travel with you, and whether your cargo stays dry and secure. Here are the four most requested bakkie configurations in Gauteng.
Single Cab Bakkie for Hire
Longest binMax cargo lengthBest valueThe single cab bakkie is the workhorse of the range. With only one row of seats, it has the longest load bin of any bakkie — up to 2.5 metres — which means it can carry long items that a double cab simply cannot fit. It is also the most economical bakkie to hire.
Best for: long building materials (timber, pipes, ladders, roofing sheets), appliances, garden refuse, single-item deliveries, courier runs and any load where length matters more than passenger space.
Typical industries: building and construction, hardware supply, landscaping, garden services, courier and last-mile delivery, agriculture and general trades.
Why customers choose it: the longest load bin in the range, the lowest hire rate, and full 1 tonne payload — the most cost-effective bakkie for solo drivers with cargo to move.
Double Cab Bakkie for Hire
5 seatsCrew + cargoFamily friendlyThe double cab bakkie has two rows of seats, so it can carry a driver plus four passengers — a full work crew or a family — while still offering a usable load bin at the back. The bin is shorter than a single cab, but the flexibility of carrying people and cargo in one trip is often worth the trade-off.
Best for: small moves where the family travels with the load, work crews travelling to site, event teams, tourist and shuttle trips, and any job where you need to transport both people and equipment together.
Typical industries: construction crews, maintenance teams, event and hospitality, tourism, security patrols, agriculture and general business use.
Why customers choose it: one vehicle does the job of two. No need to arrange a separate car for passengers, and no need to leave anyone behind. Ideal when you want the practicality of a bakkie with the seating of an SUV.
Panel Van for Hire
Fully enclosedLargest volumeWeatherproofThe panel van has no separate load bin — the entire rear is a fully enclosed cargo area, offering the largest usable volume of any 1 ton vehicle. Everything inside is protected from rain, dust, sun and prying eyes, and the load area is accessible through side and rear doors, which makes loading at kerbside or in tight parking bays much easier.
Best for: courier and parcel delivery, furniture and appliance moves, retail stock, tools and equipment, electronics, documents, catering supplies, and any load that must stay dry, clean and secure.
Typical industries: courier and logistics, retail and e-commerce, catering and food service, trades and maintenance, healthcare and pharmaceutical delivery, and general business distribution.
Why customers choose it: maximum enclosed volume, full weather protection and better security than an open bin. The side door is a huge advantage for multi-stop delivery routes where the driver needs quick access without unloading the whole van.
Refrigerated Bakkie for Hire
Temperature controlledCold chainFood & pharmaThe refrigerated bakkie (also called a reefer bakkie) has an insulated, temperature-controlled load area with an independent refrigeration unit. It holds a set temperature — chilled or frozen — for the entire journey, so perishable goods arrive in the same condition they left in. The unit runs off the vehicle engine or a standby motor, so temperature holds even during longer loading windows.
Best for: fresh and frozen food, meat and poultry, dairy, fruit and vegetables, seafood, flowers, bakery products, chilled beverages, vaccines, medicines, blood products, cosmetics and temperature-sensitive chemicals.
Typical industries: food service and catering, restaurants and hotels, butcheries, supermarkets and spaza shops, farms and fresh produce, pharmaceuticals and medical distribution, laboratories and event catering.
Why customers choose it: the cold chain is never broken. Perishable goods arrive at the correct temperature, food-safety requirements are met, and costly rejections from spoilage are avoided — at a fraction of the cost of a refrigerated truck.
Single Cab vs Double Cab vs Panel Van vs Refrigerated — Side by Side
| Feature | Single Cab | Double Cab | Panel Van | Refrigerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seats | 2 | 5 | 2 – 3 | 2 |
| Load bin length | Up to 2.5 m | 1.5 – 1.8 m | N/A (enclosed) | 1.5 – 1.8 m |
| Usable volume | ~3.0 m³ | ~2.0 m³ | ~4.5 – 6.0 m³ | ~2.0 m³ |
| Weather protection | Only with canopy | Only with canopy | Fully enclosed | Fully enclosed & insulated |
| Temperature control | No | No | No | Yes — chilled or frozen |
| Best load types | Long items, building materials | Mixed crew + cargo | Parcels, stock, furniture | Food, dairy, pharma |
| Typical daily rate | From R600.00 | From R600.00 | From R600.00 | From R700.00 |
| Best for | Trades & deliveries | Crews & family moves | Courier & retail | Cold chain & perishables |
Not sure which bakkie suits your load? Send us a photo of the goods on WhatsApp and we will recommend the correct bakkie — free of charge.
What Can a Bakkie Carry? Real-World Load Guide
Payload is the weight the bakkie can legally carry, excluding the vehicle itself. A 1 ton bakkie's payload is 1,000 kg, but volume usually runs out before weight does on bulky loads. Use this guide to estimate your load:
- 1 bedroom flat move: one panel van or one bakkie with canopy, comfortably.
- 2 bedroom flat move: one panel van, or two single cab bakkie trips.
- Studio apartment move: one single cab bakkie trip — bed, couch, boxes.
- Fridge + washing machine + boxes: one bakkie, one trip.
- Building materials: roughly 40–50 bags of cement, or 300–400 bricks, or 20–25 sheets of board, per trip.
- Retail or courier parcels: 1.5 – 3.0 m³ of stacked parcels in a panel van or canopied bakkie.
- Garden refuse: one full load of branches, grass and leaves — ideal for once-off cleanups.
- Small furniture delivery: 2–3 large items plus cushions and boxes, comfortably.
- Fresh produce or frozen goods: 15–20 crates in a single-temperature refrigerated bakkie run.
If your load is close to the limit, tell us the weight when you book. We will confirm the correct vehicle, the number of trips and any permits required — before you pay.
Bakkie Hire Prices in Gauteng
Pricing depends on distance, body type, driver requirement, waiting time and whether the trip is local or long-distance. The two standard options below cover the vast majority of bookings.
Option 1 — Bakkie Only
Self-drive, no driver
R 600.00 / Day
R 10.00 / km
Code 8 (B) licence required. Fuel, tolls and driver excluded.
Enquire NowOption 2 — Bakkie + Driver
Full day with professional driver Best value
R 700.00 / Day
R 11.00 / km
Driver, insurance and goods-in-transit cover included.
Chat on WhatsAppWhat Affects the Cost of Bakkie Hire?
- Distance: the per-kilometre rate is the biggest driver of your final price. Local trips within Gauteng are charged differently to interprovincial runs.
- Body type: a refrigerated bakkie costs more to run than a standard open-bin bakkie because of the refrigeration unit and insulation.
- Driver requirement: adding a professional driver adds a fixed daily fee but removes licensing, fatigue and liability risk.
- Loading and offloading time: waiting time beyond the agreed free period is charged hourly.
- Labour: loading and offloading crews can be arranged at both ends.
- Tolls and permits: quoted separately for long-distance trips.
- Duration: weekly and monthly bakkie hire contracts attract meaningful discounts over daily rates.
Industries We Serve with Bakkies in Gauteng
- Courier & last-mile delivery: panel vans and canopied bakkies for parcel and document routes.
- Retail & e-commerce: store replenishment, branch transfers and customer deliveries.
- Food & beverage: cold chain distribution, restaurant and hotel supply in refrigerated bakkies.
- Healthcare & pharmaceuticals: temperature-controlled delivery of medicines and vaccines.
- Household & office moves: small moves with or without loading crews.
- Building & construction: small material drops, tool and equipment transport to site.
- Agriculture: produce, feed, tools and equipment transport to and from farms.
- Events & exhibitions: staging, catering equipment and exhibition supplies.
- Home services: garden refuse, appliance delivery, furniture collection and once-off cleanups.
How to Book a Bakkie in Gauteng
- Tell us what you are moving. Enter your load, pickup point and drop-off point in the free estimate form on this page.
- Get an instant distance and fare. Our system calculates the road distance and your estimated fare immediately — no waiting for a callback.
- Choose your bakkie and driver option. Single cab, double cab, panel van or refrigerated; self-drive or with driver.
- Confirm your booking. Submit the form or message us on WhatsApp. You will receive written confirmation with the vehicle, driver details and final price.
Why Choose WeTransport for Bakkie Hire
Verified & Fully Insured
Every bakkie is licensed, roadworthy and covered by comprehensive insurance plus goods-in-transit cover.
Same-Day & Next-Day Availability
Short-notice bakkie hire across Gauteng and surrounds, seven days a week.
Professional Drivers
Experienced, medically certified drivers who know Gauteng routes and local delivery points.
Transparent Pricing
Clear per-day and per-kilometre rates quoted up front. No hidden call-out fees or surprise surcharges.
Bakkie Hire in Midrand and Nearby Areas
We arrange bakkie hire throughout Gauteng and the greater Midrand region, including local deliveries, regional routes and interprovincial long-haul. Popular bakkie routes include Gauteng to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Polokwane, Nelspruit, Rustenburg, Witbank and Gaborone.
Insurance, Tracking & Compliance
- Insurance: No Needs Attention
- Live tracking: Live GPS tracking available
- Goods in transit: No Needs Attention
- Driver compliance: valid Code 8 / Code 10 licence, PrDP where required, and medical fitness certificate
- Vehicle compliance: current licence disc, roadworthy certificate and operator card
