12 Passenger Van Rental questions

[pilferk]

Anyone rented a 12 passenger van, preferably in the NE part of the US (and, more specifically if possible, in CT) for a trip to Orlando and back?

We're considering doing just that, but I'm completely lost in this process. Who to use, how to get the best price (mileage fees vs unlimited miles), etc.

We had originally planned for this trip to be my wife, the 3 kids, and me. But it looks like we might be adding a couple guests (my mom and step-dad). That's great...but we won't all fit in our mini-van, along with luggage and "carry ons".

Any help on this would be GREATLY appreciated!

FYI:Amongst the group, we have AAA, BJ's/Sams Club/Costco memberships, AARP (Mom)....

 

[NotUrsula]

The most important thing to realize is that many rental vans this size will be on restricted contracts. That may mean that they have limited ranges &/or very low mileage limits before penalties kick in. Fine print should be read very carefully. (Limits like these are most common in the Tristate area.)

Check your auto insurance to be sure that it will cover a van this size. If it doesn't, you'll have to buy the rental insurance coverage.

Realize that a van that big isn't built for comfort in long-distance use. It will be a VERY bouncy ride on seats that are not well-padded. Also, you will have to hold it to a fairly low speed to reduce the risk of rollover; plan your travel time accordingly.

You might want to consider having your guests fly and meet you there; it will probably be considerably less expensive, even if you buy the airfare as a gift.

 

[chartle]

This question has come up before and what the PP said is pretty much true.

I think vans of this size fall under the commercial side of the company not the consumer side so you won't see specials and the like.

The last time I saw a post like this I think the van rental was something like $1000 per week plus like 30 cents a mile over 100 miles. Of course thats if you are allowed to take them out of the area.

And also as the PP said these vans are not designed for long trips. They are built on truck frames and mostly have hard vinyl bench seats. Perfect to shuttle you from the airport but not for driving 2,000 miles.

 

[pilferk]

Thrifty and Avis both have "unlimited mile" rentals, with no geographic limitations...to the tune of > 1100 for the rental period. That's just too steep, IMHO.

The issue is this: The additional guests (my mom and step dad...ESPECIALLY my step-dad) who may be coming along don't fly. Eh, maybe I should say WON'T fly...so the alternative is driving them (meaning we need more space), putting them on a train (which I suppose is an alternative..but Amtrak takes FOREVER to get from CT to Orlando) OR having them follow us...which is a very scary proposition asmy Mom is the driver and her highway driving skills and comfort level it traffic would likely cause me to have a heart attack on the road. And that doesn't even begin to address her inability to see well at night.

Luckily, all this is at the discussion stage. Everything is a "might and maybe". I expressed, when we discussed this, the issues many of you are bringing to light (especially cost). But I figured I'd come here to look for advice in case I was missing something.....

4 adults and 3 kids in a mini-van (+ luggage) for 1000 miles doesn't seem like it would work out well.

 

[chartle]

Thrifty and Avis both have "unlimited mile" rentals...to the tune of > 1100 for the rental period. That's just too steep, IMHO.

The issue is this: The additional guests (my mom and step dad...ESPECIALLY my step-dad) who may be coming along don't fly. Eh, maybe I should say WON'T fly...so the alternative is driving them (meaning we need more space), putting them on a train (which I suppose is an alternative..but Amtrak takes FOREVER to get from CT to Orlando) OR having them follow us...which is a very scary proposition asmy Mom is the driver and her highway driving skills and comfort level it traffic would likely cause me to have a heart attack on the road. And that doesn't even begin to address her inability to see well at night.

Luckily, all this is at the discussion stage. Everything is a "might and maybe". I expressed, when we discussed this, the issues many of you are bringing to light (especially cost). But I figured I'd come here to look for advice in case I was missing something.....

4 adults and 3 kids in a mini-van (+ luggage) for 1000 miles doesn't seem like it would work out well.

Can you maybe tow something like this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/automo...capacity-78-inch-tag-along-trailer-66771.html

Or maybe get a car top carrier?

Either way its going to hit your miles per gallon, but it would still be better than a 12 pass van.

 

[Lewisc]

The "fine print" for rental agencies, at airport locations, sometimes includes a requirement that the renter has a R/T airline ticket.

The rates you quoted sounds like they understand you'll be putting high miles on the van. You need to check the insurance.

Will your minivan work if you don't take luggage? Ship down a couple of boxes. Buy your health and beauty aids in Orlando. Buy anything bulky in Orlando (beach towels for example).

Tell your Mom and step dad you'll be happy to take them but they'll have to ship their luggage.

Your wife could be a sport and volunteer to fly down with 2 kids. She'll miss out on the fun of the road trip. You'll have the pleasure of a trip with your Mom, step dad and one kid.

 

[pilferk]

The "fine print" for rental agencies, at airport locations, sometimes includes a requirement that the renter has a R/T airline ticket.

The rates you quoted sounds like they understand you'll be putting high miles on the van. You need to check the insurance.

Will your minivan work if you don't take luggage? Ship down a couple of boxes. Buy your health and beauty aids in Orlando. Buy anything bulky in Orlando (beach towels for example).

Tell your Mom and step dad you'll be happy to take them but they'll have to ship their luggage.

Your wife could be a sport and volunteer to fly down with 2 kids. She'll miss out on the fun of the road trip. You'll have the pleasure of a trip with your Mom, step dad and one kid.

Insurance is no problem. I've checked with our insurance agent and our policy covers any/all rentals (including commercial vehicles like moving vans, etc). I specifically asked about a 12 person passenger van and she said unless it's a vehicle which requires a CDL....we're covered.

Problem with the minivan is we have 3 young kids...so all of them are still in booster seats (including my 8 year old who is well under 80 lbs). That makes it a little tighter than I think would be comfortable. We might do a trial run, just to see. The 12 passenger is actually LARGER than we need..we could do a 9 passenger vehicle, if such a thing existed...so assuming we do this, everyone would have plenty of space to spread out. And the kids are in their boosters, so they're no less comfy (other than the potential "bounciness") than they would be in our van. The adults....if we have to do this I'll advise everyone to bring extra "padding" for the ride.

The new wrinkle is: My mom and step-dad have agreed to spring for the entire cost...after I brought up that I thought the cost was prohibitive. They don't want to fly THAT much....

I think I might suggest the idea to my wife about flying down with 2 (or 3) of the kids...and then suggest Mom just cover gas and I'll be the chauffer. We'll see what they say.

 

[arthuruscg]

Depending on which version of the 12 passanger will change alot.

The extended 12 / 15 passanger will ride rough bc of the higher spring rate and will feel wobbly compared to a minivan. If you haven't driven a van this size i would advanse against it.

The standard length 12 will ride a while lot nicer and sit lower. Even the 8 passanger version will feel wobbly compared to a minivan. It takes a little getting use to, but they are no worse then a F150 4x4.

You don't need the 12 passanger standard length verson to fit 4 Adults and 3 children. The normal 7 or 8 passanger will work just fine.
The 12 passanger verson typicaly has less cargo area due to the last seat being near the back door. The 8 passanger will have 5ft of cargo area behind the last seat.

what condition is your mini van in? you could rent a small enclosed trailer from Uhaul, ship your bags, or take 1/2 the amount of clothes and wash them.

 

[Capt_BJ]

try enterprise

when we rented larger pass' vans for the ship's port calls we often ended up at enterprise

have you considered a motorhome? renting one?

 

[pilferk]

Depending on which version of the 12 passanger will change alot.

The extended 12 / 15 passanger will ride rough bc of the higher spring rate and will feel wobbly compared to a minivan. If you haven't driven a van this size i would advanse against it.

The standard length 12 will ride a while lot nicer and sit lower. Even the 8 passanger version will feel wobbly compared to a minivan. It takes a little getting use to, but they are no worse then a F150 4x4.

You don't need the 12 passanger standard length verson to fit 4 Adults and 3 children. The normal 7 or 8 passanger will work just fine.
The 12 passanger verson typicaly has less cargo area due to the last seat being near the back door. The 8 passanger will have 5ft of cargo area behind the last seat.

what condition is your mini van in? you could rent a small enclosed trailer from Uhaul, ship your bags, or take 1/2 the amount of clothes and wash them.

Mini-van is in fine condition. Again, though, the issue is one of space and not JUST for baggage.. Fitting 3 kids in boosters and 4 adults, in a minivan, doesn't work so hot for 18+ hours of driving. We've done it for short trips before...and it's not overly comfortable. One of the adults ends up wedged between 2 booster seats (or practically sitting in the other adults lap).

I've driven commercial vehicles (moving trucks, big vans, etc) before. I've also driven small overcab campers in the past. I actually learned to drive on a VERY large, commercial grade pickup truck (an '88 F450) and then, once I got my license, drove an '79 T2 VW van....so I'm somewhat used to the "sway" factor.

The model we've been "quoted" is "Chevy Express or similar". Says it seats 12 and can hold 5 large suitcases (which is plenty). I've never driven one of those models (But I've driven cargo Ford Econoline's)....so I'm not sure which category they'd fall into.

I haven't seen any 8 passenger (only 7) vans offered at any of the usual rental outlets.

 

[pilferk]

try enterprise

when we rented larger pass' vans for the ship's port calls we often ended up at enterprise

have you considered a motorhome? renting one?

Considered, but CRAZY expensive ($1500 + mileage). We would have the vehicle for around 12 days (Oct 4th - Oct 17th....one day before our trip through one day after we think we'll get back).

 

[arthuruscg]

Call and ask if the Expressis the Long Wheel Base or short wheel base. The LWB is about the same as the extended Econoline (Ford has the little side rear window, Chevy extends the rear glass). It sounds like the SWB bc of the 12 passanger and small # of bags. Usualy they count on putting some of the bags under the seats, but sine your kids are still small, it will nto be a problem.

The 7 passanger fullsize vans should work just fine for the trip. Ususaly they have 4 captains chairs and a bench seat that you could almost sleep on. I think the Econoline-150s is about 5.5 ft wide.

It sounds like you know how to drive the fullsize vans, how about the other driver? I have some family members that though they could drive / borrow the Van untill they got behind the wheel and relized the width and lack of hood.

Also check on a Surburban usualy they have 2 bench seats and 2 captain chairs.

 

[pilferk]

Call and ask if the Expressis the Long Wheel Base or short wheel base. The LWB is about the same as the extended Econoline (Ford has the little side rear window, Chevy extends the rear glass). It sounds like the SWB bc of the 12 passanger and small # of bags. Usualy they count on putting some of the bags under the seats, but sine your kids are still small, it will nto be a problem.

The 7 passanger fullsize vans should work just fine for the trip. Ususaly they have 4 captains chairs and a bench seat that you could almost sleep on. I think the Econoline-150s is about 5.5 ft wide.

It sounds like you know how to drive the fullsize vans, how about the other driver? I have some family members that though they could drive / borrow the Van untill they got behind the wheel and relized the width and lack of hood.

Also check on a Surburban usualy they have 2 bench seats and 2 captain chairs.

What other driver? We've driven down going on 7 times now...and I've driven every mile.

I'm actually considering going with a premium SUV (assuming I can find one local) because they say they seat 8 (and they're slightly cheaper). I'm also thinking of renting one of full size vans (which are listed as the same price/specs as the "minivans"...even same model) for a day coming up to see if the space in them is a bit more than our Windstar has.

 

[pilferk]

Found a Yukon XL for $1253 (including all fees, unlimited miles and no geographic restrictions). 8 passengers, 6 pieces of luggage. Much more "comfy" to both drive and ride.

Going to see if that works for everyone.