15 person van rental

[manhattanman]

Has anyone rented a 15 person van ? We have to families ( 4 adults/ 5 kids) that are doing things together and it seems operationally easier to come and go together. Drives would be MCO to bonnet creek, bonnet creek to port Canaveral, port Canaveral to bonnet creek, bonnet creek to the parks and bonnet creek back to MCO.

I suspect that the cdw afforded by my credit card won't cover a 15 person van, so I will have to find another way. Can you park a 15 person van at port Canaveral for the same cost as a car.

I know that many people have concerns about the length of these vehicles and the high center of gravity, I'm okay with driving bigger vehicles ( moving vans with car trailer in tow) and I anticipate we won't be in the van for more than an hour and a half at any one time. I searched the transportation thread and did not find anything, if I missed it I apologize.

Thanks

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It would be safer and probably cheaper to rent 2 vehicles. That would give ou the option to split up if you wish (and you will likely want to do so traveling in a large group).

 

[NJRRK]

I've driven a 15 passenger van, full of high school aged kids, from NJ to KY. If you are comfortable driving a larger vehicle, go for it. They aren't that bad to drive. Check with your insurance company to see if they cover your cdw, otherwise your going to have to suck up the cost.
The only reason I would take the PP advice about two vehicles is if you wanted to split up. I can't see how it would be safer.

 

[manhattanman]

It would be safer and probably cheaper to rent 2 vehicles. That would give ou the option to split up if you wish (and you will likely want to do so traveling in a large group).

I dont know about safer but its actually cheaper than the two cars. We will have plenty of time to be apart. We aren't going to do a lot of driving so staying together just seems easy.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The only reason I would take the PP advice about two vehicles is if you wanted to split up. I can't see how it would be safer.

It has been well documented that 15 passenger vans are not as safe as driving some other vehicles.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/CA/10-14-2010

 

[NJRRK]

As long as it's well maintained there should be no problems.

 

[manhattanman]

It has been well documented that 15 passenger vans are not as safe as driving some other vehicles.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/CA/10-14-2010

But if the likelihood of an accident is largely based on the number of miles driven, having two cars doubles this chance. I've driven bigger vehicles, I'm pretty sure I know what it entails. Does this cancel it out ? I don't know.

Yes the high center of gravity is a concern causes handling concerns, one that can be dealt with pro actively. Yes its longer than a sedan, no it won't handle like a sports car but I have fond memories of driving in my brothers Suzuki samurai which I think is far less stable.

 

[manhattanman]

As long as it's well maintained there should be no problems.

Its a rental so it should be okay but I'm going to check.

 

[ccudmore]

Not sure about in Florida, but in some places you need a bus drivers license to drive anything bigger than a 12-person van.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

one thing to think about with all vans any size is the small amount of storage space for suitcases from airport. very little room behind the last row of seats. most of 15 pass vans do not have fold down seats to make more storage. i would look at one before trip because of that. they are harder to park in small areas, esp backing out in a crowded parking lot and yes i have driven one. last one i drove was for a MAW trip, 2 adults, 1 teen and 3 schoolage kids and it was hard getting all suitcases in and out. only got 2 large cases behind the last seat

 

[manhattanman]

Not sure about in Florida, but in some places you need a bus drivers license to drive anything bigger than a 12-person van.

I think for personal use anything less than 16 passengers you don't need a CDW, but I will check to make sure.

Thanks

 

[Reddy]

I remember there being a big thing about the 15 person van - alot of churches use them - the ones that couldn't afford a new van - they just took out the back seat
so keep most of the people up front & it should be fine - if you can handle driving it which it sounds like you can

 

[disneymarie]

Has anyone rented a 15 person van ? We have to families ( 4 adults/ 5 kids) that are doing things together and it seems operationally easier to come and go together. Drives would be MCO to bonnet creek, bonnet creek to port Canaveral, port Canaveral to bonnet creek, bonnet creek to the parks and bonnet creek back to MCO.

I suspect that the cdw afforded by my credit card won't cover a 15 person van, so I will have to find another way. Can you park a 15 person van at port Canaveral for the same cost as a car.

I know that many people have concerns about the length of these vehicles and the high center of gravity, I'm okay with driving bigger vehicles ( moving vans with car trailer in tow) and I anticipate we won't be in the van for more than an hour and a half at any one time. I searched the transportation thread and did not find anything, if I missed it I apologize.

Thanks

We rented a nine passenger from Alamo once, and I think from Carl's. vans. Back in the 1994 era. Nice because he picked us up and dropped off, no airport fees, but, I know th price went up on a mini van, not sure on the rest.
With two families you may want two cars. That is hat we do even when we drove down. That way dd and I could leave he park, drive to shops, or visit as we like.

 

[manhattanman]

one thing to think about with all vans any size is the small amount of storage space for suitcases from airport. very little room behind the last row of seats. most of 15 pass vans do not have fold down seats to make more storage. i would look at one before trip because of that. they are harder to park in small areas, esp backing out in a crowded parking lot and yes i have driven one. last one i drove was for a MAW trip, 2 adults, 1 teen and 3 schoolage kids and it was hard getting all suitcases in and out. only got 2 large cases behind the last seat

This is a really good point, it does not look like there is a whole lot of space behind the last bench. We will likely end up putting some bags between the third row and the bench ( well secured obviously). The rental place says 15 people and 7 bags which seems a little ambitious. if it is a recent chevy express 3500, I think the fourth row is 50/50 fold down

Some of the newer versions also have back up cameras as an option which could help, if not someone gets out and directs. It will mostly be used for point a to b driving.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

someone helping direct is good but a lot of times it is the small space between rows that is the problem. my best adice is to park where you can pull out not have to backup. with putting suitcases between seats from what i found it is easier to get in than to get out esp when trying to hurry at return to aport homebound.

 

[manhattanman]

someone helping direct is good but a lot of times it is the small space between rows that is the problem. my best adice is to park where you can pull out not have to backup. with putting suitcases between seats from what i found it is easier to get in than to get out esp when trying to hurry at return to aport homebound.

Thanks,
I planned to do the pull in pull out method of parking. If it gets crowded I'll find somewhere to back it in with a spotter ( in case someone parks close) even if we have to walk a little further to get where we need to go.

Hopefully we wont be scrambling to catch our return flight. if the seat is 50/50 split it might be a little easier