Am I Crazy...

[buyerbrad]

To think that we can fit the following in a Full Size Rental Car - Ford Fusion or Similar (says hold 5 people & 5 Bags)

2 adults - in the front seats
2 infants in car seats - in the back seats
1 suitcase - in the back seat (between the 2 car seats)
1 Joovy Double stroller - in the trunk
1 suitcase - in the trunk

 

[larryz]

Sounds like you want the mid-size SUV...

With the suitcase between the car seats, not only are you risking injury in case of collision, but front seat passenger will not be able to get to the car seat behind the driver if necessary.

Mid-size SUV, the bags and the stroller go behind the back seat, and both car seats can be attended to if necessary.

 

[SheilaHeartsDisney]

I agree with pp. We just traded in our mid size car to a mid size suv. Such a huge difference to have the suv with the twins. Everyone was squished in the car. No way we could fit anything else in the back seat and only a double stroller would fit in the trunk not a suitcase too.

 

[chris1212]

We get a regular size suv and can fit 3 large suitcases in the back along with a double stroller.

 

[TandLMommy28]

I know I could EASILY fit that in my Taurus but not sure on a Fusion. If the Taurus is an option, then yes, absolutely.

 

[sunflare]

Honestly, I would think that you could probably fit the second suitcase in the trunk, as well. Even the smaller cars have HUGE trunks now. I think you'll be fine.

 

[bumbershoot]

Just googled "ford fusion trunk" and I think you'll be OK with the luggage in the trunk, unless that stroller is absolutely huge.

If the suitcase doesn't fit in the trunk, if the non-driver is of average size, s/he could sit in between the carseats and the luggage could go in the front seat.

 

[mshanson3121]

If you don't think you can get the extra suitcase in the trunk, then I would get the SUV. You should never have loose luggage like that in the car, especially between your two children. That said, perhaps you could do two smaller duffel bags instead of a suitcase. Then you could wedge them down in on the floor in the backseat. Wedged in there, they'd be far less likely to fly around in the event of an accident. And my bet is, the extra luggage fee will definitely be cheaper than upgrading to an SUV.

 

[Spork24]

Any chance you can make the second suitcase a large duffle. Duffle bags are much easier to maneuver when trying to cram into an unfamiliar vehicle

 

[BeHappyNeverSad]

We drove our Fusion to Disney in November. I sat in the backseat with our toddler in her car seat. We had a single Joovy stroller, pack-n-play, large suitcase, plastic tote, and 2 duffle bags in the trunk with no problem. I think you'll be fine and can probably fit both suitcases in the trunk. I'm not sure how much bigger the double stroller is, but if we fit our single with everything else we had in there then I think it will probably fit.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think you'll be fine. I have never heard it was unsafe to put luggage anywhere other than the trunk. I guess in the event of a roll over it could hit someone. You could always put it standing up behind one of the front seat instead of inbetween. Front passenger may be cramped thought depending on luggage size.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think it also depends on the size of your baggage. Just as an example Avis says that class of car can hold 2 large bags and 2 small bags (although this may depend on the metrics each rental car company uses. I agree with another person that I wouldn't put a bag in between your two infants (might be different if they were much older) for safety reasons. You may be able to squeeze more into the trunk if your baggage was like a duffle bag that can be manipulated versus an actual suitcase. I'm figuring the decision to get the fusion class is more for costs but you will likely feel better with more wiggle room in an SUV.

 

[novatwinmom]

How often will you have the suitcases in the car? I'm on my phone so can't see your ticker if you have one, but consider this if the only time all of you and all your luggage will be in the car is to and from the airport:

Keep the car you have, because a full size car isn't much more than the smaller ones, the big price jump is between the full size car and the SUV or minivan. One adult signs up for Magical Express and you tag both suitcases to be transported by Disney. That adult rides Magical Express alone. Youll be ready for a break from each other by then The other adult takes kids, car seats (That hopefully still snap in to stroller), and stroller, gets car, and drives (luggage-less except for the diaper bag, which stays with the kids) to the hotel. That adult starts checking in when they get there. Just make sure.whoever has the kids know how to install the carseats.

If your car seats no longer snap into the stroller, get two "Prince Leonhart Car Seat Check Bags", which you will use for years to come to carry the car seats even if you don't check them.

The other option would be to have both adults go to the rental car, get it loaded, USING the front passenger seat for luggage, then one adult taxis/Uber to the hotel alone from the rental car place.

And yes, I have twins. My girls are five now, and we've done permutations of this for years. Another tip: when you get to your hometown airport, do something similar unless you're being dropped off. One adult drops the second adult, all the luggage, stroller, and car seats at the airport terminal (or even where they let you check bags from the drop off lane) then drives the car to long term parking and takes the shuttle to the terminal to meet everyone.

Especially with twins you have to divide and conquer. Have fun!

 

[cjparker0110]

I would do some research into the size of the trunk if you are going with a car like the fusion. My wife and I had a hard time finding a good stroller that fit in the trunk of our cars. They make everything so small now. I would suggest going with an SUV or minivan unless you can find out for sure that everything will fit with no problems. Also bear in mind the size of the car seats. I'm not sure if you are bringing your own, or if you are counting on the rental place to provide them, but some of them have rather large bases which would make fitting anything in between even more difficult, without considering safety issues.

 

[mshanson3121]

I think you'll be fine. I have never heard it was unsafe to put luggage anywhere other than the trunk. I guess in the event of a roll over it could hit someone. You could always put it standing up behind one of the front seat instead of inbetween. Front passenger may be cramped thought depending on luggage size.

Yes, it's unsafe. And actually just common sense when you stop and think about it. And no, it's not just in the event of a roll over. ANY accident, can send loose objects flying: read endings, side-swipings etc... In fact, just slamming on your breaks at 20 mph, because the car in front of you stopped suddenly, will send loose objects flying, with enough force that can cause injuries. And is definitely enough to knock that suitcase over on top of your kid in their car seat. You are not supposed to have any unsecured items in your main vehicle - bookbags, purses, cell phones, cds etc... and certainly not luggage. This includes booster seats - if you have one in your car that's not being used, it is supposed to be buckled in.

At 55-miles per hour, a 20 pound object (suitcase) hits with 1000 lbs of force. It can decapitate you. At 50 mph, a simple 16 oz bottle of water hits with 21 pounds of force. A report a couple years ago showed that loose objects in a car are responsible for over 13,000 injuries per year - and we're not talking about major roll overs, smashed by a semis, we're talking about your "regular" accidents. It was just on ABC news last year about a family who were hit head on by another vehicle. They had a loose cell phone in the car - that flew during the accident and struck their 1 year old in the head - and split his skull. He spent 10 days in intensive care.

 

[LATJLP]

I would suggest that you rent from National. Join their FREE Emerald Club. Now reserve a "mid size" vehicle that will give you access to their Emerald Aisle. You get to choose ANY vehicle in that Aisle and pay the mid-size rate that you reserved. There are always SUVs and Minivans available. You can find coupon codes here.


Another suggestion:

I have twins, but they aren't in car seats/strollers any more, but "back then" instead of bringing their double stroller, I'd rent a stroller in Orlando. It is ridiculously expensive IN the park ($31 a day), but I can recommend KM-Rentals.com as I'm using them for an adult scooter right now. Their price for a double stroller depends on how long you're staying, but as an example a week is $75, 2 weeks is $105. You can then rent the Fusion which will easily fit your luggage in the trunk without the stroller. You'll have to carry the babies from the airport to your hotel, but then you'll have a nice stroller for use at the parks, around the hotel and in town.

 

[GillianP1301]

We always rent full size and put 3 large suitcases in the back no problem. I'm not sure the size of your stroller folded, but if it's the size of a large suitcase, you'll be fine.

I echo the previous suggestion of renting a stroller from an offsite place for your vacation and that will eliminate any worry about everything fitting and the rental would probably not be that much more than the difference in upgrading from a full size to an SUV or mini van.

 

[RustManFan]

This type of question probably belongs in the Transportation forum next time!

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

Keep in mind that Ford trunks are like Dr Who's tardis. I don't know how they do it but they always are huge. I bet you'll be fine.

 

[UmmYeahOk]

What if you stacked the car seats with infants?

...just asking.