Anyone rent the 15 passenger vans??

[mousey]

I'm trying to secure (2) 15 passenger vans for my daughters softball teams spring break. Anyone ever rent one of these? Is the seating comfortable? They both would have 12 passengers and equipment and luggage. Unlimited mileage needed. Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

 

[marypopfan]

I can't help you with the renting part, but I wanted you to know that there isn't much space between the last seat and the door. The seats are up pretty high though, you might be able to put some stuff under them.

 

[Anthony1971]

rented plenty from NY
Try budget as they are your best bet you need see if there is a special we have also used a few of the speciality places vans have a lot of miles and sometimes are in bad shape and are $$$ but we did make it to Atlantic city with one that had 184,000 miles powder blue shaked at 65 and it was Valet parked......
Good luck

 

[Anthony1971]

Oh and 12 is the max you want with some room......
they are comfortable we also went to canada with one

 

[Seahunt]

This was in the local paper recently re safety issues of 15 pass vans- if you rent one just be careful and be sure and check the tire inflations before you take off :

NHTSA Restates Rollover Warning For Users of 15-Passenger Vans
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced new research that reinforces its existing concerns about 15-passenger vans. As a result, NHTSA reissued its consumer advisory for users of 15-passenger vans for the third time in the past four years.

In a new research report related to improper tire maintenance on 15-passenger vans, the NHTSA study found that 74 percent of all 15-passenger vans had significantly mis-inflated tires. By contrast, 39 percent of passenger cars were found with significant inflation problems. NHTSA research has consistently shown that improperly inflated tires can change handling characteristics, increasing the prospect of a rollover crash in 15-passenger vans.

"The vans are convenient, but drivers and passengers have to use extra caution. The risks associated with 15-passenger vans can be minimized if users take some basic safety precautions", said Jeffrey Runge, M.D, NHTSA administrator. "Routinely checking the condition of the tires, including the tire pressure, should be at the top of the list".

To reduce the risks associated with 15-passenger vans, NHTSA’s safety advisory recommends that drivers insist all occupants wear safety belts at all times; drivers of 15-passenger are trained and experienced; tires are checked at least once a week, using the manufacturer’s recommended pressure levels; and no loads are placed on the roof of the vehicle.

Prior NHTSA research has shown that 15-passenger vans have a rollover risk that increases dramatically as the number of occupants increases from fewer than five to more than ten. In fact, 15-passenger vans (with 10 or more occupants) had a rollover rate in single vehicle crashes that is nearly three times the rate of those that were lightly loaded (with fewer than five occupants).

Nearly 80 percent of those who died in 15-passenger van rollovers nationwide between 1990 and 2003 were not buckled up. Wearing safety belts dramatically increases the chances of survival during a rollover crash. In fatal, single-vehicle rollovers involving 15-passenger vans over the past decade, 91 percent of belted occupants survived.

NHTSA is reissuing this advisory to specifically alert summertime users of 15-passenger vans. The agency also has prepared a flyer on 15-passenger van safety that is available on the 15-Passenger Van Advisory page here
http://nhtsa.gov/cars/problems/studies/15PassVans/15PassCustomerAdvisory.htm

 

[Lewisc]

Check insurance. Credit card and even your own insurance policy might not cover you.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've never had what could remotely be called a "comfortable" ride in one of these. The shocks are ineffectual, and you usually end up literally bouncing every time you hit a bump in the road. Noisy, too.

I've found when driving them that they tend to have kind of mushy brakes. Give yourself a LOT more braking distance than you think you really need.

 

[tracys2cents]

Just want to mention that Visa or Mastercard will not cover the insurances on such a vehicle like they do with the normal sizes.

And if you have two drivers, usually two regular vans or even 3 mid size cars will end up cheaper than the 15pass van.