do you use the luggage rack?

[monalsw]

we are taking our first ever mini-van to disney in november. there will be 4 of us traveling and we'd like all the space we can eeek out. we have third row seating and want to keep that in, so the kids can have room. we also have the luggage rack-do you use yours? these have just never looked secure enough for me; i mean, how do you secure the luggage to it (horizontal straps on the rack)? it sure would be nice, if i knew i wouldn't lose my personals somewhere along the way!!!

what do you do? thanks for any info!

 

[BelleBeautyandtheBeast]

We have a luggage rack on our mini van but have never used it. There are 5 of us and we always seem to squeeze everything inside the van, even with all the seats still in place.

Last summer we took a 9 day vacation driving around to different amusement parks in our Mercury Villager (one of the smallest mini vans). It took some creative luggage arrangement but 1 huge suitcase, 2 small suitcases, a bag, a playpen, a double stroller, and 2 coolers all fit in the back.

This year we bought a new van, Chevy Venture, and I cannot believe haw much more space I have in the back. Can't wait for vacation to see how much I can fit LOL.

You could try a dry run and see how much luggage you can fit in the back (empty of course ). If you think you need extra space use your luggage rack! From what I know about them they are safe. Be careful not to pack anything you may need in the car and make sure everything is packed so that it can not get wet. Rain could ruin your fun if your luggage carrier leaks.

 

[manning]

The rack is going to cut into your mileage. On the last trip down we saw a U-haul trailer. actually several, that are designed to carry luggage. They look like an egg on wheels.

The only reason I noticed it was .......well I never saw one before.

U-haul calls it a Sport trailer. You can find it here.

http://www.u-haul.com/trailers/sport/

You may not want to pay the $20 per day rate, but this may give you a clue as to who makes them.

Here is another source when you get to the site click sport trailers on left


This may be more than you are looking for if you go this route.

 

[Lizzydoll73]

They sell luggage bags at Target, Walmart etc for about $40 that you strap to the luggage rack and then add your luggage. We used ours last year for the first time and it was great. Ours is waterproof but some water did get in around the zipper area even though it has a flap that is supposed to prevent it. Next time I plan to throw a cheap shower curtain over the luggage before I zip it up.