Exactly how big are 8 seater vans?

[Mrs Dazzle]

We are off skiing to Lake Tahoe with friends next Easter There will be 7 of us - 4 adults, 2 x 13 year olds and one 11 year old.

We have been allocated an 8V van with Dollar as part of our package. While over in Florida, we had a quick look at some in car lots and from the outside they look bigger than anything over here, but has anyone used them and exactly how roomy are they inside - what I'm trying to sort out is roughly how much luggage we'll be able to take (usually 3 suitcases each of the two families, plus 2 lots of ski boots).

 

[Celestine]

We had one of these a couple of years back for 7 of us. TBH they are for 8 people, i.e. no luggage space! THere is no boot to speak of so it is a case of carefully positioning people & luggage.

 

[disney13]

We had a 8 seater during our recent trip. As above, you can easily seat 8 passengers but will have trouble getting in 8 suitcases! What we did was to put some of the suitcases on top of the car on the roof rack.

Andy

 

[tim june and sam]

Got to agree with the other posters here - we had a Chrysler Voyager van some years ago and found that with all luggage in it was just about right for four adults and one child

 

[disneyholic family]

it depends on the model....we own a GMC safari that seats 8 passengers and has tons of room for luggage......but there are two versions of the 8 seater safari....we have the larger one.....
all the voyagers and mazda MPVs that i'm familiar with, only hold 7 passengers....

but if you're really going to be driving around with every seat of the 8 seater filled, you're not going to have much room for luggage, regardless of what type of van it is....perhaps it has a luggage rack on top...but then you'll need something to tie the luggage down with...

 

[Aceman88888]

On the TCD car hire page (Dollar) there is no mention of limited luggage space for the 8 seater but there is a warning for the 7 and 15 seaters.

http://www.travelcitydirect.com/AniteXMLGateway.asp?<HTTP><ASUBMIT>SUBMIT_USERPAGE_CARTYPEINFO</ASUBMIT></HTTP>

If I have a problem in a few weeks with the 8 seater I've booked I'll just flash them a copy of the screen page and insist on a free upgrade. I am in a party of 7 so I'm not expecting a problem.

 

[rosiejo]

On the TCD car hire page (Dollar) there is no mention of limited luggage space for the 8 seater but there is a warning for the 7 and 15 seaters.

http://www.travelcitydirect.com/AniteXMLGateway.asp?<HTTP><ASUBMIT>SUBMIT_USERPAGE_CARTYPEINFO</ASUBMIT></HTTP>

If I have a problem in a few weeks with the 8 seater I've booked I'll just flash them a copy of the screen page and insist on a free upgrade. I am in a party of 7 so I'm not expecting a problem.

Thanks for the link - I just had a shock seeing what the 8 seater actually looks like!! I was picturing the 7 :0)

Just one thing though - you say there is no warning about problems with luggage on the 8 - but the picture indicates you get 8 people and NO luggage!! compare it to the others and you'll see what I mean - there is luggage and amounts on all vehicles but that one...

Theoretically you're gonna have 1 spare seat to put your luggage on??

 

[Laurafoster]

We had a 8 seater last year with 7 adults, and there was harly any lugage space, you have a small gap at the back where its possible to fit a few cases providedthere not too big, the others we had to put on the seats!

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I think I need to investigate this further. There are seven of us therefore we will need to take a reasonable amount of cases since we need two weeks worth of clothes etc - especially skiing, you can't just fling a few t-shirts and shorts in and it's all winter gear too, and the ski wear's thick!

Ho hum, off to investigate.