Ford Transit Passenger Van- seeking tips for a 19 hour road trip to WDW

[Cynthia1215]

Hi! We leave in less than a week and are traveling from Lake Erie in Ohio to WDW. We have rented a Ford Transit Passenger van that is supposed to hold 12 people- we actually have 8 (4 adults and 4 kids). Just curious if any of you have driven one of these to WDW and if there were any tips you had about packing it and making the most of the space.


Thanks!

 

[Lisa Garcia]

Sorry I dont have an answer to your question. I was looking into renting a 12 passenger van to go from NY to Disney....where did you rent it from?

 

[CarrieR]

I would probably tumble down or remove the third row, and then pack back there.

Just as a tip... I would also look into safe loading of people and cargo into large vans. I work in passenger safety and until I attended a seminar on it a couple of years ago, I had no IDEA that there's a specific way to distribute weight (fill the van from the driver's corner first - so for example don't put all passenger in the back row) or that one of the tires (passenger rear? I think?) needed to be filled to a higher PSI. Also, nothing should ever be placed on the roof as it raises the center of gravity - and these vans are already prone to rolling as it is.

I will say that the Transit is built a little differently than the stereotypical "12/15 passenger" van, so this may not be as applicable - but I would still spend a minute to do the research nonetheless.

 

[leebee]

If you are not accustomed to driving a big van, PLEASE remember that the center of gravity is much different from that of a car/mini-van, and at highway speeds it's going to handle differently than the vehicle which you are accustomed to driving.

I would try to fold down/tumble/remove the rear seat and pack everything into the rear end, keeping it all stacked low and evenly. It's tempting to tumble down a middle seat and pack there (so it's easier to reach things in the luggage while the vehicle is moving) but I think that's dangerous. If you have to slam on your brakes, anything that's not "tied down" will continue to move at the higher rate of speed. Last thing I want in my car is small suitcases and coolers flying around!

Good luck! It's a long drive but if everyone is in the right mood, you are going to have a TON of fun!! Enjoy your vacation!

 

[Cynthia1215]

Sorry I dont have an answer to your question. I was looking into renting a 12 passenger van to go from NY to Disney....where did you rent it from?

Avis. Charleston, WV (that's near where we are picking up the other 4 people)

 

[friend2Figment]

We are also renting one next week from Avis for our trip. I am hoping it is as roomy behind the last seat as my Chevy Express. We were able to fit all our luggage below the back head rests. I know that Transit seats have higher backs. I am trYing to figure out the best options in my head. Do not want to have to break hard and have everything flying forward.

 

[Kimber1963]

I'm just curious how your experiences were with the van because I may be renting one next year.