If driving cross country, which would you rather?

[DVC-Don]

I'd drive the biggest rental car I could afford. Comfy ride and lots of room.

 

[*JoGo*]

I would get all the camping gear out and pack it in the truck. Get out the (empty) suitcases, duffles, camp chairs, put it in the truck. Try to pack up your truck with everything you plan to take (using empty bags/totes to represent full ones). See how much room there is.

If you plan to put totes in the back of an uncovered truck, be sure to duct tape the lids. They can and will come off going down the highway.

I think I would take my own car, bc I know it. Also, you said it has a cap on the back. If you rent a truck without a cap, your stuff is open to the weather and also other people at every rest stop and restaurant. If you stay at a hotel, will you be comfortable leaving all that stuff in the truck bed? Or else your hotel room will be full of your camp gear and everything else you don't need.

With three kids, I don't think a small car, or even a large car, will fit everything you will need for both a cross country trip AND camping. Last year we had a mid sized SUV, with me and my two kids- when we went camping, we were PACKED in there. No room for wiggling. We were only going about 2 1/2 hrs away. Any further, I would've left a kid on the side of the road.

If I were you and were to rent a vehicle, it would be a minivan and I'd fold down/remove half the last row, since you will need room for 5 when your mom is with you. But I think adding camping gear will still make it a tight fit.

Good luck!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

If you can't or don't switch to USAA definitely join AAA.

Another thanks for your service from my family to yours.

 

[clm10308]

We always take our big truck (F250 diesel king cab) for long trips. No way would we be able to fit camping gear and 2-3 people in a smaller car. The truck just has more room overall. More room for stuff, more room for seating, and most important of all for me enough room so that the kids can sit in the back and to spend the entire trip fighting about that imaginary line that signifies seat ownership.

In places where big trucks are not as common as Texas, it can mean a bit of a hike in parking lots, but we don't really mind that.

 

[indimom]

Personally, I'd take the truck. Get it checked out before the trip and enjoy the ride.

We have taken camping trips with our car (2010 Impala) and our family of four, it's not ideal. Very cramped, like literally putting the last of the "stuff" around our feet and in our laps, cramped.


We're using the car for our trip to Ft. Wilderness this summer, but we are adding a cargo carrier hitch on back to take some of the burden.
I'm still not looking forward to the drive, which is why we are going straight through (16 hours) in the night. If I had a truck, I would absolutely drive a truck. I looked into renting that or a larger van, but they were way to expensive for me, so we're just going to suffer for our Disney fix.

As far as camping along the way, how much time are you devoting to driving each day?? Remember, you will have to stop early enough to put up the tent in day light each and every time you stop, and wait for daylight to break it all down each and every time you stop. It might be more trouble than it's worth unless you were planning to make day stops along the way anyway.

 

[DawnM]

I would rent a van. Plenty of room for gear and such and gas will still be less than a full size truck.

Kids can spread out if necessary too.

 

[Cynt]

I would fly. 6000 miles w/ kids no DH. NO THANKS!

 

[Martha7]

Just wanted to add the fact that rental agencies will add a 'drop off' charge to your rental, should you not return the car to the same location. I think a minivan is also going to be expensive, since they consider it to be a special vehicle in the fleet. I used to work for Enterprise many years ago, and that's how it was at our office. Good luck with the trip!

 

[tink_n_pooh]

If renting a van or large SUV was an option for a reasonable price I would go with that, if not take your truck. Enjoy the trip and safe travels!

 

[DawnM]

Well, yes, ideally I would too.

In fact, I am. Two of my kids and I are going back home to CA this summer for a while. We are flying and renting a car on that end.

I would fly. 6000 miles w/ kids no DH. NO THANKS!

 

[Jedana]

Other

Rent an SUV or minivan
OR
Get the rental car and get a car carrier.
OR
Get the rental truck and get a locking hard topper for the back.

I'd prefer to fly though. The drive from Vegas to FL almost killed me.

 

[iheartdisney]

I didn't want to leave everyone hanging....we decided that I'll take the truck!
It just came back from the shop and i spent the last two days cleaning and detailing her.

3 weeks until we leave!

 

[gr8leg8]

Have a great trip



and family gathering

 

[danygirl]

If it rains your stuff is going to get mighty wet in the back of the truck. I would rent an suv with room for all the passengers to stretch out and covered area for all the stuff. If you get a lot of rain your bags will leak. it will be gross.

I wouldn't go on a trip like this without a roadside assistance plan. If you have usaa make sure it is on your policy. If no usaa, I would sign up for aaa.