large van rental near chicago

[weluvdizne]

We are in the burbs and are looking to rent a full size van or even a Dodge Sprinter or something to accomadate 2 carseats, 5 adults, and plenty of luggage. A minivan just won't cut it, nor would a 7 person SUV. We'll have a fridge, stroller and such in addition to all our luggage.
We want to rent a van, but are having a hard time finding outlets that rent them, and if they do, the price is astronomical and then, it has limited milage. Yes, I can add additional milage for about 33 cents a mile, but again, the price goes up. I thought perhaps the rental outlets at Ohare and Midway would more likely have the big vans, but being in Chicago, they also have 20% tax!
We'd be renting for 16 days driving from Chicago to Orlando and back.

Also, is it cheaper to break up the rental for the drive down and then the drive back since we won't need the vehicle while down in Orlando?

Any advice??? Thanks so much!

 

[NotUrsula]

The biggest you are likely to be able to use is a 12-passenger van, and I've got to tell you they are miserable for long trips, AND dangerous to drive because they are a nasty rollover hazard.

Also, you may well have trouble finding somewhere that will allow you to take a large rental van out of state. They want to prevent people taking them on long road trips because of the high probability of accidents.

 

[chartle]

Your not the first to try and get sticker shock when they see the price of renting a full size van. Some of these people were just looking for a local van rental not one thats going to get a couple thousand miles put on it.

Every thing you say just makes it more and more expensive.

Large van + 2,500 miles + 16 day rental = big bucks.

I think the main problem is that the size van you want is mostly used by commercial businesses and therefor is in a commercial fleet.

I agree with the PP. These vehicles are based upon full size truck and drive and ride like one.

Could you use a minivan and maybe a trailer. But if you rent a minivan there is generally a restriction on towing.

Also one of your solutions was basically two one way rentals. Unless they have a chance of renting the vehicle for a return trip they loose money if a van just sits in Fl waiting for you to pick it up again.

ETA: I did a little searching and found this company http://www.acerentacar.com/default.aspx

A 12 passenger for 16 days unlimited mileage is about $1,500. Thats not including extra drivers or any kind of extra insurance. What kind of rates where you getting?

 

[mmmgood]

I would recommend considering the rental of two full size cars. I think you will find the overall cost to be much lower. Storage space should not be an issue as most full size vehicles I have rented have huge trunks and plenty of room in the back seats. The ride will be much more comfortable and you will have additional flexibility once you reach Orlando.

I would also check into insurance restrictions on larger vehicles. Some policies and credit cards have restrictions on the size of vehicle they will cover. For example: a Mastercard I have only covers up to 9 passenger vehicles.

 

[weluvdizne]

Thank you to all who have responded.

I had not thought about the insurance specifications. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I also had not thought about them not letting us take it from Chicago to Orlando. Another good point.

We were trying to get us all down there in one vehicle because out of the 4 driving age adults, I'd actually be the one doing at least 90% of the driving. My dad hoped it would be cheaper to drive us all in one vehicle than to fly.

The prices I was getting were around $1,600 - $1,800. The price for just 5 airline tix was running around $1,300. Sounds like it may just be cheaper to fly. However, with the way I pack, it definately won't be the easy way.

Now that I know I have knowledge beyond my own, I can go back to my dad and let him know that the big van idea is not the most cost effective. Perhaps we can get deals on full size cars that somebody suggested and the other 3 driving adults will just have to split the rest of the driving amongst them. Maybe we'll end up flying afterall. Not sure how the new baby will be to travel with anyway. They will be 10 months old when we go.

Thanks again to all for the opinions and information.