Liability Laws in FLA..no vans??

[MouseEars4us]

Does anyone know what the Liablity Laws are in Florida?

We are trying to find an affordable way to get 9 people from Ohio to WDW. So far airfare isn't working, so we checked on renting a van. They have 15 person vans and Suburbans we can rent but when we gave our destination as Florida, she wouldn't rent us the van citing Liability Laws...

What's up with that?? Anyone know why? Anyone have another good idea? We tried the Amtrack Train and some in the group are not too enthused about it. Can we rent the van, turn it in in Georgia and Rent a different one? I guess if I knew what the law was, I'd understand better....

Thanks a Bunch!

 

[Poohs Pal]

I know that you can't even rent 15 passenger van's in florida due to the rollover problems. The NHSTB has issued warnings about these vans. I researched these vans a couple of months ago to convert for wheelchair usage. Apparently Dodge decided to stop producing 15 pass, chevy made a feeble attempt to fix the problem and ford(my van of choice) isn't even addressing the issue until their model 2006 comes out. Lots of scary info on these vans ay NHTSB.com My locale paper recently ran an updated warning about 15 passenger vans. Maybe you could rent 2 regular size vans or mini vans. Susan

 

[NotUrsula]

The point is that insurance companies will no longer cover 15-passenger vans for rental agencies in some states, Florida being one of them. In any case, the drop-off fee for returning a vehicle in a different state than the one you rented it in is usually several hundred dollars, over & above the rental charge, so that idea won't work, either.

Trust me on this; you would not WANT to drive a really long distance in a 15-passenger standard van. My company owns one that we use for transporting trainees, and it has horrendously uncomfortable suspension; hit a minor bump and the seat belt is the only thing keeping you from bouncing off the roof. They are very difficult to drive if you are not used to them; the steering is loose, the brakes tend to be rather mushy, and the visibility isn't good, either. I have passed many a fatal accident that involved overturned church vans, almost always when some debris was on the road. When they are packed full w/ people and luggage, if you have to swerve, the odds of flipping the thing are VERY high.
The federal govt. has banned their use by public schools to transport children.

Take two vehicles and use cell phones to keep track of each other. Priceline overnight hotel accomodations so that no one is driving too tired. You really shouldn't try to pack that many people, plus luggage, into one vehicle unless it is a real bus being driven by a professional driver.

 

[manning]

Take two vans advice. I second that. Look at minivans.

Four and luggage in one and five in the other.

 

[toystorymom]

There are 8 of us going in December and we also considered renting a large van. We ran into the same problem you did with the liability issue and after reading details about the roll overs, etc we decided against it.

I would go with renting 2 minivans although that could get expensive too. You didn't say when you were going but keep watching the airlines closely, there are some great deals out there right now.

Good luck!

 

[MouseEars4us]

Now that I know what the facts are, you talked me right out of that idea!!!

Thank goodness for the DIS Boards, I would hate to have made a terrible mistake! We (me, DH 2DD's and DS) have a Pontiac Montana, my Nephew (his DW, DD, DS) have a small car and an old truck, since they have to find transportation, we thought about travelling in one van, but since they aren't safe, we'll think of something else...

Thanks again!!

 

[LMC]

Have you checked out renting through priceline. They use to be unlimited mileage as long as you had the same pickup/return location. If you are lucking, you will hit them at a slow time and get a great unlimited mileage rate!!!

 

[cart-mom]

Have you thought about renting an RV? More room for everyone and with such a big group the cost for each (if you split it up) would be reduced and posibbly workable with your budget.

 

[manning]

The per mile charge will send the cost out of sight.

 

[Esmerelda]

If its any help....right now airfare is $118 pp RT on NW, Continental, SW, United and Delta out of Columbus thru 12/15/04.
(or you could do Priceline and probably beat that due to competition) Remember to add in all the incidentals that you will obtain from driving. (gas..food..lodging..car repairs..more time off from work..etc)

We are flying out of Indy on SW for $118 RT pp...it was cheaper for the four of us to just fly because we had thought about driving. I realize there are MANY more of you than 4 but it was just a suggestion. Being as I can only take one week off at a time..we would have spent 2 of those 7 simply driving.

I work in an ER and I have seen more folks on vacation in auto accidents and its just a phobia I've obtained only due to my job. I have watched folks in very critical shape/die due to an accident on the interstate and I just would never want to be in that position. It is safer to fly despite what many folks think.

good luck on your decision and have a SUPER trip...
Esmerelda