Mini van rental help

[mamamary]

Hi. Trying to get some suggestions. A family member needs to rent a van for a few days. There will be 4 adults, a few suitcases, and one of the four recently had knee surgery so really needs space to lay the leg out. I know in my town & country there really isn't much room for luggage with all the seats in. So can anyone suggest a possible car to match that would meet this criteria? I don't think this group wants to use a luggage rack if that helps.

Thanks in advance

 

[clarkshel]

Couldn't the family member sit in the third row seat. Then if the van has stow N Go middle seats, fold down the seat into the floor in front f your family member. Then he/she can really stretch out their legs. Not sure if the third row on the Chrysler/Dodge minivans are split. So the other side of the seat can fold into the floor. That way you would have enough room for luggage.

 

[tvguy]

I rent a lot of mini vans, and none has any legroom. (mind you my son is 6'5" and my daughter 5'10")
Sounds like you need to rent a full sized van or a full sized SUV like a Suburban, Expedition or Tahoe.

The best mini-van I ever rented for luggage space was a Chevy Astro Extended, but the driver's area was cramped. The best drivers area was on a Ford Freestar. If I could graft the front of the Freestar on the back of an Astro it would be perfect.

We inherited a Dodge Grand Caravan, debated selling it or our Suburban, after 3 months we sold the Dodge, just not enough rough unless you have small children.

 

[mamamary]

Couldn't the family member sit in the third row seat. Then if the van has stow N Go middle seats, fold down the seat into the floor in front f your family member. Then he/she can really stretch out their legs. Not sure if the third row on the Chrysler/Dodge minivans are split. So the other side of the seat can fold into the floor. That way you would have enough room for luggage.

This is one of the things I'm trying to figure out. I know in my van the seats only fold - they don't do down into the floor. I guess if I called a car rental co. they would be able to guide me more. Do you know if you can make a specific request like that for a van?

 

[Bren's Mom]

The rental car companies generally won't give you a specific vehicle guarantee. It might be best for the person with the knee injury to bring some pillows and have the knee straight in front of them in the front seat of whatever vehicle they end up with.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Don't all of the Dodge/Chrysler vans have stow n go now?

 

[Southernmiss]

For only 4 adults, my Toyota Sienna would fit the bill. It's got generous cargo room (for a van) and then 2 adults sit up front and 2 in the captain's chairs in the middle. The very back seat would be left open or passenger 3 and 4 could spread out one in the back and one in the middle.

If they really wanted, the very back seats stow into the trunk space, leaving a big flat area for luggage.

 

[clarkshel]

For only 4 adults, my Toyota Sienna would fit the bill. It's got generous cargo room (for a van) and then 2 adults sit up front and 2 in the captain's chairs in the middle. The very back seat would be left open or passenger 3 and 4 could spread out one in the back and one in the middle.

If they really wanted, the very back seats stow into the trunk space, leaving a big flat area for luggage.

Sounds like every other minivan.

 

[Southernmiss]

Sounds like every other minivan.

Yes they are all similar. But I find that my 2008 sienna has more space inside than my grand caravan did. Ymmv.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi. Trying to get some suggestions. A family member needs to rent a van for a few days. There will be 4 adults, a few suitcases, and one of the four recently had knee surgery so really needs space to lay the leg out. I know in my town & country there really isn't much room for luggage with all the seats in. So can anyone suggest a possible car to match that would meet this criteria? I don't think this group wants to use a luggage rack if that helps.

Thanks in advance

It might be less expensive and more practical for them to rent two cars. If they rent two cars, then two people and their suitcases could go in each car. It would probably be more comfortable for everyone that way, and it would give more space for whatever gear they need to bring with them. The person with the knee surgery could have the whole back seat to put their leg up on. Maybe not an ideal situation, but maybe worth considering.

Keep in mind that even if you rent a 'mini van' you might not end up with one. The last time I rented in Orlando, I paid for a 'mini van' and they didn't have one, so they gave me an Armada. It was a LOT bigger and horrible on gas mileage, but it was an 'upgrade' as far as they were concerned so it was theoretically better. If you get in that sort of situation, your person with the knee surgery would have a lot more space, but might have a lot of difficulty getting into the vehicle (I had a child in a car seat when they gave me that darn Armada, and I'm only 5'2" and I had a horrible time getting him in and out of the carseat every time).

 

[mamamary]

It might be less expensive and more practical for them to rent two cars. If they rent two cars, then two people and their suitcases could go in each car. It would probably be more comfortable for everyone that way, and it would give more space for whatever gear they need to bring with them. The person with the knee surgery could have the whole back seat to put their leg up on. Maybe not an ideal situation, but maybe worth considering.

Keep in mind that even if you rent a 'mini van' you might not end up with one. The last time I rented in Orlando, I paid for a 'mini van' and they didn't have one, so they gave me an Armada. It was a LOT bigger and horrible on gas mileage, but it was an 'upgrade' as far as they were concerned so it was theoretically better. If you get in that sort of situation, your person with the knee surgery would have a lot more space, but might have a lot of difficulty getting into the vehicle (I had a child in a car seat when they gave me that darn Armada, and I'm only 5'2" and I had a horrible time getting him in and out of the carseat every time).

Out of the four people there is only one driver - the other is the one with the knee surgery so they all need to be in one car. That is what has me worried - that they will not get a van that will work out. This is for a destination wedding - luckily just about a 3 hour drive.

 

[scrapquitler]

Out of the four people there is only one driver - the other is the one with the knee surgery so they all need to be in one car. That is what has me worried - that they will not get a van that will work out. This is for a destination wedding - luckily just about a 3 hour drive.

That would be a problem, then They might need to have a backup plan in case they end up with a vehicle that definitely doesn't work (someone else to drive them in a pinch?).

 

[tink_n_pooh]

How much luggage are they going to have. I don't see it being a huge problem with either a van or SUV. In an SUV the key with luggage is to stand it up to get the most room. Does the rental company have an option to guarantee a vehicle in a certain class?

 

[mamamary]

How much luggage are they going to have. I don't see it being a huge problem with either a van or SUV. In an SUV the key with luggage is to stand it up to get the most room. Does the rental company have an option to guarantee a vehicle in a certain class?

Hopefully not too much luggage. They are two different families, so prob. at least 3 suitcases. My sister is actually stopping in the car rental place and will explain the situation to them to at least make sure they are going to either guarantee a van or suv.

 

[mom2boys]

Go with the minivan. The knee patient can sit in the 3rd row. If the center row does not fold flat into the floor, it is completely removable. Just leave it at home or with the rental agency.
My son's use seats from our old minivan as gaming chairs in their man cave.

 

[java]

I have a newer Town and Country with stow and go seats. But even not using that there is plenty of room for 4 adults plus luggage. The captain seat in the middle can be folded under. And a single of the bench can fold down. Giving stretching room in back still. Plus we have fit in 2 Huge suitcases,2 Vera Bradley big luggage bags, overnight cosmetic case all in the trunk with all seat up. We drive to Disney with the 6 of us and luggage for 10 days.