? on vehicle/packing/travel

[MagicalMomAZ]

Whenever we go to CA we drive (we're in AZ) - so for a family of four (depending on the length of trip) we can have quite a lot of baggage. Typically 4 suitcases, a stroller, play yard, 2 duffels & 2 backpacks (this was a 2 wk trip).

We drive an Explorer. It gives us just enough cargo space. We want to get a hybrid but our only options (USA made only) are Ford Escape & Mercury Mariner .... less cargo in both. DH is a Ford man

My question is: If you do not travel lightly, how do you manage if you don't have a large vehicle?

 

[samkj]

We have a Yakima cargo box for the top of our minivan. This would fit on the Ford Escape SUV. Our van holds a ton, but with our daughter wheelchair we loose a lot of space, so the cargo box has been a life saver!

 

[abby]

We have flown the last two trips (and this upcoming one as well) I am glad it is only dd 6 and I, at that we have two suitcases, a car seat and two backpacks for the plane. Oh well, I pack and repack several times ( and weigh each piece...)

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

We go camping, and I have a soft car top that I load with stuff to make more room in the car.

 

[darph nader]

I don't know what to tell you. I drive a Suburban.IF we take alot of 'stuff',we have a cargo platform that fits into the hitch. If we're going for that length of time,instead of lots of clothes my wife brings along a box of laundry soap,and a couple rolls of quarters.Takes up a lot less room.

 

[Goofster57]

We go camping, and I have a soft car top that I load with stuff to make more room in the car.

Mary Jo,
I have a question, what do you put in the “Soft Car Top” the luggage or the kidlits?
I know when we travel my girls make me ride in it, not sure why.

Hope all is going well, are you enjoying your new “Flex” work schedule?

 

[MadfordaMouse]

We traveled to Disney one year in a Mazda and literally had to pack stuff around the kids because the trunk was worthless. We also used a hard top carrier and put the girls duffles up there and pillows and other small suitcases, it really helped alot! Needless to say, we now drive a Ford F350 which is large enough that I can actually separate my two dumplings in the back seat to keep them from killing eachother on the 8 hr. trip from AZ .

I had a friend who use to travel with a 5 yr old and a set of 2 yr old twins to Disney and would call ahead to the hotel and ship some of her necessities out before she arrived. I've never done this and I'm not sure if it would depend on the hotel you stayed at, but she swore by it!

 

[darph nader]

Mary Jo,
I have a question, what do you put in the “Soft Car Top” the luggage or the kidlits?
I know when we travel my girls make me ride in it, not sure why.

Hope all is going well, are you enjoying your new “Flex” work schedule?

I'd put the kidlits up there.
They're more resilent the cosmetics and toiletries.Just stop every few hours to give them fresh air.j/k

OR,if you have multiple drivers,they could trade off and sneek up there for a nap.

 

[abby]

I've thought about your question and have decided the following, (keep in mind we fly to DL, but I also have a travel trailer and we camp alot.)
We take as much as possible given what we have to carry it in. I can pack for 6 days in DL in two suitcases, but if we are going to the beach and driving it takes a lot more stuff. I think we just adust to the limitations of what is before us.....