Packing for a long drive-rubbermaid vs luggage?

[Lucy6]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it seems like a transportation issue to me?? We are driving down at the end of this month, figuring approx 19 hours from chgo area. My dh has suggested using a large rubbermaid container for all of our clothes(it will be me, dh, ds13, dd9) instead of several pieces of luggage. Has anyone ever done it this way?? He thinks it will take up less room, and will be a better way to organize the trunk(we won't have a rooftop container). We will be traveling in a Honda minivan. We will be staying at Pop Century, and from the pictures, it looks like we will be able to unpack into drawers once we get there. I would love to hear your opinions on this matter...

 

[Tara]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it seems like a transportation issue to me?? We are driving down at the end of this month, figuring approx 19 hours from chgo area. My dh has suggested using a large rubbermaid container for all of our clothes(it will be me, dh, ds13, dd9) instead of several pieces of luggage. Has anyone ever done it this way?? He thinks it will take up less room, and will be a better way to organize the trunk(we won't have a rooftop container). We will be traveling in a Honda minivan. We will be staying at Pop Century, and from the pictures, it looks like we will be able to unpack into drawers once we get there. I would love to hear your opinions on this matter...

My only thought is that it would be very heavy! Maybe if you get the kind of container that has wheels (I'm pretty sure I've seen these) it might work better?

 

[Shagley]

Hi from Peoria

I think the rubbermaid container would work fine. The only awkward part would be that it wouldn't be as easy to carry from the car to the room. However, if you borrow a cart from luggage services, the container would fit fine on the cart. I think it would work great! When we travel in the car, we tend to pack in duffle bags instead of suitcases. They hold just as much (if not more), and they can squish if we start getting low on space.

 

[hollierae]

That is not a bad idea and yes they do have drawers for you to unpack your stuff at Pop. We are 3 of us and we fit all of our stuff in the drawers with room to spare. You will need to get a cart because it will be harder to carry to your room. Thanks for the idea.

 

[clkelley]

I use Rubbermaid all the time instead of luggage when traveling by car.

 

[2disneyboys]

This is a great ideal and I might just steal it from you for our April Trip

If you end up doing this, please post back and let us know if it worked for you. Have a great trip.

 

[JB2K]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but it seems like a transportation issue to me?? We are driving down at the end of this month, figuring approx 19 hours from chgo area. My dh has suggested using a large rubbermaid container for all of our clothes(it will be me, dh, ds13, dd9) instead of several pieces of luggage. Has anyone ever done it this way?? He thinks it will take up less room, and will be a better way to organize the trunk(we won't have a rooftop container). We will be traveling in a Honda minivan. We will be staying at Pop Century, and from the pictures, it looks like we will be able to unpack into drawers once we get there. I would love to hear your opinions on this matter...

The container is a good idea, but (IMO) sending that container to your resort a few days ahead of you via FedEx/UPS Ground is an even better idea, as it gives you much-needed car space for the long trip.

Plus, it won't bankrupt you.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Hey, the container idea sounds pretty good. But, I think you should get it with wheels. Otherwise, it will be heavy to carry into your hotel.

 

[capt445]

We have done this, we also pack a collapsable hand truck to move it from the van to our room. The hand truck folds flat and can be slid into a small area with the rest of your luggage.

 

[dgaston]

We always pack in Rubbermaid containers for camping -- usually smaller ones so clothes are divided by family members.

 

[keishashadow]

we fly to MCO & i use 2 shoe box sized rubbermaid-ish clear containers with the swinging lids that fold over for all toiletries

most things then grouped & packed in small zip bags, saves lots of aggravation as to spills/leaks, etc. & they fit perfectly in bottom of large checked luggage

since we do spit stays, it's way easier to never unpack the assorted individual items & just leave them on floor under sink

my family is trained to use what they need & put it back immediately, with exception of toothbrushes/toothpaste, deoderant & hairbrush

i run a tight ship

 

[ChristaDeVil]

These are great ideas. I'm going to use the small containers for toiletries on our next trip, now that I hear that. Thanks!

We've used the giant Ziplock bags for packing, too. They already have a handle, so as long as you don't pack it too full, you're good to go!

 

[luckytobeme88]

I would rather use individual luggage for each person. Since you have a rather large mini-van(the Honda), it is not going to take up more than your trunk area. By having 4 smaller suitcases(presuming), it will easier to fit them nicer than a big Rubbermaid block. You don't even have to sort out the family's belongings. Just a suggestion.

 

[ATAfamily]

I would rather use individual luggage for each person. Since you have a rather large mini-van(the Honda), it is not going to take up more than your trunk area. By having 4 smaller suitcases(presuming), it will easier to fit them nicer than a big Rubbermaid block. You don't even have to sort out the family's belongings. Just a suggestion.

Like luckytobeme83 we pack individual bags for each family member. We each have a large rolling duffel bag that we use when traveling for vacation. We have a Town & Country minivan that our family of five travel to Orlando from NH every year. My husband finds it easier to pack the back of the van with duffel bags that can be squished into a spot vs. large suitcases that can't be molded into small spaces.

Also with all the duffel bags being on wheels it makes bringing our stuff into the hotel room easier.

 

[prncess674]

When driving for vacation my Mom taught me to put the laundry basket on the bed and all throw in all those last minute items you use every day, then you just bring it in at the hotel and you have a laundry basket to use on vacation.

The rubbermaids sound like a good idea if you don't have enough luggage. I wouldn't go buy them just for the trip.

 

[FINFAN]

GO FOR IT! It will make a great laundry basket for you during the trip as well, especially if your clothes are wet from rides/rain etc. We only use 1 reg suitcase when we drive places, smaller carryon/duffles ( as mentioned above) usually work easier for us as well, less cumbersome, easier for kids to help unload if staying at a hotel along the way and we can divide up each others stuff easier. Anything to allow room in the car for a well-filled cooler!

 

[redrosesix]

We did this for a long drive from Halifax to Toronto last summer -- we still had carry-ons packed for our hotel stays along the way. We used the Rubbermaid bins for those things we would not be using til we got to our final destination, although it is so much easier to grab something out of them when you're on the road. We also used 1 bin for all of our food items, plastic cups etc. that we would need while on the road.