Silly question regarding rental car trunk space

[frannn]

I admit that I am an obsessive planner sometimes, especially now that this will be DD1's first WDW trip. So, please humor me...
From what I understand, midsize rental cars have about 14-16 cubic feet of trunk space. DH, DD, and I will have at least one large piece of luggage each, and a car seat, and a stroller, and probably a few other odd pieces. I have measured our largest pieces of luggage (including the wheels) and am trying to figure out how many will fit in the trunk. Only problem is, my car is at the body shop for at least the rest of the week, so I can't test with a real car. I just can't figure out how mich 16 cubic feet of space really is. I have a ruler, and was going to try to make an imaginary "trunk space" on my floor. I just don't know how to measure it out. How pathetic am I? How do I measure it out? Thanks!

 

[Lewisc]

It's not that easy, the same cubic feet may have different dimensions. Find out what cars your rental agencies call mid-size. Go to a new car dealer, open the trunk and measure (with a tape measure). I guess you could even bring your empty suitcases. The big suitcases (29") don't fit well in most trunks.

Originally posted by frannn
I admit that I am an obsessive planner sometimes, especially now that this will be DD1's first WDW trip. So, please humor me...
From what I understand, midsize rental cars have about 14-16 cubic feet of trunk space. DH, DD, and I will have at least one large piece of luggage each, and a car seat, and a stroller, and probably a few other odd pieces. I have measured our largest pieces of luggage (including the wheels) and am trying to figure out how many will fit in the trunk. Only problem is, my car is at the body shop for at least the rest of the week, so I can't test with a real car. I just can't figure out how mich 16 cubic feet of space really is. I have a ruler, and was going to try to make an imaginary "trunk space" on my floor. I just don't know how to measure it out. How pathetic am I? How do I measure it out? Thanks!

 

[frannn]

that they could measure the trunk for me? I think even the earlier years may have similar trunk sizes. Or maybe I should call the dealership & ask them-would that be bad? I am picturing De Niro in Analyze That, where he is a gangster who becomes a car salesman and tells the customers how many bodies they can fit into the trunk!

 

[NotUrsula]

Anytime I've gotten a Stratus, it has been classed as a full size ... but anyway ...

You should be able to get all the luggage into the trunk of a midsize, but your stroller probably will NOT fit back there on the ride in from the airport. We always reserve mid-size cars, and we carry about the same amount of luggage as you're describing; the stroller always ends up riding in the backseat next to the child on the way to and from the airport. You will probably want to secure the carseat in an outboard position, just in case.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You don't need to call dealers, I have that info. I spent a boring day doing something I JUST knew someone would need.

Here you go:
Intermediates:
Grand Am: 14.6 cf - 14 gal. gas tank
Galant: 14.6 cf - 16.3 gal. gas tank
Corolla: Too small to be considered intermediate.
Full Size:
Malibu: 17.3 cf - 14.1 gal. gas tank
Impala: 18.6cf - 17.0 gal gas tank
Regal: 16.7cf - 17.0 gal. gas tank
Century: " " "
Sebring: 16.3cf - 16.0 gal. gas tank
Sebring conv. 11.3cf - " " "
Intrepid: 17.0 cf - 17.0 " "

Hope this helps and you can check the manufacturers web site for any car's capacity. Perhaps you can do that for your car and figure out how much space it has.

 

[safetymom]

We still laugh about when my brother in law did that for one vacation. Keep in mind that there may be protusions or other areas in the trunk that will cut down on the area you can put your belongings.