RoyBell
Chicago
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Joined: 06/03/2015
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So we rented the minivan and the rooftop cargo box worked perfectly. Six people fit comfortably in the van since the majority of the luggage was in the box. Told everyone one suitcase and one overnight bag. Kept the overnight bags in the van for the overnight midpoint hotel stay each way which kept me out of the box until we reached out destinations. With cruise set at 70-75mph the whole way, I got an average of 26.5 mpg. Chicago to Central/South FL (1350 miles). For some reason mpg is always worse on the return trip. This is on par with what we have gotten in past year without the box...We drove through rain storms and everything stayed dried. This is the first time I ever used one and I am thoroughly impressed. Glad we decided to go this route vs getting a suburban (which would also have worse gas mileage) as the money saved I can now use the box on future trips!
![[image]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4603/38886022674_458d55ebb2_b.jpg)
![[image]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4606/38886023404_e1f7795e32_b.jpg)
This is the Yakima Skybox 21 . Carry on size luggage will sit on their sides allowing roughly 6-7 suitcases. The middle size one probably would had been sufficient in our case, but too late now ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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Ductape
On the Road
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Joined: 11/15/2005
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There's a lot of difference in the driving experience between a cargo van vs passenger van. Six people and luggage I'd pick a full size van ten times out of ten.
49 States, 6 Provinces, 2 Territories...
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RoyBell
Chicago
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Joined: 06/03/2015
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The good news is I scored a nice cargo box on sale for 20% off last night. The bad news is, I don't know if the rental minivan has cross bars or not. Apparently the new vans (Pacifica) are a new design so they don't have the clamps for the factory bars yet. I have an assortment of cross bars and clamps, but if they don't have the parts to attach to the van, then they will do no good. I'll call em this afternoon and see what the vans come with.
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RoyBell
Chicago
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I own a business and have commercial business insurance. My daily is a 2500 Cummins Mega Cab. I am not sure where we would even rent a GMC 1 Ton Passenger van?
The 3.5 EB is a fun motor for sure. That's about what we get with ours unloaded. Maybe with some weight in it, they would drive better. Ours is pretty much empty all the time, and a work van so no seats inside.
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RespondingBack
Los Angeles, California, USA
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Joined: 01/23/2004
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Double-check with your insurance company re larger vehicle rental (e.g., full-size vsn). Thought I read somewhere that some insurance companies exclude certain rental vehicles from your regular car insurance coverage.
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI & Space Coast, FL USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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We own a Transit, medium-roof van with the 3.5 ecoboost motor, and LOVE driving it. It also gets almost 18 mpg. Personally, I would try to rent a full-size wagon like a Transit?
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John Burke
North Dakota
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Joined: 08/21/2014
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Get a 15 Passenger 1 ton Chevy van. Take the seats out until you only have the 2 front seats and 2 bench seats, LOTS of room for luggage. Only have to put two people in a seat made for three. Plenty of room for legs, bags of stuff you want when on the road. Put a cooler for drinks and snacks between the front seats.
The reason for a Chevy instead of a Ford is the wheel base on the Chevy is longer and that makes it more stable. Just look at them both and look at the rear axle placement and you will see what I mean.
I have used vans for years hauling grandkids, dogs and camping gear with plenty of room for two week trips. Makes a great camper puller. With a load of 4 kids, 3 dogs and all my tent camping gear I average 16.5 over a 4500 mile trip.
Get one with a 6.0 L and 6 speed transmission. Easy to drive, great visibility.
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Tyler0215
Iowa
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Joined: 03/13/2013
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The "Burb" is big but the rear seat is coach. Not much leg room. Go to dealer and check one out. I would go with a full size van Lots room for gear and still room for the kids to move around.
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pira114
Sierra Nevadas
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Joined: 10/25/2009
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I used to have a Yukon XL (Suburban basically). Drove all across the country with it. Family of either 4 or 5 depending on if the oldest could make it. Loved every bit of it. Plenty of storage, plenty of leg room. Put the smallest kids in the back usually, but also let them decide and switch around as they pleased. Often times the 3 of them would sit all on the back bench together and fold down the front bench. Gave them tons of leg room and a very large cooler could fit behind the driver's seat for food dispensary. I was always able to fit all our luggage in the rear cargo area with no problems.
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RoyBell
Chicago
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We have rented a minivan for the past 5 years and none ever came with a hitch. The dodges are pretty comfortable. Last year we got stuck with a Kia and it was meh. Here it is before they piled the rest of the junk in:
![[image]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/24678340398_a0edf4fc37_c.jpg)
I am looking into the roof top cargo idea. I will call rental agency and see what the vans have for rails. I have an assortment of parts that may work from my various vehicles over the years. I would just be out a $400 box, which is less than the upgrade to a suburban from a minivan for the 2 weeks.
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