1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Car Rental Luggage Advice

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Oghma, Sep 21, 2016.

  1. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    Hi Folks,

    Im taking a trip to the US this year (I'm from the UK) and part of that includes a multi-day road trip in California.

    There are 4 adults going and I've rented a full size SUV, which is a Chevy Tahoe (or similar). I'm now getting a bit concerned about luggage space.

    Being a light traveller, I assumed we'd have about 3 large suitcases max. As the trip approaches it's becoming clear that my better half and others might push this up to about 5 suitcases, plus airline carry ons.

    Anyone have any idea the cargo capacity of one of these types of things in real terms? Should I be looking to go up a class to something like the Suburban?

    I can see some specs online, but finding it difficult to turn cubic feet into an estimate for number of bags. We don't really have equivalent vehicles here that i can use for comparison.

    Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I've never dealt with a Tahoe, and the SUVs can vary a lot, but either way, five full size suitcases is likely to be tight. Even the biggest ones, like the Suburban, don't have a lot of space in the back. For example, my car (Ford Fusion) has more space left to right and front to back than my wife's smaller SUV (Ford Escape). Hers does have a lot more room top to bottom, but you can only stack things so high safely.

    What you may want to do is see if they have one where the back (third) seat folds down into the floor, or else they're able to remove it before you take the vehicle. That way, with only four riders, you would be ok. Its something that we're considering ourselves as we look for a future SUV for my family of four.
     
  3. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    You should be fine.

    [​IMG]

    You'd be able to fit double that even with the back seats up.
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  4. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    Thanks for the input. As far as I know, the Tahoe rear row goes into the floor so we'd only have two rows of seats up which should help things. Course, I won't know exactly which model I get until I pick it up

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  5. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    [emoji1] That does look pretty enormous, even when that middle row would be up

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
  6. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    The rental car websites ALWAYS make it seem like you can barely carry something so you move up to the next one. They are liars and you'll have plenty of room.
     
    Oghma likes this.
  7. Not So Fast

    Not So Fast Well-Known Member

    1,399
    1,091
    113
    Dec 31, 2012
    Lake Worth, FL
    Spacewise, I think a mini van would serve you better. They also get better gas mileage.
     
    Oghma and Stitches like this.
  8. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    Thanks, I'll definitely look into that. I would like to drive a large SUV though for purely non practical reasons though. Probably stupid of me, but still...

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
  9. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

    85,620
    51,681
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    haha. You want to drive one of them 'Merican gas guzzlers eh? To see what it's like? I'm just messing with you. But they really don't have vehicles like this where you are right? You should be okay with the Tahoe assuming you don't need that back row to sit. Can easily get four large suitcases across (from left to right) standing up, then one behind the other way. Should then be able stack your carry on's over the top or in the remaining gap.

    We rented a mini van last year when we went to Hawaii. It was a Chrysler Town and Country. Beautiful car. We had seven people (including two children), plus three large pieces of luggage and I believe four carry ons. I was really worried we wouldn't all fit, with that back seat occupied (and that we'd have to rent a second car). You have two captains chairs (in the middle) and a back row (for three) and then some space behind that for your luggage. Well, we made it work! Some of us had to have our carry ons on our laps or on the floor in front of us. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much space that van had. And I had no reservations driving it. Minivan soccer mom? No way, that thing was nice. I wouldn't hesitate buying one.
     
    Oghma likes this.
  10. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

    85,620
    51,681
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    Oh and this really goes for anyone looking to rent a car... if you have a Costco account, use their travel to setup the rental car reservations. Pretty decent discounts.
     
  11. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I wanted to add, due to Oghma being Scotish, that one of the only two times in my life that I've rented a car was on my honeymoon, which was to Scotland. My wife and I had originally rented a smaller hatchback, which we thought should be fine, but when we got to the rental place, they were out, and offered to upsize us to a Jaguar sedan at no extra cost. At first, we thought it was awesome, since we'd both driven crappy cars most of our lives. But I soon realized that along with driving on the other side of the road, which I knew was coming of course, that the roads, and especially the parking spaces, were SOOOO much smaller than what I was used to, that I quickly wished that we'd had a much, much smaller car. I made it work, and survived through the 11 day trip with no accidents or damage to the car, but it was really tight in a few spots!
     
    Oghma and Paul 13 like this.
  12. Paul 13

    Paul 13 Chaotic Neutral & Unstable Genius Staff Member

    85,620
    51,681
    113
    Dec 3, 2007
    hehe, yeah I bet the rental car place was hoping you'd damage the car. They probably took bets amongst their employees.
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  13. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    Ha ha, that's basically it, yeah. Logical? No. Practical? No. But something in me just wants one.

    Thanks for your thoughts on it. Puts my mind at ease a bit.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
    Paul 13 likes this.
  14. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    Oh yeah, roads over here are definitely much smaller in the city or out in the country. Really only out motorways that are a decent size.

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
  15. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Once you get out of the city though, your roads system is amazing to me. Immaculate, with perfect signs unique to each town and roundabout. Easily better than anywhere in the US that I've ever been. Our trip was wonderful, and we'll remember it forever.
     
    Oghma likes this.
  16. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

    after shot
    [​IMG]
     
    Oghma likes this.
  17. Oghma

    Oghma Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    996
    371
    83
    Sep 7, 2010
    Scotland
    Awesome. What kind of car is that?

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
  18. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

    53,148
    31,935
    113
    Nov 23, 2007
    Katy, TX
    Not sure, but it looks like a Subaru Outback maybe.
     
  19. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,931
    63,009
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I think that's what it is too.
     

Share This Page