Full-size SUV: 6 people + bags?
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Anonymous
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I've never driven or been in one, but I'm considering renting that category of car for driving around a National Park, with 6 passengers and 5 large backpacks or suitcases, and a few carry-ons.
Will we all fit with our bags??? The rental car companies tell me such SUVs seat 7, and there's some space for bags: Ford Expedition, Nissan Pathfinder, Chevy Tahoe, etc. Will we have to place some backpacks at the kids' feet, or is there a risk we don't fit altogether? Please advise! |
Anonymous
| Pathfinder isn't that big. Expedition, Suburban are both ok. |
Anonymous
I agree with this. Pathfinder isn't really in the same class as the Expedition or Suburban/Tahoe. The seating would be tight in the Pathfinder. Go big or go home. Just don't try to park it at Rio. |
Anonymous
| how old are the passengers? Adults or kids? When you say 5 large backpacks + carry on how do you define carry on? |
Anonymous
If it is a Ford Expedition you are fine. Nissan Pathfinder - NO Chevy Tahoe -- Maybe If you are going this route I would recommend you have soft luggage and be really smart about packing. And yes - you may need to put stuff near the kids feet. |
Anonymous
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We typically rent vans or SUVs for our family of six when we do domestic travel, with six carry-on luggage, plus the odds and ends back packs and sacks/purses. This *WILL NOT* fit into a normal Tahoe/Yukon. You need the "XL" version that has the additional space behind the 3rd row seats. Otherwise, you'd have to stack some bags on the 3rd row bench.
I'm not sure about Expeditions - take a look at their pictures of the hatch area with the 3rd row up. |
Anonymous
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OP here. My only concern is for the trip to and from the airport, because otherwise we'll leave stuff at the hotel and travel light for hiking or sightseeing. There will likely be 5 large hiking backpacks, plus 5 small backpacks. 4 adults, 2 kids. Some rentals separate fullsize SUVs (Expedition) from premium/luxury SUVs (Suburban). Should I get the massive car? 
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Anonymous
Suburban to be safe, but the Expedition comes in two lengths. Might be worth a call to the local office of the rental company to ask them which model is typically in their fleet. I've seen both on the lots. |
Anonymous
| Yes, if you have a lot of luggage. |
Anonymous
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You MIGHT be able to do this in a Suburban, if everyone only has a reasonable sized bag.
Otherwise you need a full sized passenger van. |
Anonymous
| Could you rent a Thule cargo box to go on top and store some stuff there? |
Anonymous
Cargo space in the Suburban is ample. It will be plenty enough for what the OP describes. In a jam (assuming the second row is a bench and not captains chairs), they could even flip up half of the third row and have even more room, even if just for the airport run. The Tahoe would be a different story as it is shorter and has less cargo space. |
Anonymous
Most rental companies would not allow this. |
Anonymous
For my bachelor party 7 of us rented a Chevy Tahoe and our carry-ons/overnight bags all fit in the back. A Suburban has significantly more cargo room behind the third-row. |
Anonymous
| Um, mini van time. With the 3rd row up you can still store TONS in the back. And if you need more space, put the kids together in the 3rd row, and put down just one seat. Even more space? Store between the captains chairs. |