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J_McV
Joined: 27 Jul 2000 Posts: 68 Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 10:31 am Post subject: Car rental for windsurf |
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What car to rent for destination (S.F. Bay area) and two people. Would like to not rent a mini van for two 8' boards and a few wave sails etc.. Considering Rav 4 but don't know if it's too short in cargo area? Would mini van have back seat in the way? Will rental car co. allow roof racks, (prefer not to go this route)? I'd appreciate some thoughts on type of car to rent.
Thanks
Jeff |
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kmf
Joined: 02 Apr 2001 Posts: 503
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 11:08 am Post subject: |
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Mini van's are perfect. Get one whose seats fold into the floor. All gear will fit inside and there will be room to spare. No racks to deal with, no locks or stolen gear. What's not to like?
KMF |
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victor
Joined: 03 Aug 1998 Posts: 581
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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a mini van would be the best way to go.
if you can find a subaru or other make of station wagon rental with the 1/3-2/3 fold-down back seat it would work.
i carried my gear in a pt cruiser for a few years. two boards, 3-4 sails, masts,booms and tub of wetsuit, etc. it was tight but doable. passenger had to sit in the back seat behind the driver.
a friend with a prius did the same and looked like he had a little more room.
whatever extra, if any, you spend for the mini van might be worth it for the convenience, safety and riding comfort. |
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kevinkan
Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco
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J_McV
Joined: 27 Jul 2000 Posts: 68 Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah yeah I know the mini van is going to be the way to go for the two of us. Any idea which brands would have fold down seats and which would have seats that are permanently in the way? |
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kevinkan
Joined: 07 Jun 2001 Posts: 1661 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 3:30 pm Post subject: |
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Grand Caravans/Town & Countrys have stow n go seats for both rows. I believe the Sienna and Odyssey only have fold flat seats in the back. Be careful though, sometimes they put a bench seat in the 2nd row on rental Caravans instead of captains chairs... the bench won't fold into the floor cavities... had this happen to me on a rental van once... was so pissed! _________________ Kevin Kan
Sunset Sailboards, San Francisco CA
http://www.sunsetsailboards.com
https://www.instagram.com/sunsetsailboards
http://www.facebook.com/sunsetsailboards |
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J_McV
Joined: 27 Jul 2000 Posts: 68 Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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Yes Kevin that is exactly what I'm concerned about. I know it's not always a sure thing which model you get. Were you able to slide the boards under the middle bench seat anyway? Hertz says it's a Gand Caravan or similar. |
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carl
Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2674 Location: SF bay area
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Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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If the Caravan doesn't have stow-and-go seats, the bench is still able to unlatch and come out. Just un-latch the bench, pivot it sideways and stow it on one side of the van. Then you can stack your boards/sails on the other side. Or the bench back does fold forward and the boards can still go in at an angle. Nothing will fit under the seats, maybe masts. |
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J_McV
Joined: 27 Jul 2000 Posts: 68 Location: Southern Oregon Coast
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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carl wrote: | If the Caravan doesn't have stow-and-go seats, the bench is still able to unlatch and come out. Just un-latch the bench, pivot it sideways and stow it on one side of the van. Then you can stack your boards/sails on the other side. Or the bench back does fold forward and the boards can still go in at an angle. Nothing will fit under the seats, maybe masts. |
Great info. here. Thanks Carl |
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keycocker
Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3598
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Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 1:38 pm Post subject: |
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Rigging a mast rack helps a lot in a grand caravan. You only need two lengths of rope about 12 to 18 ins in a Grand. Just tie the hanging seatbelts on the passenger side in back together. We leave the 2nd row seat behind the drive folded up . It is more useful at the site than the front and still leaves room for five boards and ten sails.
Our caravan is set up that way year around with the gear always inside. And uncrowded room for three. |
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