SUV for six plus luggage

sunrum · Post by **sunrum** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:35 am

We will be making our sixth trip to St John in May(My favorite place in the world)! This is the first time we will be traveling with 6 people and the first time we are thinking about renting a SUV in St Thomas and taking the car barge. Has anyone rented a SUV large enough for 6 plus luggage?

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:23 am

are these all adults if so I'd go with 2 for more flexability

sunrum · Post by **sunrum** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:28 am

It's my husband and I, my Father-Inlaw, and three skinny teenages(17,16,and 13). This is the first time we are taking kids to St John.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:49 am

I think you need to first make sure that your FIL is OK being with everyone all the time. Is everyone wanting to stay together?

A second vehicle will provide alot more flexibility for you and your family, in case someone wants to split up and go back to the villa or go into town.

I know a lot of folks like to rent on STT and take the car ferry over but keep in mind if you have an issue with the vehicle it will make getting the issue corrected a lot more difficult. Whereas if you rent on STJ and have problem, the rental co is closer and can help fix the issue.

All that being said it may actually save you some $$$ to get your car on STT vs taxi to red hook for six plus people people ferry costs.

Due to parking challenges in Cruz bay I find that smaller vehicles are easier to manage, that goes for parking ion general when you are trying to squeeze into spots at beaches.

I'd say weigh your costs, determine what people are going to want in terms of flexibility and compare two smaller vehicle vs the one large one.

Be honest with each other cause a little extra $$ for an extra car up front can save a lot of hassle on the back end.

Just my .02.

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:50 am

you could go with one of the 6 passanger SUV's just bring some rope or bungie cords to put the luggage on the roof

sunrum · Post by **sunrum** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 11:07 am

Thanks for the replys. Although I'm concerned about the parking spaces, I think we will try to squeeze into one SUV. My FIL has been on several trips with us and he never wants to miss a minute of any of our adventure. Bungies may be the answer, I hadn't thought of that.

theshopper3 · Post by **theshopper3** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:03 pm

Sunrum

This is just my two cents.
Most people on the forum feel 2 vehicles are always best when you have a few people.

Have you considered renting a Safari truck on STJ??
We did a trip with 6 adults & rented a Safari Truck on STJ, it was a blast & we had plenty of room for people & luggage. You could alway let your FIL sit up front with the driver & let the teenagers in the back, I am sure they will love driving around in the back.

The Shopper

Margy Z · Post by **Margy Z** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:05 pm

We used a bungee cargo net one time - got it at the local auto parts store. Something like this:

http://www.tarpsplus.com/bungeecargonet.html

We brought a couple of extra bungee cords in various sizes to work with the net to make it snug.

cypressgirl · Post by **cypressgirl** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:44 pm

I took a safari truck/taxi to Trunk several years ago, and a beach chair flew out. That was all it took for me to never want to ride in an open air taxi again. All I could think about was what would happen if a person fell out. I always wear a seat belt. I may drink and drive (just a little bit

), but always with a seat belt.

STJdreams · Post by **STJdreams** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:32 pm

We always bring at least 6 people, youngest was 16 last year. We rent a Dodge Durango from Bougainvillia (SP?) in STJ each year, and get along fine. I will say, 6 people is tight with all the bags for the trip from Cruz Bay to the house, people sometimes have back packs and small suitcases on their laps for a short trip. Small price to pay for arriving in paradise. Keep in mind, we don't bring alot of clothes, but do bring one big bag for snorkeling gear and another big one for food. The rest of the bags are carry on size and/or back packs.

Once there, we have often had 7 people, mix of adults and kids, in the Durango tooling around the island. There is plenty of room and it's fun to be together. The Durango has 3 rows of seats, its rated for 7. Snorkeling stuff fits in the back end.

We've never had trouble parking in Cruz Bay, as long as you don't mind walking. Plus, you can always park at Bougainvillia if you're day tripping on a charter, etc.

have fun!

Bigcheeze · Post by **Bigcheeze** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:12 am

STJdreams wrote:We always bring at least 6 people, youngest was 16 last year. We rent a Dodge Durango from Bougainvillia (SP?) in STJ each year, and get along fine. I will say, 6 people is tight with all the bags for the trip from Cruz Bay to the house, people sometimes have back packs and small suitcases on their laps for a short trip. Small price to pay for arriving in paradise. Keep in mind, we don't bring alot of clothes, but do bring one big bag for snorkeling gear and another big one for food. The rest of the bags are carry on size and/or back packs.

Once there, we have often had 7 people, mix of adults and kids, in the Durango tooling around the island. There is plenty of room and it's fun to be together. The Durango has 3 rows of seats, its rated for 7. Snorkeling stuff fits in the back end.

We've never had trouble parking in Cruz Bay, as long as you don't mind walking. Plus, you can always park at Bougainvillia if you're day tripping on a charter, etc.

have fun!

WE too are part of the car barge fans and also have 6. A few tims we had a front whel drive Dodge Caravan and it was fine.This year a Jeep Commander. All have been rented from Discount by the Airport.

usvi-on-line