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Is a Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Necessary on STJ?
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JessRobinson
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 7:52 am
- Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Is a Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Necessary on STJ?
Greetings to all. Newbie checking in for the first time, after reading many of your posts. Great forum you’ve got going here!
My family will be making our first trip to STJ in late July. There are four of us – 2 adults and 2 boys, aged 15 and 12. We’ll be staying at the Concordia Eco-tents in the southeast corner of the island. We know we’ll need our own set of wheels to get around.
My question is this: Is it necessary to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle on STJ? Our preference would be to rent a full-sized car rather than a jeep but if that limits our access to certain places, and more importantly compromises our safety, we’ll get a jeep. Please note that we are not huge adventurers, so 4-wheeling it on dirt roads is not high on the agenda.
We are leaning towards a full-sized car for a couple of reasons. First, we’d like an enclosed vehicle with air conditioning (should be pretty hot in late July). Second we’ve been in some jeeps and there’s very little room in the back seat. I’m 6’4” and my older son is already pushing 6’. We think a full-sized car will be much more comfortable. After all, we’re “roughing it” with our accommodations.
Our default plan is to rent a car right at the STT airport and take the car barge across to STJ. Are we making a mistake?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Jess
P.S. I've already searched this forum and didn't find a definitive answer to my question.
My family will be making our first trip to STJ in late July. There are four of us – 2 adults and 2 boys, aged 15 and 12. We’ll be staying at the Concordia Eco-tents in the southeast corner of the island. We know we’ll need our own set of wheels to get around.
My question is this: Is it necessary to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle on STJ? Our preference would be to rent a full-sized car rather than a jeep but if that limits our access to certain places, and more importantly compromises our safety, we’ll get a jeep. Please note that we are not huge adventurers, so 4-wheeling it on dirt roads is not high on the agenda.
We are leaning towards a full-sized car for a couple of reasons. First, we’d like an enclosed vehicle with air conditioning (should be pretty hot in late July). Second we’ve been in some jeeps and there’s very little room in the back seat. I’m 6’4” and my older son is already pushing 6’. We think a full-sized car will be much more comfortable. After all, we’re “roughing it” with our accommodations.
Our default plan is to rent a car right at the STT airport and take the car barge across to STJ. Are we making a mistake?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Jess
P.S. I've already searched this forum and didn't find a definitive answer to my question.
I don't think you understand the options available to you....when someone says "jeep" it isn't necessarily the jeep wrangler like it sounds like you are thinking of. There are Jeep Liberty's, Durango's, etc..All kinds of enclosed 4WD vehicles that have plenty of room and a/c. Check out some of the websites for their available inventory. You can find what you need on STJ and not have to worry about the car barge, etc..
agreed with the above. you can get something other than a wrangler that still has 4wd. staying at concordia means driving up and over the mountain to get back and forth between cruz bay and the north shore beaches, so 4wd is something you'll enjoy having.
i've stayed at concordia before and will be again next week. those hills are no joke.
i've stayed at concordia before and will be again next week. those hills are no joke.
Matt
My husband is 6'3", I am 5'9" and we have a 4 year old in a carseat in the back. (Carseat that infringes on the ability to move the seat all the way back)
Like others said, look at the STJ agencies. We have used a Liberty and a Nitro with no complaints. For reference, at home, my husband drives a Tahoe and thinks he needs a Suburban, so I understand your need for space.
I remember seeing STJ Car Rental may have Explorers.
Like others said, look at the STJ agencies. We have used a Liberty and a Nitro with no complaints. For reference, at home, my husband drives a Tahoe and thinks he needs a Suburban, so I understand your need for space.
I remember seeing STJ Car Rental may have Explorers.
Welcome to the forum!
Another option is to rent a four door Wrangler. They are considerably larger than the two door, with a full backseat as well as a decent amount of storage space. These cars are hard tops and have AC. I am looking in to this vehicle for our summer trip, as we are probably bringing a guest. So far I have found it at Cool Breeze, Conrad Suttons, L+L, and Paris.
I am not a fan of the Jeep Liberty. We rented one a couple of years ago and it didn't respond well. It would rev and lunge forward rather than smoothly accelerate. I thought maybe it was the particular car we rented but the agency told us they had been getting many complaints, and that they were switching to a different type of car once the Liberties were worn out.
Another option is to rent a four door Wrangler. They are considerably larger than the two door, with a full backseat as well as a decent amount of storage space. These cars are hard tops and have AC. I am looking in to this vehicle for our summer trip, as we are probably bringing a guest. So far I have found it at Cool Breeze, Conrad Suttons, L+L, and Paris.
I am not a fan of the Jeep Liberty. We rented one a couple of years ago and it didn't respond well. It would rev and lunge forward rather than smoothly accelerate. I thought maybe it was the particular car we rented but the agency told us they had been getting many complaints, and that they were switching to a different type of car once the Liberties were worn out.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
You could get away with it, but you wouldnt want to be driving on the hills and switchbacks in the rain or right after a passing cloud burst.
That said, just having 4WD does not guarantee that you still won't slip n slide, as told in one of my old trip report stories:
After the short but intense rain at Trunk, head out for Coral Bay and Shipwreck Landing for early lunch.
On those switchbacks just past Trunk, watched as a Ford Taurus couldn’t make it up the first switchback, sliding backwards, gave up and turned around.
Next in line just ahead of us watching this, was a Wrangler rental. Those jeeps are like mountain goats, right?
Watched in amazement as this guy also failed, watching the front AND rear wheels fail to gain traction.
A couple of locals came down right behind them in one of those old island 2 door bucket o’ bolts Vitaras were amused. We waved em down to confirm that the switchback wasnt blocked up ahead possibly causing these aborted attempts.
“Yeah Mon no problem”. Indeed, I gassed it BEFORE the apex of the switchback and zipped up no problem.
My wife turned to me asked how did you do that and weren’t you worried? Nah, same as going up a snow covered hill – you need momentum before you hit the angle or slope – you cant be trying to accelerate on the steepest part, just maintaining the speed you already have. Besides, as I always tell my brother Raymond, I’m an excellent driver.
Hoping maybe a picture will be worth more than words, my daughter grabbed this shot out the window while we were zipping up a switchback. It is actually a pretty decent shot that captures the kind of grades we are talking about…
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3r ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/S_1x- ... 7.jpg"></a>
Important to check the condition of the tires on your rental and not worry so much about all the dings and scratches on it.
Hope this helps the decision making process. As others stated, other 4WD models available other than the cramped 2 door Wranglers. Had a Jeep Liberty last time and agree is was a very unimpressive vehicle and barely serviceable.
That said, just having 4WD does not guarantee that you still won't slip n slide, as told in one of my old trip report stories:
After the short but intense rain at Trunk, head out for Coral Bay and Shipwreck Landing for early lunch.
On those switchbacks just past Trunk, watched as a Ford Taurus couldn’t make it up the first switchback, sliding backwards, gave up and turned around.
Next in line just ahead of us watching this, was a Wrangler rental. Those jeeps are like mountain goats, right?
Watched in amazement as this guy also failed, watching the front AND rear wheels fail to gain traction.
A couple of locals came down right behind them in one of those old island 2 door bucket o’ bolts Vitaras were amused. We waved em down to confirm that the switchback wasnt blocked up ahead possibly causing these aborted attempts.
“Yeah Mon no problem”. Indeed, I gassed it BEFORE the apex of the switchback and zipped up no problem.
My wife turned to me asked how did you do that and weren’t you worried? Nah, same as going up a snow covered hill – you need momentum before you hit the angle or slope – you cant be trying to accelerate on the steepest part, just maintaining the speed you already have. Besides, as I always tell my brother Raymond, I’m an excellent driver.
Hoping maybe a picture will be worth more than words, my daughter grabbed this shot out the window while we were zipping up a switchback. It is actually a pretty decent shot that captures the kind of grades we are talking about…
<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3r ... site"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8poT_jdtsYw/S_1x- ... 7.jpg"></a>
Important to check the condition of the tires on your rental and not worry so much about all the dings and scratches on it.
Hope this helps the decision making process. As others stated, other 4WD models available other than the cramped 2 door Wranglers. Had a Jeep Liberty last time and agree is was a very unimpressive vehicle and barely serviceable.
Last edited by jmq on Wed May 26, 2010 3:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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toes in the sand
- Posts: 994
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Re: Is a Four-Wheel Drive Vehicle Necessary on STJ?
Answer: YES! A 2WD vehicle will get you most place most times but when it rains or when you want to go places like Lamshur you will need 4WD. The (paved) roads get slick during and after a rain (which in some seasons is at least once/day). The hills are steep and the switchbacks are extreme. You will apreciate the reason that car rental locations do not rent 2WD on St. John. And yes, you can find larger 4WD vehicles for rent.JessRobinson wrote: My question is this: Is it necessary to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle on STJ?
"got a drink in my hand and my toes in the sand"
Since your default plan is to rent on STT and take the car barge be sure that the company you use has a vehicle you think will work for you (and you've received some good advice on that front!) and that they'll let you take the vehicle to STJ.
I've been using Dependable. They aren't on airport property, but are fairly close by. You call them when you get your luggage, they pick you up and take you to their office to fill out the paperwork and away you go!
I have heard some people recommend Amalie Car Rental that may be on site at the airport, but I have no personal experience with them.
Good luck and have fun!
I've been using Dependable. They aren't on airport property, but are fairly close by. You call them when you get your luggage, they pick you up and take you to their office to fill out the paperwork and away you go!
I have heard some people recommend Amalie Car Rental that may be on site at the airport, but I have no personal experience with them.
Good luck and have fun!
Come see us!
A video is worth a million words. If you wanted to head up Calabash Boom, this is what the road would look like. You might also want to imagine what it would look like in the rain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PITOhT4n5R0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PITOhT4n5R0
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JessRobinson
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 7:52 am
- Location: Fairfax, Virginia
This was basically the case for us. We needed it though, because our villa was on an unpaved road.I always rent a 4WD vehicle on STJ but I rarely engage the 4WD. I get it more for the clearance as some of the road to a few beaches are very rutted and have huge pothole. The only time I engage the 4WD is after a rain shower.
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JessRobinson
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 7:52 am
- Location: Fairfax, Virginia
