can a minivan make the hills??

Travel discussion for St. John
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Island Lizzard
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Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:41 am

can a minivan make the hills??

Post by Island Lizzard »

We always rent a SUV, but are considering a minivan this time to fit 6 people plus all our beach/snorkel stuff. Has anyone rented a minivan, and if so, did you have trouble getting up some hills? Thanks for any info.
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RickG
Posts: 5397
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:06 pm
Location: Coral Bay, St. John

Post by RickG »

Most of the roads are fine for experienced drivers... when they are dry. It really depends on where you are staying.

Are all six people going to be on the same schedule?

Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
PA Girl
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Joined: Tue Aug 29, 2006 11:55 am

Post by PA Girl »

RickG wrote:Most of the roads are fine for experienced drivers... when they are dry. It really depends on where you are staying.
Ditto on both.

We slide backwards down Jacob's Ladder in a rain storm but the really exciting part was watching the dump truck sliding down right in front of us.

Since 1995, we probably had to pop it into 4WD two or three times, during the Jacob's slide was one of them.

I would imagine one could have clearance problems with a minivan on some of the unpaved (and maybe paved) side roads and driveways.
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lazylane
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Location: Scenic Hocking Hills, Ohio

Post by lazylane »

I would think it should have AWD. I also ask the question are you all on the same schedule. We rented one vehicle last March and NEVER again will I do that.
sailorgirl
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Joined: Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:03 pm

Post by sailorgirl »

I captained the minivan on one trip. We were six and went all over with no problems, even in the rain. The only place it would not go was up the villa driveway which involved a sharp right turn at the bottom so it was impossible to carry any speed.

Rick G has a point, unless you are a family of six I would strongly consider renting more than one vehicle.
Knolmom
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Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:29 pm
Location: Suffern NY

Minivan

Post by Knolmom »

As concerned as I would be about sliding, I would be even more concerned about "bottoming out" with 6 peeps and gear, especially on roads to the beach There are some pretty nasty bumps and rises in the road as well as just the plain old speed bumps that come up with no warning. And if you are renting on STT and coming over to STJ, I wouldnt chance it . I could ruin your vacay, or at least a few days of it, for sure.If you are spending that much on a vacation, spend a few dollars more to be safe. If you are just coming from STT for the day, just be very very careful.
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