USVI-On-Line

I know this is extremely subjective, but do you think that a soft top, 2-door jeep wrangler is big enough (and safe enough) for 2 adults and 2 teenage girls? We're planning on doing carry-on only and packing as little as possible. We're also renting from Dependable so that we can take the top off--my husband and one daughter really want to do this.

My concern is that even with only carry-ons, we may not have a lot of space to bring groceries over on the ferry. And, I'm wondering how safe it is to drive one of these without a top on the curvy, hilly roads of St. John. We will all be buckled in of course.

I'd love to hear any opinions and actual experiences with these types of Jeeps. (Our flights, villa, and rental car are all booked, so of course, now I get to start worrying about the little stuff!)

We rent Wranglers every year and, up until six months ago, I owned one.

There is about 18" of "trunk" space behind the rear seat. You may end up with items in your laps on the way in/way out days.

I wouldn't worry too much about the top down safety issue. Although the roads on STJ are curvy, that also means that you really can't go that fast. You're not going to tip that Jeep unless you are trying to.

Personally, I'd stick with the soft top Jeep. It's cool, fun, and what vacation is all about.

We found a Wrangler to be too tight for 4 adults when shuttling back and forth to the beach and town for dinner (the ladies grew tired for climbing in and out several times a day) but if the teens are sitting in the back and don't mind holding things on their laps, it may work for your family.

I don't think safety will be an issue with the top down but it can be tight with 4 people including beach chairs and coolers. If it were 4 adults, I'd say no but with 2 adults and 2 teens, well, the teens can "suck it up" for the week. It's a fun vehicle to have on island, actually just purchased one for myself, so go for it! Have fun, Ali~

Thanks for the opinions. I think we'll go for the soft top and travel light. The girls are in good shape, so jumping in and out of the back should be just fine for them. I will definitely be in front!

If your teens are tall, you might want to look online and find out what kind of leg room is in the back seat. One of the families we traveled with (2 adults, one 11 y.o. boy) had a Jeep Wrangler that I thought looked like a blast. They found it to be a bit uncomfortable. But the island is so small, you won't be in it for long anyway, so may not matter!

(I'd happily trade my desk chair for the back seat of a Wrangler on STJ!)

I think I would go with a grand Vitara. The jeep is tight for more than 2 and as far as I know you can't put the top down on any St John rentals.

Dependable carries 4-door jeeps.. Plenty of room for all, including 4beach chairs, groceries,cooler. They are pricier but much more roomy.

We rent the 4 door Wranglers from Dependable. They are great for 4 or 5 people.

2 door? Bags in laps!

Cheers, RickG

DELETED

My vote is also for the 4-door Wrangler. We rented from Dependable in August. I have 2 teen daughters and I'm sure we couldn't have gone any smaller. We didn't have huge suitcases either. Just enough room for luggage and groceries. Good luck.
Jamestown

Thanks for all the advise. And thanks Jorge for that image that I will not be able to get out of my head! We have a friend with a 2 door jeep that is going to let us go for a "test drive." A few times of crawling in and out of that and my girls may be more willing to get something with a top.