Does anyone have any advice or tips on renting a 12 passenger van? I have to haul the Griswolds to Miami to catch a cruise ship and they will not fit in my husband's Expedition.

I'm not having luck on line.

I'm in Texas, and I have used these guys for years: www.cappsvanrental.com

You're right that the big rental companies don't seem to rent the vans anymore.

It looks like Budget offers a 12 passenger van under specialty vehicles, not very good luggage capacity though.

I'd be VERY cautious here, Go. These vans are very skittish on the Interstate when loaded--no matter who manufactured them. It's all about center of gravity and speed. Your liability, heaven forbid, in an accident would bankrupt you way before the rental agency even got its day in court. Please re-think this plan.

Twelve passengers means 12 thin people with good dispositions and no luggage - keep this in mind.

LOL! Actually, we aren't 12 passengers but 8 which is way too many for the SUV even though that is passenger capacity. I can't imagine three people in the third seat.

We've done this before but it has been about five years ago and drive I-95 on a regular basis so know the deal there.

Thanks Greenhouse, off to look up Budget specialty rentals.

I don't really have a choice in this.

I know a Girl Scout leader who has to rent 15-passenger vans on a regular basis. She has rented from car dealerships.

If you're forced to used your husband's car, it will teach people to pack light.

ncgirl, no way we'd fit. Except for my mother and sister, I'm the shortest one in the bunch at 5'8". My stepdaughters are both over 6' and my stepson is 6'8". Mr.GoTravel is 6'5".

Their is a company in FL that will transport them if a stop they offer is near your home-Cruise Connection...1-800-226-5055.

Agree about looking in your hometown at dealerships.

Well, if the circus can fit 35 clowns in a VW bug, what's wrong with fitting the entire basketball and volleyball teams in a SUV?!? It's only about 10 hours

6'8" stepson deserves an athelic scholarship for height. As Dean Smith once say "You can't teach height."

ncgirl, he already graduated from college thank goodness and has a terrific job. He is a project manager for a company that writes specific software.

Found the van from Budget (thanks greenhouse) and it is a 15 passenger van.

Thank goodness.

Now all I have to do is crack the whip, lay down the laws, and pass out roadtrip instructions.

just a suggestion from experience...rented a 15 passenger van for 10 of us and we had to have the back seat removed to carry our luggage...there was no room otherwise..also some Enterprises rent them and Sears car rental....

All passengers must read post entitled Rules for Roadtrip and follow them.