Touring - Getting bikes into hire cars - any ideas or experience?

Hi,

Has anyone got any idea of what kinds of hire cars are available in the USA that I could get two bikes and two Burley trailers into? Oh with two adults and two toddlers....

We're want to go hopping around between US National Parks in CA, OR and WA, VT, NH to do a series of short 10 day tours and need the vehicle to cover the distance in-between. Biking long distance with the kids is going to be way too time consuming at 30 miles per day.

I reckon a 12 passenger van would do the trick but wonder if there's something smaller? Perhaps an SUV (but what size?) or can you get a pick up with more than three seats? Or can you hire cars/vans with bike racks so I only need to get the trailers and panniers into the vehicle?

The trailers fold almost flat with wheels off. Bikes are mountain style tourers.

Anyone got any experience, ideas or contacts that may be able to help? Or does anyone offer a tailored bike and baggage taxi service we could use? All ideas welcome no matter how crazy... it's killing me trying to figure how to make this one work.

Stuart

Not a 12, but how about renting a 6 passenger van or perhaps a full size SUV such as the Ford Expedition?

I think the standard 7 person mini-van might do it if you don't have a ton of luggage. Especially if the third seat folds down into the floor (ask the rental agency). You could also see if there's a roof rack just in case you need a little more room for something that you could put up there. I've definitely seen mini-vans at the standard rental agencies (enterprise, hertz, etc.). I think if you talk to the actual office where you'll be picking up the vehicle you can minimize surprises. They usually know their fleet. Some of the newer models also come with built-in booster seats (sort of fold out from the regular seat) ... and in many states these are mandatory until ages as high as 8. Check it out so you don't have to shlep another thing.

good luck!

I don't know what you mean by hire cars. If you're looking to rent a vehicle and drive it yourself all the resources you need can be found on the net with rental car companies. If this is what you're looking to do I would start by checking out mid size vans like the Dodge Caravan,Toyota Seinna, Honda Odessey, and Ford Freestar. These vehicles have more interior room than mid sized SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Chevy Trail Blazer and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Trail Blazer and it's sibling the GMC Envoy both are available in an extended version that has more room. Still I think it would be a tight fit to get that much gear and four people into one of these SUVs. They will work if you bring a rack to carry the bikes outside the car. Next up the line is a full size SUV. There is only one go to chioce here, the Chevy Suburban. It will carry everything you have. Other choices would be full size vans. The Ford Econoline van can be rented just about anywhere. With exception of the mid size vans don't expect good gas mileage out of any of these vehicles.
Your problem as I see it is knowing how much vehicle you need. With racks just about any of these vehicles will work. To fit everything inside I'd go with the Suburban. The other choice, the Ford Econoline van is either filled with seats with no storage capacity or is a cargo truck with only two seats and no windows.