[gribble]

Hi,

I am flying into Atlanta from England and need a rental car for 4 people, 4 reasonable size luggage bags and two bike bags, which we are going to take up to the Smokies. I want to use the vehicle to transport the bikes made up to ride (maybe with front wheel removed). Unfortunately, Atlanta airport does not seem to stock pick up trucks with the main rental agents.

Options seem to be either a minivan or a suv. The suv's listed seem to be chevy trailblazer or similar size equivalent, minivans Chrysler Voyager/Dodge Grand Caravan, most with 7 seats. To rent a large suv like an ford expedition etc it seems quite a lot more expensive, but I am not sure how much room there would be in the back of a 'normal suv'. The cabin is up a steep hill, but have seen a cadillac drive up it no problem. Planning to go to Tsali, Pisgah, Fontana etc, but assume access is easy from the road like at Tsali.

Any thoughts on luggage space? I am afraid I am not familiar with the cars on the US rental sites, being used to smaller cars!

 

[mtnbiker1973]

I'd go with a mini van. Most vans now have seats that fold into the floor. I'd fold the rear bench seat down and you should be able to fit all of that stuff in. I've done it on a cross country trip. It was tight, but we made it work. Seems like we ended up taking both wheels off to get more space.

 

[essjss]

I'll second the van suggestion. As long as you don't need AWD it will be the best option.

It won't be the best thing for driving the "tail of the dragon" but I guess none of the options would be any good for that...

Enjoy the trip!

 

[gribble]

Thanks for your suggestions. I agree that a van might provide a bit more space and be a bit easier to transport the bikes when built up.

I think I drove the Dragon's tail on the last visit, it kept me awake after the long drive from Atlanta!