12 Seater Vans



The chance to rent one of the 12 seater vans is almost over. Even though the Ford Econoline is the favorite, with it's rugged luggage rack on top and streamlined aerodynamic body, there are other contenders. Participants are comparing vehicles such by Chevrolet, Dodge, and a number of foreign competitors, their large vans parked in the display area are to be looked over. With reinforced energy absorbing frames and dual front airbags, these are the safest vans a family could travel in. As the race gets ready, as passengers and drivers begin piling into the vehicles.



The race is on and the vans tear down the street on a journey that will take them over 1000 miles from where the started in southern California. There is no need to go dangerously fast, because this is a rally and each vehicle will be checked with a stop and start time at each checkpoint. After 10 hours of grueling driving, they will finish 5 states away from where they began.

A wide variety of groups entered the competition. In one of the vehicles was a troop of boy scouts. In another was a church group from the Holy Church of His Ministry's Apostles. In others were entire families who hadn't paid their rent, living in these vehicles with huge space and storage capacity, each vying for a chance to win the $10,000 prize. Kids galore filled some of the vans, and two were even being operated by groups of teenagers on vacations, one headed for Six Flags and the other ultimately headed for Disney Land. Fun probably was never more exciting then the fun getting there, though.

Some vans were rentals and others were being leased at a very good deal. Why? Because the late model houses on wheels get very economical gas mileage. They are better than a Winnebago, and have more headroom than a minivan. Plus, they cost less and are roomier than any SUV.

We're now half way through the race. Some drivers are eligible for discounts on the vehicles that were rented. Fleet discounts are offered to families that rent or lease more than one van. Besides the 15 seaters, there are also those that have 12, 10, and 9 seats. These obviously are practical in some ways, and more comfortable in others. Their capacity is not as high, but they have great fuel efficiency and, on the whole, they are very spacious with lots of storage. Cruise-control, power steering and anti-skid brakes make them a pleasure to drive. These are all standard features on some models, so drivers wishing to rent need to check on details before making a decision.