Renting Baby Equipment for Vacation

2vthokies · May 2011

We are going to Charleston for a week at the end of the month. We are on a direct flight with our DDs (8 months and 33 months). We are renting a car. In a moment of complete mommy brain I forgot that it won't be easy to bring all of our usual gear - BOB double stroller and two car seats and now I'm scrambling. We haven't flown with both kids before. When we did it with DD #1 and it was easy to just check the car seat and use our McClaren in the airport.

Our rental car is specified like a Ford Taurus, so I'm not sure it can handle a BOB double and all our bags in the trunk - but I'm not all that familiar with the Taurus. This is a family trip and I just found out that my sister, who wasn't going to come, is now coming and will probably ride in our car from the airport to the condo and around to all the sites. We've been to Charleston before and plan on going to the beach and heading out of town too, so the car trips won't be that short.

Has anyone ever rented baby equipment before or used the rental car company car seats? Should we bring our car seats and BOB double with us and check at the counter? Should I just upgrade our car to an SUV, and lug all the equipment with us?

Since the flight is direct, I'm okay with not having a stroller in the airport. I can wear DD #2 and DH can carry DD #1 if need be - but we have to have a stoller in Charleston. We usually use a backpack for a diaper bag and that's probably all we will have, except maybe my pump (but that will be a separate post). I semi-considered just bringing a single stroller, but the truth is that DD #2 is 20+ lbs already and really doesn't like to be worn/held for long periods of time. My DH is useless at this kind of planning, so it's pretty much up to me to figure it out. Please help me figure this out!!

amh_navyblue · May 2011

I would definitely bring the stroller, but just the single stroller to save on space...how is DD#1 about walking some of the time? When I recently traveled by myself with my 2 girls (15 months and 4.5 years, so a bit older than yours), I put the little one in the stroller and the older one walked at the airport. I also had the ergo with me so that I could wear #2 and have #1 in the stroller if need be.

As far as car seats go, I would travel with just one--probably the one for the 8 month old. If you are a AAA member and you rent through Hertz, one car seat is covered free of charge, but regardless, I think traveling with 2 car seats sounds like too much stuff;)

For the carry on, it seems like you should be fine with the backback as your diaper bag and then you'll have your pump.

I would also be inclined to get a bigger car, if you'll have your sister with you...a Ford Taurus like vehicle might be a tight squeeze with 2 kids in the back.

GL!

Sofka · May 2011

when we traveled in Nov, the kids were 2 and 5mo and we brought a double stroller and 2 car seats; car seats are free to check in (double check w/ your airline), Jetblue lets each passenger have 1 free checked luggage and the baby stuff is NOT included in that; we gate-checked the stroller, we rented a car and DH installed the carseats; I would not trust rented car seats, do you think T could install them himself? it's a lot to lug but it's the safest. I'd rent a larger car, 3 adults and 2 car seats and all...and give yourselves plenty of time, going thru security alone takes forever, you have to fold the stroller and put it on the belt.

rubride · May 2011

I've only traveled w/ one kid. I rented a car seat b/c I didn't want to lug the seat around with us. We rented from Avis twice and the car seat both times was nice and clean. Not sure if they clean the seats in between uses, but once the car seat had plastic wrap around it, so it at least gave the appearence that it was cleaned. I was prepared to cover the car seat with a blanket in the case it was gross. I've also used PNPs from hotels which work just fine. Marriott brand hotels have slip covers that they launder between guests so the PNP is nice and clean. You can also order a slip cover (coverplay.com). It packs up much nicer than lugging a PNP around. I've never rented a stroller, but half the time we end up not using it, except in the airport. When DD was little I used the Baby Bjorn and now that she's almost two she tends to not want to sit in the stroller. I've had friends who purchase a cheap umbrella stroller once they get to a destination...I'm sure this would be a bit more costly for a double.

WinesNot Whines · May 2011

I've only traveled with one LO, not two, but this is what I think I'd do:

Rent a larger car. Three adults plus two kids in carseats is going to be a very tight fit in a regular sedan. I'd change it to a larger SUV or minivan.

Are you planning to use your carseats on the plane? If so, you'll obviously need to bring your own. I'd bring my own anyway. If you don't need them on the plane, you can check them at the ticket counter and you won't have to worry about lugging them through the airport. I'm pretty sure most airlines don't count them towards your luggage count.

Do you think you can get by with a single stroller on your trip? If not, would you consider buying a double umbrella stroller? Would you get use out of it beyond this trip? I saw a double MacLaren at the park the other day. Or maybe you can find a decent used one? It must be easier to deal with for plane travel than a double BOB. I have a single BOB and I know how much trunk space that takes up.

hokies94 · May 2011

We now travel with 3 kids and aside from carseats, I'm a huge proponent of renting vs. carting with you.

We have rented baby equipment everywhere we have gone (including outside of Charleston-Isle of Palm). We have rented carseats in the past and have had decent luck (not nasty or really old), but for what they charge per day, it's really not worth it. The rental companies will also NOT help you install them. Unless you are familiar with the seat, this just adds extra stress at the end of the flight. We had Marathons at home and didn't realize how easy they were to install until we came across the rental seats.

Most of the airlines will allow you to check the carseats for free. Every time we have rented equipment we have received very good quality, clean equipment. Worth every penny in my opinion.

I would take your carseats, and bring a small stroller for the airport. If you need another stroller once you're there you can always rent one for a lot less than the charge for a larger car. You can generally get strollers for $70/week vs. upgraded car rental-could be hundreds.

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