Checking luggage space before choosing a rental vehicle

Make a load list before a vehicle shortlist

Start with every traveller, including the driver, then list the items that need to travel with them. Large cases, a pram or a mobility aid deserve their own space in the plan. OCR Australia’s rental car size checklist helps you compare the practical requirements before deciding on a category.

Allow for surfboards and oversized equipment

Seats and suitcases are only part of the calculation. If you are bringing a surfboard or other long, bulky equipment, consider one of the larger vans and give OCR the item’s dimensions before booking. Confirm how it can be carried securely alongside your passengers; a larger vehicle alone does not guarantee a suitable fit.

Think about the busiest journey

A vehicle might carry very little on most holiday days yet need to hold everything on the airport journey. Plan for that busiest trip. Ask whether the third row will be occupied, whether any seats need to fold and who needs straightforward access. A quick shared packing list can prevent two travellers each assuming that the other has left space for an extra case.

Include access and parking in the comparison

Consider the people who will use the car repeatedly, not just how it looks in a photograph. Discuss essential access needs with the rental team and check accommodation parking restrictions, especially for taller vehicles. Read the OCR vehicle-size advice before booking if your requirements are close to the available capacity.

Compare the complete booking

Use the same dates, times, branch and driver details when comparing options. Review the itemised total and selected extras. If two smaller cars are being considered, each needs an eligible declared driver and its own agreement. Treat any feature that is essential as a question to resolve before payment, rather than an assumption based on a pictured model. The full car-size planning page is a useful reference to share with the person organising the booking.

Published by OCR Australia Affordable Car Hire.