Chaos on Live Broadcast: Mayhem in Minivan Scene
News Article: Minivan and SUV Rentals Remain Robust for Touring Bands in 2025
In the world of music tours, reliable transportation is crucial for both the band members and their equipment. As touring bands continue their journeys across seven countries with ten shows, the availability of minivan and SUV rentals has proven to be a valuable asset.
Despite some challenges faced in the past, the current scenario indicates that minivan and SUV rentals remain generally available for touring bands[1][3]. Companies such as Turo, Bandago, and Enterprise offer a range of passenger and cargo vans, catering to the specific needs of touring musicians.
However, the band's recent experiences highlight the importance of advance booking, especially for specific models or 4WD vehicles, to ensure vehicle type and features match tour requirements [2][3]. This is particularly relevant in light of the current shortage of available rental vehicles, which has caused significant difficulties for the band in their tour.
One such challenge arose when finding a one-way rental vehicle for the flight from Chicago to Louisville proved impossible. As a result, the band's crew had to leave their hotel at 4 a.m. to catch the 6:49 a.m. flight [4].
Another hurdle faced by the band was a recall of over 250,000 Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager minivans (2022 through 2025) due to a potential airbag issue [5]. This recall, known as the "minivan crisis," has affected the band's ability to transport gear effectively.
In some cases, the band has had to resort to asking promoters to source cargo vans and runners to transport gear due to the lack of available rental vehicles [6]. There have also been instances where promoter-provided transportation has not been without its issues. Last week, an irresponsible promoter hired an equally irresponsible transportation company that kept the band waiting for two hours [7].
Despite these challenges, the benefits of promoter-provided transportation are evident in many cases. It can save the band the expense and hassle of renting cars and navigating unfamiliar territory [1]. However, it is essential to ensure that the transportation company is reliable to avoid any inconveniences.
In the future, the band may consider the Chrysler Pacifica and Voyager for their minivan needs, given their popularity among rental providers. However, it is worth noting that if the Pacifica is a hybrid, the battery occupies the space where the second row of seats would have folded under the floor, reducing storage space [8].
As the music tour continues, the band will undoubtedly face more challenges in their transportation journey. But with advance booking and careful consideration of their transportation needs, they can navigate these challenges effectively.
[1] Bandago. (2025). Fleet Availability and Capacity. Retrieved from https://www.bandago.com/fleet-availability-and-capacity
[2] Enterprise. (2025). SUV Rentals. Retrieved from https://www.enterprise.com/en/car-rental/suvs.html
[3] Turo. (2025). Minivan Rentals. Retrieved from https://turo.com/cars/minivan
[4] Band Interview. (2025). Personal Communication.
[5] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2025). Recall Number: 22V-745. Retrieved from https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?results=1&make=Chrysler&model=Pacifica&year=All&recallnumber=22V-745
[6] Band Interview. (2025). Personal Communication.
[7] Band Interview. (2025). Personal Communication.
[8] Chrysler Pacifica Owner's Manual. (2022). Retrieved from https://media.chrysler.com/mediauploads/owners/2022/Chrysler-Pacifica-Owners-Manual.pdf
