Most families pack their minivan the same way every trip – pile everything in, hope the hatch closes, and deal with the avalanche at the first rest stop. If that sounds familiar, these Chrysler Pacifica cargo hacks will change how your family travels this vacation season in and around Newell, WV.
The Pacifica cargo system gives you more flexibility than most families ever use. With up to 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row – expanding to 87.5 cubic feet when rows are folded – you have genuine room to work with, not just survive a long haul.
What separates the Pacifica from a standard SUV is how that space is shaped. The flat, wide floor and low load floor height mean you’re not wrestling bags over a high cargo lip every time you stop. The side walls are vertical rather than angled, so storage bins and organizers sit flush without wasting space.
Here’s something a lot of Pacifica owners don’t realize: the Stow ‘n Go® seating system built into the floor wells can actually serve as storage compartments themselves on shorter trips when you don’t need all three rows. That underfloor space works well for flat items like blankets, raincoats, or games you want accessible but out of the way.
Treating your Pacifica’s interior as a series of zones rather than one big space is the single biggest change most families can make. It takes ten minutes before a trip and saves hours of frustration on the road.
Think of the cargo area in three horizontal zones:
Once your family adopts this system, loading and unloading at hotels becomes noticeably faster – and the “where is the sunscreen?” question mostly disappears.
Most families think about cargo space as a flat floor problem. The Pacifica has significant vertical clearance in the cargo area that goes completely unused on the average family road trip.
Collapsible shelving units designed for minivans and SUVs can be secured against the rear seats, effectively doubling your usable cargo volume without adding weight to the vehicle. Look for options with adjustable straps that anchor around the headrest posts of the third row.
Overhead cargo nets installed between the rear grab handles are another practical option for flat, lightweight items – activity books, a tablet case, reusable shopping bags you’ll need at your destination. Families traveling to Oglebay Resort often load these nets with items they want within arm’s reach of back-seat passengers.
A few vertical space upgrades worth considering:
| Trip Type | Best Packing Strategy | Pacifica Feature to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Beach or Lake Trip | Wet gear near hatch in waterproof bins | Low load floor for easy cooler loading |
| Camping at Tomlinson Run State Park | Hard cases in deep zone, sleeping bags in mid zone | Stow ‘n Go wells for small tent stakes and tools |
| Extended Hotel Road Trip | Soft bags that flex to fill gaps | Flat cargo floor for rolling luggage |
| Theme Park Day Trip | Single bag per family member | Second row access for quick grabs |
| Cabin Weekend near the Ohio River | Bulky soft goods stacked vertically | Full third-row fold for maximum depth |
For beach and lake trips, the biggest mistake is putting wet gear loose in the cargo area. A waterproof tote bag or a collapsible bin with a lid keeps sand and moisture contained and means you’re not explaining a mildew smell to your family two weeks later.
For camping scenarios, heavy hard cases like a cast iron set or a camp stove should always sit lowest and furthest back. This keeps the weight centered over the rear axle and helps with handling on curves heading toward trails in the northern panhandle.
Not every cargo hack involves the vehicle itself. What you put inside your bags changes how efficiently everything fits together.
Packing cubes have become standard in serious road trip households, and for good reason. A family of four can reduce their luggage count from six loose bags to three cubed suitcases, which pack into the Pacifica’s cargo area with far less wasted space between items.
Compression bags work especially well for bulky items like sleeping bags and winter layers. Families heading toward the colder stretches of West Virginia or planning fall trips when the weather along the Ohio River Valley shifts can pack significant warmth without dedicating half the cargo floor to puffy jackets.
A practical road trip packing checklist for the Pacifica:
The goal is that each item has a place before the trip starts, not after the hatch closes.
Some trips simply require more than even 87.5 cubic feet can comfortably handle. A family of five or six heading somewhere like Oglebay for a week-long stay, or taking a full camping setup to Tomlinson Run State Park, may want to add exterior cargo capacity to the Pacifica.
The Pacifica is rated for rooftop cargo carriers and comes with a factory crossbar system on higher trims. A few things worth knowing before you load the roof:
For families who occasionally need extra space but don’t want a permanent cargo box, soft-sided roof bags are a practical middle ground. They fold flat when not in use and store in the Stow ‘n Go wells during trips when the interior space is enough.
Browse our new inventory if you’re considering a Pacifica with factory roof rails already installed – some trim levels include them standard, which saves the cost and installation hassle of aftermarket options.
The Chrysler Pacifica offers 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row with all seats in place. When the second and third rows are stowed using the Stow ‘n Go system, that expands to 87.5 cubic feet of flat, usable floor space – comparable to many full-size SUVs and significantly more than most three-row crossovers.
Yes, the underfloor Stow ‘n Go wells can double as storage compartments when you don’t need the seats deployed. They work well for flat items like blankets, lightweight rain gear, or activity books. Just keep in mind that these compartments aren’t designed for heavy items and should be kept clear if passengers will need those seat positions during the trip.
Back-of-seat organizers hanging from the second-row headrests are the most effective solution for families with young children. They keep snacks, tablets, wipes, and small toys within reach without requiring cargo access. Pair this with a dedicated access zone bag near the hatch for quick stops, and most in-cabin chaos is significantly reduced.
Roof cargo carriers are compatible with the Pacifica, particularly on trims with factory crossbars. For West Virginia mountain and valley driving, keep roof loads as light as possible and stay within the manufacturer’s maximum roof load rating. Aerodynamic hard-shell boxes perform better at highway speeds and offer better protection against weather changes common along the Ohio River corridor.
The Pacifica’s Stow ‘n Go seating system gives it a meaningful cargo advantage over most three-row SUVs, including the Durango, when maximum flat floor space is the priority. The Durango offers more towing capacity and a more traditional SUV driving experience, which suits families who need to pull a trailer or boat. For pure interior cargo flexibility on a loaded family road trip, the Pacifica’s flat-fold system is difficult to match.
Families in the Newell, WV area can explore available Pacifica configurations at RC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, where the team can help identify which trim levels include factory roof rails, the Stow ‘n Go system, and other features suited to road trip needs. Stopping in for a walk-through of the cargo area before a major trip can help families understand the full space they’re working with.
A family road trip isn’t just about where you’re going – it’s about how manageable the journey feels when everyone’s buckled in and the hatch closes. The Chrysler Pacifica gives families in Newell, WV the flexibility to pack smarter, travel more comfortably, and arrive without the usual cargo chaos. Apply even a few of these strategies before your next trip and the difference will be obvious by your first stop. The team at RC Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is ready to help you explore the cargo features on current Pacifica configurations so you know exactly what you’re working with before vacation season is in full swing.
| View New Inventory | Schedule a Service |
While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors can occur. Please verify all pricing and installed equipment information with a customer service representative. This is easily done by calling us or visiting us at the dealership.
Customer may not qualify for ALL Rebates shown. Some rebates are stackable and others can and cannot be combined. See Dealer For Complete Details.
We improve our products and advertising by using Microsoft Clarity to see how you use our website. By using our site, you agree that we and Microsoft can collect and use this data. Our privacy statement has more details.
Save your favorite vehicles for later viewing on your desktop or mobile devices.
Keep track of all the vehicles you've viewed for a better car shopping experience.
Narrow your search by comparing your favorite vehicles.
