Greetings All!

So I am a fan of AB Carrental. No one has ever been able to beat their rates for long term rentals. I've used them multiple times. Their trucks are perfectly beat up so that I am not freaking out every time I have to park the truck somewhere. AB saved me when Insel gave me a false itinerary and caused me to be several hours late arriving last year. Overall it is safe to say I love AB. (I just had to put this out there before posting my questions.)

I just went on line to get a quote for my upcoming trip and they have changed their fleet. Group 1 used to be what I would rent. It would be a pretty beat up truck, no airco (who needs it with that wind?), no radio (I love the sounds of Bonaire), stick shift. Now...there is a notation that they do not have tailgates any more in this class. The next class up, with tailgates, also has all of the other junk (radio/airco) so it will be $30 more per week. For one week, who cares; but, for my stay that will be too much money.

Has anyone used the new Group 1 category? If so, how easy is it shore diving without a tailgate? Pros? Cons? Do they still have tank racks? Is this configuration safe to keep your gear in the bed or would I need to keep all of the wet gear in the cab of the truck between sites? Also, I know this is strange, but how tall are you? I've had issues with too large of trucks before (I'm a peanut) and not being able to reach the gear without climbing into the back of the truck. I'm guessing that climbing in and out of the bed of the truck will be problematic without a tailgate - yes? I really depend on my tailgate as a solo shore diver, so I would appreciate candid answers of what works/does not work without a tailgate.

And to all of you loyal fans of other companies who want to persuade me to switch companies, I will not. I have contacted other companies throughout the years and no one can beat AB's prices. I am comfortable with them and the quality of their fleet. I'm really just looking for experiences of people who have used this new Group 1 category of the AB fleet.

Hey Jah-neen! As you know, we got a dive truck on island we use for diving and nope, it doesn't have a tailgate, we use the mesh tailgate for it in it's place, works great. Dive gear, fins, booties, wetsuits get put into a big black tub thing, tanks on a homemade rack Gregg made and they have never slid to the end. Now, I don't know how it would do going up to the national park, but on south side, it works fine. There are times when I don't even use the mesh tailgate. I would think you would be fine. Worth getting a big black tub for the back of the truck or if there is one about you can use at the house you are staying. Keeps things stationary. Knock on wood, it has always been there after a dive too. Just a thought.