Packing your car for a holiday road trip
can be even more frustrating than untangling those twisted strands of used Christmas
lights. It might take some holiday magic to cram presents, luggage, a stroller and
cooler all into that tight cargo space. But if you don’t pack your vehicle wisely,
you’ll not only have to endure constant complaints from the backseat, you can
also increase your risk for being involved in a traffic accident. To help
ensure that your holiday road trip is “nice” rather than “naughty”, use these
car-loading tips from your friends at Carwise.
How to
Pack Your Car Safely
It’s important to only pack essential items
because the heavier your car is, the longer it takes for it to stop. And,
driving on wet or icy pavement just makes stopping a loaded-down vehicle even
more treacherous. Here are some other safety tips when packing your vehicle:
- Starting
towards the center of your cargo area, load heavier items like suitcases first.
Use lighter items, including pillows and coats, as fillers around heavier ones.
- Don’t
stack items too high, as doing so could obstruct the driver’s ability to see
other vehicles in the rear-view mirror. Improperly stacked items can also shift
and injure back seat passengers if you have-to brake suddenly or swerve.
- Make
sure that you distribute weight evenly because uneven weight distribution can
cause handling problems on curvy roads or during windy conditions.
- Carefully
secure any items or carriers that are attached to the luggage rack or rooftop.
And, don’t stack rooftop items too high, as passing under a low bridge might
knock them off into the path of another motorist. It’s always a good idea to
take your vehicle on a practice run first to make sure all rooftop items are
safely secured.
Maximizing
Cargo Space and Comfort
If you’re traveling with a child in the
backseat who’s complaining because they don’t have enough arm and leg room,
you’re going to hear about it for hours on end. Here are some ways to maximize cargo
space and improve passenger comfort:
- Lay
out all the items that need to be packed beforehand on the garage floor or
driveway so that you can visualize how to more efficiently organize your car.
- Pack
items first that won’t be needed until you arrive at your destination, like
luggage and gifts, and load coolers, coats and snacks last so that they are
easily accessible once you’re stopped.
- If
you will be traveling through nasty weather, bring some tall kitchen trash bags
along for wet, muddy shoes and clothing items. Use small plastic grocery bags
as single-use trash receptacles that you can conveniently dispose of at the
next rest area or hotel.
- Who
wants to ride next to a smelly mess in a cramped car? Food spills and upset stomachs
are going to happen, so also pack some clean-up supplies like handy wipes,
paper towels, a stain remover stick and bottle of spray-on fabric refresher.
- Whenever
possible, combine suitcase contents to conserve room. Each child should carry a
backpack with their essential road gear that they can keep at arm’s length.
That will prevent you from having to dig through all the packed items in a blizzard
because one of the kids can’t find their tech device.
Your
Collision Repair Solution for Holiday Fender-Benders
Even when taking these car-packing
precautions, holiday fender-benders happen. When your ride’s been involved in
an accident, take it to one of the over 19,000 auto body and glass repair shops
featured in the nationwide Carwise referral network. All collision repair shops
listed on Carwise are I-CAR and ASE certified, which means they have the top-quality
services, high-tech equipment and experienced technicians to restore your
vehicle like new again promptly and reliably.
Search your zip code now for a customer-reviewed auto body or glass repair shop nearby: www.carwise.com.
