Whether you're taking a student to university, visiting a DIY store or going on a road trip, packing a lot into a small space can be a challenge.
Stuff sliding around or tipping when you brake or turn can be dangerously distracting:
- A bag or plant wedged into a rear foot-well will be more secure than loose in an otherwise empty boot
- Use empty boxes or plastic crates in the boot for smaller items or shopping bags
- Keep the parcel shelf clear. Loose items will fly forwards in a crash and could seriously injure someone in the car
- Keep the front foot-wells clear
Keep larger or heavier things low down
Packing’s easier if you put bigger things in first and then pack smaller items around.
- Heavier stuff first keeps the centre of gravity lower too which is better for handling
- Push heavy items like wine or DIY materials tight up against the back of the rear seat. They’re less likely to burst through in a crash
Vision
Try to keep a clear view to the rear by not packing above the line of the seat backs.
If you’re tight on space think about using a roof-rack or roof-box. These are very useful for carrying lighter but bulky items like bedding and will leave more room inside the car.
Passengers
If you have to fold seats to carry a large or awkward load, leave passengers and collect them later rather than take a chance by carrying them unrestrained.
- Fit child restraints first as this might be harder to do after you've packed everything else
- Try to leave plenty of room around children – stuff packed tight around them could make for an unhappy journey
- Keep a bag handy for things you might need during the journey
Spare wheel
If you've got a spare wheel, think about how you’ll get to it in an emergency.
- Using several soft bags rather than throwing things in loose will make it easier if you or one of our patrols has to fit the spare.
On the roof
Roof-racks and boxes are a great way of carrying large or awkward items but you’ll need to stay within the maximum permitted roof load.
- The limit may be lower than you think so check your handbook
- Ideally, weigh everything you're going to carry
- Remember to include the weight of the roof-rack itself
- It's generally better to carry bulky but light things on the roof and heavy items inside the car
- Don't forget the extra height. Many covered car parks will be out-of-bounds with a roof-box on the car
Anything carried on the roof must be attached securely:
- The Highway Code simply says: "you must secure your load and it must not stick out dangerously"
- The airflow will try to lift the front of any long load so you’ll need a secure fixing holding the front of the load down
- A fixing to the rear will stop a heavy load sliding forwards under braking
- Ropes and straps can work loose. Stop regularly to check them
Other things to think about
You’ll probably need to adjust tyre pressures to suit the heavier load.
- Heavy loads are likely to affect your car's handling
- Stopping distances will be longer
- The Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or Maximum Permitted Weight (MPW) for your car is the maximum allowed and includes everything in and on the car, the driver and passengers
- Find the 'MAM' on the 'VIN plate' under the bonnet or in your handbook
14 February 2017