Load it up: cramming for the continent

It’s great to take your own car when heading for a holiday in Europe, for many reasons, but one great reason is that you can take along so much more than you could fit into your little luggage bag on the plane.

Except that the same rules apply to your car which apply to the plane: an airplane has a luggage limit to reduce weight and your car should really have one too. A car carrying excess weight has to work harder to get up hills and so on, which means that your car’s engine uses more fuel.

Not only will a lighter car save you fuel costs, but it’s also better for your vehicles engine. If your vehicle does have to work harder than it can, it may lead to an unnecessary breakdown. Having European breakdown cover will mean that you and your car will be sorted out quickly, but why risk the hassle?

Here are a few packing tips from European breakdown cover specialists Green Flag:

Back seat driving

Make sure the driver can see clearly out the back window. It’s best to pack everything in the boot, but if it won’t fit, then make sure not to pack anything higher than the tops of the car seats. Also, anything above this could end up flying forward in the event of a sudden stop and knock someone on the head.

Racking the roof

Roof racks are great for carrying larger items, but stick within the limits – your car manual will have details of these weights. Roof racks are not ideal for heavy loads, but instead work best for light but awkward or bulky objects. Make sure everything is secure!

Sticking out

Nothing can stick out from your car, and make extra sure everything is tied down properly. As your car moves forward, the wind will try to lift your luggage off, so tie down the front with extras straps and keep checking the ties at every stop. Also, keep in mind the added height – you don’t want to arrive at your destination only to find that your belongings have blown away, or have been scraped off under that low bridge 30 miles back!

Giving it the boot

Secure items in the boot too – the rock ‘n roll should come from the car’s sound system, not the boot. Pack the large heavy items first, and then the smaller lighter ones. Push heavy items against the back of the rear car seats, this will stabilise the car’s centre of gravity and also minimise the chances of them flying around in an accident situation.

Tyre tips

The chances of a puncture on a long journey are high, so pack the boot in a way which will make unpacking for the spare tyre easier. Also, minimise the chance of a puncture by adjusting the tyre pressure for the weight of the car’s new load of luggage. Green Flag also offers great advice when changing a tyre, should you need to do it yourself.

Also remember that stopping distances are greater when the vehicle is heavily loaded, so allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front. In addition it is necessary to drive with extra caution when carrying a heavy load, because the vehicles handling and performance also will be affected by the added weight.