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Whether you’re planning a family camping trip in the woods or heading out to the coast for a week with your partner, packing the car just right will ensure your journey gets off to a smooth start. From Tetris techniques to storage tips, here are a few key things to keep in mind when you start to pack.

Plan The Basics

This is an especially useful tip if you’re
going somewhere that requires a lot of kit – like camping gear or bodyboards.
Think of your car like a blueprint, and work out where you’re going to fit the biggest
and least flexible items you’re taking with you first. Once you’ve got the
tent, cool box and folding chairs in, you can fit the rest around it; it’s also
worth checking that the heaviest objects are properly secured, so they can’t
slide about and cause damage when you set off.

Use Soft Luggage

While protective hard-shell suitcases are the
obvious choice for travelling by plane, as they’ll keep your belongings safe
while they’re in the hold, try and avoid packing this kind of luggage for a road
trip. Opting for soft holdalls, backpacks or duffle bags instead gives you a
lot more room for manoeuvre. Bags like this can be squashed into the available
space, fitted into footwells and won’t make a lot of noise if they move around
slightly during the journey.

Invest In Additional Storage

No matter how clever your packing is, in some
cases there simply isn’t enough room for everything you need, and this is where
additional storage comes in handy! Don’t faff about taking the front wheel off
your bike – Euro Car parts has a selection of affordable roof
and rear mounted cycle carriers in stock, so you can take bikes for the
whole family without using up precious boot space.

Not taking bikes, but just need a bit more
room in general? We also stock a selection of roof boxes, and even tow bars if you’re
taking a trailer with you on your adventure. 

Keep The Essentials Within Reach

We’ve all done it – perfectly packed the car
boot and stood back to look at it with pride, before realising we’ve left our
phone charger right at the bottom. Before you pack, round up the things you’re
likely to need sooner rather than later, like driving snacks and your hand
sanitiser – you might even consider picking up a car first aid kit, and
making sure it’s not buried under your bags in case of an emergency.

Avoid Overpacking

Driving with a full car can feel surprisingly
different, especially if you’re at full capacity with passengers, as well as
luggage. Too much weight in your car can compromise your tyre pressure, stress
your suspension and make the engine work harder than it needs to, so when
you’re packing up, have a look at the manual to find out the maximum
recommended load.

Once you set off, you might notice that you
need a little more acceleration to pull away, or to get up an incline. You’ll
also use more fuel – so make sure you’ve got a full tank – and be wary that
your braking distance could increase too, especially in wet weather.  

Wherever you’re headed this spring, we hope
you enjoy a change of scene and some quality time with loved ones. With these
packing tips, you’ll be organised and on the road in no time. Before you go,
why not take a look at our blog on The
Best In-Car Entertainment for Long Drives?