Festival season is still very much underway with the likes of Reading & Leeds Festival and Creamfields happening this weekend. If you are heading for the full weekend, it can often feel like you need to cram an entire life’s worth of essentials into the back of your car.
While it might be tempting to just pile everything in and hope for the best, packing strategically is vital for both safety and efficiency, so Mike Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Leasing Options, has shared his top tips for packing your car up for a weekend in the fields.
Pack your heavy items first
“When you’re packing your car, start with the heaviest items first – think tent, drinks and cooking gear. Place them low down in the boot, as close to the back seats as possible. This helps keep the car’s centre of gravity stable, which improves handling and reduces the risk of the car swaying or feeling unsteady, especially important if you’re driving on unfamiliar roads or through busy town centres.” says Mike.
Secure loose items, no matter how small
“Secure any loose items so they can’t slide around during the journey. Even something as small as a or a portable speaker can turn into a projectile if you brake suddenly. Use cargo nets, straps or even rolled-up blankets to hold things in place. Not only will this keep you safe, but it also prevents your belongings from getting damaged in transit. You don’t want to dig through half the boot to find your tickets, water, or poncho. Keep these festival must-haves in the glovebox or a small bag near the top of the pile” he explains.
Utilise smart storage
“Make smart use of the storage space you have inside the cabin. Back-of-seat organisers or small containers are great for holding essentials such as your phone charger, ticket, wallet, snacks and drinks. This means you won’t be rummaging around at service stations or when you arrive and you’ll have everything you need within easy reach. Ditch the hard-shell cases and opt for soft luggage like duffel bags. Soft bags squeeze into awkward spaces, making them far more practical for festival trips.”
Don’t block visibility
“While it may be appealing to load up your camping gear up as high as possible, overloading can obstruct your view. Having a clear line of sight is vital when driving for reversing, switching lanes, and having full visibility of other drivers and their vehicles. You may have to sacrifice packing those extra outfit options, but it is wiser to pack efficiently to ensure you can see out of your rear-view mirror. You could use a roof box items like camping chairs if you’re running out of space.” he adds.
Plan for the journey home
“Make sure you pack efficiently for your journey home so everything you need such as snacks and chargers are all in reachable distance. That empty cool box will need a spot on the way back, along with all the muddy kit. Keep some extra space so you’re not struggling to fit everything in the car park when you’re when you’re tired.”Taking the time to pack your car properly will make your move-in day much less stressful. You’ll be safer on the road, your belongings will be better protected, and unpacking will be far more straightforward,” he concludes.
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