Smart Packing for Your Car Holiday: The Ultimate Guide to Luggage Organisation

A well-thought-out approach to packing and car luggage organisation is essential for a comfortable, safe, and relaxed journey. Efficiently utilising available space prevents frustration en route. Furthermore, it directly contributes to safety and driving pleasure. A smartly packed car means less stress when searching for items. It ensures better road handling and more space for spontaneous adventures. Discover how smart strategies can transform every trip from a logistical challenge into a carefree adventure.

Minimalist Packing: The Foundation of Efficiency

Every efficient luggage arrangement begins before you even see the car: with minimalist packing. For many travellers planning their own dream car holiday, the temptation is great to bring something for every possible situation. The result is an overloaded car where you lose track of everything. The art of omission is therefore the first and most important step.

Start by creating a detailed packing list several weeks before departure. This gives you time to critically assess items and discard anything non-essential. Think in terms of outfits rather than individual garments and opt for clothes that you can mix and match. Quick-drying and wrinkle-free materials, such as merino wool or synthetic fabrics, are highly suitable. You can easily wash them on the go. This significantly reduces the amount of clothing you need. Consider using travel-sized toiletries or purchasing them upon arrival. Unless you are travelling to a remote area, most basic products are available everywhere.

The Power of Structure: Smart Luggage Arrangement

Once you know what you’re taking, the next question is how to structure it. A chaotic collection of bags and loose items makes it impossible to find anything, turning the entire car upside down. Work with a system that is logical for your trip.

Use the Right Luggage

Hard suitcases are sturdy but often cumbersome and inflexible in a car boot. Soft travel bags (duffels) and backpacks are more versatile, as they better conform to the available space. Use a combination that suits your car. For your basic wardrobe, for example, use two medium-sized travel bags, supplemented with smaller bags or crates for specific items such as shoes, toiletries, or food.

The Magic of Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are a revolution for every organised traveller. These small, rectangular zippered bags help you to categorise clothing and other items. For example, assign one cube to T-shirts, one to underwear and socks, and one to trousers. This not only saves space by allowing you to roll clothes more compactly, but it also directly ensures you find what you’re looking for. Upon arrival at your hotel or apartment, you only need to take out the relevant cubes from your bag, instead of unpacking everything.

Play Tetris with Your Luggage

Treat your car boot like a game of Tetris. Start with the largest and heaviest items, such as travel bags. Place these as far forward as possible, against the backrest of the rear seat. Then fill the remaining spaces with smaller, flexible bags and loose items such as jackets or hiking boots. Utilise vertical space, but do not block your rear view.

Essentials Within Reach: Comfort on the Go

Not all luggage belongs in the boot. A long drive becomes significantly more pleasant if you have the most important items within easy reach. Prepare a ‘day bag’ or ‘grab bag’ to place on the passenger seat or the back seat. This bag contains everything you need during the journey, so you don’t have to stop to open the boot.

Consider:

• Snacks and drinks: Bottles of water, healthy snacks such as nuts or fruit, and possibly a thermos flask with coffee or tea.
• Navigation and electronics: Phone holder, charging cables, and a power bank.
• Comfort and hygiene: Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, tissues, a travel pillow, and a light blanket.
• Documents and money: Wallet, passports, driving licence, and any vignettes or toll tickets.
• Entertainment: A book, e-reader, or a tablet with downloaded films or series for the passengers.
• Safety: A small first-aid kit, sunglasses, and any personal medication.

Optimal Weight Distribution: Stability and Safety

Correct weight distribution is crucial for the car’s safety and handling. An incorrectly loaded car has a longer braking distance, is less stable in corners, and more susceptible to side winds. The basic rule is simple: place the heaviest items as low and as centrally as possible.

This means that the heaviest suitcases or crates belong directly on the boot floor. Ideally, place them between the rear wheels. By keeping the car’s centre of gravity low, you maintain optimal road handling. Lighter items, such as sleeping bags, jackets, or bags with clothing, should be placed on top of the heavy luggage.

Safety First: Visibility and Securing Luggage

Keep your rear view unobstructed. Do not stack luggage in the boot higher than the top edge of the back seat. If you need to use the space above the parcel shelf, for example in an estate car, a luggage net is mandatory and essential. This net prevents items from flying forward during sudden braking, otherwise they become dangerous projectiles.

Secure loose, heavy objects safely in the cabin. Consider a laptop or camera in a footwell or storage compartment. A seemingly innocent object can shoot through the car with great force in a collision.

Creating Extra Space: Roof Racks and Roof Boxes

When the car’s internal space is insufficient, a roof box offers a solution. A roof box is highly suitable for transporting light, bulky items such as skis, camping chairs, or sleeping bags. This frees up valuable space in the boot for heavier items.

When using a roof box, pay attention to a few important points. Check the maximum load capacity of your car roof, which is stated in your car’s manual. This weight is the sum of the roof racks, the roof box itself, and its contents. Distribute the weight evenly across the bottom of the box and secure everything properly.

A roof box increases your car’s height and affects its aerodynamics. This leads to higher fuel consumption and more wind noise.

Bringing Your Bike on Your Trip: Choosing the Right Bike Rack

For the active traveller bringing their own bikes, a bike rack is indispensable. There are roughly three types, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Tow Bar Mounted Rack

This is the most popular and user-friendly option. The bikes are positioned low, which facilitates loading. The boot often remains accessible thanks to a tilting mechanism. They are stable and have minimal impact on fuel consumption. The disadvantage is that you need a tow bar.

Roof Mounted Rack

Here, the bikes are mounted on the roof. This is a good option if you don’t have a tow bar or if you’re using it for a trailer or caravan. The disadvantages are greater air resistance and the fact that you have to lift the bikes high. Be extra vigilant with low tunnels or car parks.

Tailgate Mounted Rack

This rack attaches to the tailgate with clamps and straps. It is a relatively inexpensive solution for cars without a tow bar. Stability can sometimes be less, and there’s a risk of paint damage if the rack is not correctly fitted.

Whichever type you choose, check that the lights and number plate are clearly visible. Secure everything firmly and according to the instructions.