As the days get longer and the weather starts to improve, spring is the perfect time to plan a UK staycation. Whether you’re heading to the countryside for a camping weekend, exploring the coast or enjoying a family adventure, having enough room for everything you need can make your trip much more comfortable.
From tents and sleeping bags to walking boots and outdoor equipment, luggage can quickly fill up your car. Fortunately, there are several ways to maximise your storage space without compromising passenger comfort. Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for your next spring getaway.
A roof box is a convenient way to create additional storage space without taking up room inside your vehicle. They’re particularly useful for camping trips, giving you somewhere to store bulky items such as tents, sleeping bags, folding chairs and outdoor clothing.
Keeping larger items in a roof box can leave more space in the boot for everyday essentials, food and luggage. It can also help passengers enjoy a more comfortable journey without bags piled around their feet.
Before setting off, check the roof box’s capacity, your roof bars’ weight limit and your vehicle manufacturer’s maximum roof load. Remember that the weight of the roof bars and box itself counts towards the permitted roof load.
If you’re travelling with muddy walking boots, camping equipment or outdoor gear, a towbar-mounted cargo carrier can provide a useful alternative to packing everything inside your car.
Depending on the design, these carriers can offer additional space for equipment you’d rather keep separate from your luggage. They’re particularly handy for countryside breaks, where wet and muddy conditions can be difficult to avoid.
Make sure you choose a carrier that’s compatible with your vehicle and towbar, and check its maximum load capacity. You’ll also need to ensure that the carrier and its contents don’t obstruct your number plate or lights. Where necessary, use a suitable lighting board and number plate.
When travelling to popular staycation destinations, it’s worth thinking carefully about how you store your belongings.
Keep valuables such as phones, wallets, cameras and electronics out of sight when your vehicle is unattended. A locked roof box or suitable storage solution can help keep belongings contained, but it shouldn’t be treated as completely theft-proof.
Whenever possible, park in well-lit areas, take valuable items with you and avoid leaving anything on display inside the car.
Good organisation can make a real difference when you arrive at your destination. Instead of packing everything wherever it fits, group your belongings according to when you’ll need them.
For example, keep your first-night essentials, toiletries and a change of clothes easily accessible, while storing camping equipment and items you won’t need until later separately.
Storage bags and packing cubes can help keep smaller items together, while clearly labelled containers make it easier to find specific equipment. If you’re camping, keeping your tent and setup essentials together can also help you get settled more quickly.
A little planning before you leave can save time and make unpacking much less stressful.
While additional storage can make packing easier, it’s important not to exceed your vehicle’s weight limits.
Overloading your car or accessories can affect handling, braking and stability, particularly on longer journeys. Before setting off, check your vehicle’s maximum permitted weight, roof load limit and the load capacities of any roof box, roof bars or towbar-mounted carrier.
Distribute weight according to the accessory manufacturer’s instructions and make sure all luggage is properly secured. If you’re towing a trailer or caravan, you’ll also need to consider the relevant towing limits and nose weight restrictions.
Finally, check that your tyres are correctly inflated for the load you’re carrying, following your vehicle manufacturer’s guidance.
A spring staycation is a great opportunity to explore more of the UK, and a little preparation can help make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination.
Whether you’re using a roof box for camping essentials or a towbar-mounted carrier for extra equipment, the right accessories can help you make better use of your vehicle’s available space.
At Telford Towbars, we can help you explore practical vehicle accessories for your next trip, from towbar solutions to help you carry more to options that make travelling with outdoor equipment easier.
Planning a spring getaway? View our range of storage options here – https://shop.telfordtowbars.co.uk/product-category/storage/
Get in touch with Telford Towbars to find out more about the accessories available for your vehicle – https://shop.telfordtowbars.co.uk/contact-us/