The other thing to watch is your not overloading the car or back axle, we have a Honda FRV which with two of the back seats folded flat gives a massive load space, I can easily fit all our stuff into it. However even though on Paper we can take all our camping kit & put the bike on the roof I'm now looking to get a trailer as I wouldn't want to add the bikes, racks etc weight to the car until I can get the back axle weight down.
To the hilt with roofbox, we can't use the rear view mirror & the kids can't see each other but OH does it very safely theres no way any of it could fly forward or anything heavy land on the kids & he's careful with weight too - he is truly genius at packing it. Although, last time I had to do a 4hr journey (as a passanger I hasten to add) with 2 camp chairs in my footwell.
we pack it all in until i can only shut the hatch by brute force and the bonnet is at an angle approaching take off point-rearview mirror-don't make me laugh!!!
Although a Rear View Mirror may not be legally required, believe me most Traffic branch Police officers will pull you over for having you car over loaded. ie not being able to see out of your rear view mirror and back window. Be warned !!! if theres a a chance for them to give you a ticket...Trust me they will.....
They will use the Safety issue....Objects flying around in an emergency stop...So don't fall victim for this....
must say i have never stacked the car that high but this year we have a new tent which is biger 2 large moon chairs a 907 and all the extra bits and bobs you pick up at the camping shows and shops ( must go and get some windbrakes at some point )
how much are the universal dog guards and are thay any good at holding the stuff in the back or just better than not having one ?
i did get pulled over once for not having a rear view mirror (had fellen off a week befor) and the sticky pads would not hold must never buy them from tesco again but i was lucky that i had a spare sticky pad and stuck it back up for him to let me be fell back down a day later
------------- 2017
June honeymoon
August not sure. Yet
Sep long weekend Rome
October week. In Devon
useualy we have top box trialer car packed but this weekend my mates comin so wi can load both cars up ta brim the beer and wine go in first always room for that ha ha
We get everything into the Mondeo hatchback with a roofbox - the coolbox sits between the kids and we pack under their feet - and they sit on the towels!
We are in the process of trying to replace the Mondeo - at the moment it looks like a Zafira or another Mondeo - my thinking is that with a Zafira I could get away without a roofbox - but now reading the comments here I'm not so sure. If we need a roofbox we might as well stick with the Mondeo - at least with it we can still get into a multi-storey carpark and can reach into the box!
Does the Zafira not come with some sort of 'load restraint'. I am wary of packing it high if there is nothing to stop everything falling forward. I would imagine that even a pillow or a sleeping bag could do substantial damage if it clacks you on the back of the head at speed!
There isn't a legal requirement to have an unobstructed view out the back window, but there is to load safely and within the limits of the car and roofbox (does everyone here know your max weight limit for roof mounted luggage?)
Something I do to keep all the stuff in the boot is to use one of our groundsheets as a cargo net; open it out completely and lay it in the boot floor with the rest in the car, pile all your gear on top of the sheet then pull the sheet from in the car back over all you luggage and trap it under the gear at the back, close the boot.
Think it might need a photo....
------------- Growing old is obligatory, growing up is optional.
There isn't a legal requirement to have an unobstructed view out the back window, but there is to load safely and within the limits of the car and roofbox (does everyone here know your max weight limit for roof mounted luggage?)
Something I do to keep all the stuff in the boot is to use one of our groundsheets as a cargo net; open it out completely and lay it in the boot floor with the rest in the car, pile all your gear on top of the sheet then pull the sheet from in the car back over all you luggage and trap it under the gear at the back, close the boot.
Think it might need a photo....
No, I think that you have explained that very well. I try to do something similar.
We have a Nissan Micra and a roof box when we went on our first camping trip at the weekend we had the car and roof box full, including stuff at everyones feet except driver of course and stuff on our knees. We are looking at getting a trailer to make life easier when traveling for the children we just didn't have enough space.
We have a passat and a roofbox but had the same problem so we have just bought a thule easy base and box. It goes at the back of the car fitted on to a towbar. The box is huge about as big as our boot if not bigger. Another good thing about it is that if you camp abroad it doesn't make the tunnel anymore expensive unlike a trailer.
I got rid of the Volvo V50 and bought me an old VW Transporter T4 for bugger all. More fun, more character, more room for the kids on dawg (put 2 side windows and 2 seats in the back) and I can now get half of my house in the back! 4 bikes, outwell XL, food, beer, gazebo,awning, bedding, walking gear, beer, half size fridge (for the beer), beer, did I mention beer?
Vans are the way forward
------------- Never look down on someone unless your helping them up.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: How much do you load up the car?!
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om for that ha ha
