How to make your vehicle vacation ready

Before you stuff your minivan floor to ceiling for a cross-country trip to, say, Disneyland, there are a few things you should think about to make sure you get there in one piece.

Although there are some obvious things you should do to make sure your vehicle is road worthy – check your tire pressure, change your oil, top off your fluids – you may not realize that how you pack for that vacation could affect your car’s ability to drive safely on the road.

Packing too high or too heavy could keep you from steering properly, from spotting cars when changing lanes or from protecting your children in the unfortunate event that you are in a car crash.

So today – instead of talking about a traditional safe-driving topic such as texting while driving – Collision Guard has some pointers for making your vehicle road-trip ready by packing properly.

Facts/Statistics

- Packing suitcases and duffle bags higher than the back seat not only decreases visibility, but also puts passengers at risk of being hit, or killed, by flying objects during a collision. Just think, a seatbelt may stop you from hitting the windshield at, say, 45 miles per hour, but there’s nothing to stop that suitcase from hitting you at that same speed.

- Even without luggage blocking the rear window, 50 children are backed over each week in driveways and parking lots. Two of those children, on average, die. Overloading vehicles reduces that rear visibility even more.

- Putting too much weight on your vehicle, either on a roof-mounted luggage rack or in the trunk, can affect your driving. It can impair steering, destabilize your vehicle around curves and cause your tires to generate excessive heat and deteriorate.

- Although difficult to say how many deaths have been caused by improper packing, whether by stacking bags so high that it blocks visibility or loading them so heavy that it keeps a vehicle from driving properly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that improperly loaded vehicles contributed to at least 208 fatalities between 2005 and 2009.

Tips/Awareness

Start out your vacation with smart packing. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a safe road trip, even with all that luggage.

• Start with the suitcase: Smart packing is the first step to not overloading your vehicle. Be selective about the clothes you bring. Figure out how many changes of clothes, and the kinds of clothes, you will need for the trip. Then stick to that list. Try to pack accessories, such as shoes or belts, that match multiple outfits. Packing tip: You can fit more into a suitcase by rolling your shirts and pants. If you have an extra pair of shoes, stuff your socks inside.
• Load heavy items first: Make sure that your heaviest items are placed firmly against the back seat, closest to the floor. During a crash, the weight of these items can be magnified exponentially. Packing them low and tight can decrease their penetrating power.
• Think about visibility: Don’t stack your suitcases above the seat line. If you have duffle bags or other soft items, stuff them between heavier objects to better utilize the space. Consider using spaces beneath passenger seats, as well. The better you can distribute your luggage weight, the better gas mileage and better vehicle handling you will have on the road. Word to the wise: Keep items away from the driver’s seat, however. During an emergency, these objects can slide beneath the driver’s feet and keep the pedals from working properly.
• Think about flying objects: Even if your suitcases are stowed safely beneath the seat line, avoid placing objects such as laptops, books and cell phones in places where they could become projectiles during a collision. People are frequently hurt, or killed, by flying objects.
• Enjoy your trip: Once you are satisfied that you are safely packed, load the family and enjoy your vacation.

Gadgets/Helps

Consider adding one thing to vacation packing list: An auto emergency kit. You can either buy one pre-made or build one yourself with jumper cables, tow ropes, flashlights and anything else that might help you if your trip stops abruptly beside the road.

Here are some supplies that Collision Guard would include.

1. A flashlight or roadside signal flares.
2. A first-aid kit.
3. Jumper cables.
4. An assortment of auto-related tools such as vise grips, combination wrenches, a crescent wrench and multiple-tip screwdriver.
5. A gallon jug of water.
6. Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil and brake fluid.
7. Spare rags or paper towels
8. Gloves, coveralls.
9. Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts)
10. Candles, warm clothes and a heavy blanket (for winter travel).
11. Non perishable food.

If you want to buy pre-made, Collision Guard would recommend these packages, ranging from $37.63 for an Economy Road Warrior Auto Emergency Kit from First-Aid-Product.com to $138.49 for an Ultimate Auto Emergency Survival Kit from The Ready Store.

Of course, if there are other services you need before you leave on vacation, Collision Guard can help with oil change coupons, tire coupons and more. Just check out our coupons page. The more you save on vehicle maintenance, the more you have for fun.

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