​Cargo Packing Tips for Your Next Family Road Trip​

We are likely all familiar with the amount of planning that goes into a family road trip. There’s the timing of the trip, the locations to visit, and the route to take. If this is a trip you’ve taken before, you may have favorite eating spots and other stops to consider. Packing the vehicle is often the least planned aspect of every road trip. Dick Smith INFINITI has some potentially helpful tips. 

Divide Your Car into Cargo Zones 

What you choose to take with you is entirely your decision. These are just a few helpful hints for figuring out where to place your items. The first step is something you likely already do informally, which is dividing your vehicle into zones. The first zone is the front seat area. Decide what you want to have easily accessible for the task of driving: cellphones, charging cords, drinks, sunglasses or their cases for when you no longer need them, and so on.    

In consultation with the kids, determine what can accompany them in Zone 2, the back seat. Obviously, this will include items to engage the kids, as well as a cooler and/or bag for snacks. Coats or jackets should be within reach of front- or back-seat occupants in case the weather is potentially cold or wet. Again, you probably already do this informally, but writing it down in advance can help you organize the vehicle cabin and prevent you from forgetting something important. Consider all the available spaces, including console storage, door panel pockets, and possibly space under the seats. Also, there should be a designated trash container for either the front or back that can be easily emptied or disposed of and replaced.   

Zone 3, of course, is the cargo area. In a sedan, this space is essentially closed off, but in an SUV, crossover, or minivan, at least the front part of that area is accessible from the cabin, which can be advantageous. It is likely an ideal spot for the aforementioned coats and jackets. 

The Real-Life Tetris Game of Packing the Cargo Area 

When the cargo area packing begins, the best thing you can do is have a staging area beside the car so you can see everything that’s going inside before you put a single thing in. This allows you to see the full range of sizes and shapes you need to position so you can make adjustments. You want to consider size, weight, and accessibility.  

Generally, you will start with the largest and heaviest items. Floor space is of high value, so position things vertically if you can. At the same time, keep an eye out for nooks and small spaces created by the big items not fitting perfectly together. These areas can fit the smaller items. Chances are, your cargo items will have similar weights for their sizes, but if you have something that is extraordinarily heavy, try to have it forward and center in the cargo area to avoid any stability issues. 

Have Overnight Stay Bags 

If your trip involves one or more overnight stays in a motel to get to your destination, consider having a designated travel bag or two filled with everything the entire family needs just for the drive and hotel stops. That way, instead of having to unload and bring everybody’s bags into the hotel room and repack them the next morning, you might just bring in one that has everyone’s clothes and bathroom items. If you book two hotel rooms, you’ll probably need two such bags. Make sure these are the easiest items to access, and pack around them. If you have a roof rack, these travel bags are the first items that should be considered for it, since you probably don’t want to leave anything up there overnight. 

Here’s another subject to consider when it comes to accessibility. You may always carry some emergency items in the vehicle, such as jumper cables, basic tools, a flashlight, a first aid kit, and so on. If the vehicle has storage spaces under the cargo area floor, this is where these items are often stored. But when your cargo area is filled with a couple hundred pounds of things, buried under the floor may no longer be the best place for them. Consider bringing them out, finding a container for everything, and making it reasonably accessible.  

Stacking High Considerations 

If your vehicle is a crossover, SUV, or minivan, you can theoretically pack items to the ceiling. However, try to concentrate them toward each side so you can still use the interior rearview mirror. You can manage without it by using the outside mirrors if necessary, but maintaining that visibility is much better. Of course, this is not an issue if you have a digital rearview mirror. Additionally, it’s best if the items you stack up high are light. Take steps to secure them anyway so they don’t end up on top of your backseat passengers after an emergency braking incident.  

If You Need More Room, We Can Help 

These are just a few basic packing tips to help make your road trip more convenient and enjoyable. If you decide that your current ride isn’t up to the task, visit Dick Smith INFINITI of Columbia to find a new INFINITI SUV or crossover or a quality used vehicle that can make your next road trip an absolute joy.