If you drive a small car, hauling large items can be a challenge. But, if you’re like most people, you probably don’t need a big truck or SUV most of the time. Unless you need to tow a backhoe to the job site, most cars—even small ones—can safely transport bigger items like outdoor sporting equipment or home improvement supplies safely if you know what you’re doing.
Don’t Over PackOne of the most important things to remember when trying to pack larger items in a smaller caris to not over pack the space. While it might not seem like a bad idea to hang a few two-by-fours out the window for a short tripor load your backseat to the roof with heavy boxes, packing too much into your car or not securing items can be dangerous to both you and other drivers. Items that are not secured properly can do real damage if you get in a wreck or need to make an emergency maneuver.Add a Trailer HitchPerhaps the simplest and most versatile addition you can make to your vehicle to increase its cargo hauling capacity is to add a trailer hitch. The most obvious use of a trailer hitch is to tow a small trailer. If you do a lot of home improvement projects or need to haul larger items, a trailer is a reallysimple way to do it. Just make sure you don’t overload the trailer (or your car) and drive safely. Trailer hitches are a great way to add other racks to your car too. Bike racks and cargo racks are available with trailer hitch attachments and can add lots of space to the back of your car.Try a Roof RackAnother great way to transport larger items is to add a roof rack to your car. Many SUVs or wagons come from the factory with roof racks installed, but smaller cars typically don’t. Adding an after-market roof rack is usually a pretty easy process though that involves little more than clamping the rack to the door frame of your vehicle. The great thing about roof racks isthe versatility they offer. If you’re into outdoor sports like biking, kayaking, or skiing, roof racks offer a simple way to transport your gear.Car Top CarriersIf you’ve got a roof rack, adding a car top carrier will allow you to carry other smaller items that don’t fit in your car. Whether you’re taking a family vacation or just moving across town, a hard or soft car top carrier can hold a lot of items that can’t be strapped to the roof by themselves. Some car top carriers are even designed to transport items like bikes.Haul SafelyHowever you decide to haul your stuff, do it safely. Make sure you abide by local laws and don’t carry more than your car can handle or that might put you or others in danger. And, always double check to make sure you’ve strapped everything down properly. There are a lot of items that you can use to secure your load such as Ratchet Straps or Bungee Cords. Make sure you have the right equipment for the job. |
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