Prioritise:
Be realistic about what you can fit into the space. You may not fit everything in, so decide which items are the most important, rather than when you get to your car.
Stay safe:
Never place heavy items like pots and pans high up in the back or elsewhere in the cabin - small objects can become dangerous projectiles in the event of a crash.
Location:
Heavy items like camping stoves or tents in the boot must be put hard up against the rear seatbacks to make sure the weight is distributed across the back axle.
Plan ahead:
Even with a large boot at your disposal, you can find yourself running out of space if you don't plan carefully, so put the bigger items of luggage at the bottom and place smaller items in the space around them.
Don't get a flat:
Always check that the tyre pressures are correctly adjusted in line with the manufacturer's handbook before setting off - especially when you're carrying enough equipment for a weekend away!
Drive defensively:
Your car's handling and performance will be affected by any load, so take care on the roads, especially while braking as slowing down may take longer than anticipated
Steve Dewey, AA Road Operations Director, adds: "As well as creating a risk to passengers and other road users, a badly packed car could earn a driver an unwelcome surprise in the shape of three points on the driving licence, or even a driving ban. It may seem like fun at the time but driving off with things sticking out of your boot or sunroof is serious business - accidents happen on even the shortest journeys and if it's your fault you could even be looking at a custodial sentence".
Still not sure about loading your car? Check out the AA podcast here...
