Car-Packing Tips for Your College-Bound Student
How to make sure all that school stuff is safely secured
It’s time to send your kid off to college, but how can you get all of the stuff they’ll need into your car? Before you hit all the back-to-school sales to stock up on school supplies and dorm essentials, read our tips below. They can make packing easier—and safer.
These days, college necessities aren’t just clothes and toiletries. They include computers and other electronics, mattresses and furniture, and small appliances. You’ll want to make sure you pack your car in a way that doesn’t block your view and keeps items from becoming projectiles.
- Packing Tips: Have a Plan Fill It Up Staying Safe
Have a Plan
Prioritize. It’s tempting to bring everything your kids think they might need, but you should focus on items that can’t be easily acquired near their school. Once you’re in their new town, hit the local grocery store, big-box store, or shopping center to handle the stuff that’s bulky or doesn’t need to come from home. Remind your kids that they don’t need their whole wardrobe, just enough for the appropriate season. They can swap lighter clothes for winter coats and sweaters during a semester break or visit home.
Know your limits. Just because you have an SUV or a minivan doesn’t mean you should pack it to the roof. Check the vehicle’s load capacity, which is detailed in the owner’s manual. If your cargo weighs more than your vehicle can safely handle, it can affect your car’s handling, steering, tires, and fuel economy. And check the vehicle’s tires before you hit the road to make sure the cargo hasn’t altered the pressure.
Fill It Up
Place the heaviest items up front. Keep them as far forward in the cargo area as possible, and on the floor. In all vehicles, and SUVs in particular, you’ll also want the heaviest items toward the center. This helps keep the overall center of gravity lower, reducing the likelihood of a rollover. Too much weight in the back could compress the vehicle’s rear springs and reduce the weight over the front wheels, affecting your ability to steer or brake.
Staying Safe
Rear visibility is important. Don’t stack belongings so high that you can’t see out. An obscured rear window makes driving difficult and increases risks when you’re backing up.
Keep essential items at hand. Pack a roadside emergency kit. It should have basic items, including a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, flares, and a flashlight. And don’t forget your charging cables.
