How to pack the boot and roof box if you're going on holiday by car

BERLIN: When you're packing for a holiday, it may come to look as though you are bringing everything you own and if you are driving, space is limited. However, with some care you can fit all you need, plus find space for souvenirs for the trip back.

But when packing your car boot or roof box, take care as you could risk a fine or points if things become dislodged, or risk damage to property and people, say driving associations.

The Auto Club Europa (ACE) has some handy tips:

Be sure to pack everything neatly in your car boot so it won't slip or slide around while you're driving or if you suddenly have to brake sharply.

As a rule, place heavy items at the bottom and closest to the rear seat wall, while lighter items can be placed on top.

Strap in your luggage

You can use bungee cords, straps or luggage nets fixed to eyelets in the boot to secure your luggage. Make sure any items you might need during the trip are within easy reach, such as snow chains, warning waistcoats, a warning triangle and a first aid kit.

If you have a boot cover and space to use it, then pull it over your packing once everything is in the car. If you are packing over the rear seats, ensure you have a partition grid or net between your boot and rear seat bench. You can get them from car accessory dealers and often, you can find a model best adapted to your particular boot layout.

Packing a roof box

You may have filled your boot and need to use a roof box for some additional items. Often you can rent one for a low three-digit sum for around two weeks, according to the ACE.

When using a roof box, it is essential to observe the manufacturer's specifications regarding maximum speed and to comply with the weight limits of the box and carrier. Check and follow the authorized roof loads set out by your car maker too, you can find those in the manual.

How to pack a roof box

Take care to distribute the weight of your luggage evenly to prevent one-sided loads. Place the heaviest items at the bottom and, if possible, between the cross struts of the roof rack.

Place light items in the rear and front. Do not use the roof box for very heavy items, and follow the guidelines on roof loads and weight limits for individual boxes. Often these are 50 or 75 kilos, the ACE says.

If there is no system to secure the load inside the box, cover it with a blanket and secure it with tension belts. You can also stuff the front with jackets or blankets to prevent any sharp objects from smashing through the roof box if you have to brake heavily.

But be careful not to overfill your roof box, as it does need to close. When you are shutting it, do not use force, and just using a strap to lash it closed is not sufficient either - you may wind up having to remove some of your items.

Before you start out on your trip, check that your box is correctly placed and fastened on. Finally, be sure that the your tyres' air pressure and headlight levelling are adjusted, either automatically or manually. And whether or not you are using a box, check you are not exceeding the car's permissible total weight.

Once you are on the road, adjust your driving style to the car's new centre of gravity. You may also need to take additional care while turning corners. Again, comply not only with all of the weight restrictions but also with the manufacturer's speed limits.

Generally, it is better not to travel faster than 130kph with a roof box, according to the ACE.