Car-Packing Tips for Your College-Bound Student
How to make sure all that school stuff is safely secured
Packing your car for a college-bound student is a major milestone, but how can you fit an entire dorm room’s worth of gear they’ll need into your car? Before you load up on back-to-school sales and dorm essentials, a few smart loading strategies can save you space, stress, and time in the driveway.
Today’s college necessities go beyond just clothes and bedding. They include computers, small electronics, mattresses, flat-pack furniture, and small appliances like microwaves and dorm fridges. To help you load up smoothly and hit the road with confidence, our car-packing tips show you how to maximize cargo room while keeping your rear visibility clear and preventing heavy items from launching forward during a sudden stop.
- 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 include basic items, such as a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, flares, and a flashlight. And don’t forget your charging cables.
