Hiring a moving company or renting a truck to load your furniture and other belongings is not always within everyone's moving or traveling budget. If you're making a small local move with only a few boxes and pieces of furniture, it's probably not too expensive to hire a moving company. Still, when you have bulky items to transport, it'll take proper planning and care to haul them successfully.
However, transporting oversized cargo in a regular vehicle can be difficult—even dangerous—whether you're attempting to transport extra luggage to your vacation spot or your new snowboard to the slopes. This is because a 20-pound object traveling at 55 mph can collide with the impact of a half-ton. And few states may have some kind of fine or penalty for improperly secured loads, ranging from a $10 ticket to jail time. However, with the proper equipment and precautions, transporting goods on the roof of your car can be both safe and successful. This article shows you how to carry bulky items with your regular vehicle.
What Supplies Do I Need To Haul Bulky Items On My Car
Roof Racks
Roof racks run from east to west across the roof of your vehicle, providing a more secure load. However, roof racks are built to carry more cargo weight. Therefore, to avoid the dangers of an overloaded vehicle, it is critical not to overload the roof rack and adhere to the weight guidelines. In addition, having a roof rack on your car or truck will make tying large items to the roof much more manageable, especially large appliances or furniture. A favorite amongst adventurers and nomads is the Land Rover Discovery Roof Rack.
Moving Pads
Whatever you move on top of your car, whether it's a sofa, a mattress, or a small refrigerator, it will probably scratch it if nothing is placed beneath it. So underneath your item, place a layer of blankets or moving pads to avoid unsightly marks.
Strong and Long-lasting Rope.
A solid and long-lasting rope is one option for tying down large items. Simple twine, bungee cords, or string will not suffice, so make sure the rope is strong enough to withstand the wind that the thing will be exposed to while the vehicle is moving. However, when it comes to safe-keeping your belongings and your car, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Ratchet Straps
If you believe the item you're moving is too large and heavy for rope and you want a little extra protection, ratchet straps are an option. These are useful if your vehicle has a roof rack.
Tips For Loading Bulky Items Onto Your Car
Determine what needs to be moved.
The first step is to sort, then shrink (get rid of things), and finally pack. Sorting through your belongings and selecting only what you need will aid in packing.
If you're only packing a couple of items — items you don't want to pack in the moving truck — decide what can fit into a box, what is fragile, and what won't break no matter what. If possible, pack your electronics by car because they are heavy and expensive to move. They're also delicate and require tender loving care.
Use Vacuum Bags for Storage
These bags are ideal for items that take up a lot of space, such as bedding and clothes, and allow you to fit more into a small space. In addition, they're reasonably priced and can shrink bulky items to fit between other packed items in your car trunk or the overhead carrier.
Bags, not boxes or luggage, should be used.
If you don't want to buy vacuum bags, use regular garbage bags (clear garbage bags will suffice) for items stuffed into small spaces like under the seat or in trunk corners. Because luggage will not conform to the shape of your space, you should pack any delicate items in bags.
Tie It Up
To safely tie an item to the roof of your car, start with all windows down except the driver's window. (Once the rope is secured through the open windows, you won't be able to open the other doors.) Next, toss nylon rope or cinching straps over the item you're tying down, then pass them through open windows and tie them inside the car. You can make at least two passes over the item, side to side and front to back, and tightly tie the rope inside the car. And don't forget to secure them both lengthwise and widthwise.
Make use of Overhead Carriers
The first piece of advice for packing more in your car is outside. Overhead carriers are the best invention for people who are constantly on the move. They allow you to store your cargo safely and efficiently while protecting it from the elements and keeping it secure if you have to spend the night on the road.
Conclusion
Whatever method you choose to transport your belongings, make sure you do so safely. Ensure you follow local laws and don't carry more than your car can handle, as this could endanger you or others. Also, always double-check that you've appropriately strapped everything down. You can secure your load with various items, such as Ratchet Straps or Roof Racks. Finally, make sure you have the proper tools for the job.
