July 6: Roof Racks - a Public Service Message

With so many of you heading to the cottage or off on a road trip, I thought it would be good of me to give you some pointers on how to load those roof racks. You can thank me later.

This cartoon is a joke, of course, but let's look at what you should or should not do in order to get all that stuff (kitchen sink, etc) to the cottage, campsite or wherever.

This wagon is loaded correctly, with very little overlap. Sure there is a bit at the rear, but overall this is an excellent example of a good packing job. I believe one of the kids or granny is in there somewhere.

The wagon above is an even better example of good packing. Note the use of boxes, which make for a tidy appearance. Be sure to check proper tire inflation, since several tons on the roof need all the help they can get.

Not everyone has the luxury of a trailer or even a trailer hitch. Here is a good example of a smart way to transport that atv you so treasure. Note the clever use of the tie down straps to firmly hold the atv front and back. Not sure how they get it on the roof, but probably just run it right up the back of the Beetle (it is an all terrain vehicle afterall). Just repaint the bug in the Fall.

And what vacation would be complete without a boat and bikes. This very well packed example shows how ingenious the owner is. The boat actually keeps the sun out of the VW, making the interior nice and cool. Another benefit is that no one is going to cut you off in traffic, since they know that you just don't care.
                                                                                                                                                                      Good old duct tape. Here is an excellent example of its usage when packing up to go on vacation. This versatile product is able to secure those items that won't fit in the trunk. An added benefit, is that it can also hold the door closed. If using this method, please be sure to take an extra roll with you for the trip home.

I've always wanted this blog to be about more than trivial car stuff, so this public service of helping you plan for a Summer trip helps me to fulfill that goal.

All the best and happy roof rack packing!

Until next time........