Let’s assume that you have chosen the right cargo carrier that best suits your needs. So now you need to know how to pack a soft box roof cargo carrier. They come in various shapes, sizes, lengths and materials. Your carrier also needs to be able to fit all essential gear with a bit of room left over for extras, whether it is a few souvenirs or gifts to take home or that ‘must have’ item you spied on your travels.
Packing can be a nightmare particularly if you are new to it, so read on for some helpful hints so that your trip is enjoyable and you reach your destination safely and happily.
Check those Weights:
First, check weight limits for your carry roof box and also your vehicle to ensure you don’t overload either. Being a moving hazard on the freeway is not a good look.
Assessing Your Load:
Before you start packing a rooftop carrier, you should list absolute essentials, and then a sub-list of items that would be nice to take if space is available.
There is a lot of heartache in having everyone bring all their gear to the car only to have to take a lot of it back inside, so get that list going. The trip is not going to be fun if your kids want to put their entire closets in the rooftop box.
Then when you have everything laid out you can prioritize items. Firstly, sort everything by size and weight.
Put aside items that you may need to get to during your trip. You certainly don’t need to be re-arranging the entire load because the bottle opener was packed in the carrier.
Heavy items first, please.
Start with the heavier items first as they will need to be placed at the bottom of the cargo carrier. Weight distribution is key to an enjoyable and safe trip. A vehicle swaying around in windy conditions is dangerous, so don’t just pile everything on, tie it down and hope for the best. Place the weightier items over the cab of the vehicle as well so the weight is over the bulk of the vehicle.
If you have items that need protecting, consider wrapping them in either towels, items of clothing or even bubble wrap if necessary. This will protect them and hopefully stop any bumpy noises as you travel. Consider the terrain that you may be traversing as rough roads will throw your load around a lot more. Think about using smaller containers or storage bins to store items that can be grouped. It will save you time if you only need to unload a couple initially to get set up.
Secure Your Load:
Making sure your load is secure is paramount. Check that the tie-downs you have are suitable and that your rooftop box is not able to shift around during transport. How many times have you seen an unstable load on your travels and just want to get past them as quickly as possible? Double check straps are tight and secure. Loose bits of rope or other material flapping around is a distraction you don’t need.
Cleaning your Carrier:
When you reach your destination and have unloaded all your gear, give the carrier a good clean. Soapy water is the best way to go, removing all the road grime and dirt. This extends the life of your cargo carrier and saves time for the return trip.
Although it may seem daunting at first, it is common sense once you realise the importance of packing correctly. So just a quick recap
Conclusion:
Packing a cargo carrier can be challenging, but you can do it efficiently and safely with the right approach. With the right cargo carrier, organizing items, and packing them securely within weight limits you can head off on your adventure with peace of mind.
Happy travels!
You may be interested in our article reviewing hard shell cargo carriers