Most people are familiar with moving things with their car. However, there might be times you have to move some oversized cargo. In these cases, it’s important you secure your load properly to be as safe as possible…
Oversized Cargo: Secure Your Load
Free up space inside
Before you stick oversized cargo on your roof, try to free up space inside your car first. These days, many cars come with the ability to fold down practically all of the seats. This can free up a lot more space for you to fit items which otherwise wouldn’t be able to fit inside of your car.
This can be especially handy if your trunk connects to the inside of your car. Doing this can provide you with enough space to fit your oversized items. That way, you won’t have to worry about them potentially falling off of your roof. It’ll also keep them protected from the elements.
Don’t overestimate capacity
Still, if your oversized cargo won’t fit in your car, then it’ll have to go on the roof. When this happens, it’s important to not overestimate how much weight your car can take. For instance, an SUV or minivan is going to be able to handle a bit larger loads than a coupe or sedan.
Keep in mind too that by placing your cargo on top of your car, you’re also placing a lot more strain onto the roof in particular. Your owner’s manual should tell you how much weight your roof can take. Be mindful too if you have a sunroof, as the glass will support less weight than a normal roof.
Secure your cargo
It’s important to make sure you tie your oversized cargo down properly. Most people will prefer to use nylon rope, or cinching straps, to keep their cargo in place. When securing your cargo, start by having all of the windows down except for the driver’s side window.
Next, pass the rope or straps through the windows and tie them inside the car. In general, it’s good to do at least two passes over the item, side-to-side and front-to-back. It’s also good to secure your cargo both lengthwise and widthwise.