If you’re moving a long distance to or from Portland, you’ll no doubt be faced with efficiently packing up your vehicle – even if you hire movers for the big stuff.
This can be an overwhelming process, but take it slow and come up with a plan. Here’s what you should pack in your car for the trip. The rest can go in the truck.
Spare Keys
It’s quite possible you could lose your keys at a gas station or drop them at the convenience store when getting snacks. That’s why it’s a good idea to put a spare key in your purse or wallet so you don’t get stranded.
Extra Clothes
Don’t pack every single item of clothing and shoes in boxes. Save a few pieces for the road, or for the new home if you get there before the movers do. In this bag, pack extra:
- Underwear and socks
- T-shirts
- Sweaters
- Jeans
- Pajamas
- Shoes
Bathroom Bag
Likewise, you’ll need a small bag of bathroom essentials. Just be sure to add shampoo and lotion bottles to plastic bags so if they leak, the contents won’t get all over your clothing and other stored belongings. In this bag, pack:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Body and face wash
- Face cloths
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Saline solution
- Mouthwash
- Lotion
Pillows and Blankets
Especially if you have kids, pack everyone a blanket and pillow so they can nap along the way. Being in a car for hours can get mighty uncomfortable, especially if you’re traveling overnight.
Snacks and Drinks
You can’t have a road trip without yummy snacks and beverages! Gather some treats as well as healthy snacks such as trail mix. You should also bring water bottles and a cooler to keep yogurt tubes and juice boxes cold. Good snack choices include:
- Veggies and hummus
- Grapes
- Baby carrots
- Strawberries
- Pepperoni and cheese
- Crackers
- Bottles of water
- Juice boxes
Cleaning Supplies
Messes happen, so be prepared for spills with a cleaning supply kit. Pack a plastic storage tub with:
- Tissues
- Wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Floss
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
Music
Keep yourself and your passengers entertained by creating playlists and downloading tunes, audio books and podcasts ahead of time.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is essential for those times someone gets sick or scrapes their knee. This kit should include:
- Medicine
- Prescriptions
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Bandages
- Alcohol pads
- Antibiotic ointment
Emergency Kit
Roadside emergencies can and do happen. Keep these items in your trunk:
- Spare tire and lift kit
- Flashlight
- Folding shovel
- Gloves
- Roadside flares
Trash Bags
It’s easy for your car to get overrun with food wrappers, paper towels and garbage. Bring a couple of trash bags or plastic bags from the grocery store to accumulate trash. Dispose of those bags when you stop at gas stations or for food.
Tips: Don’t Overload Your Car!
Now that you know what to bring in your car, you should be mindful when packing things in there. Overloading can lead to:
- Higher risk of tire blowouts due to stress on tires
- Poor steering capability thanks to bigger loads
- Increased braking distances, as it takes longer to stop in traffic with all that extra weight
- Damage to the suspension system
- Reduced top speed, as you can’t go as fast in an overloaded car as an empty one
Unfortunately, vehicle overloading is common so it’s important to be mindful of ways to avoid overloading your car and of safeguarding your car against damage. You also want to protect the safety of your passengers.
Here are some more tips:
1. Check Your Tires’ Max Weight Rating
Before setting out on your road trip, check the max weight rating of your car’s tires. This rating will show you what the car can carry without risking brake and suspension damage. You’ll find this in the driver’s manual.
Find the maximum weight by looking on the tire’s sidewall, then consult this tire load index table to learn more.
Place Heavy Items in the Middle
Be sure to put the heaviest items in the middle of the car so they don’t exert more force on the tires. That’s what happens when heavy loads are placed close to the tires. You don’t want a blowout, so keep light items on the sides.
Spread Weight Symmetrically
Steering difficulties can arise if one side of the vehicle is a lot heavier than the other, particularly at high rates of speed. Disperse weight evenly on both sides so it’s as balanced as possible. Think about the combined weight of your passengers, too, and make sure they’re also spaced out.
Hire a Mover
Hiring movers is the best way to ensure your vehicle is not overloaded. That’s because they bring large trucks that can hold thousands of pounds, backed by top-notch suspension systems and tires. In addition to transporting your stuff, movers can visit your home prior to moving day and pack up your belongings. Then, they can place it in the truck for the most secure transport.
Just remember that overloading a vehicle with boxes may pose a danger in terms of driver safety. You don’t want anything to block windows and mirrors, which will reduce your line of sight and put you at higher risk of getting into a collision. Don’t exacerbate your existing blind spots by obstructing them with piles of stuff. And the last thing you want to do is get pulled over for driving an overloaded vehicle, which can happen when you’re overcompensating by going too slow on the highway.
Contact Portland Move
One great way to avoid overpacking your car is to hire movers like those here at Portland Move. We can take all your bulkiest and heaviest things with us in the truck so you only have to take yourself and a few small items in your vehicle. Call us today for a free quote at (971) 290-2369.
