Be safe on holiday
So get to grips with it!
Summer time. Holiday time. The luggage is packed into, and onto, the car. But in the event of an accident, a harmless toy can become a dangerous missile. And even the roof rack is no longer secure.
Any more space?
- Distribute the load evenly. One-sided packing compromises the vehicle performance.
- Notice: Always pack the heavy items at the very bottom. The lower the vehicle's centre of gravity, the better the road hold.
- Do not put anything on the parcel shelf. In the event of an accident, even light items can become dangerous missiles.
- Position the luggage tightly against the back of the rear seats so that it cannot slide around.
- The cargo should be fixed in all directions, particularly in the direction of travel.
No unsecured items in the car
- Secure your luggage with straps. You can secure items on the rear seat using safety belts.
- Do you have sufficiently sturdy straps?
- Notice: Simple grates positioned between the roof and the luggage compartment are barely able to withstand a crash.
Does the roof rack fulfil its promise?
Roof luggage is sometimes a windy thing. And at 100 km/h, it it like being in a hurricane.
- The luggage on your roof should be as aerodynamic as possible. Preferably use roof boxes.
- In the event of a crash at approx. 30 km/h, simple universal straps frequently tear and the entire system falls off the roof.
- The highest permissible roof load, including the carrier systems, is approx. 50-100 kg. You can find more detailed information in your car's instruction manual. You must also adhere to the highest overall permissible weight for your car (Point 15 of the registration document). You must not exceed this value!
Pop your bikes on the back
- Bicycles should preferably be transported on the back of the vehicle. Universal rear carriers can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Warning: Small scratches and dents are occasional side effects.
- Paintwork-protecting versions are tailored rear-fit models which are, however, correspondingly expensive.
- If you have a tow bar, you can also securely transport you bicycles using a so-called tow-bar carrier.
- Adhere to the permissible support loads.
- You must also not exceed the permissible rear axle load (Point 16 of the registration document). Many TÜV STATIONS have vehicle scales with which you can check the weight.
General trip preparation tips
- Store the warning triangle, high-visibility vest and first-aid kit in an accessible place. This will save you having to empty the vehicle's boot in the event of an emergency stop.
- Ensure you plan plenty of breaks with some exercise for longer trips.
- In the event of longer breaks, do not leave animals in the car. With summer temperatures and direct sunlight, the car can quickly become like an oven.
- Don't forget travel documents, passports, vaccination certificates, etc.
- During each break, check that the load and carriers are still firmly secured. Tighten the fixing screws, if necessary. If this requires tools, make sure these are to hand.
Bicycle accessories such as pump, water bottle and panniers must not be attached to the bicycle during transport, they should be in the boot.
