Over 20 million people are planning to dodge expensive peak-time flights abroad and make the most of the outdoors for the Easter holidays, especially with highs of up to 22 degrees Celsius forecast.
But camping trips and overnight stays often come with lots of luggage, which for a family of four can lead to suitcases and bags on laps in the back.
That’s before loading up the cycle rack too (if you are a fan of a more physical holiday).
Not only can the extra weight be dangerous, but Tempcover has warned it can also be costly if you’ve got too much crammed in.
Driving a car above the maximum authorised mass (MAM) limit can land you a fine of £300 and three points added to your licence. The worst offences can lead to a two-year prison sentence for dangerous driving.
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MAM – also known as Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – includes the weight of the driver, passengers, trailer linked to a car, and the contents inside a vehicle.
The threshold can be found in the car’s manual under the bonnet of the car and using the Vehicle Identification Number, a 17-digit code that can be found on the dashboard, chassis or in the driver’s side door frame.
This maximum is separate from the kerb weight, which factors in just the car’s weight alongside fluids and fuels.
Tempcover has urged motorists to estimate the weight of the passengers, drivers and luggage if they are concerned about overloading their vehicle.
Claire Wills-Mckissick, insurance expert at Tempcover, said: “It’s easy to overpack for a holiday, especially when travelling with children or packing for a festival. However, exceeding your car’s maximum load can compromise safety by reducing control, increasing stopping distances, and putting extra strain on the tyres.
“Many drivers don’t realise that overloading can also result in fines, penalty points, or even invalidated insurance in the event of an accident.”
Wills-Mckissick added: “If you’re car-sharing and taking out temporary car insurance for a road trip, it’s crucial to check your vehicle’s weight limit before setting off. If you’re not the car owner, you’re unlikely to know the limit, so always double-check to help you stay within the legal limits and drive safely.”
Here are five tips from Howden’s Insurance to ensure you travel safely with a packed car.
Four tips to avoid overloading
1. Calculate the combined weight of passengers and luggage
To avoid exceeding your car’s maximum load, weigh your luggage, consider the approximate weight of your passengers and leave a buffer. If you have a good estimate of the combined weight of your luggage and passengers, you can better ensure you are within your car’s load capacity.
2. Load the heaviest items first
Load the heaviest items of luggage into the boot first to maintain a lower centre of gravity, which should make the car easier to handle. Tuck smaller items or hand luggage under the passenger footwells to avoid blocking your rear view.
3. Keep luggage strapped down
Secure your luggage with bungee cords or a non-slip mat to prevent it from moving around. If you have an unused backseat, use the seatbelts to hold luggage in place.
4. Inflate your tyres to a higher pressure
To accommodate the additional weight of passengers and luggage, it’s recommended to inflate your tyres beyond their usual pressure before setting off your long drive. Your vehicle handbook will indicate the correct PSI, ensuring safe driving with the added weight. Tyre pressure information is also sometimes found on the inside of your fuel door.
