Whether you’re heading off for a hot summer weekend at the cottage or a holiday visit to the ski chalet, getting all of your stuff into your vehicle can be a challenge. I was happy to provide my tips on packing the trunk to Cottage Life Magazine.

Tips for packing the trunk of your vehicle:

1. Use soft-sided duffle bags instead of hard-shell suitcases.
2. Pack heavy items on the bottom and as far forward as possible.
3. Store your car emergency items in a dedicated bin.
4. Don’t pack large, heavy items on top of your cooler if you will need to access it during the trip.
5. Bring collapsible bowls with lids for your pets’ water.
6. Use a tightly secured tarp for items in the back of pickup trucks.
7. Don’t pile cargo too high in SUVs and hatchbacks.
8. Take a picture once the car is packed so you’ll know where everything goes on the trip home.

The entire article on packing the trunk is here. Read more tips on keeping your vehicle organized.

If you need hands-on help with getting organized, contact Linda Chu at Out of Chaos.