Packing ideas for car

[SunnySideDownUp]

We're off to France for a fortnight shortly.

My youngest is disabled, so we need a certain amount of space for her medical bits, but most crucially, her specialist buggy takes up about 2/3 of the boot floor space.

DH not keen on roof box.

We've got a large-ish car. 4 of us in 5 seats.

As well as the buggy, we'll have body boards. Plus the usual holiday gear, towels, nappies, kids play stuff.

Any ideas on how to maximise space? We'll have space in one child footwell (limited), and the spare middle seats.

We'll pack relatively lightly, as much as we can...

Happy to spend a bit (up to £50) on specific storage options.

Packing cubes are an absolute life saver, there's hundreds of them on Amazon

Trailer?

Buy bodyboards and nappies at the destination?

Cargo box? Would probably invalidated any ferry bookings due to length

Roof box is the obvious answer, what's the problem?

Why is he not keen on a roof box? We just bought one second hand for a recent trip and I'm so glad we did. Meant we weren't tryjng to squeeze everything into the boot

If you don't want to buy and then store a roof box you can hire one for a holiday ( you will still need to fit the bars , it's quite easy to do )

We always pack around the spare tyre/beneath the boot space if that helps at all?

Store - after the holiday , is what I meant !

We use bags for life from the supermarket. DP thinks it’s a bit chavvy but practical.

I agree that a roof box makes sense for now and future holidays as you are always going to have extra stuff .
Otherwise , I agree , get extras on arrival.

You can get roof bags if you’re not keen on a roof box

Really, OP, DH has got to rethink the roof box. We had to get one when we had to take far more stuff to our holiday home for health reasons. The bars stayed on, but we just lifted it off when we got there, put it back on for the return. Neither of us is exactly sprightly, and it took us 20 minutes and no sweat.

The only thing is that you can’t put heavy items in them, so clothes or bedding is best. On our car we were told that the speed limit advised was actually slightly above the legal limit in French motorways anyway.

@Icantremembermyusername
DS and his family including the dog set off on Friday for their holiday with absolutely loads of stuff in multiple plastic bags. I couldn't believe how much they shoehorned in packing that way. It is a bit jarring to the eye but practical.

Leave the body boards and take/buy inflatables. That'll save loads of space.
Packing cubes are great and makes it so easy to organise everyone's clothes.
I would get a roof box or bag. Can he be convinced?

1. If your back seats fold down in two parts, fold down the single seat, leaving 2 up.
2. Check whether the floor of your boot lifts up, ours does (VW golf) and can be lowered or removed to give loads of extra space.
3. Use ikea bags to pack,not suitcases, then you can squeeze them into small spaces without wasting space.
4. Pack light! We've learnt how to holiday with flight hand luggage only and pay €4 per wash at the on site laundrette (or in a sink!)

Roof box. He needs to get over not wanting one.

Just don't go through Rouen.

Ikea PARKLA bags are brilliant for clothes, and save loads of space compared to suitcases. Often can be put in a drawer at the designation too.

As others have said check out the space by the spare wheel.

Why is he against a roof box? Ours has been really helpful

Agree with others that lots of shopping type bags are better than large holdalls. Easier to fit in small spaces and around other stuff.

Roof box or trailer. If you get a roof box, get a Thule.

Thanks all, given me plenty to think about.

We're going to an Atlantic beach, and have body boards already, so that's an essential 😅

Going to look up packing cubes. Wondering about getting some of the laundry bags as well like these www.ocado.com/products/rex-london-bumble-bee-jumbo-storage-bag - forgotten but I'd used these lots pre-kids!

We're going by tunnel, so I think we'd need to change our reservation for a box, but I'll look into it and present DH with options.

Need to bring back lots of wine, obviously. Will explore space around the spare wheel for that!

i just added a roof box to our Le Shuttle booking, was an extra £37 for August crossing.
Why not get a roof bag if storage space is an issue at home? And as said previously laundry bags, ikea bags and squishy packing is the best option.

We've previously hired a roof box but have just bought one, though the bags seems a good value option too.

It's a no brainer OP, if you need that child's buggy then you need a roof box. You can't magic space.

We were very caught one year, we forgot to add the roof box to our booking on a ferry and it was too late when we realised. We used lots of plastic bags, under footwells and between people. The kids were literally wedged in.

In terms of packing, 5 changes of clothes per person, rolled up small as possible. 2 x pjs
Laundry on day 5 and 10. Sandals and runners each, one worn and others wedged around the car. 1 x beach towel and 2 swimsuits each, rolled up together in a plastic bag per person.

Why doesn't your DH want to use a roof box? I'd say that's essential with all the clobber you'll have, including the boogie boards. Even if you just put those and some clothes in soft bags in the box, that will free up space in the car. You don't want to all be too cramped. Filling spare seats and footwells with luggage means no space to stretch out a bit, nowhere for DC to put their personal effects. Long drives are miserable enough, without everyone cramped by luggage.