BRITS are guilty of packing the kitchen sink when going on holiday – but still forget essential items such as their underwear, glasses, contact lenses and wallet.
A study of 2,000 adults found 51 per cent typically pack more than they need for a staycation, with 44 per cent claiming they are ‘overpackers’.
It was found 23 per cent have packed so much they’ve hampered their ability to clearly see out of their car’s back window.
But they admit to often forgetting things like their charger (28 per cent), toiletries (20 per cent) and medication (13 per cent).
Organisation expert, Dilly Carter, has teamed up with Halfords to help staycationers pack smarter and get more out of their car space.
She said: “With no luggage limits, it’s easy to overpack – but a few simple tweaks can make all the difference especially when cramming what seems like every corner of your home into a bag.
“If you are packing for a trip you should think about your zones, putting things next to other bits that make sense, for example keeping all food in one place, and activities next to each other – this will help with quick unloading.
“Some cars aren’t fit to have too much kit packed in them, so it’s worth considering a roof box or bike rack to make sure you have enough room for the essentials.”
As examples of Brits’ overpacking ways, 26 per cent admit to bringing toilet paper with them, 18 per cent bring their own bedding – and 10 per cent will even pack their own spices.
For one in five (20 per cent), packing for a staycation causes them stress, with 67 per cent worrying they may forget something.
Although 52 per cent said the weather is the biggest cause of their packing anxiety because the weather is unpredictable.
On average, it takes Brits 50 minutes to pack their bags for a three-day (two night) staycation – although more than a quarter will take longer than an hour.
When travelling to a staycation 80 per cent will typically get to their destination by car, however 17 per cent will take to the road without carrying out safety checks like tyre pressure, fuel/battery level or washer fluid.
The OnePoll.com study found men will take control of packing the car (54 per cent), checking the car (54 per cent) and unpacking the car (34 per cent).
Whereas women will be in command of booking (55 per cent) and organising supplies (50 per cent).
Paul Ray at Halfords said: “We’ve all been there – wedging a third spare pillow into the back window, driving halfway down the M5, and suddenly realising the phone chargers are still sitting on the kitchen counter.
“With no airport luggage limits, staycations make it incredibly easy to overpack, but shoving the kitchen sink into the boot can actually change how your car handles.
“Teaming up with Dilly is all about helping families cut the holiday packing stress, get organised, and crucially, make sure that extra weight doesn’t compromise their safety on the road this summer.”
THE 10 MOST COMMONLY FORGOTTEN ESSENTIAL ITEMS WHEN PACKING:
1. Charger
2. Toiletries
3. Suncream
4. Towels
5. Medication
6. Underwear or socks
7. Swimming trunks/costume
8. Appropriate clothes
9. Wet weather clothes/boots
10. Glasses, contact lenses or sunglasses
DILLY’S TOP 10 TIPS FOR PACKING YOUR FAMILY CAR THIS SUMMER:
1. Pack with purpose and think in categories: Sleeping and shelter, clothing, food and drink, activities, and essentials.
2. Think outside the box – invest in a roof box! Reserve the boot for heavier, temperature-sensitive or frequently needed items.
3. Heavy at the bottom, light on top – always. Extra weight affects your stopping distances and how your car handles, so how you distribute it really matters.
4. Check your tyre pressures before you leave – not when you get there. You will find the correct figures on your B-pillar, fuel filler flap, or in your owner manual.
5. Protect your boot with a liner: Think of a boot liner as a duvet cover for your boot – easy to remove, easy to clean, and shaped to fit your car.
6. Keep the kids zone sorted with over-seat organisers: Create an organised travel zone with activity packs, snacks and devices all within easy reach.
7. Bikes and scooters do not belong in the boot – use a rack! A bike rack keeps everything secure, frees up your boot entirely, and makes loading and unloading so much easier.
8. Make a grab-and-go bag for the journey: Snacks, wipes, charging cables, headphones, a spare change of clothes – one medium bag in the footwell with everything you need.
9. Use all available space: Make use of all the storage compartments in your car. A lot of people forget the glove box and car door bins, but you can fit an additional 25 litres if you use it properly. It’s also handy for any items you need easy access to!
10. Pack your camping gear in set-up order: Pack what you will use first, last – put the tent in first, then the pegs, followed by the sleeping bags and groundsheet on top.