https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:51:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330760 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 11:14:43 +0000 ValentineMommy 1330760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks all!! Some great suggestions :) DH was thinking about the trailer hitch last night, but I wasn't sure about it.</p> <p>@bpcmarj: That's a great idea about the soft carriers! I just looked at them and they are so much cheaper that everything else we were looking at! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330587 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 10:36:45 +0000 ShootingStar 1330587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beebug: Oh man, I wish you had pictures! We're going to the cape this summer and we could barely fit stuff in my Venza at Christmas, and we didn't even bring the stroller with us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330229 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:12:27 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 1330229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We drove with everything up to my parents for the week and it was tough to get everything in the car. We try to have extras of some things there (pack n play, high chair, bath stuff) and next time we go for an extended time, I'll have diapers shipped there. W also ended up doing a lot of laundry there, so I could have lived with half the clothes I took for myself and LO.</p> <p>DH and I talked about the need for adding a trailer hitch to my Escape so we can get a platform for the back or getting a roof pod. We definitely will before we have a 2nd LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330220 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:10:38 +0000 Beebug 1330220@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish I could show you how I pack my bob in my small suv, but will try my best to explain!</p> <p>We cottage a lot, and I do dog shows on my own, but take dog and baby, so I became a pro at packing, always had the bob, pnp, last summer her table toy, and a zillion other pieces of gear, tent/screen shelter for us, and I won't get into all the dog gear! </p> <p>Dog gets the back back, but the stroller goes back there with him, I take the two back wheels off and bungee it to the side of the back. Fold it down, then stand it vertically, bungee it against the one side of the inside back hatch, then tuck the wheels in against it and the car. I had been taking wheels off and putting the bob on the floor in the back seat, but found this alternative to be a huge space saver!</p> <p>Anyways! With dog, kid, and #2 kid on the way, we are having a hitch installed this Spring, and getting a hitch box. My rig doesn't have roof rails, so to have them installed, cross rails, and whatever roof rack/box/bag we got, the cost is way less to have a hitch installed, and purchase a tray or box. Plus the noise from stuff up top bothers me, so we're going with something in behind! I have two years to make this thing work before I can get a minivan I so badly want, until then....super packer! We are traveling across the country for 3-4w this summer, so I am already thinking ahead like you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330210 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:04:17 +0000 bpcmarj 1330210@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My family has taken many a beach trip in the car, here is what I have learned. One way or another, you are going to have a great time!</p> <p>If possible, get one of those roof bags for towels, sheets, clothes, etc. They are cheaper than a hard roof box and you don't need a roof rack. </p> <p>Pick either the stroller or the wagon; not both. That will take up SO MUCH space. Or, buy an umbrella stroller. If you are renting a house, see if they have anything like that available already. </p> <p>Buy your food when you get there. We always scout out a grocery store and go shopping on the first day. Especially if you are renting a house you want to see what kind of space you have in the kitchen before you make plans for meals, etc.</p> <p>Be prepared to not have a lot of space in the car, so use the backseat wisely (on the floor). Or if you can, fold down a part of your back seat for even more room. </p> <p>At 18m old, you may not even use the stroller at the beach, to be honest. And, if you go shopping or something most places will have a stroller/buggy you can rent or will have a cart with a seat.</p> <p>Don't stress too much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330203 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:02:00 +0000 Modern Daisy 1330203@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, we've taken rode trips and already a plane trip with LO. I've ordered things to our destination like formula, bottle sterilizer bags, bottle water, diapers, wipes, etc. Anything you will need to buy anyway that can be delivered. And if there's any way you can organize with someone else or look into renting things like a pack n' play, etc. that will help too! When we flew to visit MIL she borrowed a pack n' play and bouncy chair from her neighbor so we didn't have to fly with it. And our carseat snaps into our stroller so that helped as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330201 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:01:29 +0000 Alivoo01 1330201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: Great idea!</p> <p>@blackbird: I hate the strollers take up so much prime real estate. I didn't realize it until we put ours in the trunk and it took up HALF of the space. Really??? *cringe* It's not tall persay, but width wise, man... I end up stacking not so heavy stuff on top of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330197 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 09:00:32 +0000 Smurfette 1330197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Roof Rack all the way. And buy food when you get there! </p> <p>We were so tight over Christmas in my Accord. I love the Bob, but even taking the wheels off that thing takes up so much space. We are going to get a SUV this fall/winter before next Christmas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330194 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:58:52 +0000 blackbird 1330194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we're going to have to have rails put on one of our cars and get a luggage roof rack, honestly. Those strollers take up TONS of space. We travel as minimally as we can. See if there's laundry there, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330192 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:58:40 +0000 JoJoGirl 1330192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We invested in a roof rack. Not possible otherwise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330190 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:56:59 +0000 Mae 1330190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ever play tetris? :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330105 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:19:35 +0000 Mamaof2 1330105@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't take the wagon - that will take up half your car!</p> <p>We bought a trailer hitch rack that attaches to the back - its awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330097 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:16:35 +0000 looch 1330097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Buy food at your destination, research ahead of time so you know where a reasonably priced store is located.</p> <p>We've done it twice and it requires some strategic positioning, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/car-travel-how-do-you-fit-everything-in-your-car#post-1330092 Thu, 09 Jan 2014 08:14:09 +0000 ValentineMommy 1330092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going on vacation to the beach next September. This is our first family vacation, and DS will be around 18m old. I was just thinking about all the stuff we're going to need to pack into our SUV (Mazda CX9) and I have absolutely NO idea how it's all going to fit! We don't have a roof rack or anything either.</p> <p>We're planning on taking one of those plastic wagons, our BOB stroller, luggage (obviously), sheets/towels, food for the week..... I am a planner by nature, but DH thinks I'm crazy for thinking about this so early. </p> <p>Have you taken car trips with lots of luggage?? How did it all work out? </p>