SUV Loading Tips

1 January 2001

Ten Tips Help Place Family Safety at the Top of This New Year's Resolution 
List

    Even the most safety-conscious and well-meaning parents filled their 
family's sport utility vehicle (SUV) to the brim this holiday season, stuffing 
the rear cargo area with gifts, luggage, skis, sleds and seasonal foods. Parents 
may have seen recent studies that despite the rugged image, many SUVs are not 
built to safely handle heavy loads. However, parents couldn't change their 
packing habits because the same industry reports lacked "how-to" advice for 
safe loading. 

    Gear On The Go -- America's expert dealer of safe vehicle and travel systems 
for families on the go -- has ten vehicle-packing safety tips for SUV owners to 
help ensure their safe travel on America's 160,171 miles of open highway during 
2001. For America's 18 million registered SUV owners, why not put family safety 
at the top of this New Year's resolution list? Like any resolution, the idea 
is simple; it's sticking to these tips that could prevent death or serious 
injury on the road. 

1. Take time to load your gear properly, making sure all items inside the 
vehicle are secured or fastened properly and cannot fall on passengers. 

2. Check your owner's manuals for the weight limit of both your SUV and roof 
rack to make certain they're not overloaded. 

3. Long loads such as kayaks should be tied down in the front and rear. 

4. If towing, contact law enforcement for local and state towing laws governing 
width, length and height projections on the items you're carrying. 

5. If carrying items on 
your roof, place something on the inside of your vehicle to remind you of 
the reduced vertical clearance. 
6. Never allow items to obstruct your view in the rearview mirror. 

7. Cargo should not inhibit the use of a seat belt. 

8. Properly secure children 12 and under in the back seat. 

9. Safely contain the family pet to minimize driver distraction. 

10. Check your load each time you stop for any shifting or loosening of the 
restraints. 

Gear On The Go vehicle-outfitting experts also recommend carrying chains and 
emergency roadside-assistance numbers for snow-bound travel. Gear On The Go 
is the newest retail chain offered by Bauer Industries, the nation's largest 
retailer of vehicle-outfitting gear that built the leading Sports Rack chain 
eight years ago. This specialty outfitter provides customized installation 
service to ensure correct use of its products and safe travels. Trained 
professionals offer safety tips, install products and provide free 
public-education programs (e.g., correct tire chain installation) in 
conjunction with local safety organizations and law enforcement. Gear On The 
Go offers the entire family hard-to-find utility products (e.g., car roof 
racks, cargo boxes, pet barriers, auto-camping accessories and a new line of 
exclusive products for kids on the go) for any destination and any mode of 
transportation, making excursions safe, fun and worry-free. Thousands of 
vehicle safety products can be purchased at the company's retail outlets at 
2401 Arden Way, Sacramento, Calif., 95825. Telephone: 916-648-9200.