Restraining objects in the car

ninabrujaha

New member
How do you do it, safely, if not everything can fit in compartments and the trunk? We're looking into buying our first car, and as my husband is an electrician, it will be multi-purpose - carrying both our family and his ladder and tools, and whatever else we may have with us. Most things CAN go into the trunk, but the ladder would be inside the vehicle (probably a 3 row car that allows seats to be folded down, to accommodate the length of the ladder). Is there a way to safely restrain it? Would a roof rack be safer? (I have no idea where to go with this, but we can only afford one car, so we need to find a solution.)
 
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katymyers

Active member
For a ladder and large things like that a roof rack is your best bet. I wouldn't be at all comfortable with something like that riding along side my kids in a vehicle. For other items such as tools and equipment I'd invest in some plastic containers and ratchet straps (not bungee straps) and put everything in containers and just secure them all down.
 

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador
I'd consider a crew cab truck. The interiors are humongous; tons of leg room for front and rear seat passengers, 3 across is a breeze if you should need it. And then hubby could carry all his stuff in the bed or get a collapsible rack system (Invis-A-Rack) to haul stuff during work and be tucked away after.

You can get soft bed liners (BedRug) and bed covers so you can still carry things in the bed and not scratch them up.
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
Electricians usually use wooden or fiberglass ladders for safety reasons, and I'm not sure the folding varieties come in anything but metal construction.

I, too, would seriously look at a crew cab truck rather than a car, unless you have (or plan to have before you can get a separate family car) more than three children. The Silverado and Sierra crew cabs are roomy enough for just about any combination of 3 people in the back seat, including car seats and adults. I would not recommend settling for less than a full crew cab. You will kick yourself later as your kids are growing or your family expanding if you settle for an "extended" cab.

If a truck isn't your best option due to family size or budget, I would encourage you to look into something with a little towing capacity (doesn't have to be a lot) and get a utility trailer for his tools. The ladder should be secured to the roof rack if it can't be hauled in the trailer or truck bed.
 

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