The tree: A nightmare before Christmas?
Is it just Christmas time that we are supposed to all turn into idiots?
Along with the usual advice on how to stay safe at this time of year, Haynes, the manual people, now wants to tell us how to get a Christmas tree.
Their ‘How To Transport A Christmas Tree Safely’ advice opens with the nugget that is don’t bother.
Haynes advises people to not drive their tree home and get it delivered instead.
The advice, which is so simple if you need it you really shouldn’t be behind the wheel, then goes on to say if you use a roof rack ‘make sure it is fitted securely’.
If you put the tree inside your car ‘make sure it is prevented from landing on your lap when you drive round corners’ Haynes sagely advises.
Here is a full list of tips from Haynes:
Here are some tips for carrying large loads.
1. Consider having the item delivered instead, or think about hiring a van or pick-up.
2. If you use a roof rack, make sure it is fitted securely. Check your vehicle's handbook or your Haynes manual for the maximum roof rack load. Some vehicles have roof rails to which a rack can be fitted.
3. Lay plastic or a tarpaulin across the roof rack before you load it, then wrap this around the item(s) and secure it with tie-downs, rope or elastic cords.
4. Load the roof rack with the largest items at the rear.
5. Top boxes (they come in various sizes and are usually lockable) can be fitted to a roof rack or rails and are good for transporting many small items. Some of these boxes are shaped to carry skis or other sports equipment.
6. With special fittings, cycles can be carried on roof racks too.
7. If you don't have a roof rack, a long item may go in through the tailgate or boot. If you can, fold down the rear seats and recline the front passenger seat.
Make sure the load cannot interfere with the driving controls.
8. If you cannot shut the boot-lid or tailgate, secure it with rope or a tie-down - use bits of rag to prevent these scratching the paintwork. Anything extending more than 0.3 metres (about one foot) beyond the rear bumper should have a prominent red flag attached to it.
9. Make sure the number plate and rear lights are still visible if you have the boot-lid or tailgate partially open. Be aware that exhaust fumes may be sucked into the car as you drive.
10. That Christmas tree may go inside your car with the top poking out through the open sunroof. Or it may go in through a rear side window and rest on the passenger seat. Never insert it through a front window so that it points forwards. Also, make sure it is prevented from landing on your lap when you drive around corners! You can probably secure it with a seat belt.
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