We can’t travel at the moment, but there’s certainly nothing wrong with planning your next family holiday. And while international trips may be off the cards for a while we live in a beautiful country, which means a road trip could be your solution for your next getaway in a country that has wide open spaces and endless coastlines.
DIY family travel could become the next big thing.
Predictions are that ‘DIY’ holidays are expected to become more popular than ever with caravanning, camping, road-tripping, slack-packing, hiking and even bicycle touring all high on the agenda. In addition, empathetic members of humanity are thinking about activities that will have less environmental impact and healthier.
Richard Downey of SA Sport & Cargo, distributor of Swedish brand Thule explains, ‘Thule prides itself on enabling people to enjoy their active lifestyles by making it possible to travel simply, safely and in style. We are expecting motoring consumers to continue to rely on the the brand for these solutions, albeit closer to home than before.’
Whether you’re taking your family and their lifestyle gear 100 kilometres or 1 000 it needs to be safely and securely mounted. All you need are a few essential travel items so you can hit the road for your next adventure ensuring all your gear and precious occupants arrive safely.
Here are Downey’s list of must-have essentials for your next local roadtrip adventure:
It’s not inside it’s on top
Roof racks are indispensable for adventure travellers.
Make sure the family has all that they need for their travels without feeling loaded down. Choose between an extra-secure roof box or an open basket that’s perfect for bulkier cargo.
Make sure you have a reliable rooftop-carrier.
Alternatively, you can go for a towbar-mounted cargo carrier that fits on the rear of the car and still gives you access to the boot. You could even combine a rooftop and a towbar carrier to take your carrying capacity to a new level.
Get out on the water
For the water sport enthusiasts and your holiday of choice is a trip to the coast you’ll need a safe and reliable watersport carrier. Ensure you have the correct racks to load your kayak, canoe, surfboard or those essential fishing rods so that you’re ready to chase the waves and hit the beach.
Rack up those bikes
Bike riding together as a family is a great way to bond outdoors and makes exercise fun for the whole family while you’re exploring your new vacation spot. With a car bike rack, you can take your bikes anywhere you want. When buying a bike rack ensure that its been thoroughly tested for your safety – and the safety of others on the road. There are various options available that can be mounted on your roof, towbar or on your trunk.
Gear up for your adventure
Hiking remains a favourite for South Africans.
Exploring South Africa on foot is one of the best ways to take in its unique landscapes, flora, and fauna. With so many beautiful hiking trails you’ll need a backpack that’s both durable, comfortable, and designed to fit your body and so you can just put all your concerns behind you and enjoy the day out. We also can’t go too far without our laptop and all our tech gear these days. Make sure you throw in a versatile everyday backpack with protection your tech gear perfect for travelling or daily use exploring around town. A camera backpack is ideal for heading out on an adventure to ensure that you’re ready for that once-in-a-lifetime shot.
Take the kids along for the ride
There’s nothing better than getting out in the fresh air and exploring nature with your little one, especially on long hikes. A child carrier gives your child the best view and a comfortable, secure ride.
Don’t forget the kids!
Whether you’re taking in the city sights or exploring a mountain path, you can share your passion with your kids. A 3-wheeler stroller is perfect for getting around comfortably and safely.
Lightweight and stylish front-mounted child bike seat with smart design for rides around town.
A child bike seat will allow you and your most treasured possessions to enjoy everyday bike rides, safely, easily and in style – it’s also an opportunity to introduce children to the joys of biking.
Images: Supplied
