The market is flooded with many accessories to make your vehicle more functional, comfortable, and appealing. The list is endless, from a car trunk organizer to a mobile phone holder and hands-free kit. When it comes to storing things in your car, there are many accessories that can help you keep it organized and clutter-free. These include freestanding backseat organizers, which hang on the back of the front seat, and those that attach to the back of the headrest. These are ideal for storing various items, such as books, toys, and sippy cups. Some also come with a pocket for a tablet, which makes them an excellent choice for long road trips.
Most backseat organizers are sturdy and can be easily wiped clean. This is important because kids can be messy, and a dirty car can quickly turn into a disaster. Ideally, a backseat organizer should be designed to look stylish and fit snugly on the seatback so that it won’t shift during a drive. Some models also have tie-down straps, which can be useful for keeping the organizer secure and preventing it from sliding around.
The best way to choose a backseat organizer is to consider the needs of your family. If you have young children, you might need multiple pockets for toys and books. This is especially true if you’re driving long distances, when it can be difficult to find something to entertain your children. You may also need extra space for snacks and drinks, diapers, wipes, and other travel essentials.
You can get a good-quality backseat organizer for under $20, and it’ll usually be large enough to accommodate many pockets. Some even have a compartment for an umbrella and foldable beverage holder. These organizers can be easily secured to your seat with adjustable headrest straps, bottom hooks, and plum buckles.
A more expensive option is a backseat organizer that comes with kick mats. These are ideal if you have kids because they help protect the upholstery from their shoes, and they can be used as a place to store small toys and snacks. They can also be easily adjusted to fit the size of your car’s seat. Some also have a top storage area that can hold a 10-inch tablet.
Trunk Organizer
Whether you’re going on a road trip or just running errands, you can organize all your car necessities in one place using a trunk organizer. The best options are spacious enough to store items like grocery bags, cleaning supplies, spare clothes and kids’ on-the-go toys. Look for trunk organizers with dividers, pockets and removable coolers that allow you to customize the space depending on your needs. The trunk organizer should be easy to open and close, as well as fit snugly in your trunk. Then, you’ll be able to easily access your supplies, while keeping the trunk free of debris.
While there are plenty of trunk organizers available, some may not be sturdy enough to withstand regular use. Check the material and construction before making a purchase, especially if you’ll be stowing heavy or sharp objects. You’ll also want to choose a model with sturdy carrying handles that can handle the weight of the items you’re storing.
If you’re planning to take your trunk organizer in and out of your vehicle often, consider purchasing a collapsible one that can easily fold down to compact size. This way, it will save you time and space by allowing you to quickly load or unload items without having to make multiple trips.
Whether you’re taking the kids to soccer practice or packing for a week-long vacation, a trunk organizer is an inexpensive investment that will help keep your car organized and safe. Choosing one with storage containers and movable dividers will let you categorize your items, so that your first aid kit and other emergency essentials are always within reach, while your car snacks and sports gear remain separated. And, a trunk organizer with a lid will help prevent loose items from flying around during sudden stops or turns. This makes it a safer option for families with young children.
Seat Hooks
Car seat hooks are great for clearing away items that would otherwise be in the way and allowing you to sit comfortably during trips. They are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes, so you can easily find one that suits your needs. Some of them are also padded to help protect the seat and prevent any damage from occurring during use.
Most vehicles feature LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) which are a system of straps or connectors on the car seat that clip into dedicated metal anchors in the vehicle. These are an alternate to the seat belt and have been shown to be just as safe, if not safer in some cases. However, the location of the anchors can vary a lot and they may not be easy to find. For this reason, it is important to consult the car seat manual and/or vehicle owner’s manual to understand how to properly use them.
The lower anchors can be accessed by finding the two anchors at the seat crack, or bight (the point at which the back of the seat cushion meets the bottom part of the seat). They are often indicated with indicators on the seat, but some seats may require you to look in the manual to figure out where they are located. They can be hidden behind fabric flaps or stored in plastic housings.
Similarly, the top tether hooks can be tricky to find in some cars. Depending on the car, they could be stored in a storage compartment, snapped into side storage bars or foldable in a panel on the base. If the seat is forward-facing, they may be attached to the top of the headrest and/or on the rear window shelf. In a select few convertible seats, the top tether can be used in rear-facing mode as well, including those from Clek and Uppababy.
Regardless of their location, it is important to remember that the lower anchors must be connected and tightened before using the top tether straps. This will ensure that the child seat is firmly anchored to the vehicle and that the tethers are not too loose or twisted in the event of a collision.
