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Cars in Taylor Swift Music VideosTips for Hauling a Christmas Tree
Putting up a Christmas tree is a tradition for many families. But what if this is your first time getting a real tree? Here are the best tips to haul it home for the holidays!
Getting a Live Christmas Tree? Here are Our Tips Get It Home Safely
For many people, it isn’t Christmas time unless there’s a Christmas tree. They have a way of making us excited for the holidays. When we were kids, we knew that Christmas trees usually wound up with presents underneath them. That bit of excitement still sticks with us in our adult years, and there is nothing like having a real-life Christmas tree in your home for the holidays.
Many people are used to pulling out the fake Christmas tree every year, but that doesn’t match the beauty (and the fragrance) of a real tree. If you have decided to get a real tree, you may have already wondered how you will be getting it home in one piece. While it won’t be as easy as the little red Christmas truck makes it seem, it isn’t difficult!
Before You Start
A Christmas tree can be transported on just about any vehicle (ok, so a Smart fortwo may have some difficulty). A pickup truck is the easiest way to haul a Christmas tree followed by an SUV with a roof rack. However, cars can do the job too! Just ask Clark Griswold!
We’ll tell you how to do it with each vehicle, so you won’t have to guess. But first, there are a few things you need to do.
1. First, measure the space where you plan to put the tree in your home. Your ceiling needs to be at least a foot taller than your tree.
2. Measure your vehicle’s roof or bed length. Trucks with long (8 ft.) beds can haul taller trees. Cars, SUVs, and short-bed trucks are good for small to medium-sized trees up to about 7 feet tall.
3. Gather your materials! You’ll need the following:
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- A large blanket or tarp
- Rope or bungee cords
- A sharp knife for cutting rope if that’s what you choose. This also comes in handy for cutting Christmas tree netting after you get it home.
- Reflective tape in case the tree you choose sticks out further than your vehicle’s bumpers.
You’ll also need to have a Christmas tree stand sitting in the place you want to put the tree at home. This will make it much easier to set up once you get there!
Loading a Tree at the Tree Lot
Once you arrive at the tree lot, be sure to pick out a tree that is the appropriate size for your home. Many Christmas trees come wrapped in netting that keeps the branches from protruding. Don’t cut this off yet!
Use your large blanket or tarp to wrap around the tree. This will keep any stray branches from scratching your vehicle’s paint.
Place the wrapped tree on the roof of the vehicle or in the bed of the truck. Be sure to put the stump toward the front of the vehicle. This will keep the wind from grabbing stray branches and possibly ripping it off your vehicle.
Transporting a Christmas Tree with a Truck
- Fasten the tree to the bed with the rope or bungee cords.
- Use your tie-off points on the bed.
- If the top of the tree sticks out of the bed past the bumper, simply tie a piece of reflective tape to the end to alert other drivers that you are hauling something oversized.
Hauling a Christmas Tree on a Vehicle with a Roof Rack
- If you have roof racks, you can place the tree on top of them with the stump facing toward the front of your vehicle.
- Use the rope or bungee cords to fasten it down to the racks.
- Be sure it is secured firmly in place.
- Use a piece of reflective tape on the tree if it goes past your bumpers.
More Tips for Hauling a Christmas Tree
Before you head home, be sure to check your visibility both in front and in the rear. Keep the area in front of the windshield clear of branches, the blanket/tarp, and any loose ends from ropes or bungee cords.
If you cannot see well through the inside rearview mirror, adjust your exterior mirrors for the best view. A rearview camera can help you out a lot in this situation if you have it in your vehicle. Just be aware of your surroundings!
Make sure that the ends of the rope or the bungee cords are secured. A loose end could scratch your paint, dent your roof, or even damage your windows.
Take the backroads home and avoid the highway if you can. There will be a lot of wind generated on the highway from other vehicles which will be felt more since you have a tree strapped to your roof. The backroads are usually quieter with a lot less manmade wind.
Conclusion
Our vehicles are an important part of the holidays. Whether you are hauling gifts to grandma’s house or spinning donuts in a snowy parking lot or field, its hard to imagine the holidays without them. Now, those same vehicles can bring joy to your home by providing a way for you to get your Christmas tree from the lot to your living room.
If you have never brought home a fresh Christmas tree, you should consider it. You’ll be taking part in a tradition that has created tons of memories for families around the world. I still get excited to see what Santa leaves under the tree each year – even if he does ignore the memo concerning my desire for a new Corvette or Porsche. That excitement will never go away, and the smell of fresh pines always brings me back to my parent’s living room when I was a child.
Give your family memories like that. They’re some of the best gifts you could give.
