As we wrap up Thanksgiving celebrations, many of us are preparing for the upcoming Christmas holiday. If you celebrate, odds are you are in the market for a Christmas tree. While selecting the perfect fir from your local Christmas tree farm is challenging enough, you are also tasked with getting your tree home. Unless you drive a Toyota Tacoma or Tundra pickup, this means you’ll be tying your tree to the roof of your car. Follow these helpful tips from our Mendham area Toyota dealer and learn how to get your tree home safely and securely!
Know Your Knots
A lot of businesses offer assistance with tree tie-downs, but if you are going it alone, you’ll want to make sure you are familiar with the kinds of knots that will secure your tree to your car. The Overhand Loop Knot is the ideal choice for the free plastic twine you’re likely to be using, but you can also opt for the Slip Knot, which allows you to pull the know free. Easy tutorials can be found online showing you how to execute these specific knots!
Positioning Your Tree
You’ll want to make sure your tree is situated on your roof to account for aerodynamics. This means that you’ll want the base of the tree pointing toward the front of your vehicle, as wind will follow the natural bend of the limbs.
Tying Your Tree With Roof Racks
Once your tree has been placed, open your car doors and tie a simple knot to one side of the roof rack. Throw the running end across the trunk to the other side. You’ll then want to wrap the line around the base of the tree a few times (to prevent the tree from sliding under the line when you drive) before securing it with a know on the opposite roof rack. Continue your tie-down procedure at the center and the top of the tree until it is fully secure.
Tying Your Tree Without Roof Racks
If your vehicle isn’t equipped with roof racks, don’t worry! You can still get your tree home in one piece. Simple knots and loops suffice for rackless cars, and you’ll want to remember to tie the tree down with the doors open (not just the windows) and use heavier gauge rope.
Transporting Your Tree Safely in the Mendham Area
At Toyota of Morristown, we know that the holidays are a special time with loved ones. We are committed to assisting our customers with every Toyota task, so don’t hesitate to contact us for more information today!