How to Safely Load Your Toyota 4Runner

At Casey Toyota, we know the importance of taking your time when loading a big SUV like the Toyota 4Runner. Cargo that slides or isn’t loaded evenly can be a real danger, so follow these tips next time you need to bring everything along.

Lifting Cargo

While we don’t want you to damage your vehicle, we also want you to avoid hurting yourself. It’s an old cliché, but you should always lift with your legs, not your back, to avoid hurting yourself. Also, don’t try to pick up a heavy, bulky, or unwieldy item and load it by yourself—find someone to help you before you start loading up.

Distributing Weight

If you’re loading heavy cargo into your SUV, make sure you’re distributing the weight evenly. Having more weight in the front or rear can significantly impact handling: extra weight in the rear will make you more likely to fishtail, and too much weight in the front can make handling sluggish. Keep the left-right weight distribution in mind, too, especially if your cargo is heavier on one side; otherwise, it could damage your tires, wheels, and suspension.

Securing Your Load

When you’re driving at cruising speed and have to suddenly stop, that cargo in your rear may start sliding, which can damage your interior. There are many ways to secure cargo that’s likely to shift around, including nets, rope, and straps. You can also move some cargo to external carriers with available roof racks and other genuine Toyota accessories.

Explore Spacious Toyota SUVs at Casey Toyota

The Toyota 4Runner combines a spacious cabin, up to 89.7 cubic feet of cargo space, and exciting off-road capability for the perfect adventurous companion. The rest of the Toyota SUV lineup offers plenty of space and capability, too. Visit us at Casey Toyota to take one for a test drive today!