Toyota of Clermont explains how to transport a Christmas tree

It’s Christmastime, and that means it’s time to deck the halls! If you haven’t already brought your Christmas tree home yet (or if you just want to squirrel this info away for next year), then we’ve got tips, as usual. Transporting your Christmas tree isn’t quite as simple as just pitching it in the back of a truck and hitting the road. Check out what our Clermont Toyota experts have to say about it!

Five tips for transporting a Christmas tree

Tip #1: Be ready before you go. Plan ahead when it’s time to transport a Christmas tree so you can save yourself time and money (and your sanity). Choose a day with good weather; even though driving a tree through rain and snow won’t necessarily hurt it, you will have to wait for it to dry out before you can bring it into the house. And driving with something tied to the roof in windy weather is never a solid idea.

Additionally, know how you’re going to get it home. Will you put it in the bed of your Clermont Toyota truck? Will you have to tie it to the roof of your vehicle? However you’re getting your Christmas tree home, make sure have the right supplies to do it.

Tip #2: Bring something to wrap the tree in. Which brings us to our next point. Usually, when you buy a Christmas tree from a lot, they’ll put it in netting to keep it secure on your trip home (and side note: make sure to cut that netting up when you’re done with it #savethewildlife). However, it’s always a good idea to stash a big blanket in the back of your Clermont Toyota in case there’s no netting available. You can roll the tree in it like a Christmas burrito to protect both the tree and the roof or bed of your car from scratches and tree sap.

Tip #3: Know how to use your roof. If you’re going big and strapping your Christmas tree to the roof of your car, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

• If you have roof racks, use them – they’ll help prevent scratches on your vehicle’s roof and they’re a secure point to tie the tree down.
• If you don’t, throw a blanket over the roof to prevent scratching.
• You’re going to want to face the tree so that the trunk is at the front of your car to help prevent wind damage to the branches.
• Open your car doors FIRST and tie the tree down (don’t tie it down through the windows, because then you’ve effectively tied your doors shut. Good luck getting into the driver’s seat.).
• Use rope or twine to tie it down in three places – the top, middle, and bottom.

Tip #4: Secure it in the bed of your truck properly. If you’re going the truck route and want to toss the Christmas tree into the bed of your Clermont Toyota, that’s fine – just make sure you tie it down properly at the tie down points to prevent a gust of wind heaving it into the car behind you on the highway.

Tip #5: Adjust your driving habits. Whether you’ve got a Christmas tree on the roof or in the bed of your truck, slow it down. Don’t take sharp or fast turns, and try not to slam on your car brakes.

Merry Christmas from Toyota of Clermont!

Have questions or need more tips? Call Toyota of Clermont at (352) 404-7000 or stop by. We’re conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50.

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