If you’re heading off on a summer staycation, there are a few essentials you won’t want to leave behind.
That’s why we’ve put together a handy checklist to help you prepare for your trip and make sure everything goes smoothly.
1. Make sure your car is roadworthy
It’s always worth getting your car checked before departing on a journey so that you can be confident it’s roadworthy, and at Halfords we have plenty of checks available to help you get road-trip ready.
Free 5-Point Car Check
Our Free 5-Point Car Check is available at all our stores and garages and covers five key areas: headlights and brake lights, wiper blades, battery health, windscreen chip and MOT due date. Just pick a date and time that suits you online and pop down to your local Halfords on the day of your appointment.
10-Point Car Check
Or why not upgrade to our 10-Point Car Check? Also available at all our stores and garages, it includes all of the points covered in the 5-Point Check plus a tyre depth check, an oil level check and more. It only takes 30 minutes to complete, and you can get it for free as a Halfords Motoring Club member!
Free Car Checks
- Free Air Con Check – ideal for staying cool in the hot summer weather and ensures your air con is performing at it’s best.
- Free Tyre Check – to make sure your tyres are safe and road-worthy before you head out on your staycation.
Each car check involves one of our trained technicians inspecting key aspects and making sure that everything’s in good working condition. They’ll also be able to advise if any additional work may be required.
Finally, if your bike’s going to be joining you on your staycation adventures this summer then we’d recommend getting it serviced first. This will help to ensure it’s in tip-top shape when you want to enjoy some time in the saddle.
2. Maximise your packing space
Cars only have limited space inside, so it can be a challenge to pack everything in that you need while keeping your passengers comfortable. A good way to maximise boot space is to use a roof box or bike rack.
Roof Box
The Halfords Advanced 470L Black Roof Box is a great solution to the problem, providing a massive 470L of extra space.
The roof box is easy to mount, thanks to the pre-installed mount system, can be opened on either side and leaves you with full access to your boot. We also offer a fitting and demo service at all our stores, so you can rest assured that your roof box is mounted securely and safely.
Bike Rack
Towbar Mounted Bike Rack
Bikes are a staycation must, so if you’re taking them along for the ride then a bike rack is another top space-saver. A tow bar-mounted rack like the Halfords 4-Bike Towbar Mounted Bike Rack is simple to install and leaves the roof rack clear for your roof box. Being near to ground level makes securing your bikes easy, while the strong, padded and adjustable arms provide top-level protection.
Rear Mounted Bike Rack
If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option that’s just as safe and secure, then a rear-mounted rack could be the answer. The Halfords 3 Bike Rear-Mounted Bike Rack carries three bikes, comes partly assembled, is easy to fit and can fold flat when it’s not in use. It also has individual cycle holders, with anti-scratch rubber inserts, and a locking system to hold cycle wheels in place.
Rear-mounted bike racks aren’t suitable for every car, so make sure you use our online vehicle registration number checker to see the makes and models that will fit your vehicle.
We offer fitting and demoing services for all of our bike racks for your convenience and peace of mind. Simply select this option during the online checkout process.
3. Get your in-car tech installed
Beat the traffic and get to your destination safely with the latest in-car tech, a Sat Nav, Car Stereo and Dash Cam can go a long way on long journeys.
Sat Nav
The TomTom Go Classic 5″ Sat Nav 2nd Generation comes with a lifetime’s worth of European maps and gives you everything you need to focus on the road while staying connected.
Dash Cam
Combine a sat nav with a dash cam to get the ultimate driving experience. The Nextbase 552GW Dash Cam offers 1440p HD resolution at 30fps, a 140° viewing angle, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, emergency SOS, an intelligent parking mode and Alexa built-in.
4. Work out how to keep the kids entertained
Kids get tired on long journeys, so having a system in place to keep them entertained is a must.
Car Stereo
For that, you need a fitting music system. The Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB Car Stereo lets you connect to your phone, allowing you to control Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to stream your favourite songs – conveniently and safely.
5. Prepare for the perfect camping experience
Camping is a fantastic way to get out of the house, spend time with your family and friends, and enjoy beautiful surroundings. Put a bit of prep work in and it’ll make your staycation even better!
Tent
We’ve got some great tents available in a range of styles, shapes and sizes, and our online Tent Finder will help you to narrow down the options until you’ve found the perfect fit for you. Keep an eye out for extra features like canopies, remember to take things like pitching time into account, and consider going for a larger size if you think you’ll enjoy some extra space.
Airbed
We offer a range of comfortable sleeping bags for the summer months, like the Halfords Envelope Sleeping Bag, which is available in both single and double formats. Combine this with a single or double-flocked airbed for even greater comfort when you’re on your camping adventure.
Coolbox
Now it’s time to think about the food! If you’ve put time and energy into making or buying food, then the last thing you want is for it to spoil, so why not invest in a coolbox? The Halfords 24-litre 12V Electric Coolbox is powered by your car’s 12V accessory socket and will keep your food nice and cool. Or if you’re after something with a bit more space, upgrade to the Halfords 40L Coolbox.
Gas Stove
When it comes to cooking, look no further than the Halfords Portable Gas Stove. This inexpensive bit of kit gives you a light and portable single-ring cooker that’s suitable for 8-20cm pots and pans. It comes with a handy carry case and uses a Butane push-in A4 gas cartridge (the cartridge isn’t supplied with the stove, so make sure you pick up one too).
Cooking Equipment
The stove is also available as part of the Halfords Complete Cookset Pack. For just £40, you get the stove, saucepans, cooking utensils, food containers and a carry bag.
Team this with our collection of plastic rainbow cutlery, bowls, tumblers and plates and you’ll have all your food-related bases covered.
With the food prepared, you’re going to need somewhere comfy to sit. For those happy to sit on the ground, you can’t go wrong with the Halfords Waterproof Tartan Picnic Blanket XL. If a chair’s more your thing, then consider a camping chair that’ll fold up neatly for easy transportation.
6. Explore your Halfords Motoring Club benefits
Our final bonus entry is too good to miss. As a member of the Halfords Motoring Club, you have access to a variety of fantastic benefits and discounts that help keep you moving, safe, and saving.
Your membership includes loads of perks to make your summer staycation a success, from money off your MOT to a welcome voucher to use on any Halfords product or service. And of course, if you’re a Premium member you’ll have access to every single perk!
If you’re not a member yet, join the Halfords Motoring Club today at www.halfords.com/motoring-club.
Key takeaways for a smooth summer staycation
Now you’ve got everything prepped for your summer staycation, here’s a quick summery of everything you’ll want to remember.
- Check your car before you travel – A quick car check can give you confidence that everything’s in good working order. Halfords offers free and upgraded checks to help you get road‑trip ready.
- Make the most of your space – Roof boxes and bike racks free up room inside the car and make packing easier.
- Upgrade your in‑car tech – Sat navs, dash cams and car stereos can make long journeys safer, easier and more enjoyable.
- Keep the kids entertained – A good music system or in‑car entertainment setup can make a big difference on longer drives.
- Prep your camping gear – From tents and airbeds to coolboxes and cooking equipment, having the right kit makes your staycation more comfortable.
For all your holiday needs, you’ll want Halfords, head over to Halfords.com to shop all our recommended products and services.
