Now that Sinterklaas has left the country, it’s time to buy a Christmas tree. But how do you transport it in the car and are you allowed to drive with the tailgate open?
A poorly mounted Christmas tree is a life-threatening projectile in traffic, as a crash test of the German ADAC once proved. That’s why it’s important to take a good look at how to get him home safely. When your car is big enough or your tree small enough, it can drive, if necessary with the back seat down.
Fortunately, cars have become more and more spacious in recent years, so surprisingly that a small Christmas tree fits into the car with the tailgate closed. Place the bottom, widest part of the tree into the trunk; The narrow peak then ends up somewhere between the front seats at most.
Christmas tree in the car in the trailer or on the roof rack?
Sometimes the tree is just too tall or the car too small. The best method is to transport it on a trailer, but you can also place the tree on the roof rack of your car. In all cases, do it with the trunk forward, otherwise the branches will be damaged by the wind they catch while driving.
Make sure the valve cannot open while driving. Secure the tree with tie-down straps — one around the trunk and one around the branches — so it doesn’t move while you’re driving. The use of a “spider”, i.e. a rubber band with hooks at the end, is not recommended.
If the tree can slip, it can be thrown on impact and thus even a small Christmas tree can receive a force of 750 kilos due to gravity. This is especially dangerous for traffic in front of your car. If the tree is not properly protected, the fine is 140 euros.
Can you transport a Christmas tree in the car with the tailgate open?
The simple answer is: yes, this is allowed, but under certain conditions. A tree – or other indivisible object – can protrude from the side of the car, for example if you push the tree out the side window. But under no circumstances can your fully loaded car be wider than 2.55 meters or 2.60 meters if your vehicle already has that width.
A Christmas tree or other indivisible object may protrude a maximum of one meter behind. This is also permitted by a (partially) open tailgate. There is one exception to this: if the cargo is three meters long and cannot be divided into parts, it can protrude more than one meter. You must clearly indicate this to other road users by hanging a warning sign – a square sign with red/white bars – on your load.
Its height should not exceed four meters.
Also, the rear lights and turn signals must always be visible, just like the license plate. And of course your load must not obstruct your visibility or throw your vehicle off balance.
What is the fine if you do it wrong?
If you don’t play by the rules, you’re committing a second-degree felony. In general, this means an immediate cashout of 116 euros. If you don’t pay, you will have to appear in court and the fines can be very high.
Is driving with the tailgate open bad for your health?
In spite of the legal part, because in terms of health it is better never to drive with the tailgate (partially) open, because the exhaust fumes are sucked up by sedans, SUVs and station wagons. Naturally, electric drivers are practically not interested in this. If you do, partially open the side windows so the toxic fumes don’t enter so quickly.
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