Equipment essentials

When you're loading your car up to go away on holiday, there's bound to be a vast amount of stuff on your list to pack.

Have you really thought of everything, though?

Here, we round up just some of the products that can help ensure your trip away is a pleasant break rather than pushing you to breaking point.

Crashmate accident evidence kit
Price 9.95 plus P&P (less if you order more than one)
Web www.crashmate.co.uk

In the moments after an accident, it's vital you do the right thing - but given the inevitable stress, those are the moments you're most likely to forget something.

However, with a Crashmate kit, you have everything you need (notebook, pencil, tape measure and disposable camera) to help collate the essential information.

It's all held in a wallet that fits in your glovebox or a boot cubbyhole.

Thule Atlantis 600 Roof box
Price 269.99
Web www.halfords.com

The Atlantis will take up to 75kg of luggage, but it has been specially designed to reduce wind resistance, so it should minimise the impact a roofbox has on your car's fuel consumption.

The 16kg box has central locking, a single side-opening and a volume of 340 litres, and measures 190cm (length) by 63cm (width) by 41cm (height).

Your car must have roof bars to mount the box and these are not included in the price, but Halfords can supply them and show you how to fit them.

Maglite Torch
Price 9.90 to 110.90
Web www.maglite-torches.co.uk

How would you cope if your car broke down in the middle of the countryside at night? A torch might help you to carry out a simple repair.

The superbly built Maglite comes in a range of sizes.

Kicking things off is the cheapest, the 81mm-long Solitaire, while the dearest is the LED 4 D-Cell.

Steel jerry can (five litres)
Price 12.99
Web www.machinemart.co.uk

At some time, you may need a jerry can to carry an emergency supply of fuel, so it makes sense to have a solid, well constructed one that will last you for life.

This can is made of high-quality steel and has a five-litre capacity, but 10- and 20-litre models are also available.