If you’re in a long term relationship with your car, we get it. In a new study by OnePoll, results showed that the average American spends 18 days driving per year, which works out to an average of 8 hours and 22 minutes each week. Of the 2,000 people surveyed, OnePoll found that 64 percent of drivers consider their car a friend. You wouldn’t want to visit a friend and see their home in disarray, so why not keep your car clean? It’s what a good friend would do.
As noted by the study above, the average driver spends a lot of time in their car. From long commutes to work and school, to running between client visits and appointments, to the rise in drive-share programs that turn many people into professional drivers, most Americans clock in long hours in their car. Keeping it organized and having a place to put everything from your groceries to your gym bag can improve your driving experience and even make you happier. Plus, no one wants to clean up spilled milk in the trunk of a car.
Whether you spend multiple hours every day in your car or only use it on weekends for trips to the store, a trunk organizer can help make every ride smoother. Check out three of our favorite trunk organizers below and buy something nice for your friend on four wheels.
1. FORTEM Car Trunk Organizer
Keep your items separated with the FORTEM Car Trunk Organizer, which includes a detachable divider and rigid base plate that provides a sturdy bottom. The FORTEM features a non-slip, waterproof bottom and comes with adjustable straps that can attach to your trunk to ensure the organizer’s contents won’t move around in your trunk. Outside mesh pockets provide additional storage for small items and are great for things like grocery bags, first aid kits and a flashlight. We also like that the FORTEM has strong handles that enable the user to carry it, perfect for moving items from the car to the home. Use one compartment, two compartments, or store the FORTEM flat when not in use.
Pros: We especially like the FORTEM for hatchbacks, SUVs and other cars with trunks that are easy to see into because the FORTEM is one of the only trunk organizers with a detachable cover, which is great for providing privacy for your trunk’s contents and for blocking the sun.
Cons: The FORTEM has a strong chemical smell when it’s first opened and may require some time to air out.
2. Tuff Viking 4-in-1 Trunk Organizer
No more racing home from the grocery store thanks to the Tuff Viking 4-in-1 Trunk Organizer, which includes a built-in cooler bag with a zip-top closure to help keep food and drinks cool. The heavy-duty Tuff Viking is made with 1680D Oxford polyester with double-thread stitching and is lined with a water-resistant, umbrella-like material, helping to protect against splashing and accidental spills. The organizer is long-lasting and easy to maintain, wiping clean with a damp cloth. Like the FORTEM, the Tuff Viking also comes with tie-down straps for added security.
Pros: A truly versatile organizer, the Tuff Viking measures 3 feet when fully expanded, but gives users the choice between four organizer options and two removable dividers. The Tuff Viking is also a great option for using in-between captain’s chairs thanks to its ability to compress to just the cooler bag.
Cons: At 7.1 pounds, the Tuff Viking is the heaviest organizer on our list and therefore the most cumbersome to carry when filled.
3. Drive Auto Products Car Cargo Trunk Organizer
If you want an organizer than can be used from the front seat of your car all the way back to the trunk, we recommend the Drive Auto Products Car Cargo Trunk Organizer. The most lightweight and compact option on our list, the Drive Auto has adjustable tie-down straps that can be used to secure the organizer in the trunk. The straps can also wrap around the front seat to provide drivers with an organizer that keeps everything they need in the seat next to them, an ideal option for people with long commutes or those who drive frequently with their job. The Auto Drive features multiple pockets of varying sizes, including pockets that are small enough to act as extra cup holders, a bonus when using in the front passenger seat.
Pros: The Auto Drive is made with durable 600D Fabric but weighs only 3 pounds, making it lightweight and easy to carry when transporting things like groceries from the trunk to the house.
Cons: The Auto Drive doesn’t offer the versatility of the first two organizers when it comes to options for compartments.