Years ago, my husband and I made an impromptu purchase of four matching storage benches. We were in my Toyota Rav4, and let’s just say, after a lot of creative rearranging and deconstructing, we managed to get all of them inside the vehicle.
But having to wrestle with a bunch of benches, remove the legs, load them in and out several times, all while in a hot parking lot, was not a good time. I’m sure anyone who’s ever lugged something out to their car only to realize the hard truth that they’re stuck knows it isn’t fun. At least we managed to get ours to fit.
When I saw the Will It Trunk? app from Craig Campagnolio, it reminded me of that night. A tool like this sure would have come in handy back then. (Although my hubby and I wouldn’t have such a ridiculous memory to laugh about today.)
What Is the Will It Trunk App?
Developer Craig Campagnolio created the Will It Trunk app to save people from the hassle (and disappointment) of trying to cram things into their cars that don’t fit. Basically, the app has tons of vehicles’ storage spaces in its system, so when you plug in an item’s dimensions, the app tells you instantly whether it’s going to fit, not fit, or be a tight squeeze.
It kind of reminds me of the tool Türker Özenir shared with us a while back, the Frame Fit Checker, which lets you test your artwork in IKEA frames before you buy. The goal of both programs is to give you a quick, easy way to test an item’s fit.
With the Will It Trunk app, you don’t have to worry about rolling that flat pack out to your car only to find it’s ten inches too long or three inches too wide. Instead, you can tap a few buttons or scan some measurements, and you get an answer in the palm of your hand.
If it’s not going to fit, you know you need to make other arrangements before you’re stuck in the middle of the parking lot. But what if the app tells you it’s going to be a tight squeeze?
Guides You Through a Tight Spot
The app goes beyond simply telling you whether an item will fit. It also offers the best way to load the product into your vehicle. Which end should go in first? What direction? It even tells you how many centimeters you’ll have to spare.
And if it’s going to be a tight squeeze (or a total no), it tells you why. This last bit is valuable information, because, as the website points out, “Seven centimeters too long is a different decision than thirty.”
Is It Just for IKEA Products?
Craig developed the app to work with multiple items, not just IKEA products. You could even use it to help plan your packing for your next road trip!
However, he recognized how valuable a tool it would be for the IKEA community. I think it’s especially practical for shoppers who may be traveling to a nearby IKEA so they know what to expect before they make the trip.
For example, where we live, the nearest IKEA is about 6 hours away. Suppose we planned to make some purchases while on a trip, we could plug the dimensions into the tool to decide which vehicle to bring. Or, if it won’t fit at all, we know our best option is to order and ship it.
What Cars Are in the App?
Currently, the app features over 60 trunk setups for a variety of sedans, SUVs, trucks, vans, and wagons, including the Tesla Model 3, Honda Civic, and Subaru Outback. Many of these feature seats-up and seats-down setups. The app also has a spot where you can request missing vehicles.
Where to Find the App
You can download the app for free via the App Store for iPhone. Unfortunately, it isn’t available on Android, so I haven’t been able to use it. Hopefully, it will pop up in the Google Play Store one of these days!
See Will It Trunk in Action
Check out Will It Trunk on TikTok to see the app in action.
@willittrunk Most people miss this part of the app — don’t cancel the order, upgrade the haul 👇 #willittrunk #amazonfinds #lifehack #cartok ♬ original sound – Will It Trunk
@willittrunk Drove 40 minutes for a shelf that was never fitting in my trunk. #willittrunk #cartok #movingday #CapCut ♬ Rising Tide – Meredith Taproot
What do you think? Would this app have saved you from recreating a game of Jenga in the back of your car? Or maybe allowed you to plan ahead better, so you weren’t speed-dialing everyone with a truck from the middle of the parking lot?
Tell us your thoughts, and if the app already helped you out with a shopping trip, let us know!