Exceeding Load Limits

[Marvinh]

Hello. I recently had to drive about 125 miles with 2 passengers and myself. I'm figuring the weight of each occupant at 200 lbs. So that's 600 lbs. Plus 4 suitcases weighing a total of 200 lbs or over.

Grand total - 800 lbs.

So that was pretty close to the load limit of 810 lbs. But my question is:

Would you say manufacturers figure the weight limit on the conservative side?

And also I'm not always driving at the load limit. Just once in a while. So I guess everything in moderation is the key

Thanks - Marvin

[Tom6850]

I would say most manufacturers are conserative. Look at the airlines, they are very conserative, especially in the width of their seats.

But all vehicles have a gross vehicle weight that should not be exceeded. A half ton pick-up can probably haul a ton, but the springs and chassis are not up to the loading or the brakes for that matter.

I am sure that the manufacturers have a safety factor of some amount over the published limits.

[gatsby_88]

Also I'm wondering how choice of tire size factors into the weight limit. Will putting on higher load index tires and/or increasing tire pressure increase the amount of weight you can carry? Or is some other part of the Prius suspension the limiting factor in the equation?

[V8Cobrakid]

It's said that the tires are what limits the load most. there was an article on this recently. Most cars are fitted with tires that can handle up to the cars "limit" and not much more. this allowes for a soft ride.

If you switch out for tires with a higher rating, you'll feel a little safer. You'll know when you start to get near the suspensions limits. it will start maxing out.. hitting really hard on bumps.

I've hauled enough lumber and concrete inside my prius to exceed the limit... i've done this about 3 or 4 times. no problems.. no changes.. same shitty 04 suspension.

[patrickindallas]

Forgot to add in gas.

Or does the 810 limit include that?

Hmmm

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by patrickindallas

Forgot to add in gas.

Or does the 810 limit include that?

Hmmm

From digging around, GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) "is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer that is loaded, including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight."

The max load should GVWR minus curb weight. Curb weight already includes a full load of fuel per Curb weight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and some other places I looked. So, you shouldn't be counting fuel as part of the 810 lbs.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by gatsby_88

Also I'm wondering how choice of tire size factors into the weight limit. Will putting on higher load index tires and/or increasing tire pressure increase the amount of weight you can carry? Or is some other part of the Prius suspension the limiting factor in the equation?

I think you will find the Prius tyres are over rated for the GVM (gross vehicle mass) or GVW of the car anyway.

[statultra]

i drove the prius 1200 miles with far more than 800 lbs, we were moving and carried 5 boxes with 300 lbs each, plus two desktop computers, riding with a 40 rear 44 front pressures.

[Winston]

I think one important issue with the load limits of a vehicle is the driving dynamics, ie handling. The Prius will handle much, much different with 800lbs than with just a 180lb driver. Stopping distance will increase, and it will handle much worse. So, when driving a fully loaded vehicle, make sure you drive more conservatively.

[Marvinh]

Originally Posted by statultra

i drove the prius 1200 miles with far more than 800 lbs, we were moving and carried 5 boxes with 300 lbs each, plus two desktop computers, riding with a 40 rear 44 front pressures.

To Statultra - and everything was OK? How was the suspension after your trip?

Marvin