what happens if you exceed the maximum weight lmit?

I've found that if you put too much weight in the back, the headlights point off into the trees and the steering goes light, which is not safe. I suggest loading the weight as low and as forward as possible. Maybe you could put some drawers of type on the floor of the rear seat, or even on the floor of the front passenger seat if there's room. Use the area under the rear cargo space, too, though keep in mind you might have to get at the spare tire. Wrapping the drawers in garbage bags will keep your car cleaner, and will help keep all those letters from becoming missiles in the event of an accident. Be very wary of bumps and rough roads, as the suspension will have less travel than usual, and it's easier to damage the underside.

If you drove up with a bicycle in the back, hubby (sorry, fiance) could ride home and you'd have more room in the car!

 

Did you remove the spare tire? That will save you a little more weight.

Other than that, I think you'll be fine. But don't drive over any bumps or dips if you can help it. And take it slow.

I'd make sure I distributed the weight as evenly as I could. Put some on the floor in the back passenger area. Then evenly distribute the rest across the back cargo area. May I assume the back seats will be down?

Make sure everyone goes "potty" before you leave.

 

Make sure it's sans serif type; that will shave off a few pounds.

Tom

 

I don't have a lot of experience with heavy loads, but I'd take care to make sure your shocks aren't bottoming out causing your wheels to scrape. That would be bad. Maybe rent a trailer and tow-hitch from your local U-Haul joint if it really makes you nervous?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mr. Zorg @ Oct 30 2007, 10:29 PM) [snapback]532732[/snapback]</div>

Towing with a Prius is not recommended.

 

A trailer would be worse as the manual says no towing, period. Yes, I know people have exceeded the weight limit and towed stuff and not immediately ruined the car. But for pity's sake! Why take an unnecessary risk asking a $23,000 asset to do something it was not designed to do? The best way to avoid trouble is to avoid trouble: spend $150 to rent a U-Haul truck for a day and eliminate all worries.

 

You might want to add a couple of extra pounds of pressure to each of the tires, and as hyo silver said try to evenly distribute the weight. Let us know how it goes!

 

If it was me I'd just rent a big 4 door car. Best $300 you'll spend. Your turning your Prius into a 1/2 + ton pick up. A break down on the road will cost you alot more than $300. Free stuff can sometimes end up costing alot more than there worth.
OR.....go there..rent a lock up locally there for $ 50...stow half of the stuff...and then bring back a safe portion..go back at the end of the month and bring the rest. In the meantime make sure you have fresh oil in the engine & trans and it will be a fun trip both times. Good luck and don't kill your car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(okiebutnotfrommuskogee @ Oct 30 2007, 10:39 PM) [snapback]532738[/snapback]</div>

Neither is loading over the GVWR.

Both have been done (within reason) without incident.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(busyrosy @ Oct 30 2007, 10:34 PM) [snapback]532717[/snapback]</div>

Do you plan to secure this cabinet so that it will not fly forward in a severe collision? If not, you may want to ask a physicist the effective mass of a 900-pound object at 60 MPH...

Overloading the vehicle is not your biggest potential problem.

 

I would have thought the one off cost of renting a small truck or ute and fuel would be better spent than risking damage to the interior of your Prius or any nice car.

 

First,balance the load,left to right front to back, or get a little trailer.
Second, modify your driving according to the load. Slower starts (acceleration) and longer stops (deceleration).

I have hauled a 2,400 load (850 passengers and gear and 1,750 trailer) from Vegas to LA and back no problem. Except for only getting 29 mpg!

 

If the equipment ways over 1000lbs forget it and rent something that is safe to do it.

Car makers routinely put very low limits on vehicles. On the Honda element we have the weight limit is a very low 850lbs INCLUDING PASSENGERS! With four big people you are over that limit without ANY cargo. On a two mile trip we moved around 2000lbs of bricks. We never went over 30mph. The back of the element dipped down but the tires seem to have little problem. On a trip as long as yours you need to worry about tire damage and heating as well as a host of other problems like wearing the driveline on hills.

 

I think you could be in for this: http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Workshop/Overload.htm

Why not just have the 215lb fiance drive another car or light pickup truck?

First of all, you're not even sure how much this stuff weighs. Second, of the 850 lbs the Prius can carry, you're using up 340 pounds with humans and a dog.

At 110 lbs you are a very efficient human and could go alone and get somebody there to help load the Prius. And you can bring the dog if you need some company, Fido weighs a lot less.