Overloading can significantly impair the stability of a vehicle. Not only is it dangerous, but the extra weight causes excessive wear to your automobile and the roads it drives upon. In addition, overloaded vehicles are illegal, and can affect your safety and insurance coverage.

It is not difficult for a weights and standards officer to determine if a vehicle is overweight. If a vehicle is sitting low or crooked, the tires look strained or flat, or even if it seems excessively packed, the officer can stop you and weigh the vehicle using portable scales under each axle. If the weight exceeds the gross vehicle weight (GVW), a ticket will be issued, and you may be prevented from carrying on with your trip until the problem is corrected.

So how do you know what the weight capacity of your vehicle is? A vehicle specific certification/tire label is usually indicated on your DMV registration and also attached to the rear edge of the driver’s door. The label will show the ‘Gross Vehicle Weight Rating’ (GVWR), which includes the weight of the vehicle, occupants, fuel, and cargo. This label will also tell you the maximum weights for the front and rear axles. Other weight information that is good to know when loading a vehicle is the ‘Curb Weight’. This is the actual weight of the vehicle with standard equipment and all necessary operating fluids, including a full gas tank. It does not include passengers or cargo. You should be able to find this in your owners manual, or online auto sources. Keep in mind that the weights include ‘standard equipment’ only and weight for additional equipment should be added.

Remember, the loading of the vehicle is the driver’s responsibility. Ensuring that tire pressure, load distribution, and total weight of the vehicle is within specifications will help to make your trip safe and trouble free.