Hi folks,

Just a quick question, does anyone know the maximum weight limit I could put in he boot of my 2012 vRS? Not sure wether the lowered suspension would affect it.

The maximum legal weight is only limited by the axle weight or gross vehicle weight. Both of these can be found on the VIN plate. If suspension is lowered it makes no difference as the car doesn't get re-plated. As lowered suspension is usually stiffer, it is unlikely to have a lower capacity.

There is usually a weighbridge at the local dump.

PS. don't forget the plated weight is the maximum load and the weight of the car, not just the payload.

Edited 10 February, 201313 yr by Metblackrat

As above and also take into weight consideration full tank of fuel, passengers before loaded the boot full aswell.

If its that heavy that your asking advice on SWL's dont you think it might be best to hire something that can easily carry the load, braking distance is greatly increased by heavy loads, although a lot of people know this only few act upon it.

A quick look at the technical specifications for my Octavia reveals a large variation in the answer to your question.

Basically depending on the equipment/trim level of your car you can carry a maximum payload of between 470-660kg.

Maximum permissible axle loads are 1100 kg for the front and rear.

Assuming worst case (you have loads of extras) your car could weigh 1575kg empty (but this includes a 75kg driver and 90% full fuel tank). In theory this equates to 757.5 kg on each axle. So you could safely carry 340kg in the boot (assuming you could distribute it so as not to dent the boot floor), and not exceed the rear axle load. But you could not carry any passengers.

I say in theory, as the empty weight distribution will not be 50/50 (the engine/transmission is at the front!).....so you could probably carry more weight than that....to work that out you'd have to go to a weigh bridge and do the Maths, but 340kg is a safe bet.

hi i posted similar question on other topic i have 4 concrete fence posts to transport if i put in boot with seats folded and only myself driving is it safe? theyre 45kg eack 8ft long they will stick out of the back a bit maybe 2ft?

Hi,

 

I would not consider this safe. Driving with the boot lid open will cause exhaust gasses to be sucked into the passenger compartment while you're driving. Not having the boot lid shut could compromise the crash characteristics of the body if you were to get rear ended. If you were to crash, where will the posts be? What will they hit and what damage/injury are they likely to cause if they suddenly move forward? Not to mention the scrapes and bashes the car interior could take while loading and unloading.

 

If it was me, I would either get a man with a van to shift them for me or use the hourly van rental or delivery option if you're getting them from a shop. The possible damage to me and my car isn't worth saving £20, IMHO.

 

Good luck.

I think the maximum loading weight is in the handbook somewhere. I checked it for when I had to collect about 300kg of paving slabs. They all went in the boot and I buckled all the rear seatbelts up. In theory it should stop heavy objects crashing through the rear seats in a crash.

Thanks very much for all your replies I've done it now with no issues to speak of

It was slow going and I avoided any bumps

Saved myself  £50 wouldn't do it on a regular basis though; )