Can a Sedan Trunk Carry a Load of 600 Jin?
4 Answers
A sedan cannot carry a load of 600 jin. Generally, the load capacity of a sedan is around 500 jin, and carrying 600 jin would already constitute overloading for a sedan. Below are the impacts of overloading on a car: 1. Reduced braking performance and increased non-safe zone distance: There are many factors affecting a car's braking distance, among which the change in vehicle load directly influences the length of the braking distance. Overloaded cars, due to increased inertia, have longer braking distances. The extension of the non-safe zone distance can easily lead to traffic accidents. 2. Shortened lifespan of leaf springs and reduced vehicle passability: Due to overloading, the leaf springs are subjected to excessive force and continuously rebound during driving, which will shorten their lifespan. Moreover, the excessive load causes the vehicle to sink overall, reducing the ground clearance and diminishing the car's passability. 3. Accelerated tire wear and deformation: Car tires are designed and manufactured based on the total weight of the vehicle, with a considerable safety factor. However, when a car is overloaded, the tires bear excessive weight and deform. Simultaneously, increased friction also leads to a shortened tire lifespan.
My old Corolla's trunk has a nominal load capacity of 200 kg, which is about 400 jin. Last time I helped a friend move, we stuffed six large suitcases in it, and when weighed, it was almost 500 jin. As a result, while driving, the rear wheels were almost rubbing against the wheel arches, and going over speed bumps made loud banging noises from the chassis. Later, when I took it to the repair shop for a check, the mechanic said the rear suspension springs were slightly deformed, and cracks had appeared at the edges of the spare tire well. And this wasn't even a long-distance trip, just about ten kilometers in the city. So 600 jin is really not feasible. Sedans have thin steel plates and soft suspensions, and overloading not only damages the car but is also dangerous—it increases braking distance and can easily cause the car to fishtail when turning. Now when I move, I just call for a cargo van. It's safest to use a sedan for carrying daily necessities.
As a veteran driver with twenty years of experience, I've seen too many cases of damaged trunks. Sedans are generally designed to carry loads under 200 kilograms, and 300 kilograms is seriously over the limit. Last month, my neighbor loaded ceramic tiles for renovation into the trunk of a Civic. It looked like just seven or eight bags, but halfway through the drive, there was a loud crack. Upon stopping to check, the trunk floor had collapsed, and the wiring for the taillights was crushed. Bent sheet metal is the least of the worries—if overloading causes the rear suspension to fail, losing control on the highway is a terrifying thought. Plus, manufacturer warranties explicitly state that damage from overloading isn't covered, and repairing the chassis costs at least three to four thousand. Even with an SUV, I'd be nervous hauling heavy loads, let alone a sedan.
Checking the vehicle manual reveals that the trunk has a maximum load capacity. My Accord is marked with 180 kg. Six hundred jin is approximately 270 kg, which is significantly over the limit. Short-term overloading can cause fatigue deformation of the rear suspension springs and oil leakage from the shock absorbers. In the long term, the welding points on the floor may crack, and deformation of the spare tire well can affect the fuel tank's sealing. At a car show, an engineer once mentioned that the trunk load calculation for sedans includes the weight of rear passengers, so extra caution is needed when the car is fully occupied. If you must transport heavy items, it's advisable to split the load into multiple trips or use a trailer. After all, damage to the vehicle frame is irreversible.
