How much weight can a small car's trunk carry?
3 Answers
The load capacity of a small car's trunk should preferably not exceed 150kg. Overloading will reduce braking performance: There are many factors that affect a car's braking distance, among which changes in the vehicle's load directly impact the length of the braking distance. Overloaded cars have increased inertia, resulting in longer braking distances. Overloading will shorten the lifespan of the leaf springs: Due to driving while overloaded, the leaf springs bear excessive force and continuously rebound during driving, which will shorten their lifespan. Additionally, the excessive load causes the entire vehicle to sink, reducing the clearance from the ground and diminishing the car's passage capability.
Once I hauled a bunch of renovation materials and ended up causing strange noises from the rear suspension. After checking, I found that the maximum load capacity of a car's trunk usually ranges between 200-300 kg. It varies by model—sedans generally have lower limits than SUVs. For example, a compact car might only handle 250 kg, but you also need to deduct the weight of the driver and passengers. Overloading can collapse the rear springs and accelerate tire wear. The mechanic warned me that the most dangerous risk is fishtailing during sudden braking. Now, I always weigh heavy items with a hook scale before loading them, as deforming the trunk floor panel could cost thousands to replace.
I've researched the load-bearing parameters of many cars and found that the trunk's weight limit is actually hidden in the user manual, which most people aren't aware of. For example, German cars typically mark around 300kg, while Japanese cars may go up to 350kg, but it's crucial to note this weight includes all items in the vehicle. Once when helping a friend move, after filling the trunk with books, I noticed the rear wheels visibly sagging—only then did I realize books of the same volume weigh over three times more than clothes. Chronic overload can also cause trunk hinge deformation, leading to poor sealing and water leakage, and may even affect the rear frame's welding points.
