What are the consequences of overloading the trunk?
4 Answers
Overloading the trunk for a short period may not cause significant issues, but the heavier the load, the more fuel the vehicle consumes. Prolonged overloading can wear out tires, brakes, and shock absorbers. Driving uphill with a fully loaded trunk for extended periods can cause the engine to overheat, while driving downhill can lead to brake overheating and loss of braking effectiveness. Below are precautions for trunk usage: 1. Avoid flammable and explosive items: Since the trunk is an enclosed space, temperatures can rise rapidly. Storing lighters, hairspray, or other flammable/explosive items in the trunk during summer heat or long-distance travel can lead to explosions with unimaginable consequences. 2. Avoid storing valuables: Placing valuables, premium cigarettes, or fine liquor in the trunk is highly unsafe. Thieves are cunning, so never leave valuables in the car trunk.
I used to pack my trunk full during road trips, only to realize this habit actually harms the car. The vehicle became noticeably heavier, acceleration became sluggish, and there was a significant delay in throttle response when overtaking. Fuel consumption also skyrocketed – from 600 km per tank to barely over 500 km when fully loaded. The worst part was the compromised handling: the rear felt heavy and sluggish during turns, especially noticeable during crosswinds on highways. Additionally, stacking items too high blocks rear windshield visibility, requiring extra caution when changing lanes and making reversing solely reliant on the backup camera. During emergency braking, unsecured items can fly forward – my car fridge once damaged interior plastic trim. It's best not to exceed maximum payload capacity, and always maintain proper tire pressure.
Having worked in auto repair shops for years, I've seen too many problems caused by overloading the trunk. The most common issue is damage to the suspension system – prolonged compression leads to metal fatigue in springs, and significantly increases the risk of shock absorber leakage. One customer loaded over 100kg of goods, and their suspension was completely ruined after just three months. Tires suffer too, with accelerated sidewall wear and increased risk of blowouts when pressure is insufficient. The trunk lid hinges and latches are prone to deformation under long-term overload, and repairs aren't cheap. Additionally, excessive stress on frame welding points can cause strange noises over time. These repairs often cost thousands, actually much more expensive than freight charges – definitely not worth the risk.
Going out with kids always means carrying a lot of stuff, but the biggest headache when the trunk is overloaded is the safety hazard. Last time during an emergency brake, a storage box from the trunk flew straight to the front seat and almost hit the baby's car seat. When the trunk is packed full, it's also difficult to open and retrieve items, requiring moving several layers just to get the stroller at the bottom. Rainy days are even more annoying, as wet umbrellas mixed together easily get moldy. Now I strictly organize items by zones, placing heavy things at the bottom and leaving a quarter of the space for air circulation. Also, overpacking can easily deform the trunk mat, making cleaning particularly troublesome.
