Even if you hire professional movers for your Kansas City move, you will more than likely still have to pack up your own car with things you want to keep with you. These items can include first night bags, important documents and medications, pets, plants, and of course your family. Let the movers take as much as they can so you can avoid overloading your own vehicle. If you attempt to pack your car above its maximum weight capacity, this can be extremely dangerous, especially if you’re traveling a long distance. Overloading could lead to these driving problems:
- Higher risk of tire blowouts (that’s a lot of stress on your tires)
- Poor steering capability (bigger loads mean it’s more difficult to navigate)
- Increased braking distances (it takes longer to come to a stop in traffic due to all the extra weight)
- Damage to the suspension system (again, lots of stress on the suspension)
- Reduced top speed (you can’t go as fast in an overloaded vehicle as you can with an empty vehicle, which can be problematic when on the highway)
CHECK YOUR TIRES’ MAXIMUM WEIGHT RATING
All cars come with a max weight limit that they are able to carry without risking brake and suspension damage. To find out that number, check the car’s driver manual. To find the weight, look for your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (this will be listed as GVWR). Problem with that is, you may not be sure if you are going over the GVWR when loading up the car with belongings and people. In that case, head to a vehicle weighing station, which you will find in frequently placed spots along the highways. It usually costs between $5 and $10 to weigh your vehicle. These stations are typically located at rest stops or as stand-alone weigh stations on the side of the highway. Heavy semi-trucks often must stop to get weighted periodically throughout their trip. If the attendants aren’t too busy at the moment, they will weigh your car for a fee. Alternatively, you can head to a recycling plant or landfill, where there are large scales that can weigh your car. Mills, farms and factories also have scales used to weigh machinery or food for shipping. In addition to the overall weight of your car, your tires also have a maximum weight that’s rated for how much they can safely carry. Find the maximum weight by checking the numbers on the tire’s sidewall. Check out this tire load index table to learn more. Generally, the double or triple-digit number on the outer circle of numbers on the sidewall will show the load index. If you have recently replaced your tires, take a few extra minutes to work out the new tires’ load index. That’s because replacement tires often feature a different maximum load than the original tires did. Don’t exceed the maximum load weight of all four tires.