While packing your car for a road trip, it is very easy that you get carried away, regardless of whether it is for a weekend or for an increased time period. Apart from your bags, you may also have to take your camping gear, bikes, coolers and the last minute pieces which can squeeze in everything within your car. But did you ever consider the way in which you can surpass the carrying capacity of the car?
Before going out for a road trip, it is natural that there are several things that you may wish to take so that you don’t have to fall in trouble in the middle of the trip. But given the weight carrying conditions of the roads and states you’re traveling to, do you think you will need Kimax onboard truck scales to measure the load?
Overloading your car – Reasons you should never do it
When you drive your car, it is dangerous to overload it. Do you have any idea about the things that may happen if your overload your car? Here are few points to take into account.
- When you put on excess weight, this can make your wheels bulge outwards or the tyres can even heat up, thereby increasing the risk of a sudden blowout which can become a fatal accident.
- Overloading can lead to diminished effectiveness of the brakes and this can lead to big accidents.
- The traction/suspension control won’t be able to tackle highway speeds in an effective manner. The suspension system will get stressed and with time it will eventually get weaker.
- Overloading could harm your ability to properly steer the car at a straight line and also to bend it safely. This could also cause serious damage and the driver can even hit a tree or a pole or anything else which stands as an obstruction to the speed.
- A sudden jolt or a steering change could lead to a spinout.
- Due to excessive weight, the cost of gas can rise extremely high.
- In case the back seat of the car is also packed too high, the rear vision can become blurred. In case you break down too hard, you have to remember that the gear within the car is traveling 70 miles in an hour. Hence, think twice before overloading your back seat.
- Insurance will never cover any sort of damage that has been caused due to an accident which was caused due to overloading.
What are the penalties for overloading?
Monetary fine is usually the penalty for committing a truck or a vehicle overload as this is an illegal offence. The maximum that you will be asked to pay will entirely depend on the size of the overload that you make. The penalties may range from $4270 to $10,750 for severe risk accidents.
Therefore, when you’re planning for a road trip, make sure you distribute your luggage in such a way that it doesn’t lead to overloading and penalties.