The Risks of Overloading Your Van

While loading your van to the roof is a tempting option to limit your time on the road; this time saving tactic can have serious, and potentially life threatening, implications.

What Happens if I Overload My Vehicle?

An overweight vehicle can have many consequences of varying severity. Firstly, your fuel economy will take a dive as your engine has to work harder to carry the extra weight. This added mass also limits the effectiveness of your brakes as well as your steering. Your van is designed to operate within certain weight limits, loading above these limits can have significant effects on the way your van drives. 

The added weight over the rear axle is magnified in the tyres, as the sole contact point to the road for your van, overloading can lead to overheating and premature wear. This not only costs you more in the long run, it can also result in a blow out; a potentially fatal, and completely avoidable, incident. As overloading your vehicle is illegal, if the worst was to happen and you did crash, your insurance provider may refuse to pay out.

Be Aware of Both Gross Vehicle Weight and Axle Weight

Although your load may be under your Gross Vehicle Weight, the maximum weight you’re legally allowed to carry in your van, if you haven’t distributed the weight evenly across the back, you could exceed your axle weight. Uneven loading of a van makes it far harder to handle, putting undue pressure on tyres, steering and braking, so, check the axle weight before setting off. To be extra sure, pop into your local weighbridge.

At Cheshire Vehicle Supplies, we have a great range of used vans with a variety of payload capacities! Browse our stock online now.