What Can I Put In My Car During Transport?

You are limited to 100 pounds, the equivalent of 2 packed suitcases, of cargo in your vehicle while it is being transported. According to the Department of Transportation, Federal law controls maximum gross vehicle weights and axle loads on the Interstate System. Federal limits are 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group. There are also Federal standards for length and width on the National Network (NN).

Image Source: ops.fhwa.dot.gov

When trucking companies are creating their loads, or deciding what cars they can transport, they consider the route, the rate the car is paying and the weight of the car. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “The primary purpose of vehicle weight restrictions is to protect highway system pavement and structures (bridges) from excessive damage due to overweight vehicles and thereby protect the public’s investment in these roadways.”  If a trucking company’s truck and load is determined to be overweight, they are charged per pound for all weight over the legal weight for the vehicle.

For this reason, if you pack your car with more than 100 pounds of items the trucking company will either negotiate a new rate (which will be higher than the agreed upon original rate) or refuse to transport your car. 

The above photos are examples of overpacking or adding more than 100 pounds of cargo to a vehicle before transport. In these instances a new rate was negotiated and/or the car was not transported.

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