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Altered car handling characteristics with extra weight in rear?

I've just had mounted a carrier for a motorized wheel chair on a Kia Optima 4 door sedan. Car weight approx 3500lbs. The weight of the carrier, hitch and chair approx 500 to 700 pounds. Is this going to alter the steering, braking or any other handling characteristics of the car? Be really nice if I could get an answer from someone who has actually driven a vehicle configured like this. Thanks in advance.

3 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    have you checked to make sure the suspension can handle it, does the car come with a tow package,if not it might not be made for hauling, stiffer springs? the brakes are a definite concern as is the weight limits of the tires. what is the total weight of carrier, wheel chair, passengers, other equip. you could be adding a half a ton or more when fully loaded. at the very least take it easy for a while, i would imagine you will notice a difference.

  • 4 years ago

    FWD's tend to understeer.Understeer happens whilst the front wheels start to plow at recent in spite of the fact that in case you have the guidance wheel grew to become. front-wheel-force automobiles are susceptible to understeer because of the fact capacity is being sent to an identical wheels that steer the vehicle, and whilst the tires start up spinning there’s no grip to handbook. if your front tire tread has ever been full of snow or dirt, you be attentive to the sensation of understeer because of the fact, as you turn the wheel, the vehicle retains going at recent... RWD's tend to oversteer. Oversteer is the tendency for the rear end to slip out or fishtail. In in charge ordinary making use of, there’s no reason oversteer could be a concern. In rain, snow or dirt, regardless of the undeniable fact that, the rear end of rear-wheel-force automobiles can creep out on you. Traction and stability administration can shrink that fishtailing. The exhibition interest of drifting is an interest that revolves around oversteer; drivers pitch their especially-equipped automobiles sideways and smoke the tires at intense speeds. yet whilst your no longer racing you shouldnt could hassle approximately this

  • puk
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    yes it will significantly effect your steering geometry and braking contact patch thru your tyres.

    effective spring modification done at a suspension specialist cabn rebalance the braking suspension and handling characteristics. dont muck around. stopping and steering are important!!! lol

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