Hey guys, I'm wondering about what factors play in determining how much weight a vehicle can carry. For example, my mother has a 98 Mercury Sable with the 3.0 liter engine. I'm at work so i don't have the exact figure with me, but her car can carry slightly over 1000lbs. My bonneville states it'* max load is something just over 900lbs. Now both cars are relatively the same size with similar HP rating. How come her car can carry more weight?

Because it weighs less. The chassis, passengers, and cargo are all sprun weight. Manufacturers calculate things differently as well.

The suspension, braking systems etc are all factored in when the manufacturer determines how much a vehicle can "safely" carry.

Okay, here are the numbers. My Bonneville can carry a load of 930 lbs. My mothers Sable can carry 1100lbs. That is significantly higher and I'm just curious as to what it is attributed to?

But both vehicles are 6 passenger cars with roughly the same HP rating(200 vs. 205). Why the big difference in cargo load?

I know I'm making to much of this but what is so special about the Sable'* suspension and braking system? If anything I think the Bonneville has stiffer suspension and better braking to be able to handle extra weight.

nada, nothing. It (Sable) is a different manufacturer, different design, different vehicle all together. A hundred lbs here or there is nothing.