What's your excess capacity?

[Frank Lee]

I have an entire fleet at my disposal.

Sometimes I walk.

Next up is bicycling, which I try to do the bulk of the time. Pretty much takes care of in-town stuff unless the weather is foul.

Next up is the electric bike, for shopping (it has such nice baskets) and for when I'm too lazy to pedal the bike.

Next up is the Gold Wing. It's surprising how much stuff it can carry!

Next up is the Tempo, then the Sable wagon. Actually I haven't had access to several of my cars all summer. I've gotten by quite well... guess I don't really need them?

At the top is the pickup. OK at the peak of the top is the pickup with the big flatbed trailer. I can move mountains with that setup. It's exceedingly rare that I need to do that though anymore. Situations change over time.

I think it's about matching vehicle to task. I know it isn't practical or desireable for everybody to have a fleet such as this. But I do lots of when I see the continuous parade of single-occupant and otherwise empty full sized 4x4s.

[user removed]

I just borrow my brothers work truck and trailer.

Capacity about 5 tons.

regards
Mech

[sarguy01]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I think it's about matching vehicle to task. I know it isn't practical or desireable for everybody to have a fleet such as this. But I do lots of when I see the continuous parade of single-occupant and otherwise empty full sized 4x4s.

I was one of those guys who had a Hemi Ram for no other reason then because I wanted a truck. I really had no need.

If I had not had all my trucks, and cars for that matter, and just bought one vehicle and kept it as long as possible, my IRA would look so much better. I would have also saved lots and lots of gas.

If I ever get a truck again, it is going to be used and it is not going to cost a lot.

[paintme205]

My wife tows bi weekly a horse trailer with her truck and a car hauler every friday night. It is usually pretty loaded.

During the week it never exceeds 20 percent of its luggage or occupancy room.

I would say yes a coop would be great (or similiar) but not with as much towing as I do unless i could guarantee having a truck on friday night. Otherwise i'm in

[sid]

None of the above.

I am filled to at least 50% of weight or volume capacity (more often, volume capacity) at least 50 % of the time.

I'm a musician and frequently hauling guitars and amps. I've also hauled 3 musical organs in the past two years. A covered pickup or van works best for that and is reasonably secure, a big issue with expensive gear.

I also haul a lot of building and yard material. In the last couple years, I've hauled at least 27 truckloads of mulch, 4 loads of sand, 4 of cement block, 4 of concrete pavers, 8 rain barrels, numerous sheets of plywood, insulation, 2x4s, rain gutters, bushes and trees, etc.

For example, last Friday I was filled to volume capacity with 12 rolls of insulation, two 4x8 sheets of urethane insulation, and misc. other stuff (screws, staples, tape, etc.).

I also kayak and camp a lot. I frequently sleep in the back of my truck, which converts between comfortable camping and hauling in about ten minutes.

That is why when I was buying a new vehicle earlier this year, I decided to stay with a pickup.

I also typically only drive about 7500 miles a year. I use my bicycle a lot and bike about 4500 miles a year.

[Bicycle Bob]

Originally Posted by Danncomm

My insight is sometimes completely loaded with boxes, the worst was the back loaded to the ceiling and the passenger seat filled including the floor. Maybe only 200 lbs. but that with my weight puts me well over the weight capacity which is listed as 300 lbs for passengers and cargo, so usually I am at or over 100% all the time.

I just had to look that up, and found one source quoting a load rating of 365 lb. Presumably, that's for rally-style driving, too.
Honda Insight Review - Edmunds.com

[VegasDude]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Most of the time, the car is used to transport just one human and maybe his lunch or some other things that would fit in a pair of bicycle saddlebags. That places me just over 50% of my payload rating, so I voted B. That is, unless you account for the fact that I keep the washer fluid bottle almost empty to save 6lbs, in which case I'm below 50% and should have voted A. :-/

You got me thinking. I did remove the wipers, what do I need the fluid for anyway? I've driven in the rain only once this year, and it wasn't anything a little Rain-X couldn't handle.

[rbrowning]

I use about 8% of my car's load capacity about 95%+ of the time. That is why I would love a two seat tandem but with a good roll cage for the metro highways. An open cycle is out of the question with the range and unpredictable weather

[azaviator]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

I just had to look that up, and found one source quoting a load rating of 365 lb. Presumably, that's for rally-style driving, too.
Honda Insight Review - Edmunds.com

I can verify that. Mine says on the door jam "Vehicle Capacity Weight: 365lbs". I have been over this a few times, but usually it's just me (~165lbs) on my drive to work (plus the extra ~30lbs of 'junk in the trunk' from the stereo).

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

How much of your load capacity do you usually use, and how often do you max it out?

I usually use fairly little of my car's load capacity.
That's why I went for a car the size, weight and fuel consumption of a (small) sedan, but with the added versatility of a break/station wagon.

With the rear seats folded down, it carries a fair amount of stuff whenever the need arises.

Would it make sense to join a co-op, or just rent something for big loads?

Though voluminous MPVs are gaining popularity, few people in Europe own light trucks (US style).
So when we need some serious hauling capacity, we tend to rent a trailer, a truck - or hire a housemoving company.