Weight limit on C6
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 35
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From: Jeffersonville In
Weight limit on C6
With all the talk of the C6 chassis being so strong what damage could I possibly do by exceeding the 423 lb weight limit? I'm 195 and I have a friend who is 240, does that mean he can't ride? LOL!!
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,752
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From: Redwood City CA
I don't think you would have to worry about any weight limit. We have had 2 people in a Z06 with a combined weight of almost 500 pounds. For those of you that are going to comment on the 500 pounds of weight, I am 225 pounds.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 213
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From: Fremont CA
I am guessing that its mainly an issue when your driving the car hard.
If your just cruising, I think you'll be fine. However if your really pushing it and you've exceeded the maximum weight, you'll probably find that the suspension is bottoming out a lot more than normal.
I weigh 190 and my brother weighs over 250, I had no problems auto crossing my 2005 with both of us in the car. Of course the autocross course is flat. You'd run into issues when there are sudden elevation changes
If your just cruising, I think you'll be fine. However if your really pushing it and you've exceeded the maximum weight, you'll probably find that the suspension is bottoming out a lot more than normal.
I weigh 190 and my brother weighs over 250, I had no problems auto crossing my 2005 with both of us in the car. Of course the autocross course is flat. You'd run into issues when there are sudden elevation changes
Last edited by C6SilverBullit; Dec 8, 2007 at 09:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: By The Hook NJ
It's probably more a liability issue than anything.
I weigh 245 and my GF is 145. WIth luggage, we are well over my vert's sticker.
Don't worry, if the wheels fall off, you have a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty.
I weigh 245 and my GF is 145. WIth luggage, we are well over my vert's sticker.
Don't worry, if the wheels fall off, you have a 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: San Francisco Bay Area California
My understanding is the conservative weight limits began after Ford had the problem with Firestone tires failing on Explorers. Apparently inherent tire weakness, underinflation, heavy loads and an unusually small tire choice for the Explorer by Ford contributed to a sort of 'perfect storm' for tire failure.
Once the legal dust settled, the lower weights began to appear. No doubt there's a considerable safety margin above the posted weight limit. I personally don't worry about it.
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From: Jeffersonville In
Drifting
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From: By The Hook NJ
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From: Thousand Oaks California
- Lower ground clearance
- Lower acceleration
- Lower fuel ecnomy
- Longer braking distance
- Longer turn in response time
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: CA
My theory is that what we are observing here is the EPA at work. For CAFE and emissions testing vehicles are put on a dyno, which has a preload equal to a value set by the "the inertia test weight class". I believe the test weight class is determined by comparing the GVWR to a table of weight classes, that each have a range, and if you fit high in the range for a class you get the lower dyno preload. (This makes it easier to meet emissions requirements and/or get higher CAFE ratings, assuming it's used for both.) I did a couple quick searches and couldn't find a link to this table, but I've seen it before. I think if we did find it we would see that the GVWR for the C6 is near the top of one of these weight classes, and the difference between that number and curb weight is what GM says we can safely carry. 
