Heavy Passengers Cause Damage?

[musicianmaker]

I am in a band and my friend who does the driving uses a 2010 corolla.
The man in question who is heavy is probably 400-450 lbs.! The driver's wife is worried the car will have some problems down the road from carting him less than 4 miles roundtrip once a week (sometimes twice) for practices. We will have some gigs down the road but not a lot of driving is involved.

What do the Toyota people here think? Do I tell the driver's wife it is safe to cart him around or will the axles fall off at some point?

[acr_vp]

Well I suppose it's worth saying that one 400lbs passenger is the same to the suspension as 2 200lbs passengers, so not really a problem there... I will say that the seat will probably wear out more quickly though.

[gold94corolla]

A couple of miles one a week? Really now? Of course you won't have any problems, cars were made for moving people.

[musicianmaker]

to be honest, I think his wife is being just a TAD bit irrational but she has kids and needs the car to work. I told the driver to just stick the heavy guy in the back toward the middle, not the passenger's side.
This is just confirmation from people who know more about automotives than we do so I can talk more expertly with the driver's wife once we have that conversation. It's this or we get a new drummer and I love the drummer.


THANKS!

[gold94corolla]

Maybe I could be your drummer!

But yeah, 400lbs is definitely not a lot compared to the car and how much it was designed to carry/tow.

[musicianmaker]

haha
this drummer is a good close friend
we are like oil and vinegar together

but if you are in vermont then maybe we can jam someday

ya he might be like 450 or closer to 500, i dont know but he is HUGE

that's what I said, shouldnt be a big deal load wise.
just had to make sure

THANKS MAN!

[Dimaoala]

[gold94corolla]

Wow, 450-500 LBS?

Honestly, I'd be more concerned with how on earth he's going to get in and out of the Corolla's back seat!!

[sinnaever]

I wouldn't worry too much. Like other have said 2 x 200 is the same.

I drive with 400-450lbs in my corolla all the time and have no issues. I've even done the odd carpool where we loaded 4 adult men in 800lbs.

[musicianmaker]

that is all i have to tell this lady
so i am glad you posted that
thank you

[Raymond_Tengen]

Well, think like this: 2x200LBs is a bit different than 1x400LBs because of the weight distribution. I'd stuff him in the back center!

[c_huynh32]

Originally Posted by Raymond_Tengen

Well, think like this: 2x200LBs is a bit different than 1x400LBs because of the weight distribution. I'd stuff him in the back center!

I think him sitting in the back seat would be hard getting into and out of compare to the front

But I still think he'll be fine driving the car ... just more wear on the front driver side shocks and wear to the seat.



On the side note ....
I have a co-worker who is large in size ... in the 300s drive a yaris for the past 2 years without having any issues, so I think with the corolla plus a couple hundred more pounds won't be a problem

[onemph05]

Originally Posted by musicianmaker

that is all i have to tell this lady
so i am glad you posted that
thank you

Corolla's aka Altis are used as Taxis in other countries. I've seen them carry five adults, 3 kids and luggage. 400 lbs is nothing...