Load capacity of folded seats

**dmdigital** · 29th April 2016, 07:39 PM

Worried about potential damage to the 2nd/3rd row seats folded flat.

I'm looking at transporting a rather heavy (80-100kg) object with a 450x450mm foot print over about 600km of dirt roads. I'll also have other cargo but nothing with this mass in a small area. The rest is tools, luggage and shopping.

The item is solid and not fragile and will be tied down. My thought was to try and anchor it forward of the rear axle but this puts it on what I consider to be the least supported portion of the folded third row seats. I then thought about placing some board/ply over the entire area to distribute the load off/across the seat backs.

Any suggestions? Never had this issue in the Defenders

**Narangga** · 29th April 2016, 07:45 PM

Which direction is your travel with the load?

**SimmAus** · 29th April 2016, 07:53 PM

Don't think I would worry, as long as it is tied down, and not prone to "hop" up and down on one spot.
80-100kg is a average person weight. 450x450 would be the footprint of an average derri're. The seats will take it.
If you were super worried, wouldn't hurt to chuck a piece of ply underneath to spread load over a larger area. Your choice really.
Cheers

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 29th April 2016, 07:56 PM

If its (only!) a 100kgs, tying it down properly will tell you where it will be. Axles dont enter into it. you need to stop forward movement at all costs,

**LandyAndy** · 29th April 2016, 08:03 PM

Pedro,he is worried about damage to the seats below the load

Derek,I would get a couple of sheets of plywood etc to spread the load.
Note the filler panel at the sides of the seats is just that it wont hold weight.
If you are really worried,remove the chairs,I ditched mine a long time ago.
Andrew

**dmdigital** · 29th April 2016, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Narangga

Which direction is your travel with the load?

Is that a loaded question?

Inbound so will know how rough it will be.

Originally Posted by SimmAus

Don't think I would worry, as long as it is tied down, and not prone to "hop" up and down on one spot.
80-100kg is a average person weight. 450x450 would be the footprint of an average derri're. The seats will take it.
If you were super worried, wouldn't hurt to chuck a piece of ply underneath to spread load over a larger area. Your choice really.
Cheers

That's where I got to with my thoughts. The seats are designed for that when unfolded though.

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Pedro,he is worried about damage to the seats below the load

Derek,I would get a couple of sheets of plywood etc to spread the load.
Note the filler panel at the sides of the seats is just that it wont hold weight.
If you are really worried,remove the chairs,I ditched mine a long time ago.
Andrew

Will possibly need the seats during trip before returning. I'm going to have a good look at the filler panels and everything tomorrow. I think the ply sheet is going to be my best option.

Tombie · 29th April 2016, 09:23 PM

I've had 500kg of concrete bags on mine with no ill effects!

Having said that - throw some plywood underneath - spreading the load always helps!

Having also said that - I've had a fully loaded fridge on one side only for over 3000km of absolute corrugations- and no issue at all.

**DI5CO** · 29th April 2016, 09:36 PM

I wouldn't even have worried about 80-100kgs. I'm 90 and I wouldn't have thought forward or rear of the axel would have any effect especially with the car weighing what it does.
If you are worried, and I would only do this to protect the carpet/mat, is to put the ply down as suggested.

**Celtoid** · 29th April 2016, 10:41 PM

Whatever option you use just don't let the load bounce on the folded seats as the latch mechanism can break.....been there.

As suggested ply or something else to spread the load and stop any movement of the folded seats will work with heavy weights.

Cheers.

**dmdigital** · 30th April 2016, 09:19 AM

The axle position was as much an indication of where it will sit, I tend to put more accessible stuff at the tailgate. I don't have a cargo barrier in the D4 so everything will be packed securely. My D1 was an ad for why you use a Milford barrier (or similar) some years back so I am acutely aware of loads moving.
Looking at the back of the Disco this morning I think ply and a rubber sheet under it will be the easiest. If I do it right I'll be able to net everything down as well as strapping the heavier items

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