I'm considering an Element to replace my Mazda pickup truck. Maybe starting a family soon and the two seater won't cut it. I camp alot, mountain bike and surf, and need to be able to lug stuff around. Like a few others, I'm slightly concerned about the 675# number I've read on this board.

Oddly enough, I've read all over Honda's website, downloaded the pdf specs, and all I can find is "Towing Capacity = 1500#". I cannot find the 675# load capacity. I sort of want to read it for myself.

By comparison, my truck has 1600# towing capacity, so only 100# more than the Element. Only once, while carrying 8 bags of rocks for the landscaping, did I feel any sense of overload in my truck.

Can someone point me to a published number? And I've read a lot about people loading their elements up and not noticing a single problem. Have any of you had a bad experience with 4 people in the E or fully loaded with cargo?

The 675# number is published on the door jams of Elements near the tire info, probably elsewhere in some literature as well I'm sure, but haven't seen it yet.

[quote:ba8a8d25b4="Kigotai"]The 675# number is published on the door jams of Elements near the tire info, probably elsewhere in some literature as well I'm sure, but haven't seen it yet.[/quote:ba8a8d25b4]

In addition to the door jamb, it's also in the Driver's Manual.

-brendan

[quote:0b72ce9053="Nickel II"]By comparison, my truck has 1600# towing capacity, so only 100# more than the Element. Only once, while carrying 8 bags of rocks for the landscaping, did I feel any sense of overload in my truck.[/quote:0b72ce9053]

There's a long discussion on this topic already elsewhere on the board. Search for 'gross' or 'gvwr' and you should be able to find the thread. There seems to be a disparity between the "carrying capacity" which seems to be based on safety/handling and the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) which I assum (I am not a lawyer, however) is related to engineering tolerances/ratings. The GVWR is 100 to 400 lbs. higher than the carrying capacity listed for the element, depending on the model.

I suspect the 675 comes from a safety/liability review of the vehicle by Honda.

Are you sure your truck only has a 1600# towing capacity? That seems very low for a truck...

Regarding towing, note also that the Element's typical tongue-weight limit is 150#, and that is added as part of the carrying capacity.

-brendan

Here is a link to an article that might shed some light on this issue:

http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=338337&bmUID=1066695230589

Hope this helps answer some questions.

[quote:74cb25d007="HappyCamper"]Here is a link to an article that might shed some light on this issue:

http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=338337&bmUID=1066695230589

Hope this helps answer some questions.[/quote:74cb25d007]

Excellent link. Very few of these SUV's have the capacity one might think! 4 full size adults and some luggage and the vehicle just might be in trouble.

[quote:0054513159="Oak Lawn Element"][quote:0054513159="HappyCamper"]Here is a link to an article that might shed some light on this issue:

http://www.consumerreports.org/main/content/display_report.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=338337&bmUID=1066695230589

Hope this helps answer some questions.[/quote:0054513159]

Excellent link. Very few of these SUV's have the capacity one might think! 4 full size adults and some luggage and the vehicle just might be in trouble.[/quote:0054513159]

Whats interesting is from the entire list, the Element has the LOWEST load capacity (aside from that Suzuki X90 2-seater SUV)! Whats up with that?! :shock:

[quote:b8364b30e4="DXBoy"]Whats interesting is from the entire list, the Element has the LOWEST load capacity (aside from that Suzuki X90 2-seater SUV)! Whats up with that?! :shock:[/quote:b8364b30e4]

I presume it is because they took their numbers for the CR-V and just adjusted for the extra weight of the Element.

Alternately, my other theories go:

1) They are very worried about roll with the high roof, especially when trying to regain control of a heavily laden Element.

2) Something about the low floor design required a compromise in the suspension that led to a reduced capacity.

-brendan

[quote="brendan"][quote:0e7d19b674="Nickel II"]
Are you sure your truck only has a 1600# towing capacity? That seems very low for a truck...

Regarding towing, note also that the Element's typical tongue-weight limit is 150#, and that is added as part of the carrying capacity.

-brendan[/quote:0e7d19b674]

That is what the manual says. It is only a 4 cylinder MAzda B2300 pickup. Same as a Ford Ranger. I checked out that link and see that its carrying capacity (1998 ford ranger) is 1200#'s. Almost double the Element.

Like I said, I wouldn't use it often, but it is nice to know the extra load capacity is there. I'll need to bring a few friends along for the next Element test drive.

By the way, what is tongue weight limit?

[quote:d98700173f="Nickel II"][quote:d98700173f="brendan"]Are you sure your truck only has a 1600# towing capacity? That seems very low for a truck...

Regarding towing, note also that the Element's typical tongue-weight limit is 150#, and that is added as part of the carrying capacity.[/quote:d98700173f]

That is what the manual says. It is only a 4 cylinder MAzda B2300 pickup. Same as a Ford Ranger. I checked out that link and see that its carrying capacity (1998 ford ranger) is 1200#'s. Almost double the Element.

Like I said, I wouldn't use it often, but it is nice to know the extra load capacity is there. I'll need to bring a few friends along for the next Element test drive.

By the way, what is tongue weight limit?[/quote:d98700173f]

Tongue weight is the downward weight of the trailer's hitch attachment into the hitch. If it is too high, it unsprings the forward suspension, reducing the grip of the front wheels and therefore badly affects handling. If it is way too high, your Element would be doing a wheelie. :)

So the mazda can tow 1600#, and can carry 1200#.

The element can tow 1500#, but can only cary 675#.

In reality, it can carry more (especially if you are smart about storing heavier items low and in the center of the vehicle), as indicated if you back calculate from GVWR, but Honda indicates that they (or possibly their lawyers/risk people) believe handling of the vehicle will be adversely affected by including a "safe" carrying capacity of 675#.

As I mentioned in the other thread, the 675# capacity listed is for all trim/transmission combinations, which vary by more than 200# of sprung weight. This leads me to believe this is a "driving safety" number, and not a "vehicle will collapse" number.

-brendan

Thanks for the tongoue weight explanation. Is 150 about average, or is that a low number? Not that I've ever towed anything, but it would be nice to know that I could.

I towed a utility trailer (2 wheel) loaded with , 2 child and 2 adult bikes, 2 coolers; 4 duffle bags, tents, and camping gear for a weeks outing in Cape Cod. Left Long Island w/2 kids in the back. Element handled it easily. Did not notice any problems handling vehicle, or huge lag in power. I could feel the weight but not like when I pull my 2500# sailboat behind my Explorer. I would recommend allowing extra stopping distance whenever towing anything.

well trailer tonge weight is typically 10% of towing capacity so that is right. I have the hidden hitch not the honda one and it lists its capacity as 2000# with a 200# tonge weight. I have also loaded the element with 6 people and it drove fine three of us were 230 plus. I agree that the 675 is for the lawyers to be happy. The only down side i see to driving at above the maximum capacity all the time is a reduction in gas milleage and maybe some tire wear.

The observation mentioned here may be part of the reason for the low capacity -- http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5023&highlight=