• Dynamic  Load Rating
• Static Load Rating

Customers regularly ask why static loads are usually much higher — often around double the dynamic rating. Let’s break it downclearly and simply.

Dynamic Load Rating (The One That Really Counts)

Dynamic load is the maximum weight a product can safely carry while the vehicle is moving.

This includes

• Acceleration and braking forces
• Cornering loads
• Bumps, potholes, corrugations, and off-road impacts

When you drive, the loaddoesn’t just sit there - it constantly shifts and multiplies due to motion.

The 2G Rule (Why Static Is Often Double)

In real-world driving conditions, loads commonly experience forces of up to 2 times gravity (2G).

That means:

A 100kg load can effectively become 200kg under braking, bumps, or sudden movement.

Because of this,manufacturers typically calculate:

Static Load ≈ 2 × Dynamic Load

It’s a safety-based engineering standard used across automotive and off-road industries.

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Static Load Rating (When the Vehicle is Stationery)

Static Load is the weight the product can support when the vehicle is not moving.

Examples include:

- People sleeping in a rooftop tent

- Gear being accessed while parked

- Weight resting on shelves or drawers when stationary

With no movement forces acting on the system, the load is far easier to manage structually.

This is why satic ratings are significantly higher.

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Real Example: Roof Racks & Hard Lids

At M2 Overland, many of our systems are rated at:

• 200kg Dynamic Load
• 400kg Static Load

What does that mean in real use? 

Rooftop Rent Scenario

• Tent weight: 60 - 80kg
• Two Adults sleeping - 200kg combined

Total Static load: 260-280kg

With a 400kg static rating, there is still a strong safety margin built in.

This is more than enough for real world use - without pushing unneccessary weight or over-engineering.

Why We Don't Chase Massive Static Numbers

Technically, we can engineer products to handle extremely high static loads. And in testing - we often do.

But here's the reality:

There are very few real-world reasons to need extreme static loads

Outside of rooftop tents, most setups will never come close to static limits.

Making products heavier and bulkier just to inflate static numbers:

• Adds unnecessary weight to vehicles
• Reduces payload capcity
• Impacts handling and fuel economy
• Doesn't improve real-world economy

Dynamic Load is Where Engineering Matters

Dynamic loading is the true stress test.

That's where:

• Weld Quality
• Material Choice
• Design Structure
• Mounting Systems
• Fatique Resistance

All come into play.

A product that looks strong statically but performs poorly dynamically will fail in the real world use.

At M2 Overland, we design and validate around:

• Real driving forces
• Off-road conditions
• Long-term fatigue
• Safety margins

Static capcity is a by-product of good dynamic engineering - not the main goal.

Where Static Loads Still Matter

There are a few cases where static rating is genuinely important.:

• Rooftop tents
• People accessing roof-mounted gear
• Heavy stationary loads (rare)

In these scenarios, our systems already exceed practical requirements comfortably.

Anything beyond that offers no real benefit.

Our Approach at M2 Overland

Across our product range - including:

• Roof racks
• Load bars
• Hard Lids
• Drawers
• Shelving systems
• Deck Sliders

We focus on:

✔ Strong dynamic performance ✔ Sensible static capacity ✔ Real-world usability ✔ Safety first

We test well beyond advertised static loads, but rate products based on what actually matters indaily and off-road driving.

The Takeaway

Static loads are higher because vehicles create up to 2G forces when moving.

That’s why you’ll often see:

Static ≈ 2 × Dynamic

And while we can build products with huge static numbers - there’s rarely a reason to.

What matters most is:

➡ Dynamic strength ➡Durability ➡ Safety in real driving conditions

Which is exactly what our systems are engineered for.

If you ever have questions about load ratings, real-world use, or what’s right for your setup - our team is always happy to help.

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