Axle Load Capacity
Calculator
Results
- Payload capacity (kg)
- 1,300
- Front axle load (kg)
- 1,575
- Rear axle load (kg)
- 1,925
- Payload as share of GVM (%)
- 37.142857
Results
| Payload capacity (kg) | 1,300 |
| Front axle load (kg) | 1,575 |
| Rear axle load (kg) | 1,925 |
| Payload as share of GVM (%) | 37.142857 |
formula-map diagram
- Payload capacity (kg)
- 1,300
- Front axle load (kg)
- 1,575
- Rear axle load (kg)
- 1,925
- Payload as share of GVM (%)
- 37.142857
Formula breakdown
Formula
payload = GVM − kerb mass; front axle = GVM × share ÷ 100= 1300
Note
Simplified model: results use idealised textbook relationships and ignore real-world factors such as driving style, load, temperature, aerodynamic and rolling losses, drivetrain efficiency, tyre and brake condition and road surface. CO2 figures are tailpipe only, based on the standard 2.31 kg CO2 per litre of petrol (2.68 kg per litre of diesel), and exclude fuel production and distribution. Use them as estimates, not as legal, safety or load-rating figures.
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See all →Frequently asked questions
What is axle load capacity and how is it different from a vehicle's gross weight rating?+
Axle load capacity is the maximum weight a specific axle is rated to carry, while gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum total weight of the loaded vehicle across all axles combined. A vehicle can be under its GVWR overall while still exceeding one individual axle's rated capacity if the load is unevenly distributed.
How is payload capacity related to axle load capacity?+
Payload capacity (how much cargo and passengers a vehicle can carry) is derived from the vehicle's GVWR minus its curb weight, but must also respect individual front and rear axle ratings — a payload can be within the overall figure yet still overload one axle if not distributed properly between front and rear.
What's a common misconception about total weight versus axle distribution?+
People often check only that total loaded weight is under GVWR without checking distribution across axles. A heavy load placed too far forward or too far back — such as cargo loaded entirely behind the rear axle in a truck bed — can overload the rear axle even while total vehicle weight is technically within limits.
Why is exceeding an axle's rated load capacity dangerous, not just a legal issue?+
Exceeding axle rating stresses the axle, bearings, suspension components, and especially the tires mounted on that axle beyond their designed limits, increasing the risk of tire failure, suspension damage, or reduced braking and handling performance — this is a mechanical safety issue independent of whatever legal weight limits apply.
How does trailer tongue weight interact with the tow vehicle's rear axle capacity?+
Tongue weight is added directly onto the tow vehicle's rear axle (and, through the suspension, indirectly affects the front axle balance too), so a heavy trailer's tongue weight must be included when checking whether the tow vehicle's rear axle capacity is being respected, not just the trailer's own axle rating.