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Truck axle load calculator

Estimate how cargo weight and centre-of-gravity position affect steer, drive and trailer axle loads.

⚠️ Important

This result is a planning aid. Always verify legal limits, vehicle documents, route restrictions and carrier tariffs separately.

How does the axle-load calculator work?

  • Enter the actual axle loads of the empty coupled combination. This keeps the tractor and empty semitrailer already represented in the calculation.
  • Enter cargo mass and the distance of its overall centre of gravity from the fifth-wheel centre. The calculator distributes the additional cargo weight between tractor and semitrailer axles.
  • A practical workflow is to enter a real pre-load axle-group weight, calculate the planned cargo position, then confirm the finished combination on a certified weighbridge before departure.
  • EU mode is a reference for international traffic with a standard 2-axle tractor and 3-axle semitrailer under the limits in Annex I to Directive 96/53/EC. National and vehicle-specific technical limits may be lower.
Important: “Cargo load on the fifth wheel” shows only the part of cargo weight transferred to the tractor through the fifth wheel. It is not the full actual vertical fifth-wheel load, which would require additional data about the empty semitrailer’s weight distribution.

Related resources

Truck axle-load calculation: why cargo position mattersTruck axle-load calculation: why cargo position matters. In day-to-day transport work, the useful part is not just the final number but knowing which inputs created it. This guide shows how to use the calculation for planning, how to cross-check…Slovakia Truck Rules from September 1, 2026: Weight Limits, Driving Bans and FinesFrom September 1, 2026, Slovakia introduces important new rules for trucks, including a 10% overload threshold, changed Sunday driving bans, higher speeding fines and expanded automatic enforcement.What is LDM and how to calculate loading metresLDM estimates how much trailer floor length a shipment occupies. Learn the basic logic, pallets, stacking and why LDM should not be checked on its own.