| HOW TO CALULATE YOUR GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT TO COMPLY WITH THE LOAD LIMITS The Load Limits are as follows: 1) 10,000 lbs Maximum on steering axle (Tires must be 9 inches in width or greater). 2) 300 lbs Maximum per inch of width for all tires that are not on a steering axle. 3) 25 MPH Maximum speed limit for all trucks whether loaded or empty. Metric Tires The tire size is written on the side of your tires. The first set of numbers give the tire width. Example: 295/75R 22.5. The first number is 295. The metric conversion table below indicates that it is 11.60 inches in width and that equates to 3,480 lbs. per tire. You then need to calculate per axle weight, this is how the law is enforced. If you are figuring for a 10 wheel truck, the steering axle has a 10,000 lb maximum and the remaining 8 tires (4 tires per axle @ 3,480 per tire = 13,920) x two axles = 27,840lbs. Add the steering axle of 10,000 lbs for a total GVW of 37,840 lbs. REMEMBER the vehicle will be weighed by axle. In this example the axle weight from front to rear can NOT exceed: (Steering Axle - 10,000 lbs.) (Front drive axle - 13,920 lbs.) (Rear drive axle - 13,920 lbs.). Standard U.S. Tires These are easier. Example: A tire size marked 11R22.5 is 11 inches wide. 11 x 300 lbs = 3300 lbs per tire. 3300 x 4 tires per axle = 13,200 lbs. per axle. Although the total GVW with this size tire is 36,400 lbs., a 10 wheel truck with 11R22.5 tires can NOT exceed by axle: (Steering axle - 10,000 lbs.) (Front drive axle - 13,200 lbs.) (Rear drive axle - 13,200 lbs.) METRIC CONVERSIONS FOR TIRE SIZES Millimeters to Inches (Divide by 25.4) 165 mm = 6.50 in. 6.50 X 300 = 1,950 lbs. per tire 175 mm = 6.89 in. 6.89 X 300 = 2,067 lbs. per tire 185 mm = 7.28 in. 7.28 X 300 = 2,184 lbs. per tire 195 mm = 7.68 in. 7.68 X 300 = 2,304 lbs. per tire 205 mm = 8.07 in 8.07 X 300 = 2,421 lbs. per tire 215 mm = 8.45 in. 8.45 X 300 = 2,535 lbs. per tire 225 mm = 8.85 in. 8.85 X 300 = 2,655 lbs. per tire 235 mm = 9.25 in. 9.25 X 300 = 2,775 lbs. per tire 245 mm = 9.65 in. 9.65 X 300 = 2,895 lbs. per tire 255 mm = 10.00 in. 10.00 X 300 = 3,000 lbs. per tire 265 mm = 10.40 in. 10.40 X 300 = 3,120 lbs. per tire 275 mm = 10.80 in. 10.80 X 300 = 3,240 lbs. per tire 285 mm = 11.20 in. 11.20 X 300 = 3,360 lbs. per tire 295 mm = 11.60 in. 11.60 X 300 = 3,480 lbs. per tire
LAST UPDATED 2/7/2012
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