About this calculator

Compare measured ready weights with user-entered truck, trailer and combination ratings. Additional occupants or equipment reduce the remaining cargo allowance before the applicable rating limits are intersected.

Inputs

How to use this calculator

Vehicle / rating scenario

  1. Truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lb)Use the manufacturer rating on the vehicle certification label; it is not a federal road limit.
  2. Measured ready-to-load truck weight (lb)Use a current scale weight that includes fuel and fixed equipment already on board. Exclude the occupants, added equipment and cargo entered below.
  3. Vehicle configurationUse only ratings that apply to the selected configuration.
  4. Trailer gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lb)Use the manufacturer rating on the trailer certification label. This input is shown when Vehicle configuration is set to Truck and trailer combination.
  5. Measured ready-to-load trailer weight (lb)Scale weight before adding the cargo entered below. This input is shown when Vehicle configuration is set to Truck and trailer combination.
  6. Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) (lb)Use the manufacturer rating for this exact combination. This input is shown when Vehicle configuration is set to Truck and trailer combination.

Shared inputs

  1. Additional occupants / equipment before cargo (lb)Only weight not already included in the measured ready weights; this amount counts against truck GVWR and, for a combination, GCWR.

Enter the shipment or scenario values, then select Calculate result.

Method

Formula and variables

Remaining truck capacity = truck GVWR − measured truck ready weight − additional occupants/equipment. Remaining trailer capacity = trailer GVWR − measured trailer ready weight, when a trailer is selected. Remaining combination capacity = GCWR − truck ready weight − trailer ready weight − additional occupants/equipment. Available cargo = the lowest applicable non-negative remaining rating.

Truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lb)
Use the manufacturer rating on the vehicle certification label; it is not a federal road limit.
Measured ready-to-load truck weight (lb)
Use a current scale weight that includes fuel and fixed equipment already on board. Exclude the occupants, added equipment and cargo entered below.
Vehicle configuration
Use only ratings that apply to the selected configuration.
Trailer gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lb)
Use the manufacturer rating on the trailer certification label. This input is shown when Vehicle configuration is set to Truck and trailer combination.
Measured ready-to-load trailer weight (lb)
Scale weight before adding the cargo entered below. This input is shown when Vehicle configuration is set to Truck and trailer combination.
Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) (lb)
Use the manufacturer rating for this exact combination. This input is shown when Vehicle configuration is set to Truck and trailer combination.
Additional occupants / equipment before cargo (lb)
Only weight not already included in the measured ready weights; this amount counts against truck GVWR and, for a combination, GCWR.

Interpret the result

Available cargo is the lowest remaining applicable rating. It is not a complete road, axle, tire or route weight determination.

Outputs: Remaining payload under entered vehicle ratings

Uses the vehicle’s user-entered manufacturer ratings and measured ready weights. The output is a mass-rating comparison only: it does not determine state/federal route limits, axle or bridge-formula compliance, tire/rim capacity, trailer tongue load distribution, scale certified weight, securement or route permits. Weigh the loaded configuration and check every applicable rating separately.

Worked example

Check the arithmetic

This example uses the starting values shown above. The arithmetic below is calculated independently of the interactive result.

Work through the calculation

  1. Truck remaining = 26,000 − 16,000 − 500 = 9,500 lb.
  2. Trailer remaining = 30,000 − 7,000 = 23,000 lb; combination remaining = 52,000 − 16,000 − 7,000 − 500 = 28,500 lb.
  3. The lowest applicable rating remainder is 9,500 lb.

Compare the displayed result

Expected displayed result: 9,500 lb available

FAQs

Can I subtract an empty brochure weight from the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)?

Use a measured ready weight for the actual configuration. Planned occupants and equipment not already included must be accounted for separately.

Sources

These references support the methods or rules used on this page. Check the version effective for your shipment date and any applicable carrier terms or item-specific provisions.

Example inputs and options

Starting values are examples unless a field identifies a dated rule. Unit selectors convert only fields marked for conversion. Rates and model options keep the units and basis shown in their labels.

Truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lb)
Example: 26000
Measured ready-to-load truck weight (lb)
Example: 16000
Vehicle configuration
Example: Truck and trailer combinationOptions: Tractor only; Truck and trailer combination
Trailer gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (lb)
Example: 30000
Measured ready-to-load trailer weight (lb)
Example: 7000
Gross combination weight rating (GCWR) (lb)
Example: 52000
Additional occupants / equipment before cargo (lb)
Example: 500