Axle & Weight Calculator

AXLE WEIGHT TOOL Tandems • Bridge sense-check Built for: quick checks before you roll

Axle Weight Calculator: estimate axle loads, adjust tandems, avoid surprises.

Use this calculator to estimate how weight distributes across steer, drive, and trailer axles — then make smarter tandem adjustments before you hit the scale. It’s a planning tool to help you reduce overweight risk, rework, and wasted miles.

Calculator How it works Tandem tips Common limits FAQ

Tools Hub Compliance Freight Rates

Estimate steer/drive/trailer axle loads before you commit to a route.
Understand what tandem moves typically do — and when they won’t fix the problem.
Spot obvious “this will never scale” setups early (distribution, not just gross).
Build better habits: weigh smarter, adjust faster, and document changes.

Goal

Avoid overweight

Most common fix

Tandem adjustment

Most common trap

Bad distribution

Next best click

Compliance basics

Unit & Setup

Pick a template, then fine-tune sliders and geometry. Expert mode unlocks custom truck settings.

Unit: —

Tractor Template

3rd Axle (Drop / Lift)

Trailer Axle Group

Rule Profile (optional)

Unit ID

Notes (saved in JSON)

Load & Weight

Choose total freight weight and where it sits (CG). Use pallet mode in Expert for row-by-row realism.

Legal: —

Freight Weight (lb)

Tractor Tare (lb)

Trailer Tare (lb)

Fuel (gal)

Load CG from Kingpin (ft)

CG position: — ft (0 = at kingpin, higher = farther back)

Tandem Slide (holes)

Slide: — holes (negative = forward, positive = back)

5th Wheel Slide (notches)

5th: — notches (negative = forward, positive = back)

Drop Axle Share (when DOWN)

Share: —% of “drive group” carried by drop axle

Spread Spacing (ft)

Expert Mode • Custom Truck Settings off

Enable Expert Mode

Unlock geometry + axle spacing + pallet mode presets.

Wheelbase (ft, steer→drive center)

Kingpin from Steer (ft)

Kingpin→Trailer Group Center (ft)

Tractor CG from Steer (ft)

Trailer CG from Kingpin (ft)

Tandem Hole Spacing (in)

5th Notch Spacing (in)

Fuel weight (lb/gal)

Axle Count (combo)

Outer axle spacing L (ft, steer→rearmost)

Steer limit (lb)

Drive group limit (lb)

Trailer group limit (lb)

Gross limit (lb)

Drop axle limit (lb)

Freight model

Expert mode is for “your exact truck/trailer.” If you don’t know a value, leave the template defaults.

Scale Results

Live axle predictions + bridge check + legality flags. Export includes full geometry + assumptions.

Bridge: —

Vehicle Visual

Trailer — Drop — Tandems — 5th —

Steer —

Drives —

Drop —

Trailer —

Kingpin: — Bridge max: — Outer span: — Spread: —

Steer

—

Drives

—

Trailer Group

—

Gross

—

Steer axle

—

Drive tandem

—

Trailer axles

—

Coach Mode

Actionable moves (tandems / 5th / drop share) based on your current setup.

—

Disclaimer: This is a static estimator. Real scales can vary due to suspension, grade, load shift, and equipment specifics.