The axle load: 8 facts you need to consider

13. January 2021 at 11:11

Axle loadWhat is the axle load and what do you need to know? We have summarized the most important information for you and give you a brief overview. Of course, this most important information also include a few tips on driving with a trailer and to what extent the axle load can influence the behaviour of your car/trailer combinationwhen driving.

  1. The axle load is defined as the load that presses on the axle of the vehicle. It is transmitted from the wheels of an axle to the road.
  2. It can basically be calculated simply as follows: The curb weight plus payload, i.e. the actual mass, is divided by the number of axles and then gives the value of the axle load. This is given in tons, all axles should always be evenly loaded.
  3. If your trailer only has one axle, this also means, conversely, that the load is then partly on the trailer coupling and must be carried there as a vertical load.
  4. For your journey with the trailer, you have to comply with the permissible axle load as well as the permissible total weight of the vehicle and the trailer.
  5. A distinction is made between technical and legally permissible axle loads. The former is always related to a specified vehicle and defined in the vehicle documents. You can find it under point 7 in your registration certificate. The legally permissible load for the axle is then specified under point 8. In old vehicle registration documents, only the legally permissible value is usually specified; if both values ​​are specified, the lower value is decisive.
  6. The axle load is binding and must not be exceeded. It is the decisive value if, for example, a possible overload should be checked during a traffic control.
  7. In order to avoid a broken axle, you should always keep a close eye on the load and avoid an overload. On the other hand, you should always load the cargo evenly, this prevents breakage. You can read how the correct loading works in our article.
  8. In addition to the values ​​recorded in the vehicle registration document, there are also statutory provisions for the maximum axle load. This is §34 of the German StVZO. The values ​​given there apply to all trailers with rubber or pneumatic tires. For motor vehicles and trailers with pneumatic tires, the load is set to the following values ​​(for further information see §34 StVZO):
    • load for single axles: 10 t
    • Load with driven single axles: 11.5 t
    • Load with a double axle and a center distance less than 1.0 meter: 11.5 t
    • Load with double axle and a distance of 1.0 to 1.3 meters: 16 t
    • Load with double axle and a distance of 1.3 to 1.8 meters: 18 t