Calculator 08 / Axle Weights
Axle Weight Distribution Calculator
Find how much weight lands on the front (steer) and rear (drive) axle of a straight truck based on cargo weight and where it sits.
How this calculator works
This treats the truck as a simple beam supported at two points (the axles) — standard statics, the same principle taught in CDL load-securement training. Moving cargo toward the rear axle shifts more weight onto it and less onto the front axle, and vice versa. This model covers a single straight truck with one front and one rear axle; tractor-trailers with multiple axle groups need a more detailed multi-axle analysis.
Why does cargo position matter so much?
Weight distributes between axles in proportion to how close the load's center of gravity is to each axle — cargo directly over the rear axle puts nearly all its weight there, while cargo near the front axle puts most of its weight on the front instead.
What if my front or rear axle comes back over its rating?
Reposition the cargo's center of gravity toward the axle with spare capacity, or reduce total load — running over an axle's rated capacity is both a safety and a legal weight violation.
Estimates only. This is a simplified two-axle model — always verify actual axle weights on a certified scale before a DOT weigh station, especially for loads near a rating limit.