Hi all, quick one, I am studying on lgvtheory.co.uk, and in the Mod2 section, theres a piece on number of axles to weight etc. See attached.
I got this question “The maximum GVW of a 3 axle artic vehicle is”
I got it wrong, I 40 tonnes, but the answer is 26 tonnes.
Is there a general rule to go off, or is this purely a memory test?
am I actually meant to remember all those in the image I’ve uploaded, or is there some calculation? very very roughly, the weight divided by the number of axles, is usually around the 7 to 8 mark (7-8 tonnes per axle) but this isnt an exact.
If it is just a memory game, I’ll keep looking at the chart… but surely there’s a method?
Don’t confuse gross vehicle weight with gross combination (correct terminology may differ in your country) weight.
GVW is the greatest weight that the combined axles of the prime mover (unit in your parlance), as opposed to GCM which is the combined weight of the prime mover and trailer.
Simplified my resa.That is dated 2003 and there are two sets of regualtions Construction and Use Regualtions, and Authorised Weight regulations. The reality is what is printed on the plate attached to the vehicle or trailer, under weight not to be exceeded in GB, which could easily be less than anything listed on either of those charts. (It’s called revenue weight ie what is allowed according to how much tax has been paid).
Road friendly suspension is air suspension. Normally fitted to trailer axles and the drive axle of vehicles. However tippers and off road vehicles often have steel suspension.
This MAY help. Basically you just have to know the theoretical answer for each main category and know the individual axle weight limits.
In my country the weights are written on the side of the prime mover, or on documentation in the cab.
Your weights and ours are similar plus or minus. A 3 axle truck, be it ridgid or prime mover has a GVW of about 26 tonne, 2 axle about 15 tonne.
The tare, or unloaded weight will be considerably less. The difference will be the legal loading be it on a body or the weight imposed by a trailer.
Exact weights cannot be determined by memorizing a chart, because there are variables, such as manufacturers rating or limitations chosen by the operator to reduce registration/tax costs.
I think the answer they are looking for is not a value, but where that information may be obtained.
But there are conditions which mainly relate to axle spread, type of suspension, engine power, bogie weight, type/size of tyres fitted and the plated weight of individual axles.
Sorry, but you need to remember that the laws regarding transport are specifically designed to confuse-if they weren’t then you would get things right and the powers that be couldn’t rinse you.
You can make a good guess, when looking at a vehicle and the number of drive/steer/ axles, and whether they have single tyres, twin tyres, super singles, etc,
But
To answer the question about the law and the regs…you need to know…the law and the regs.
There are lots of good short cuts to making educated guesses and estimates etc but the law is precise.
Once you look at the law and picture the vehicles involved, with their different axle/wheel configurations it does make (a kind of) sense.
It was obviously a trick question artic or rigid makes no difference the max GVW/GCW allowed is the same on the same amount of axles.Although ironically artics present more load distribution issues regarding too heavy or too light driven axle.
