Container axle weight is a crucial factor in freight transport. Understanding the regulations regarding permissible weight per axle helps transportation businesses avoid legal violations, ensure traffic safety, and extend the lifespan of their vehicles. This article provides detailed information about container axle weight, calculation methods, and related regulations.
What is a Container Truck? Size Classifications
A container truck is a road transport vehicle consisting of a tractor unit and a container chassis designed for hauling goods. Containers adhere to international standard sizes, facilitating seamless transportation across various modes such as road, rail, and sea.
Common container types based on size:
- 20-foot Container: 6.06m long, 2.44m wide, 2.59m high.
- 40-foot Container: 12.19m long, 2.44m wide, 2.59m high.
- 45-foot Container: 13.72m long, 2.44m wide, 2.59m high.
How to Calculate Container Axle Weight
Axle weight is the maximum permissible weight exerted on each axle. Accurate axle weight calculation is essential for safety and regulatory compliance.
Weight Calculation Formula:
- Axle Weight = Total Vehicle Weight – Tare Weight – Weight of People Onboard
Axle Weight Regulations:
- Single Axle: Weight ≤ 10 tons/axle.
- Tandem Axle (2 axles):
- Axle center distance (d) < 1m: Weight ≤ 16 tons.
- 1m ≤ d < 1.3m: Weight ≤ 17 tons.
- d ≥ 1.3m: Weight ≤ 18 tons.
- Tridem Axle (3 axles):
- d ≤ 1.3m: Weight ≤ 21 tons.
- d > 1.3m: Weight ≤ 24 tons.
Permissible Gross Vehicle Weight for Container Trucks
The permissible gross vehicle weight is the maximum weight a container truck is allowed to carry, including the vehicle’s tare weight and cargo.
- Tractor Truck + Trailer/Semi-trailer:
- 3 axles: Gross Weight ≤ 26 tons.
- 4 axles: Gross Weight ≤ 34 tons.
- ≥ 5 axles: Gross Weight ≤ 40 tons.
- Rigid Truck + Trailer/Semi-trailer: Gross Weight ≤ 45 tons (including the weight of the rigid truck and the trailer/semi-trailer).
Penalties for Overweight Violations
Exceeding permissible weight limits results in penalties as per regulations. Fines range from 800,000 VND to 3,000,000 VND depending on the severity of the violation. Common violations include:
- Loading cargo on the container roof.
- Loading cargo exceeding the container sidewalls.
- Cargo extending more than 10% of the container length beyond the front or rear.
- Exceeding the permissible height.
Conclusion
Adhering to container axle weight regulations is the responsibility of vehicle owners and transportation businesses. Understanding how to calculate axle weight and related regulations helps avoid legal risks, ensure traffic safety, and improve business efficiency.
