Assigning Mass for Commercial Vehicles

It is important to assign the correct mass to commercial vehicles.

In order to assign the correct mass for a commercial truck or trailer, specific manufacturer (mfg.) information is required. The Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVWR) and front axle (FA) rating can be found on the door sticker or New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS) for the vehicle. If neither of these are available, the manufacturer can provide a specifications sheet or letter.

The assigned mass:

  • should be calculated by using the correct number of axles
  • should be calculated based on the type of configuration (ex. Straight Truck/Tractor Semi-trailer/Trailer)
  • cannot exceed the mfg. GVWR
  • cannot exceed the mfg. axle rating
  • cannot be assigned a weight that exceeds the mfg.’s axle/gross vehicle weight rating [as per the Vehicles Regulations, 2001]

Vehicle Types:

Straight Truck – Single Axle

Assign FA Rating [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • max 9,100 kgs (use up to 8,000 kgs for calculation)

Calculate Mass [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • FA rating 8,000 kgs + rear axle permitted 9,100 kgs [max] = 17,100 kgs [max mass]

Examples:

FA rating 5,443 kgs + rear axle 9,100 kgs = 14,543 kgs (or GVWR, whichever is less)

FA rating 6,300 kgs + rear axle 9,100 kgs = 15,400 kgs (or GVWR, whichever is less)

FA rating 7,300 kgs + rear axle 9,100 kgs = 16,400 kgs, (or GVWR, whichever is less)

FA rating 9,100 kgs + rear axle 9,100 kgs = 18,200 kgs. Assign mass of 17,100 kgs permitted by regulation.

Straight Truck – Tandem Axle

Assign FA rating [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • max 9,100 kgs (use up to 8,000 kgs for calculation)

Calculate Mass [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • FA rating 8,000 kgs + rear axles permitted 18,000 kgs [max] = 26,000 kgs [max mass]

Examples:

FA rating 5,443 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 23,443 kgs (or GVWR, whichever is less)

Assign: FA = 5,433 kgs, Mass = 23,443 kgs

FA rating 6,300 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 24,300 kgs (GVWR, whichever is less)

Assign: FA = 6,300 kgs, Mass = 24,300 kgs

FA rating 7,300 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 25,300 kgs, (or GVWR, whichever is less)

Assign: FA = 7,300 kgs, Mass = 25,300 kgs

FA rating 9,072 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 27,072 kgs. Assign mass of 26,000 kgs permitted by regulation.

Assign: FA = 9,072 kgs, Mass = 26,000 kgs

Straight Trucks – Tandem Tandem

Assign FA rating [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • max 8,000 kgs (use up to 8,000 kgs per axle for calculation – 8,000 kgs x 2 = 16,000kgs)

Calculate Mass [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • FA rating 16,000 kgs [max] + rear axles permitted 18,000 kgs [max] = 34,000 kgs [max mass]

Examples:

FA rating 5,443 kgs x 2 = 10,886 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 28,886 kgs (or GVWR, whichever is less)

Assign: FA = 5,433 kgs, Mass = 28,886 kgs

FA rating 6,300 kgs x 2 = 12,600 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 30,600 kgs (GVWR, whichever is less)

Assign: FA = 6,300 kgs, Mass = 30,600 kgs

FA rating 7,300 kgs x 2 = 14,600 kgs + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 32,600 kgs, (or GVWR, whichever is less)

Assign: FA = 7,300 kgs, Mass = 32,600 kgs

FA rating 9,072 kgs x 2 = 18,144 + rear axle 18,000 kgs = 36,144 kgs. Assign mass of 34,000 kgs permitted by regulation.

Assign: FA = 8000 kgs, Mass = 34,000 kgs

Semi-trailer Truck (Fifth Wheel Hook Up)

Assign FA rating [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • max 9,100 kgs (use up to 5,500 kgs for calculation)

Calculate Mass [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • FA rating + drive axles + trailer axles rear = 49,500 kgs [max mass]
FA rating + Drive Axles + Trailer Axles = Total Mass
5,500 kgs 1 9,100 kgs 1 9,100 kgs 49,500 kgs [max]
2 18,000 kgs 2 18,000 kgs
3 26,000 kgs

Examples:

Three Axle Combination
FA rating 5,500 kgs + drive axles 9,100 kgs + trailer axles 9,100 kgs = 23,700 kgs

Five Axle Combination
FA rating 5,500 kgs + drive axles 18,000 kgs + trailer axles 18,000 kgs = 41,500

Six Axle Combination
FA rating 5,500 kgs + drive axles 18,000 kgs + trailer axles 26,000 kgs = 49,500 kgs

Semi-trailer Truck (Tri Drive)

Assign FA rating [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • max 7,300 kgs (use up to 7,300 kgs for calculation)

Calculate Mass [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • FA rating + tridem drive axles + trailer axles rear = 54,300 kgs [max mass]
FA rating + Drive Axles + Trailer Axles = Total Mass
7,300 kgs 3 21,000 kgs 1 9,100 kgs 54,300 kgs [max]
2 18,000 kgs
3 26,000 kgs

Examples:

One Axle Trailer Combination
FA rating 7,300 kgs + drive axles 21,000 kgs + 1 trailer axle 9,100 kgs = 37,400 kgs
FA rating 5,443 kgs + drive axles 21,000 kgs + 1 trailer axle 9,100 kgs = 35,543 kgs

Two Axle Trailer Combination
FA rating 7,300 kgs + drive axles 21,000 kgs + 2 trailer axles 18,000 kgs = 46,300 kgs

Three Axle Trailer Combination
FA rating 7,300 kgs + drive axles 21,000 kgs + 3 trailer axles 26,000 kgs = 54,300 kgs
FA rating 6,300 kgs + drive axles 21,000 kgs + 3 trailer axles 26,000 kgs = 53,300 kgs

Semitrailer Truck (Fifth Wheel Hook Up) B Train

Assign FA rating [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • max 9,100 kgs (use up to 5,500 kgs for calculation)

Calculate Mass [from spec sheet, letter, label or NVIS]

  • FA rating + tridem drive axles + trailer axles rear = 54,300 kgs [max mass]
FA rating + drive axles + Hook Up + trailer axles = Total Mass
5,500 kgs 2 18,000 kgs 3 21,000 kgs 1 9,100 kgs 62,500 kgs [max]
2 18,000 kgs
3 18,000 kgs

Examples:

One Axle Trailer Combination
FA rating 5,500 kgs + drive axles 18,000 kgs + hook up 21,000 kgs + 1 trailer axle 9,100 kgs = 53,600 kgs

Two Axle Trailer Combination
FA rating 5,500 kgs + drive axles 18,000 kgs + hook up 21,000 kgs + 2 trailer axles 18,000 kgs = 62,500 kgs

Semi-trailer Truck with Pusher Axle

These trucks are equipped with an extra (fourth) axle, commonly referred to as a ‘pusher axle’. When assigning weight, no consideration is given for the fourth axle. Weight should be assigned as per semi-trailers above. The vehicle owner will have to include the additional axle through the over-mass special permit process, when required.

Trailer and Semi-Trailer (Fifth Wheel Hook Up)

The power unit and the trailer will have their own registration document. The power unit registration will include the trailer mass.

Assign the trailer weight rating with a zero (0 kgs) mass as the trailer is a semi-trailer and couples with a fifth wheel.

Trailer (Pintle Hook up)

The power unit and the trailer will have their own registration document and their own assigned mass. Assign the trailer weight rating following the diagrams or manufacturer’s rating, whichever is less. Trailer specification plate is usually located on the front of the trailer near the hitch mechanism, and can be on the right or left side, depending on make and model.

Mass by axles:

One axle = 9,100 kgs
Two axles = 18,000 kgs
Three axles = 21,000 kgs

Utility, Cargo and Recreational Use Trailer

A hitch and ball type hook up.

Where the trailer is used for a commercial purpose, assign weight from the manufacturer’s plate or NVIS.

For recreational trailers, assign 1,813 kgs.

Construction/Equipment

Includes backhoes, loaders, excavators, rollers, street sweepers, large driven snow blowers, etc.

Assign zero (0 kgs) mass.

Recreational Tow Dolly

A tow dolly is designed to tow another motor vehicle, where one or more axles of the towed vehicle rest on the tow dolly. These cannot be registered.

Mobile Crane/Jeep Dolly

These come in many different types and configurations and may not qualify for registration. Many of these are not recognized in the Vehicles Regulations, 2001. A special permit may be required to move these. Please contact National Safety Code.

Motorhomes

For motorhomes, assign J plate and 1,813 kgs.