How to Find Out the Gross Weight

Knowing your vehicle's gross weight is important for passing over bridges.

Gross weight, typically used for vehicles such as cars, trucks and airplanes, is the total weight of the vehicle fully loaded with passengers and cargo. You need to know the gross weight of your vehicle so that you do not overload it and put yourself and passengers in danger.

Things You'll Need

• Large scale

Instructions

1. Weigh your vehicle at a weighing station at a truck stop, rest stop or any other place that has a large enough scale to weigh a vehicle. If you cannot weigh your vehicle, contact the manufacturer and ask whether it has the vehicle weight based on the vehicle identification number or its make and model.

2. Calculate the weight of your cargo or load, such as boxes, suitcases or furniture. If you have a space tire in the trunk, count it as cargo unless it has been included in the vehicle's weight.

3. Weigh the driver and any passengers.

4. Add the weights of the passengers, the vehicle and the cargo to obtain gross weight.

Tips & Warnings

• Never exceed the manufacturer's gross weight capacity.

References

• Pilot Friend: Weight and Balance of Aircraft