How Much Weight Can A Flatbed Trailer Haul?

Article Introduction: The load-bearing capacity of a flatbed trailer mainly depends on four factors: its axle configuration, the thickness of the main beam steel, the structural design, and the local road conditions. Therefore, this article will interpret the load-bearing capacity of different types of flatbed trailers.

The relationship between the load capacity of a semi trailer and its axles (how to calculate)

Basic Calculation Formula

The gross vehicle weight (GVW) of a semi-trailer distributes across the tractor axle load and the trailer axle load. The calculation formula is as follows:

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) = Tractor Axle Load + Trailer Axle Load

Permissible Payload = Maximum Permissible GVW – Vehicle Tare Weight

• During transportation, the tractor usually bears 30% of the force, while the semi-trailer bears 70% of the total cargo weight. For example: If a flatbed trailer is equipped with two 13-ton axles, then Flatbed Maximum Transport Weight = 26 tons / 0.7.

Want to learn more about high-quality trailer axles? This article will help you: Understanding the Different Types of Trailer Axles.

Load Ranges of Flatbed Trailers Based on Number of Axles (For Reference Only)

1. A two-axle flatbed trailer, also known in 20 ft flatbed trailer weight terms, has a transport weight of approximately 30-40 tons and typically transports 20-foot containers.
2. 3 Axle flatbed trailers are the most common type of semi-trailer, with a load capacity of approximately 40-50 tons. They play a major role in logistics transportation and are widely used.

3. The application scenarios for semi-trailers with 4 axles or more are usually limited by local weight regulations. In addition, each axle has a specific load capacity requirement. Therefore, to transport heavier goods, multi-axle semi-trailers are adopted.

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