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Kollin Joines, member at large (LinkedIn), NTEA Generation Next
Steering Committee
This article was originally published in the January 2025 issue of Generation Next Edition.
NTEA offers a variety of resources designed to support its
member companies, and one standout tool is the Vehicle Center of Gravity &Axle Weight Calculator. This intuitive, interactive resource is free for NTEA
members and is designed to be part of your toolkit to perform calculations as
part of a thorough weight analysis and compliance evaluation of your custom
vehicle upfits and modifications. Accessing it is simple — just log in to your
ntea.com account and visit ntea.com/weightcalculator.
Why use the calculator?
The tool isn’t just free — it’s incredibly user-friendly,
complete with a tutorial for new users. It’s designed to simplify the often
complex task of calculating axle weights and center of gravity (CG) location
for custom vehicle configurations, helping you determine if weight and CG
limitations are being met for compliance with applicable motor vehicle safety
standards and Federal Bridge Law.
Getting started
Before diving in, gather key information about your vehicle,
including:
- Original
chassis weights and dimensions
- Gross
axle weight ratings (GAWRs)
- Gross
vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
Once you input your chassis weights and dimensions, you’ll
move on to configuring the body type. Choose from a range of options, such as
dump bodies, flatbeds, cargo boxes, and more.
The occupant and cargo tab allows you to fine-tune:
- Cargo
weight and location
- Passenger
weight and location
Optional equipment, like cranes or plows, can also be added;
additional optional sections allow for inputs of trailers and axle
modifications.
As you fill in each section, completed tabs will display
with a green checkmark, indicating that all input fields have data values (an
independent review by legal and engineering experts is necessary to determine
if the weight limitations are met). If there’s any missing information, a
caution symbol will appear, prompting you to review your inputs.
Reviewing outputs
On the right-hand side of the screen, you’ll find outputs
for:
- Remaining
weight capacity
If your inputs exceed chassis weight ratings, the affected
fields will turn red. Depending on the situation, reconfiguring the upfit
and/or the chassis being evaluated may be necessary.
Why it matters
This calculator doesn’t just help you calculate axle weights
and CG — it also evaluates Federal Bridge weight limits for applicable axle
groups, and it will indicate whether each group is within respective limits or
not. This tool can help ensure your custom upfits and modifications meet legal
requirements, enhancing safety for your team and your customers.
Start using the tool today at ntea.com/weightcalculator.
Learn more
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