How to Determine the Tonnage of a Light Truck Rear Axle?
2 Answers
The method to determine the tonnage of a light truck rear axle is to check the model number on the vehicle's nameplate. Generally, the middle two digits on a truck's nameplate indicate the vehicle's gross weight, which is the combined weight of the vehicle's own weight and the permitted load capacity. For example, '09' indicates a gross weight of 9 tons. (The fourth digit represents the sequence of different vehicle models of the same tonnage from the same manufacturer.) The gross weight is the sum of the load-bearing capacity of the front and rear axles, with the front axle typically bearing about half the load of the rear axle. The rear axle mainly has two technical parameters: 1. Load capacity level; 2. Gear ratio: There is no unified format for the numbering regulations of rear axles among manufacturers, so the focus should be on these two parameters provided. The load capacity level indicates the maximum design load-bearing capacity of the rear axle, expressed in tons, such as: 6-ton level, 10-ton level, 11-ton level, etc.
I've been driving light trucks for over a decade, and judging rear axle tonnage mainly relies on several practical methods. The most straightforward way is to crawl under the vehicle and check the steel stamp on the axle housing, where combinations like '5T' or '1060' directly indicate the tonnage. Another method is to count the leaf springs – a 5-ton axle typically has over 10 leaves, while a 3-ton one usually has 8. Tire wear patterns can also serve as a reference; tires on vehicles frequently hauling heavy loads show severe inner tread wear. Additionally, checking the vehicle's compliance certificate or registration document will list the rear axle's rated load in the parameter table. Once when I bought a used truck, I noticed the reinforcement rib in the middle of the axle was exceptionally thick – measuring 12 cm in diameter – which told me it was a heavy-duty 7-ton axle. If still uncertain, just take a photo and post it on truck forums; veteran drivers have a sharp eye for these details.
