Can the right tyres optimise your truck's payload capacity?

Q: How do I find the payload capacity of my truck?

The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), determined by vehicle manufacturers, can normally be found on the inside of the driver side door. If you would like to know the kerb weight of your vehicle, you should consult the owner’s manual or the vehicle manufacturer's website.

Q: What is the maximum authorised weight for a truck in Europe?

Gross vehicle weights differ by country across Europe, plus in some markets gross vehicle weights can be higher for electric vehicles, depending on the axle configuration. Many European countries allow for 44-tonne operation over 5-axles, whereas in the UK 40-tonnes is permitted on five axles, and 44-tonnes requires 6-axles. It is crucial to consider both European as well as national regulations depending on where you will be driving.

Q: How much weight can you load on a truck?

The amount of weight that a truck can carry varies greatly depending on the truck model and the GVW, tyres and their load index as well as truck load and axle load weight regulations. It is important to look into all of the factors mentioned in this article to make the right choice according to your use case.

Published on 2 November 2024 - 4 reading minute(s)

Ana Gonzalez: A truck's payload capacity is the total amount of weight a truck can carry internally ౼ which includes everything from the goods you carry in the cargo area, to the fuel in the tank and the shirt on your back!

Calculating a truck's maximum payload capacity is really very simple. You start with the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)¹, which is the maximum weight authorised for a fully loaded vehicle (including the weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo and fuel), and you subtract the Kerb Weight of the vehicle. The Kerb Weight refers to the weight of the empty vehicle ౼ which includes its essential components and all fluids (oil, brake fluid, etc.) required for the vehicle to function, but doesn’t include passengers or cargo. The result is the truck's payload!

The load capacity may be defined in weight (payload) but also in volume (usable space) that a vehicle can safely carry according to the axle configuration, power of the engine, and overall specification.

Ana Gonzalez: When it comes to optimising a truck's payload, one of the first things you need to take into account is the type of goods you plan to transport. If you’re transporting heavy goods, such as metals, you’ll likely hit your payload weight limit before your entire cargo space is filled. On the other hand, if you’re transporting bulkier goods, such as furniture, or lighter weight goods, you’re going to need to optimise every cubic metre.

Why? Because one of the most basic truck regulations, and perhaps the most visible, limits the height of your truck. No matter what type of goods are being hauled, and across many countries in Europe, the maximum height is generally limited to four metres. This is where MICHELIN tyres come into play!

Ana Gonzalez: MICHELIN tyres can safely increase your truck's payload. For starters, our Heavy Load (HL) tyres for trailers and semi-trailers (385/65R22.5 MICHELIN X® Multi HL T -also available in size 445/45R19.5) can help fleets increase payload. Because these tyres boast a higher Load Index, they allow axles to carry more weight (within the limits of regulations). Specifically, our HL tyres have a Load Index of 164, which translates into 10 tons per trailer axle!

Michelin also offers tyres that help fleets optimise load capacity by volume, with fitments that have a slightly smaller diameter compared to standard heavy-duty tyres. This means that the floor of your cargo space is lower to the ground. Lowering the floor allows you to raise the ceiling of your cargo space without exceeding the four-metre limit enforced in certain European countries (a height limit which is not applicable within the UK) ౼ gaining precious centimetres of useable space!

Furthermore, the combination of 315/45R22.5 MICHELIN X® Multi D tyres on the drive axle and 445/45R19.5 MICHELIN X® Multi HL T tyres on the trailer axles maximises loading height and usable space while complying with the four-metre height regulation. This combination allows fleets to reach a capacity of 100 cubic metres in a semi-trailer!

Ana Gonzalez: Yes! There is a misconception among some fleet owners that a smaller tyre is less robust than standard dimension tyres and that is just not true! At Michelin, we incorporate proprietary technology into the tyre itself to boost robustness.

INFINICOIL technology: This is a continuous steel wire that wraps around the tyre to bring greater stability and above all greater endurance ౼ which raises the load index.

POWERCOIL technology: A new generation of robust steel casing cables which help to make each tyre lighter, leading to better endurance and reduced rolling resistance.

DURACOIL technology: To improve robustness, Michelin integrates a new type of premium nylon that protects the bead bundle and creates a reinforced zone between the tyre and the wheel.

Michelin also offers increasingly lighter tyres, without compromising on performance. Our Opticoil technology enables significant weight reduction without compromising sturdiness or other performance factors.

Ana Gonzalez: Truck mass regulations limit the weight you can have in your truck, per axle. This number corresponds to the maximum weight a tyre can support when properly inflated; the higher the index number, the greater the truck's payload capacity.

When transporting heavy loads, if regulations allow for 10 tons per axle, you can use tyres with high load indices (LI 164) as well as lighter but equally robust tyres to increase payload. To increase the volume of goods transported per vehicle in high-volume transport ౼ such as automotive parts, home appliances, furniture, toys, empty bottles ౼ opt for robust tyres with a smaller diameter (i.e. 60, 50, 45 series).

In addition to selecting the best tyre for your particular use case, several other factors can increase your payload. But always keep in mind that it is crucial to comply with the most recent regulations and avoid overloading your vehicle. Here are some best practices:

Use heavy-duty or aftermarket suspension components including shocks, springs and sway bars

Specify adjustable air suspension, which increases spring stiffness

Use lighter components including bumpers and accessories

Upgrade to higher weight-rated axles

Ana Gonzalez: Put simply, exceeding payload limits can pose a safety risk, and land an operator in trouble with local enforcement agencies. Payload regulations are in place to ensure vehicles remain stable and all critical functions operate correctly. An overloaded truck is more likely to be involved in an accident due to reduced responsiveness ౼ meaning poorer handling and longer braking distances. Additionally, overloading accelerates wear and tear on the vehicle and tyres and increases the risk of blowouts. That's why it's essential to calculate your payload capacity!

Ana Gonzalez: Let’s think back to those extra centimetres that you can gain by using smaller dimension tyres. Those extra centimetres translate into more cargo space, which has two major benefits for fleets. First of all, boosting the payload capacity of one truck means using fewer trucks to transport the same amount of cargo ౼ a productivity boost that is great for your bottom line! At the same time, fewer trucks on the road also shrinks your fleet’s environmental footprint ౼ a win for the planet, and your sustainability goals.