Kingpin load
Page 45
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A Ministry plating certificate for a semitrailer gives the axle weights and the gross weight. If each axle weight is 9,150kg and the gross weight is 27,690kg does that mean that, by deducting the total axle weights from the gross weight, the maximum king pin loading is 9,390kg ?
A Subtracting the total of
the permitted trailer axle weights does not produce a "maximum king pin load" as you indicate. It gives you the actual weight which should not be exceeded on the king pin if the axles were loaded to their maximum capacity and the trailer's permitted gross weight was not to be exceeded.
Generally, to allow some tolerance in load distribution, the permitted king pin loading will be higher than the gross weight minus the axle weights.
This is needed to cover situations where the trailer is loaded to capacity but the axles are not.
The maximum weight designed to be imposed by a semi-trailer on a drawing vehicle should be recorded on the maker's plate fitted to the trailer.