When you purchase a car or any vehicle, you will see there are 2 types of weights mentioned in the instructions manual. They are curb weight and gross weight. Most people are confused after looking at them. They are not able to decide which one is the real load capacity of their vehicles.
But today, you will learn everything about gross weight vs curb weight and its differences.
Curb Weight
The curb weight is the actual weight of a vehicle that includes the vehicle body, a filled fuel tank, transmission oil, brake oil, and any other necessary equipment except the passengers and cargo.
So If you want to understand it, let’s take an example. The lighter trucks have a curb weight ranging from 1800 kg to 2150 kg, and class 4 trucks range from 6350 kg to 7250 kg.
The class 5 trucks range from 7250 kg to 8850 kg. This class of trucks is normally used for road freight globally. The class 6 trucks have a curb weight from 8850 kg to 11800 kg, it includes rack trucks, single axles, and beverage trucks.
Gross Weight
The gross weight is the sum of the curb weight plus the cargo weight, passengers, and any additional tools or equipment. It is the total weight of the truck that is fully loaded with goods and going on its route.
For example, if the truck has a curb weight of 8850 kg and it carries 2500 kg weight and 3 passengers weighing 280 kg, then its gross weight will be 11630 kg.
6 Differences Between Curb Weight and Gross Weight
There are some main differences in the curb weight and gross weight. We have made a table to categorize important points for your better understanding.
| Category | Curb Weight | Gross Weight |
| Components Included | Vehicle weight + fuel + standard equipment + brake oil + Transmission oil | Curb weight + Weight of cargo + Passengers + additional equipment |
| Usage | For the classification of vehicles, and performance comparisons | For safety and legal purposes, such as load limits |
| Measurement | It is always static and never changes for a particular vehicle. | It is dynamic and changes with each cargo size. |
| Labeling | Not always displayed on the vehicle’s manual. | Always displayed on the vehicle’s placard in the form of GVWR. |
| Safety | This is built-in, so directly doesn’t affect safety. | If it is overloaded than the maximum limit, then accidents can happen. |
| Insurance and Taxes | It rarely impacts. | It is used by customs authorities to calculate taxes and insurance. |
How Curb Weight and Gross Weight Affect The Performance of the Vehicle
The curb and gross weight directly affect the vehicle’s performance. Let’s understand some important points.
Fuel Efficiency
If the curb weight of your vehicle is high, then it is less fuel efficient because of its heavy size and giant body. Similarly, if the curb weight is lower, then fuel efficiency increases. Although it is affected by the gross weight as well, however, it is dynamic so it is not the main factor to impact fuel efficiency.
Safety and Overhauling
If your vehicle carries more weight than the upper limit, then the chances of accidents increase. There are strong safety issues because it becomes difficult to apply brakes to stop the heavy vehicle. Moreover, the maintenance expenses increase due to excessive usage. Gross weight is the main culprit to impact safety and overhauling.
FAQs
Is Fuel Included in the Curb Weight?
Yes, fuel is always included in the curb weight of the vehicle. It includes all the standard equipment, oils, and a filled fuel tank.
What is the Difference Between the Unladen Weight and the Curb Weight?
Unladen is actually the weight of the vehicle body only, it doesn’t include any fuel or standard equipment, while the curb weight includes the fuel tank and all the necessary equipment.
Can I Increase the GVWR of My Vehicle?
You can load extra weight on your vehicle, however, it causes safety concerns, is more prone to accidents, and increases fuel expenses & maintenance charges.
Conclusion
So as a car owner, it is important for you to understand the difference between gross weight and curb weight. If we try to summarize the whole discussion in one line, you can say curb weight is the original car’s mass. And gross weight is equal to all the products on the vehicle plus the passengers as well.
