Difference Between Gross Weight and Curb Weight

Gross Weight vs Curb Weight

There are two concepts that are commonly employed when it comes to the weight of a vehicle, these are gross weight and curb weight. It is important to know what gross weight and curb weight entail, and what all is included in these two weights to ensure the safety of your family and the vehicle that you are driving. This article attempts to clarify the differences between ‘gross weight’ and ‘curb weight’, and why after all these two types of weights are important for the owner of a vehicle.

Curb Weight

Curb weight is often defined by the manufacturer, and it is important to see what is included and what has been excluded to arrive at the curb weight of a vehicle as this weight is used to calculate other weights such as cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle or the maximum payload. In general, curb weight is the actual weight of the vehicle when there are no passengers loaded on it and there is no luggage on the vehicle either. However, curb weight includes fuel tank that is full of gas.

Gross Weight

Gross weight of a vehicle is always its curb weight along with the weight of the passengers and the cargo they have with them. Thus,

Gross weight = Curb weight + Total weight of the passengers + Luggage on the vehicle

If you look closely, these two concepts give us an insight into payload capacity of the vehicle as Gross weight – Curb weight = Loading capacity of a vehicle or the weight that a vehicle can carry upon it.

What is the difference between Gross Weight and Curb Weight? • Curb weight of a vehicle is the standard weight of the vehicle with all standard accessories and liquids and coolants, but without t any passengers and cargo. • Gross weight is curb weight plus passengers and cargo. • The difference between gross weight and curb weight gives us the load carrying capacity of the vehicle.