How to Determine the Weight Carrying Capacity of a Flatbed Gooseneck Trailer

Question:

I have a flatbed gooseneck with two 10,000 lbs axles, I was wondering if that means I can carry 20,000 lbs of goods or am I able to carry more than that?

asked by: Curtis

Expert Reply:

I would not automatically assume your trailer has a weight capacity of 20,000 lbs or more with two 10,000 lb axles. You must also consider the weight of the trailer itself and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer. The GVWR is the maximum weight that your trailer can weigh when it is loaded. This should be listed on the identification or specs plate on the nose of your trailer.

The best way to determine the load capacity of your trailer is to subtract the weight of the trailer when it is empty from the GVWR.

If the load is distributed properly on the gooseneck trailer, then approximately 20 percent of the total weight will be transferred to the tow vehicles rear axle so that will take some of the weight off of the axles, but the total weight of the trailer should not exceed the GVWR.

You will also want to keep in mind that the gross weight of the trailer should not exceed the towing capacity of your truck. Your truck will have a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). This is the maximum amount of weight that your truck and trailer can weigh together. I recommend loading your truck with all of the people and cargo you plan on carrying and have it weighed. You will subtract that weight from your GCWR and that will give you your towing capacity.

expert reply by: John H

Jim H.

3/13/2025

Hi if I load my gooseneck trailer properly, can I put 20% more over my Trailer’s GVWR? If I load it properly, my trailer wheels will scale about 20% less than my Trailer’s GVWR. So I’m wondering if I can actually put a little more weight on my trailer than the sticker GVWR if I load it properly.

John H.

3/13/2025

@JimH State patrol would say no, so legally you would get a ticket if they pulled out the scales, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't do exactly what you are talking about from time to time. The technical answer is no. Like you said most trailer manufacturers typically undersize the axles to the trailer GVWR by about 20%, so you normally see two 8K axles (16K lbs for both) on a 20K GVWR trailer. In this example, you can load 20K on the trailer, assuming the weight is distributed properly, because that extra 20% would be on the tongue and factor into the truck's payload capacity, but the frame of the trailer is still technically holding 20K lbs.

Jim H.

3/13/2025

@JohnH Thanks much!