Freight glossary / Compliance and authority

What is Gross vehicle weight in freight?

Gross vehicle weight is the combined weight of the tractor, trailer, fuel, and freight. The federal limit on the interstate system is 80,000 pounds without a permit. Staying under it is necessary but not sufficient, because individual axle limits can be exceeded while the gross is still legal.

Also called: gvw, gross weight.

Related terms

• Axle weight
• Weigh out
• Overweight
• Permit