The Weight of an Empty Semi-Trailer Truck in the US and Canada

When it comes to understanding the weight of a semitrailer truck, especially in the United States and Canada, there are several factors that influence the overall weight. This article delves into the typical weight of an empty semitrailer truck in both the US and Canada, along with the key differences.

Typical Weights in the US and Canada

A typical truck with a standard full-size sleeper without a trailer typically weighs around 20,000 pounds or 10 tons. When paired with a 53-foot refrigerated trailer, the empty combination truck/trailer weighs approximately 37,500 pounds or 17,500 pounds for the trailer and 20,000 pounds for the truck, making the total around 37,500 pounds.

It is important to note that there can be some variance depending on the exact configuration, type of truck and trailer, and the level of fuel. However, these figures provide a good estimate for a typical semi-truck in both the US and Canada.

Factors Affecting the Weight

Several factors can influence the weight of an empty truck or trailer. For instance, a truck with a flatbed only typically weighs around 30,000 pounds (15 tons), while adding a van trailer increases the weight by a few thousand pounds. Over the years, there has been a trend towards lighter trucks and trailers to improve fuel efficiency and reduce costs.

I have experienced trucks and trailers weighing anywhere from 40,000 pounds to as low as 28,000 pounds. My current truck and van trailer, fully fueled, weigh 32,500 pounds with DEF. Fuel is a significant factor; it can vary the weight by over 1,000 pounds.

Comparative Weights on the US-Canada Border

While the weight of an empty truck is the same on either side of the US-Canada border, the measurement units differ. In Canada, the weight is typically reported in kilograms, while in the US, it is reported in pounds. On a border crossing, the weight would remain the same but would be reported in different units.

For example, a truck that weighs 31,700 pounds with a full tank of fuel would be weighed when crossing the border. The weight of the load on the deck significantly adds to the total load, with the pipe load adding around 45,000 pounds to the total.

A typical 53-foot dry-van trailer weighs about 2,000 pounds more than a dry-van trailer, making it around 22,000 pounds.

Average Weight Estimations

On average, the empty weight of a semitrailer truck can range from around 27,000 pounds to 35,000 pounds. This range is influenced by the different types of equipment, the specific configuration of the truck and trailer, and other factors such as fuel levels.

It is crucial to understand that the weight of an empty truck is the same as it is when fully loaded, minus the weight of the load.