You can expect an average semi-truck weight to be about 80,000 pounds (36,287 kg).
When looking at the specs for different semi-trucks, the weight will be typically listed as GVWR. This stands for gross vehicle weight rating or the maximum weight of the vehicle including the vehicle’s chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, fuel, accessories, driver, passengers, and cargo, excluding any trailers.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, the legal maximum gross weight of a truck is 80,000 lbs. Special permits and exceptions can allow for loads up to 150,000 lbs. The specific truck size and weight limit laws vary on a state to state basis.
Most semi-trucks fall under Class 8 truck classification, a heavy truck over 33,001 lbs, requiring a CDL or commercial driver’s license to operate.
Make sure to check your vehicle’s towing capacity. This can be found in your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website as your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
7 Example Semi Truck Weights
The following chart features example semi-truck weights of specific models ranging from the lightest to the heaviest used on the road. Additional details can be found on the manufacturer’s websites. Here’s the semi-truck weight chart:
| Semi Truck Model | Estimated GVWR |
| 2006 Peterbilt 379 | 48,000 lbs (21,772 kg) |
| 2019 Mack Anthem 64T | 52,000 lbs (23,587 kg) |
| 2020 Freightliner Cascadia 126 | 52,000 lbs (23,587 kg) |
| 2007 International Workstar 7400 | 58,000 lbs (26,308 kg) |
| 2013 Kenworth T660 | 80,000 lbs (36,287 kg) |
| 2020 Volvo VNL64T740 | 80,000 lbs (36,287 kg) |
| 2020 Peterbilt 579 | 80,000 lbs (36,287 kg) |
Source: Truck Paper
Additional Weight and Trailer Options
The additional weight you will encounter with a semi-truck will come from a few areas. Those areas being wheels, add-ons, additional storage, and sleeper cabins. This creates an additional weight to consider when traveling in a semi-truck.
Common hauling uses and types of trailers for a semi-truck include:
- Automotive transport
- Boats
- Dump trailers for gravel, dirt, concrete
- Flatbeds for industrial equipment
- Furniture
- Livestock
- Logging
- “Reefers” refrigerated units for frozen or temperature-controlled goods
- Shipping and package delivery
- Tankers for oil, septic, natural gas, water
Make sure to refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual and read the section on towing capacity. Although they’re designed for carrying heavy loads, it’s always safer to leave some extra wiggle room to not damage your engine.
To Conclude
Semi-trucks provide a great mode of transport out on the road for transporting and hauling heavy loads and industrial equipment. Each make, model, and size comes along with its own weight based on use and if any mods are installed. The key factors to consider the weight of a semi-truck come down to:
- Length
- Construction/material
- What’s being hauled
- Fuel tank
It’s important to know the correct weight when looking to tow and transport with your semi-truck. If you’re unsure and want specific weights, you can always check the manufacture’s website or go to a local cat scale to get a more accurate weight.