gingerfold:
A simple question but a complex answer.From 1958 to 1965 in the UK, the maximum GVW / axle loading weights in each vehicle category were (ignoring the intermediate weights): -
2 axle rigid 14 tons, 5 tons front axle 9 tons rear axle
3 axle rigid 20 tons, 5 tons front axle 15 tons rear bogie
4 axle rigid 24 tons, 4 tons each front axle 16 tons rear bogie
4 axle rigid plus 2 axle drawbar trailer 32 tons (24 tons gvw prime mover 8 tons gvw trailer)
4 axle artic 24 tons (a four-in-line semi-trailer was classed as a two axle semi-trailer)From 1965 maximum gross vehicle weights were increased:-
2 axle rigid 16 tons, 6 tons front axle 10 tons rear axle
3 axle rigid 22 tons, 6 tons front axle 16 tons rear bogie
4 axle rigid 24, 26, or 28 tons depending on outer axle spread. (28 tons eight wheelers were very rare in the UK because they were so unwieldy)
4 axle artic, 30 / 32 tons. (32 tons required outer axle spread limitations to be met within overall combination length limits and the trailer bogie was at the extrmity of the trailer) 5 tons front axle, 10 tons drive axle, up to 17 tons on the trailer bogie.
5 axle artic 32 tons.
I think the 3 axle “steer” was rated at 18tons so would that have been 9ton rear axle and 2x4:5 ton steer axles ? Cheers Bewick.