curb weight
curb weight
(OP)
We want to check whether existing granite pavers will crack when a given vehicle with a given payload drives over them. We have developed sophisticated software to do this which accounts for many factors such as but not limited to the foundation factor of the base, etc etc. What we need to know now is where we can find the "curb weight" of a GMC 2000 Topkick C8500 truck. We can find the gross weight on the GMC website, but not the net (i.e. curb) weight. Does anyone know where we might find that information?
Thanks
Thanks






RE: curb weight
... and your GMC dealer should be able to find the information, if you ask nice.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: curb weight
Look at the data from a google images search.
http://www.machineryzone.com/used/used-truck/26359...
Now, here's your problem.
This would be apparently be rated load, at rated or nominal maximum GVW. But the thing is being as a dump truck by all sorts of numb-nuts drivers filled by equally (or worse) numb-nut load "dumpers" driving front-end loaders with little (or lots) of qualifications and skills and training and oversite. It would be my bet that probably 1/5 of the trucks are overloaded by more than 20-30%.
RE: curb weight
RE: curb weight
RE: curb weight
RE: curb weight
“We have developed sophisticated software to do this which accounts for many factors such as...” Oh, really? However sophisticated, you have probably missed a few factors, such as corner loads and variations in the granite paver strength or grain and strata orientation, sufficient soil base variation, etc. etc. I’ve never quite understood how they claim weights on vehicles, but when the truck is empty the front axle will likely be the heaviest axle. However, this is not normally true when the truck is loaded. I’d weigh it if you want to really know. Then define very carefully how the load is placed in it for transport.
Why not take most of this guess work and potential variation or error out of the problem, loading error, driver error, etc. Put down a couple inches of sand, and screed it flat. Then put down crane mats, several layers of 2x planking secured together in some way, several layers of plywood, or some such, to truly protect the pavers and distribute the loads over any irregularities?
RE: curb weight
Look again at the manufacturer's nameplate data shown above: Your information above (13,000 to the front two tires and 12,000 to the four rear tires, with an "assumed maximum" ????? load of only 3500 pounds is going to get you in trouble.
Rated load seems to be 60,000 - 53,220 = 6,780 lbs
GMC's tag clearly says
GVWR (total) = 53,220 lbs
GAWR FRT = 13,200 lbs
GAWR INT = 20,000 lbs
GAWR RR = 20,000 lbs
GCW = 60,000 lbs
Again - None of these include 'stupidity" or overloading (accidental or incidental) of the dump truck - Notorious for both problems unless you are weighing (and unloading when needed) every load by scale. Even wet ground or rain is going to increase dump truck bed loads substantially over nominal weights and measures using the same volume or number of front-end-loader scoops.
1) How are going to limit weight in these trucks to only 3500 lbs?
2) Minimum loads need to be:
The interior axle = 20,000
The rear axle = 20,000
The front axle = 13,200 (close to your assumed value at least)
Perhaps we here, on-line and not knowing your location nor identity nor purpose nor background, cannot change your mind. But .......
RE: curb weight
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: curb weight
To Racookpe: the axle loads were given to us by the transport company, for the GMC model "Topkick 8500". Where did you get your loads from? Are they for this model truck?
To dhengr: Yes we are fully aware of all the factors that you mentioned, and there are a lot more than what you mentioned! But good for you for understanding the limitations of engineering analysis and calculations. Your comments are well taken. Yes we are putting down overlay but we are dealing with 2.5" thick granite pavers so the overlay must be stiff enough to spread the load as comapred to the granite. But you are on the same track as we so this is useful.
To 1gibson: that is a really cool idea!! I wish I had thought of it. We'll see if we can pursue that if we cannot get a definitive answer on the axle loads. Very much appreciated.
RE: curb weight