AxleLoad 53 guides

AxleLoad 53 frequently asked questions

Updated October 18, 2026

The calculation

Does AxleLoad 53 replace a scale?

No. It helps you plan a load and spot a problem before you leave. Only a certified scale weight counts at a roadside inspection.

Why is my scale ticket different from the calculation?

Most often because of the tares: if the empty weight of the tractor or trailer is approximate, so is the whole calculation. Other common causes are fuel, pallets heavier than declared and off-center freight. The guide Weighing your truck explains how to measure your tares.

How is the weight split?

The trailer is treated as a beam resting on the kingpin and on its axles: each pallet splits between those two supports according to its position. The kingpin share then splits between the tractor’s steer and drive axles according to the fifth-wheel position. The guide Balancing a 53-foot trailer has the details.

Regulations

Which rules are included?

Quebec (MTQ guide, 2026 edition, including the thaw period), the Canadian interprovincial agreement, and US federal rules with the Bridge Formula and California’s 40-foot rule.

Does the thaw mode change by zone?

No. Thaw limits are the same in all three Quebec zones; only the dates of the period differ from one zone to another.

Are the limits always current?

They follow the official documents named in the guides. Regulations change, and some roads or permits have their own rules: when in doubt, the competent authority always has the final word.

Account and subscription

Is it free?

Yes. All calculation features are free. A free account lets you save 5 loads.

What does Premium include?

For CAD $2.99 per month, the website shows no ads and you can save up to 15 loads. See the subscription terms.

How do I cancel?

Under My account → Manage subscription. Premium stays active until the end of the paid period.

Using the app

Does it work without a connection?

Yes. Once loaded, it works offline; only signing in and saving loads need the Internet.

Can I install it on my phone?

Yes. On iPhone or iPad, open the site in Safari, then Share → Add to Home Screen. On Android, Chrome offers “Install app”.

Is my data private?

Your calculations stay on your device. Only the loads you choose to save go to your account. See the privacy policy.

Open the AxleLoad 53 calculator →Free, in English, French and Spanish. Works on a phone in the cab.

More guides

AxleLoad 53 user guideHow to plan a load in AxleLoad 53: regulations, equipment, pallets, reading the gauges and saving loads.Axle weight limits in Canada and the United StatesSteer, tandem, tridem, gross weight and the Bridge Formula: the limits that apply to a tractor with a 53-foot semi-trailer.Balancing a 53-foot trailer: slider, fifth wheel and palletsHow pallet weight splits between the kingpin and the trailer axles, and how many pounds each slider hole or fifth-wheel notch moves.Quebec spring thaw: zones, dates and load reductionsWhy allowed loads drop every spring in Quebec, how the thaw zones work and how to plan your loads.California’s 40-foot kingpin-to-axle ruleWhat California’s 40-foot KPRA rule measures, how to check it on a 53-foot trailer and how it changes your axle weights.Weighing your truck on a certified scaleHow to weigh axle group by axle group, read a scale ticket and measure your tares for more accurate calculations.Loading and axle weight glossaryKingpin, fifth wheel, slider, tandem, tridem, gross weight, tare, Bridge Formula: loading terms explained simply.About AxleLoad 53 and contactWho builds AxleLoad 53, where the load limits come from, and how to reach us.

This guide is for information only. Legal limits change and depend on the road, the season and your permits: always check with the competent authority. Certified scale weights govern.