Analysis of the Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey for Trucks ... - About

7.5.3 Changes in Truck Weights
# MEAN TARE (EMPTY) WEIGHT
Changes in empty weight moderated in 1997, between 1987 and 1992 all body types increased.
This was not true between 1992 and 1997 where some body types actually decreased and the
increases were small, as shown in Table 7.5.3-1. Figure 7.5.3-1 graphically compares, for 1987,
1992, and 1997, the mean tare weight of specific truck configuration/body type combinations.
Figure 7.5.3-2 compares regionally the mean empty weights of 3-S2s for selected body types.
The average empty weight was 16,891 pounds.
# MEAN “AVERAGE” LOADED WEIGHT
Mean “average” loaded weight is the statistical mean of the weight reported on the surveys as
“average.” Figure 7.5.3-3 compares, for 1987, 1992 and 1997, the mean average loaded weight
of specific truck configuration/body type combinations. Figure 7.5.3-4 compares, regionally, the
mean “average” loaded weights of 3-S2s for selected body types.
# MEAN MAXIMUM LOADED WEIGHT (TARE + MAXIMUM PAYLOAD)
Overall there is little change between 1992 and 1997 as shown in Table 7.5.3-3. The exceptions
are over 5% weight increase for the 3-S2 grain body and 2-S1-2 drop frame van. On the
reduction side both the 3-S3 basic platform and basic enclosed vans have decreased more than
7%.
# MEAN MAXIMUM PAYLOAD WEIGHT
Some configuration/body types have shown an increase and some have shown decreases. The
decreases are relatively small as shown in Table 7.5.3-4. Figure 7.5.3-5 compares, for 1987,
1992, and 1997, the mean maximum payload weight of specific truck configuration/body type
combinations.
# MEAN “AVERAGE” PAYLOAD WEIGHT
There were mixed results for the average payload weight between 1987, 1992 and 1997 as shown
in Table 7.5.3-5. Figure 7.5.3-6 compares, for 1987, 1992 and 1997, the mean “average” payload
weight of specific truck configuration/body type combinations.
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