That semitruck crawling up the hill in front of you or approaching at what seems to be a dangerous speed behind you at a red light looks huge and imposing. You normally feel rather safe in your SUV, as high as it is off the ground, but you feel nervous every time you’re around a semi. The size difference is daunting. But how much does a semi usually weigh?
Every truck is different, depending on the make, model and what type of cargo it is hauling. However, the maximum weight for a truck in the United States clocks in at a stunning 80,000 pounds.
That number is so large that it’s rather hard to comprehend what it means in the real world. To help, here are a few weights for common passenger vehicles:
- 2012 Toyota Camry: 3,190 pounds
- 2015 BMW 3 Series: 3,295 pounds
- 2013 Audi A6: 3,682 pounds
- 2015 Tesla Model S: 4,646 pounds
- 2016 Ford F-250 Super Duty Crew Cab: 6,547 pounds
- 2016 Kia Sorento AWD: 4,004 pounds
- 2017 Jeep Wrangler: 3,941 pounds
- 2017 Honda Odyssey: 4,470 pounds
- 2013 Chevrolet Equinox: 3,777 pounds
- 2017 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab: 4,230 pounds
As you can see, even the large vehicles on this list — the pickups made by Ford and Toyota or the SUVs made by Kia and Chevrolet — weigh in well under 7,000 pounds, which is a fraction of what a semi weighs. Everything but the Super Duty clocks in closer to 4,000 pounds and below. The Super Duty feels like a massive truck when you climb in, but it is tiny compared to a tractor-tailor.
All of this is very important in an accident, as the smaller vehicle tends to take far more damage. If you get involved in an accident, make sure you know how to seek financial compensation.