WT&CG

Spreadsheet Manual For Excel Weight &

Center-Of-Gravity Calculations

Calculates weight distribution on each axle, weight

distribution on individual wheels, percentage of equipment and payload on the front and rear axles, percentage
of vehicle curb weight on the front and rear axles and
centers-of-gravity (horizontal, lateral and vertical).

NTEA 37400 Hills Tech Drive

Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3414
1-800-441-NTEA (248) 489-7090 FAX (248) 489-8590
info@ntea.com www.ntea.com

WT&CG
S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Lotus 123 We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s
S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Excel We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s

WEIGHT & CENTER-OF-GRAVITY

SPREADSHEET (EXCEL)
The Weight & Center-of-Gravity Spreadsheet (saved on
the disk as WTCG) can be used to calculate the weight
and center-of-gravity, the axle loadings, the individual
wheel loadings, the percentage of equipment and
payload on each axle and the percentage of total vehicle
weight on each axle for any combination of chassis and
components. The horizontal and vertical centers-ofgravity are used for a variety of compliance and weight
distribution calculations. Finding the individual wheel
loadings and some compliance calculations will require
the lateral center-of-gravity as measured from the
centerline of the truck to the side.
Any one of the parameters can be calculated. For
example, the center-of-gravity of the components
without the chassis can be calculated by not entering a
value for the front and rear weights of the chassis.
Similarly, the horizontal center-of-gravity can be calculated by entering horizontal center-of-gravity data for
each component.
By including the front and rear axle treads, the
individual wheel loadings are calculated. This feature is
very helpful when making an off-center installation
such as a digger derrick. When the axle tread dimensions are not included, the spreadsheet will calculate the
total axle loading.
Copies of WTCG are available in the following
formats with the listed file names and file extensions.
Before using WTCG, insert the sample data in Figure 4
into a test copy to insure that your results agree with the
example. If other formats are needed, this spreadsheet is
supplied in printed form with all formulas listed:
LOTUS 1-2-3 Release 1A ............................... WTCG.WKS

On the copy, enter the date in cell E2 by writing over

the 7/16/89 date with a label. The edit function can
be used to enter the vehicle description in cell A5 after
the word VEHICLE.
Print cells A2 through 53. Intermediate calculations
are performed in columns G through H. They are
necessary for the calculation process but do not
contain output information.
Data for each parameter must be consistent in the
choice of a reference point. Horizontal center-ofgravity location can be measured from any point as
long as all horizontal measurements are taken from
that point. Usually, the horizontal center-of gravity
measurements are referenced from the center of the
front axle. Toward the rear is positive and toward the
front is negative. Similarly, the vertical center-of-gravity
is usually referenced to the top of the frame rail at the
back of the cab or to the ground. Lateral center-ofgravity location is measured from the centerline of the
vehicle toward the right (curb) side and is positive.

VEHICLE DATA Section

Enter the WHEELBASE in cell B7 and the CAB-TOAXLE in cell B8. The TREAD dimensions are entered
in cells E8 and E9 if the individual wheel loadings are
desired for those trucks with off-center loading. If the
TREADs are not entered, the total axle-loadings will be
calculated, not the individual wheels. The axle TREAD
dimension is the distance between the centers of the
tire to the ground contact-points for the tires on an
axle. For axles with dual tires, the TREAD is the
distance between the midpoint of the dual tires on one
side to the midpoint of the dual tires on the other side.
The WHEELBASE dimension must be entered to
calculate the axle weights. CAB-TO-AXLE is listed for
reference and is not needed.

LOTUS 1-2-3 Release 2 ................................... WTCG.WKI

MICROSOFT EXCEL ..................................... WTCG.XLS
First, make a copy of WTCG under another name for
data entry. WTCG should remain as the master without
being used to make calculations. As an example, WTCG
could be saved in a customers name to perform the
calculation.
Before data is entered, some of the cells will contain
the message ERR or 0.00. That indicates that the cell
is a formula that depends on data from other cells that
have not been entered. As the information is entered into
the other cells, numbers will appear in these cells.

CHASSIS COMPONENTS Section

Enter the front weight and rear weight for the base
chassis in cells B12 and C12.
Descriptions of options are entered in cells A13
through 16, with the corresponding front and rear
weights in cells B13 through 16 and C13 through 16.
The resulting front, rear and total weights are calculated and shown in cells B17 through D17. The horizontal center-of-gravity for the chassis with options is
calculated and shown in cell C18, labeled HOR CG.

If you have problems using this Spreadsheet, call the NTEA at 1-800-441-NTEA.

WT&CG
S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Lotus 123 We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s
S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Excel We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s

ADDED COMPONENTS Section

OUTPUT DATA Section

All horizontal center-of-gravity measurements must be

taken from the same reference point; all vertical center-ofgravity measurements must be taken from the same
reference point; all lateral center-of-gravity measurements must be taken from the same reference point.
Horizontal center-of-gravity information is necessary to
calculate the weight distribution. Vertical and lateral
center-of-gravity data is entered only if the resultant
lateral or vertical center-of-gravity is needed. Neither
vertical nor lateral C-G information affects the weight
distribution calculations.
The data for the chassis center-of-gravity and the
weight are automatically entered in cells B21 and E21
from the calculations performed above in the spreadsheet. The front axle is used as the reference point for the
center-of-gravity. The vertical and lateral centers-ofgravity data for the chassis is entered in cells C21 and
D21 if the vertical and lateral centers-of-gravity calculations are made. Rows 22 through 36 are for entering the
data for other components such as: body, bumper, frame
sections, hoists, lift gates, snowplows and winches.
Horizontal centers-of-gravity, measured from the
centerline of the front axle, is entered in column B with
positive toward the rear and negative toward the front.
For example, a front-mounted winch would have a
negative center-of-gravity measurement. Vertical centersof-gravity, measured from either the top of the frame rail
at the back of the cab or the ground, are entered in
column C. Lateral centers-of-gravity are positive when
measured from the centerline of the vehicle toward the
right (curb) side. These are entered in
column D.
Row 37 is labeled for PAYLOAD data. The payload
horizontal center-of-gravity is entered in cell B37, the
vertical and lateral C-Gs in cells C37 and D37 (if needed),
and the weight in cell E37.
If PAYLOAD data is entered, the weight of the
PAYLOAD can be increased in steps to see whether the
front or the rear axles load to capacity first or the vehicle
to GVWR. The PAYLOAD capacity of the vehicle is
determined when one of the axles is loaded to capacity
or the GVWR is reached.

TOTAL WEIGHT (cell E38) is the sum of all of the

entered weights for chassis, equipment and payload.
HORIZONTAL CENTER-OF-GRAVITY (cell C40) is the
horizontal center-of-gravity for all of the chassis, added
components and payload listed in the input data sections.
VERTICAL CENTER-OF-GRAVITY (cell C41) is the
vertical center-of-gravity for all of the chassis, added
components and payload items in the input data sections.
LATERAL CENTER-OF-GRAVITY (cell C42) is the
lateral center-of-gravity for all of the chassis, added
components and payload items in the input data sections.
FRONT AXLE LEFT, RIGHT and TOTAL (cells C45,
D45 and E45): are the weights of the left and right wheels
on the front axle, if the tread information was included
and the total weight on the front axle.
REAR AXLE LEFT, RIGHT and TOTAL (cells C46,
D46 and E46): are the weights of the left and right wheels
on the rear axle if the tread information was included
and the total weight on the rear axle.
PERCENTAGE OF EQUIPMENT AND PAYLOAD
WEIGHT FRONT AND REAR AXLES (cells D49 and
E49): is the percentage of the equipment and payload
weight that are carried on the front and rear axles. If the
chassis weights are entered, they are not included in this
calculation.
PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL VEHICLE WEIGHT
FRONT AND REAR AXLE (cells D50 and E50): is the
percentage of the data items entered that is carried on
the front axle. Chassis weights are included in this
calculation.

EXAMPLES
FIGURE 1
Shows the WTCG spreadsheet with no data. This is a
printout of the master. 0.00 indicates cells that are
dependent on the data in other cells. ERR means error
and is the result of dividing by zero. As data is entered,
the zeros and ERR output will be replaced with
numbers.

If you have problems using this Spreadsheet, call the NTEA at 1-800-441-NTEA.

WT&CG
S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Lotus 123 We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s
S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Excel We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s

FIGURE 2
Shows the analysis of the equipment that is added to the
chassis with no data entered for the chassis except for
the wheelbase. When the wheelbase is entered, the front
and rear axle weights and the percentages of weights on
each axle are calculated. Without the wheelbase, the
centers-of-gravity will be calculated but the axle loadings and percentages will not. This calculation shows
the effect of the added equipment on the front and rear
axle weights and the centers-of-gravity. In this example,
the horizontal center-of-gravity reference point is the
center of the front axle. The vertical center-of-gravity is
measured from the ground. The lateral center-of-gravity
is measured from the centerline of the chassis, with the
curbside being positive. Notice that all of the center-ofgravity measurements are positive.
The results show the three centers-of-gravity (horizontal, lateral and vertical), the front and rear axle
weights and the percentages of weight on the axles for
the body and hoist and related equipment. Because the
chassis data was not entered, the percentage of EQUIPMENT and PAYLOAD WEIGHTS and the percentage
of the TOTAL VEHICLE WEIGHTS are the same.

FIGURE 4
Shows a different GMC Brigadier with a single rear axle, a
service body, high roof and a digger derrick. Because the
digger derrick is relatively heavy and mounted off-center,
the lateral center-of-gravity and the individual wheel
loadings become significant. With off-center loading, the
axle weights will not divide equally between the left and
right wheels. The PAYLOAD was not included in this
example. The horizontal center-of-gravity reference point
is the center of the front axle. The vertical center-of-gravity
is measured from the ground. The lateral center-of-gravity
is measured from the centerline of the chassis, with the
curbside being positive. The results show the three
centers-of-gravity (horizontal, vertical and lateral),
individual wheel loadings, axle weights and the percentage of weight on each axle for the chassis and equipment.
Because the digger derrick is heavy and is mounted
behind the rear axle, the front axle weight of 5,160 lbs.
with all of the equipment mounted is less than the base
chassis weight of 5,800 lbs. The percentage of EQUIPMENT and PAY LOAD WEIGHTS show that the FRONT
AXLE percentage is 7.62% and the REAR AXLE percentage is 107.62%. 7.62% of the equipment weight is removed
from the front axle and transferred to the rear axle.

FIGURE 3
Shows the same truck as in Figure 2, except with data
entered for the front and rear chassis weights, the cabto-axle and the payload. Maximum payload can be
determined by increasing the payload weight until
either the front or rear axles reach their capacity, or the
legal load limit of 48,500 lbs. is reached. However, since
the tread information is missing, the right and left
wheel weights were not calculated. In this example, the
horizontal center-of-gravity reference point is the
center of the front axle. The vertical center-of-gravity is
measured from the ground. The lateral center-ofgravity is measured from the centerline of the chassis,
with the curbside being positive.
The results show the three centers-of-gravity (horizontal, vertical and lateral) for the chassis and all of the
equipment, the front and rear axle weights and the
percentages of weight on each axle with the truck fully
loaded. The PAYLOAD was adjusted to 26,872 lbs. to
achieve a gross vehicle weight of 48,500 lbs., which is
the legal limit.

If you have problems using this Spreadsheet, call the NTEA at 1-800-441-NTEA.

Figure 1
WT&CG

S p r e a d s h e e t M a n u a l F o r Lotus 123 We i g h t & C e n t e r - O f - G r a v i t y C a l c u l a t i o n s

If you have problems using this Spreadsheet, call the NTEA at 1-800-441-NTEA.

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4