What term is used to describe the total weight of a vehicle including its load?

The term that describes the total weight of a vehicle including its load is "Gross weight." Gross weight encompasses the weight of the vehicle itself, along with any cargo, passengers, and fluids necessary for operation, such as fuel and oil. This measurement is crucial for a variety of reasons, including compliance with legal weight limits, highway safety, and ensuring that a vehicle is properly maintained and able to perform as intended when fully loaded.

In contrast, the net weight specifically refers to the weight of the vehicle without any load, making it useful for understanding the vehicle's base weight. The loaded weight could be misunderstood in certain contexts because it may not always account for all operational fluids and equipment. Payload refers specifically to the maximum weight of cargo a vehicle can carry beyond its own weight and doesn’t reflect the total vehicle and cargo weight. Understanding these distinctions is key in the field of motor vehicle law and safety regulations.