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BC Class 1–4 overview

BC Class 1–4: Loading and weight distribution

Where to place heavy loads on a truck, axle load shares for freight, dump and mixer trucks, covered aggregate loads, livestock and liquid tank loads.

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Loading and weight distribution · Question 1Score 0/0

Why is a concentrated heavy load placed against the cab a problem?

Study reference: Driving Commercial Vehicles (ICBC, 2024 edition), Ch. 5 Skills for driving trucks and trailers — Loading cargo, Arranging and distributing loads, Special cargo

All 10 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. Why is a concentrated heavy load placed against the cab a problem?

    1. It improves steering control by adding front weight
    2. It protects the cab in a crash
    3. It can bend the frame and overload the front tires
    4. It lowers the centre of gravity

  2. How are dump trucks and cement mixers designed to share their load?

    1. About 45 per cent each, 10 per cent steering
    2. About 50 per cent front, 50 per cent rear
    3. About 70 per cent rear, 30 per cent steering axle
    4. About 90 per cent rear, 10 per cent steering axle

  3. When should an aggregate load such as crushed stone be covered?

    1. Only on highways with limits over 90 km/h
    2. Never; tarps are optional
    3. When it could bounce, blow or fall off
    4. Only in wet weather

  4. You park a single-unit truck uphill with no curb. Which way do you turn the wheels?

    1. Right, toward the road edge
    2. Left, toward the centre of the road
    3. Straight ahead
    4. Away from the slope

  5. Why must you slow down on curves with a liquid tank load that has no baffles?

    1. The tank may leak at the valves
    2. Baffles are required only on hills
    3. The pump may overheat
    4. The liquid surges and can tip the vehicle

  6. Where should a concentrated heavy load go on a straight truck?

    1. Tight against the headboard behind the cab
    2. Partly over or just ahead of the rear axles
    3. On the side nearest the curb
    4. At the very back of the deck

  7. May you load items on the tailgate?

    1. No
    2. Yes, for short trips
    3. Yes, if the gate is chained
    4. Yes, if they are tied

  8. A heavy load sits on one side of the deck. What can happen on a wet road?

    1. Nothing, if the load is tied
    2. The truck brakes more evenly because of the weight
    3. Wheels on the light side can lock and skid
    4. The tires grip better

  9. What can happen if a heavy load is placed at the very back of a truck?

    1. The front tires overheat and wear quickly
    2. Braking improves
    3. The truck uses less fuel
    4. Steering becomes very difficult

  10. How should a partial load of livestock be carried?

    1. Use false bulkheads to keep them together
    2. Leave gates open for air
    3. Load them only at the rear
    4. Spread the animals out across the whole deck

Loading and weight distribution: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Class 3 and heavy trailer endorsement (p. 3–4, 8–12)

  • Class 3 covers trucks with more than two axles such as dump trucks and large tow trucks, a tow car towing any weight, mobile truck cranes and anything in Class 5; minimum age 18.
  • A Class 3 truck may tow a trailer over 4,600 kg only if neither truck nor trailer has air brakes.
  • A bus carrying passengers is not a Class 3 vehicle.
  • An 18-year-old applying for Class 3 needs parent or legal guardian consent (ICBC commercial licence page).
  • Construction vehicles (graders, loaders, rollers and similar) are not counted as trucks; trucks, truck-tractors, mobile cranes or truck-mounted backhoes with three or more axles are not construction vehicles.
  • The heavy trailer endorsement (code 20) lets a Class 4 or 5 driver tow a trailer of any weight if neither unit has air brakes; minimum age 18.
  • A code 20 learner's supervisor must be at least 19 and hold a Class 1, 2 or 3 licence.
  • Class 3 road test vehicle: a large tandem or tridem rear-axle truck such as a moving van or dump truck.
  • If you switch from Class 1 to a Class 3 application, you need air brake experience or an air brake course before the road test.

Loading cargo (p. 91)

  • Incorrect loading and securing can cause death, injury or property damage, plus fines.
  • How you arrange a load depends on the vehicle and the cargo's weight, height, width, length and nature.

Arranging and distributing loads (p. 92–94)

  • Weight distribution affects handling and the life of tires, frame, springs, axles and bearings.
  • A poorly distributed load can overload an axle or tires, stress the frame and cause permanent damage and steering misalignment.
  • A concentrated heavy load placed against the cab can bend the frame, overload the front tires (risking a blowout of a worn tire) and make the load top-heavy.
  • A concentrated heavy load belongs partly over or just ahead of the rear axles, on its longest side, blocked against sliding forward.
  • A heavy load placed on one side overloads that side's springs and tires; the lightly loaded side's wheels may lock and skid on wet roads, and tires can develop flat spots.
  • Load so equal weight sits on all rear tires to avoid twisting the frame.
  • A heavy load placed at the very back can bend the frame and take so much weight off the front tires that steering becomes almost impossible; on rough roads the truck may pivot and lift its front wheels.
  • A long heavy load needs a longer vehicle such as a tractor-trailer; use the right vehicle for the job.
  • Never load items on the tailgate.
  • Spread a concentrated heavy load over as many axles as possible.
  • Five-ton freight trucks are designed for about 90 per cent of cargo weight on the rear axle(s) and 10 per cent on the steering axle.
  • Cement mixers and dump trucks are designed for about 70 per cent on the rear axles and 30 per cent on the steering axle(s).

Special cargo with a high centre of gravity (p. 109)

  • With a partial livestock load, use false bulkheads to keep the animals bunched together.
  • Livestock can lean in curves, shifting the centre of gravity and causing a rollover; slow down on curves.
  • Hanging meat sways and has a high centre of gravity; secure it and slow down on sharp curves and ramps.
  • Liquid or dry bulk tank loads have a high centre of gravity; unbaffled loads surge forward, back and sideways, so slow on curves and be careful when stopping and starting.

Single-unit handling (p. 33–36, 50)

  • A longer wheelbase means more off track; a single-unit truck usually off-tracks less than a combination.
  • A single-unit truck parked uphill against a curb: wheels left toward the centre of the road; uphill with no curb: wheels right toward the edge.
  • A single-unit truck with a two-speed axle must have the axle in low range when parked.
  • Backing a single-unit vehicle is done the same way as backing a passenger vehicle.

Aggregate loads and covers (p. 101–102)

  • An aggregate load is a collection of small pieces such as sand, gravel, paper or wood chips.
  • Use a cover or tarp when an aggregate load cannot be contained by sideboards or tiedowns and is likely to bounce, blow or drop off.
  • A dump truck carrying 3/4-inch crushed stone, or a full load of paper and garbage, should be covered.
  • Clear debris from ledges outside the box and tailgate before the trip and close the tailgate tightly.

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