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National Standard of the People's Republic of China
Limits of dimensions, axle load and masses for road vehicles
GB 1589--2004
Replace GB 1589--89
Scope
This standard specifies the limits of the outside dimension, axle load and masses of automobile,
trailer and automobile train.
This standard applies to automobile (except the automobile crane with a maximum design gross
mass exceeding 26000kg), trailer and automobile train used on road. This standard does not apply
to special purpose vehicles equipped by army.
Normative Reference
The following standards contain provisions, which, through reference in this text, constitute
provisions of this standard. For the reference with date, all of its amendments (not including
corrigenda) or revision edition after that date are not applicable to this standard. Nevertheless,
parties to agreements based on this standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of
applying the most recent editions of the standards indicated below. For the reference documents
without date, their most recent editions apply to this standard.
GB/T 3730.1 Motor vehicles and trailers—Types—Terms and definitions
GB/T 3730.2 Motor vehicles----Mass----Vocabulary and code (GB/T 3730.2-1996,idt ISO
1176:1990)
GB/T 3730.3 Motor vehicles and trailers----Terms and definitions----Dimensions of vehicles
(GB/T 3730.3-1992,neq ISO 612:1978)
Terms and Definitions
The definitions described in GB/T 3730.1, GB/T 3730.2 and GB 3730.3 apply to this standard.
Requirements
The vehicles specified in this standard shall meet the respective requirements in 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and
4.4.
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4.1
Vehicle outside dimension requirements
4.1.1
Vehicle outside dimension limits
The outside dimension of automobile, trailer and automobile train shall not exceed the maximum
limits specified in Table 1.
4.1.2
Other requirements for vehicle outside dimension
Issue date : April 1 , 2004 Enforcement date: October 1, 2004
Issued by the The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine, P. R. China
The Standardization Administration of the P. R. China
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GB 1589-2004
4.1.2.1 With automobile or automobile train in fully loaded state, if the bottom edge of the exterior
rear-view mirror have a distance above ground less than 1800mm, the exterior rear-view mirror in
one side shall not protrude 200mm from the automobile or automobile train maximum width. If the
bottom edge of the exterior rear-view mirror have a distance above ground equal to or more than
1800mm, the exterior rear-view mirror in one side shall not protrude 250mm from the automobile
or automobile train maximum width.
4.1.2.2 The top windows, ventilators of automobile shall not protrude 300mm from the height of the
vehicle when they are in the state of opening.
4.1.2.3 The distance between automobile’s rear axle and trailer’s front axle shall not less than 3.00m
(except the automobile used to tow trailer with center axle).
4.1.2.4 The automobile and automobile train (not including the protruding parts of the special-purpose
equipment with operation function) shall be able to pass within a same vehicle turning clearance
circle. The diameter of vehicle outer turning clearance circle D1 is 25.00m, and the diameter of
vehicle inner turning clearance circle D2 is 10.60m. With the automobile and automobile train
transiting from running in straight line into running in circle, the value T of any vehicle part
protruding from the vehicle outside perpendicular surface with vehicle running in straight line (i.e.
vehicle out yawing value) shall not be more than 0.80m (this value for single articulated bus shall
not be more than 1.20m. The measurement methods of this value is indicated in Annex A.
Table 1 The maximum limits of dimension for automobile, trailer and automobile train
Vehicle Type
Three wheel automobile b)、c)
Four wheel truck with maximum
design speed less than 70km/h d)
Maximum design gross
mass≤3500kg
Maximum design gross
mass >3500kg,and ≤8000kg
Maximum design gross mass
>8000kg,and ≤12000kg
Maximum design gross mass
>12000kg
Maximum design gross
With
three
axles Maximum design gross mass
mass≤20000kg
>20000kg
With four axles
Passenger vehicle and bus with two
With
two
axles
Truck e)、f)and
towing vehicle
for semi trailer
Auto-
mobile
Passenger
vehicle and
bus
axles
Bus with three axles
Single articulated bus
Trail
-er
Semi trailer j)
With one axle
With two axles
With three axles
(Caravan) trailer with center axle
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Unit: mm
Vehicle
width
1600
Vehicle
height
2000
2000
2500
2500 h)
4000
2500 h)
4000i)
2500 h)
4000
Vehicle
length a)
4600
6000
6000
7000 g)
8000 g)
9000g)
11000
12000
12000
12000
13700
18000
8600
10000k)
13000l)
8000
Other trailer
7000
8000
GB 1589-2004
Maximum design gross
mass≤10000kg
Maximum design gross mass
>10000kg
16500 m)
20000
Articulated train
Truck train
Auto
train
a. The length of trailer is the distance between vehicle’s foremost end and rearmost end;
b.
c.
I.e. original three wheel agriculture transportation vehicle, the same below;
In the case of steering wheel is used for vehicle steering, power driven shaft is used for power
transmission, cab and the space designed for placing articles behind driver’s seat are available,
vehicle length, width and height is 5200mm, 1800mm and 2200mm respectively;
It is referred to as truck with low speed, i.e. the original four wheel agriculture transportation vehicle,
the same below;
2500 h)、n) 4000 o)
d.
e. Vehicle length limits is not applicable to special purpose operation vehicle, not with transportation as
its purpose;
f. The length limits of vehicle crane with maximum design grass mass not exceeding 26000kg is
g.
13000mm;
In the case of cargo body which is separated with cab and is wholly closed, the vehicle length limit
shall be increased by 1000mm;
h. For the van truck with its cargo body wholly closed (and is separated with cab), the semi trailer in
wholly closed van style, the automobile train in wholly closed van style, and the bus with length
more than 11000mm, the maximum limit of vehicle width is 2550mm;
i. For the double deck bus running in regular route, the maximum limit of vehicle height is 4200mm;
j. For the low deck special purpose semi trailer used to transport articles which can not be dismantled,
the vehicle width limit is 3000mm; vehicle length limit is not applicable to the low deck special
purpose semi trailer used to transport articles which can not be dismantled, special purpose semi
trailer used to transport vehicles (but the train combined with towing vehicle shall meet the
prescriptions of this standard), and the semi trailer used to transport frame style containers with every
singe container having a length more than 12.2m (40ft);
k. For the semi trailer in wholly closed van style, semi trailer for containers, and tank style semi trailer
used to combine an automobile train with 5 axles, the maximum limit of vehicle length is 13000mm;
l. From January 1, 2008, for the semi trailer in wholly closed van style used on high grade highway, the
maximum limit of vehicle length is 14600mm;
m. From January 1, 2008, except the low deck auto train used to transport articles which can not be
dismantled and the auto train used to transport frame style containers with every singe container
having a length more than 12.2m (40ft), for the articulated auto train combined by semi trailer in
wholly closed van style used on high grade highway, the maximum limit of vehicle length is
18100mm;
n. For the low deck trailer train used to transport articles which can not be dismantled, the vehicle width
limit is 3000mm;
o. For the container trailer train, this height is referred to as the vehicle height when it is loaded with
empty containers. Before January 1, 2007, the maximum limit of vehicle height for container trailer
train is 4200mm.
4.2 The limits of vehicle maximum permitted axle load
4.2.1 Single axle
The maximum permitted axle load for the single axle of automobile and trailer shall not exceed the
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maximum limits specified in Table 2.
GB 1589-2004
Table 2
The maximum limits of maximum permitted axle load for single axle of automobile and traile
Vehicle type
Unit: kg
The maximum limits of
maximum permitted axle load
6000 a)
10000 b)
7000 a)
10000 b)
11500
Trailer and truck with two
axles
Single tyre at each side
Dual tyre at each side
Single tyre at each side
trailer
Bus, semi
towing
vehicle and truck with three
axles and more (including
three axles)
a. For the axles equipped with the tyre with a norminal sectional width exceeding 400 (in metric system) or
1300 (in British system), the maximum permitted axle load shall not exceed the sum of all specified tyre
loads, and the maximum limit is 10000kg;
Dual tyre at each
side
Non driven axle
Driven axle
b. In the case of air suspension equipped, the maximum limit of permitted axle load is 11500kg.
4.2.2 Axles arranged in juxtaposition
The maximum permitted axle load for the axles arranged in juxtaposition of automobile and trailer shall
not exceed the maximum limits specified in Table 3.
Table 3 The maximum limits of maximum permitted axle load for axles arranged in juxtaposition of
automobile and traile
Vehicle type
automobile
axles
arranged in
juxtaposition
trailer
axles
arranged in
juxtaposition
Three axles
arranged in
juxtaposition
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
<1000mm
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
≥1000mm,and<1300mm
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
≥1300mm,and<1800mm
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
<1000mm
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
≥1000mm,and<1300mm
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
≥1300mm,and<1800mm
Wheel space of dual axles arranged in juxtaposition
≥1800mm
Distance between two neighbouring axles≤1300mm
Distance between two neighbouring axles
>1300mm,and ≤1400mm
Unit: kg
The maximum limits of
maximum permitted axle
load
11500
16000
18000 a)
11000
16000
18000
20000
21000
24000
a. In the case of the driven axles equipped with dual tyre at each side of every axle, the maximum limits of
permitted axle load is 19000kg.
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GB 1589-2004
4.2.3 Vehicle axle of other type
For the vehicle axle of other type, the maximum permitted axle load shall not exceed the tire number of that
axle multiply 3000kg.
4.3 Vehicle gross mass limit
4.3.1 Maximum permitted gross mass
The maximum permitted gross mass or automobile, trailer and automobile train shall not exceed the sum of
maximum permitted axle load for every axle, and shall not exceed the maximum limits specified in Table 4.
4.3.2 Maximum design gross mass
The maximum design gross mass for truck and trailer shall not be less than the minimum limits specified in
Table 4.
Table 4 The maximum limits for the maximum permitted gross mass and the minimum limits
for the maximum design gross mass for automobile, trailer and automobile train
The maximum limits
for the maximum
permitted gross mass
2000 a)
4500
18000
25000 b)
28000
18000
25000 b)
16000 c)、d)
25000 b)
31000 e)
18000
35000
40000
12000
unit: kg
The minimum limits
for the maximum
design gross mass
————
————
16000
24000
10000
19000 f)
28000 f)
8000
16000
11000
20000
14000
27000
————
Vehicle type
Three wheel automobile
Passenger car
Bus with two axles
Bus with three axles
Single articulate bus
automobile
Trailer
Bus
Towing
vehicle
for semi
trailer
Truck
Semi
trailer
Other
trailer
Automobile train
Towing vehicle
trailer with two axles
Towing vehicle
trailer with three axles
for semi
for semi
Truck with two axles
Truck with three axles
Automobile with four axles,
two of which are steering
axles
Semi trailer with one axle
Semi trailer with two axles
Semi trailer with three axles
Semi trailer with two axles,
and with single tyre at each
side of every axle
Semi trailer with two axles,
and with single tyre at each
side of one axle and with
dual tyre at each side of
another axle
Semi trailer with two axles,
and with dual tyre at each
side of every axle
Auto train composed by a
automobile with two axles
and a trailer with one axle
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GB 1589-2004
Auto train composed by a
automobile with two axles
and a trailer with two axles
Auto train with five axles
Auto train with six axles
35000 g)
43000
49000
a.
In the case of steering wheel is used for vehicle steering, power driven shaft is used for power
transmission, cab and the space designed for placing articles behind driver’s seat are available, the limits
of maximum permitted gross mass is 3000kg;
b. When the driven axle is equipped with dual wheel at each side for each axle, and is equipped with air
suspension, the limits of maximum permitted gross mass is 26 000kg;
c. When the driven axle is equipped with dual wheel at each side for each axle, and is equipped with air
suspension, the limits of maximum permitted gross mass is 17 000kg;
d. For the four-wheel trucks with maximum design speed less than 70km/h, the limits of maximum
permitted gross mass is 4 500kg;
e. When the driven axle is equipped with dual wheel at each side for each axle, and is equipped with air
suspension, the limits of maximum permitted gross mass is 32 000kg;
f. Not applicable for special-purpose semi-trailer used for vehicle transportation;
g. For the articulated vehicle combination with the driven axle is equipped with dual wheel at each side for
each axle, and the distance between two axles of semi-trailer d≥1800mm, the limits of maximum
permitted gross mass is 37 000kg.
4.4. Other requirements
4.4.1 The axle load of driven axle of automobile or automobile train shall be not less than 25% of the
maximum gross mass of automobile or automobile train.
4.4.2 The value of maximum permitted gross mass (with t as unit) of automobile with four axles (except
dumper) shall not exceed 5 times of the value of distance between the foremost axle and rearmost axle (with
m as unit).
4.4.3 The height of cargo body gate of trailer and trucks with two axles shall not exceed 60mm. For the
dumper with two axles and truck with three axles and above, the height of cargo body gate shall not exceed
800mm, and for dumper with three axles and above, it shall not exceed 1500mm.
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GB 1589-2004
Annex A
(Normative Annex)
Measurement methods for vehicle turning clearance circle and
(shown as Figure A.1 and A.2)
A.1 Vehicle turning clearance circle
A.1.1 The automobile or automobile train shall stop at level ground in straight line running state.
A.1.2 The automobile or automobile train is started to run, transited from running in straight line to running
in a circle with diameter D1 of 25m (calculated with the most outer edge of the vehicle, but the protruding
parts of the special-purpose equipment with operation function are not calculated into). At least half of the
circle shall be covered in running, during which the vehicle speed shall be controlled between 5km/h to
10km/h.
A.1.3 For the vehicles running in this circle, the circle trajectory formed by the projection of vehicle most
outer part on ground is the vehicle outer turning clearance circle.
A.1.4 For the vehicles running in this circle, the circle trajectory formed by the projection of vehicle most
inner part on ground is the vehicle inner turning clearance circle.
A.1.5 Above procedure shall be performed each in left and right direction respectively.
A.2 Vehicle out yawing value
A.2.1 The automobile or automobile train shall stop at level ground in straight line running state.
A.2.2 Make projection along vehicle most outer part on the ground, and make the projection line parallel
with vehicle longitudinal center line.
A.2.3 The automobile or automobile train is started to run, transited from running in straight line to
running in a circle with diameter D1 of 25m (calculated with the most outer edge of the vehicle, but the
protruding parts of the special-purpose equipment with operation function are not calculated into). At least
half of the circle shall be covered in running, during which the vehicle speed shall be controlled between
5km/h to 10km/h.
A.2.4 During above procedure the projection of any part of vehicle outer edge on ground forms vehicle out
yawing trajectory. The maximum distance between such trajectory and the projection line formed by
vehicle’s most outer part when the vehicle is stationary is just the vehicle out yawing value T.
A.2.5 Above procedure shall be performed each in left and right direction respectively.
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GB 1589-2004
D2=10.60m
D1=25.00m
T
Figure A.1 Schematic drawing of vehicle turning clearance circle and out yawing value
(for automobile)
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