Course in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles
Online 300-hour course in weight distribution for off-road vehicles. 6 modules covering Regulation (EU) 1230/2012 (masses and dimensions in type-approval), Royal Decree 2822/1998 (General Vehicle Regulation) and advanced Excel. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain how weight distribution influences traction, stability and braking.
Measure wheel loads and the position of the centre of gravity in the workshop.
Analyse the effect of weight distribution on off-road behaviour.
Calculate payload and equipment distribution while respecting authorised masses.
Correct weight distribution by relocating equipment and ballast.
Verify the legal limits for axle and total masses.
Design and test an optimised load configuration for a vehicle.
Who it's for
- Vehicle dynamics engineer looking to specialise in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles.
- Off-road vehicle preparer looking to specialise in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles.
- Vehicle modification technician looking to specialise in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles.
- Competition engineer looking to specialise in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles.
- Vehicle inspection technician looking to specialise in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles.
- Expedition vehicle bodybuilder looking to specialise in Weight Distribution in Off-Road Vehicles.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter 4×4 vehicle preparation.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 1230/2012 (masses and dimensions in type-approval)
- Royal Decree 2822/1998 (General Vehicle Regulation)
- Royal Decree 866/2010 (vehicle modifications)
- ISO 10392 (determination of the centre of gravity)
- Directive 96/53/EC (maximum authorised masses and dimensions)
- ISO 8855 (vehicle dynamics. Vocabulary)
- Regulation (EU) 2018/858 (approval of motor vehicles)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Total mass and mass per wheel1.2Centre of gravity in three axes1.3Front-rear distribution1.4Left-right distribution1.5Height of the centre of gravity1.6Effect on rollover and traction1.7Sprung and unsprung mass1.8Moments of inertia1.9Terminology and units1.10Workshop: mass inventory of a vehicle
2.1Wheel-by-wheel weighing: equipment and method2.2Levelling and weighing conditions2.3Weighing with driver and with load2.4Longitudinal determination of the centre of gravity2.5Height determination by tilting2.6Measurement errors and their control2.7Repeatability of measurements2.8Weighing record sheet2.9Periodic verification2.10Practice: full weighing campaign
3.1Load transfer under acceleration3.2Load transfer under braking3.3Lateral load transfer in cornering3.4Static rollover angle3.5Available traction per axle3.6Understeer and oversteer due to distribution3.7Vehicle sensitivity to load3.8Behaviour on side slopes3.9Stability with a trailer3.10Practice: calculating load transfers
4.1Fuel tank position and its effect4.2Spare wheels and tools4.3Luggage and its restraint4.4Accessories: winch, bumpers and tailgate4.5Installation of additional batteries4.6Roof load and its penalty4.7Legal limits per axle4.8Load documentation4.9Placement criteria4.10Practice: vehicle loading plan
5.1Ballast as a tuning tool5.2Calculating the required ballast5.3Permissible ballast position5.4Ballast in competition and regulations5.5Mass reduction as an alternative5.6Relocation of components5.7Cost and penalty of each option5.8Verification after correction5.9Documentation of changes5.10Practice: weight distribution correction proposal
6.1Weight distribution objectives in a project6.2Distribution in production versus modified vehicles6.3Track validation tests6.4Correlation with telemetry data6.5Driver interview6.6Safety: essential checks6.7Common errors in preparation6.8Real cases analysed6.9Periodic review of distribution6.10Final project: mass distribution study of a vehicle
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is advanced Excel, MATLAB, CarSim, MSC Adams Car, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real wheel-by-wheel weighing procedures with scales, determination of the centre of gravity height and side-slope stability tests. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain how weight distribution influences traction, stability and braking.
Measure wheel loads and the position of the centre of gravity in the workshop.
Analyse the effect of weight distribution on off-road behaviour.
Calculate payload and equipment distribution while respecting authorised masses.
Correct weight distribution by relocating equipment and ballast.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with advanced Excel, MATLAB, CarSim and MSC Adams Car. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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