Final answer:
The correct term for the total weight supported by a vehicle's axle assembly is Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), which includes the weight of the vehicle and its payload.
Step-by-step explanation:
The total weight supported by a given axle assembly, including the weight of a vehicle or trailer and its payload, is called the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). It refers to the maximum weight each axle is designed to carry, which includes the weight of the part of the vehicle itself plus the cargo. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo. The Gross Combination Weight (GCW) is the total weight of a powered unit, plus trailer(s), plus the cargo. Payload capacity is the maximum weight that a vehicle can carry as cargo.
Weight is a force defined as the product of an object's mass and the gravitational acceleration (usually denoted as w = mg).