Device and method for determining distances between vehicle bodies and chassis units of vehicles

The invention relates to a device and a method for determining distances between at least one vehicle body (4) and at least one chassis (5) of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle. In order to create advantageous construction conditions, it is proposed that at least one linkage (13) can be connected to the at least one vehicle body (4) and the at least one chassis (5), wherein the at least one linkage (13) has a material measure (26) and wherein at least one incremental encoder (17) can be connected to the at least one vehicle body (4) or to the at least one chassis (5), which incremental encoder is directed towards the material measure (26) and connected to at least one computer unit (30), which can be connected to the at least one vehicle body (4) or to the at least one chassis (5). This allows for load determining without the use of pressurised air.