China Tire Manufacturing

Francesca Knowles wrote:

kedanie wrote:
Come on Calvin, the document you provided is a training document provide the applicable law that requires one to install tires with load capacities that exceed the axle capacity.

On edit
If you would have read the entire document, it says farther down;

GAWR also applies to OE and replacement tires. According to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS 571.120):

The sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle shall not be less than the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the axle system as specified on the vehicle’s certification label (tire information placard).

Keith

That last actually proves Fasteagle's point, I think. It's lifted entire from this final NHTSA rule..."shall" language is compulsory, not voluntary.

I guess it doesn't say that tires must exceed GVWR, but they may not go under it. Which I think is the point.

Interestingly, though, that NHTSA document also calls for load-carrying reserves in LT tires, too, which might lead one to a conclusion that one would have to upsize in order to meet that requirement.

No. The document FE linked says "The load capability of the replacement tire must be equal or greater than the original factory tire."
That is no where near the same as "The sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle shall not be less than the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the axle system as specified on the vehicle’s certification label (tire information placard)."

For example an oem ST LR E tire on a 6k axle has ~3500LB weight rating when only 3k is needed (by regulation). So the Toyo document unnecessarily limits the end user by requiring them to buy an overspecced tire. As mentioned it is for liability reasons and in most situations it is a non issue. It is easier for the tire companies to have rules like this for their technicians than it is to educate them on the various regulations.

EDIT: Keith beat me to it, but same thing.