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bikerdib's avatar
bikerdib
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013

2012 Ram 2500 wheel weight limit

I have a '12 Ram 2500 4X4 Laramie with the 17" aluminum wheels and 265/70-17 firestone tires rated at 3190 pounds. I'd like to upgrade to some Nitto dura grappler or terra grappler in 285/70-17 which have a weight rating of over 3700 pounds. Problem is, I can't find out what the weight carrying capacity of the stock wheels is. I would rather not have to buy new wheels but there is no use upgrading the tires if the wheels can't carry much more than the 3190 pounds. Can anyone help me out with the OE weight rating of the wheels please?

  • With GM the trucks can come with either "aluminum" or "forged aluminum" rims and the later will definitely take a greater load. I saw the "aluminum" in a 20" size on trucks and the glove box sticker said not for use with a camper. Easiest to work backwards and max payload ratings for the trucks with a regular cab as that this will be based on one passenger and the load that can be put in the bed of which more than 90% will be carried by the rear rims and tires.

    With the Nitto tires I looked at there is a minimum rim width of 7.5" so check that out as well.
  • bikerdib wrote:
    ... There was manufacturing info stamped there but no weight rating. ...

    It might be futile, but perhaps find out who the mfgr is and maybe they can give a weight rating. I doubt they will be helpful.

    I honestly think it is a liability issue and no one want to stick their neck out and provide on record a number.
  • Yep, removed a wheel and looked. There was manufacturing info stamped there but no weight rating. I'm going to stop by a dealer and see if they have a wheel I can look at. Maybe it's stamped inside the wheel covered by the tire (but I doubt it).
  • I had a similar question about my 2012 Chevy 2500HD wheels.

    I had upgraded to the Dura Grapplers 285/75-17 with a 3970# capacity.

    I looked at the back of the wheels (some wheels have it stamped there)- nothing.

    I asked the dealer- blank looks and suggestions to call GM.

    I contacted GM and they responded that they are rated for the same amount as the OEM tires. (what a surprise! Liability concerns must be involved.)

    So.......

    In my case, with steel wheels, I am OK with running this setup without knowing capacity.

    Have you looked closely at the backside of one of your wheels? Or maybe Dodge will have real info for you.
  • I am not all that familiar with the 4G Dodge trucks. On previous years there were no markings on the wheel itself, so I doubt that the new ones will have changed to now include data. The dealer nor the parts department will have no data on the wheel either.

    The only thing that one can absolutely, positively determine (as you alluded to) is that the wheel must meet at the very least (in terms of weight capacity) is the tire that it is mated to as it came from the factory. It is reasonably safe to say that the wheel itself is guaranteed to be rated for (at the very least) the same weight to that of tire that came with your truck as it rolled off the assembly line.

    That said (and this is not guarantee) but does the same wheel in question come from the factory on any Power Wagon model? Does the Power Wagon still come from the factory with 285, LI=126 tires? Even if it does come with this tire/ wheel combination, the caveat that the factory could disclaim is that the PW does not allow for payload to be anywhere near what the tires might be capable of. But this might give a partial indication of wheel capacity.

    One other item to possibly look into: Does Dodge offer the aluminum wheels in question on any SRW 3500 series truck for your year? IIRC, 2005 3500 SRW trucks came from the factory only with steel wheels. This was an indication to me that the aluminum wheels were not as capable as stock steel wheels. DYYD.