Tire and wheel weight ratings
I have a 10.6 Bigfoot camper on a 2000 Ford F350 crew cab long bed 4WD SRW. The rear axle weight loaded is 7380 lb. I want to put BF Goodrich TA KO2 285 75R 16 load range E tires on it. The load rati...
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All of the newer DOT approved truck wheels I've had, both factory and after market have the weight rating stamped on the inside, backspacing part of the wheel. I'm not sure, but i think this is a DOT requirement after a certain year.
However, this is only a guide, as real world use has shown a wide range in strength of wheels. My 16"x12" wide Mickey Thompson cast aluminum wheels are stamped at 3600 pounds. They are very hefty with a thick almost solid center. I have put these to the test over and over on rough ground, with my rear axle loading ground pressure of around 6800 pounds. My guess is these are over built for the rating. Yes, I'm using non-scientific, personal use as the yardstick to the ever expanding dismay of the purists. The only casualty so far has been a strip chipped out of the rim edge from a passing rock in Death Valley. But it still holds air. These big, discontinued (boo-hoo) 375/55R16 tires have one more long trip left in them.
In the meantime, after a long and fruitless search for more heavy duty wheels for my XTC I've engaged Stockton Wheel to make me a set for my Dodge SRW D-70/D-80 axles. They should be here by June 1st. Why not just buy aftermarket wheels you ask? I'll be writing a complete expose on the TC wheel business with examples and whys and what fors. I"ve ordered two front wheels: 16x10 with a 6.25 inch backspacing. Two rears also 16x10 but with a 4.5 inch backspacing and will be using Cooper STT Pro LT315/75R16; E/3860 pound rating; recommended wheel size: 8 inch to 11 inch wide; 34.53 inch diameter;11.7 inch wide carcass; 9.69 inch tread.
I know, you're thinking I should have gone with 19.5's for carrying ability. These do not work well in sand. I spend some time in the dunes, so with low pressure the 16" wheels and tires should be fine.
The choice I faced was with 18x10 inch wheels which could hold the Cooper STT's; LT295/70R18's which have a 4080 pound load rating. Respectable. Oh so tempting but not enough sidewall for me. I need lots of air space to float on once I drop the pressure to 22 pounds.
jefe
However, this is only a guide, as real world use has shown a wide range in strength of wheels. My 16"x12" wide Mickey Thompson cast aluminum wheels are stamped at 3600 pounds. They are very hefty with a thick almost solid center. I have put these to the test over and over on rough ground, with my rear axle loading ground pressure of around 6800 pounds. My guess is these are over built for the rating. Yes, I'm using non-scientific, personal use as the yardstick to the ever expanding dismay of the purists. The only casualty so far has been a strip chipped out of the rim edge from a passing rock in Death Valley. But it still holds air. These big, discontinued (boo-hoo) 375/55R16 tires have one more long trip left in them.
In the meantime, after a long and fruitless search for more heavy duty wheels for my XTC I've engaged Stockton Wheel to make me a set for my Dodge SRW D-70/D-80 axles. They should be here by June 1st. Why not just buy aftermarket wheels you ask? I'll be writing a complete expose on the TC wheel business with examples and whys and what fors. I"ve ordered two front wheels: 16x10 with a 6.25 inch backspacing. Two rears also 16x10 but with a 4.5 inch backspacing and will be using Cooper STT Pro LT315/75R16; E/3860 pound rating; recommended wheel size: 8 inch to 11 inch wide; 34.53 inch diameter;11.7 inch wide carcass; 9.69 inch tread.
I know, you're thinking I should have gone with 19.5's for carrying ability. These do not work well in sand. I spend some time in the dunes, so with low pressure the 16" wheels and tires should be fine.
The choice I faced was with 18x10 inch wheels which could hold the Cooper STT's; LT295/70R18's which have a 4080 pound load rating. Respectable. Oh so tempting but not enough sidewall for me. I need lots of air space to float on once I drop the pressure to 22 pounds.
jefe
