Wheel capacity vs tire capacity
I'm looking to upgrade my stock tires to the Cooper ST that has a 4080 lb rating. This should cover my needs, but it seems most stock wheels aren't rated that high. I'm sure many people are running ...
Forum Discussion
Grit dog wrote:
Finally someone who gets it! Sabcounsulting.
Mfg rim weight ratings are difficult to access or find ,but it's a pretty good assumption that automobile mfgs are going to put a really healthy factor of safety on something like rims. They are designed as a part with indefinite lifespan as well as regularly abused by many with no control over their use by the mfg.
Also when a rim fails it's usually in a dynamic situation and a grand fashion with great risk to life, property .......... and corporate image.
That's why I insist on OE rims when doing something stupid like overloading the cr ap out of my pickup bed! They've already idiot proofed them for me!
I don't find that sound reasoning. Here is why.
The manufacturer puts on parts from the lowest bidder. This goes for everything, including vehicles. Now, if everyone...overloaded their trucks WAY past the wheel ratings all the time, we would see a lot of failures. My point is, can the wheels hold more weight? Sure, most things can be used out of spec for a short period of time. You put 8k of weight in the back of a truck with wheels that are designed for 7k....it might be fine. It might never break. Either way, who are you going after if it does fail? They have it covered as you were using it out of spec.
They same goes for the diesel tuners. Some guys beat the **** out of their tuned trucks, pulling comps, drag races, etc. Some get thousands of miles without failure....some blow up something the minute the pedal hits the wood.
So, it is all in how you feel. My truck operates outside of many of the factory spec'd ratings...I personally decided that the wheels and tires din't make me comfortable...my choice. I have 8200 lbs on my rear axle....that makes me feel better about having a wider margin...especially since I use my truck in more of what many consider a dual rear wheel application.
So are the wheels over built? I don't know but I've broke enough junk in my life to know...if your close it should be approached with a wise idea of the risks involved.
