2012 Ram 2500 wheel weight limit

[bikerdib]

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?

[limamikemike]

Congratulations on the new truck.

I ran into the same issue on my 06 3500 srw, I ended up putting toyo at 285/70-17s on factory powerwagon alloys after doing some research. The tires are rated at 3750 a piece but the wheels were more of a problem.

I started looking at aftermarket wheels in 18" sizes (because 18" tires seem be available in greater loadings) but I could not find a rim that was rated better than 3600 lbs (method desert race wheels).

The shop that I was going to purchase the wheels from also is well know in my area for rim repair they literally had a pile of aftermarket truck rims that were damaged or destroyed by oil field types, he also mentioned that he has never seen a catastrophic failure of a factory dodge alloy wheel that was not in an accident.

He told me all dodge alloys are forged and we compared a regular 5 spoke ram 3500 alloy and a power wagon alloy (both were in for refinishing, not damaged) and a aftermarket RBP wheel and he pointed out the differences, everything from the grain of the aluminum to that there was no casting flash on the dodge wheels that could lead to a stress riser and fracture on the aftermarket wheel.

I made a decision on the dodge PW wheels because what I saw and the of the thickness of the spokes compared to the dodge alloy on my truck as they are twice as wide.

He mentioned the 17" wheels GM makes for the 2500hd and forged H2 wheels are also good alternatives for strength.

I think I'll wait till 14 to replace my truck the 3500 ram is supposed to have a factory air bag system...

[bikerdib]

The tires on the 2013 3500 are 18" and have a load rating at 80 psi of something over 3600 pounds each. Should be more than enough for my needs. Eventually when I need new tires, I'll put Nitto's on.

[SugarHillCTD]

bikerdib,

That sounds like something that I have done more than once in the past.

Nice truck!

John

[d3500ram]

I am not sure how it solves the issue because (and correct me if I am wrong) are not the tires on the new truck still the 17" with a Load Index of 121?

[bikerdib]

Well, I solved the issue; I stopped by the dealership to inquire and while there, just for giggles I went over and looked at a 2013 SRW 3500 4X4 Laramie Longhorn. I pick it up tomorrow. They must have really wanted my 2500 and really wanted to move the SRW 3500 because they gave me a great deal (at least I'm happy with it). Shouldn't have to worry about hauling the camper at all now. I pulled the Timbrens, Supersprings, Roadmaster rear swaybar and the Reese Titan hitch. I know the hitch won't work on the 3500 but I plan to sell it and recover some of my cost. I'll have to see if the swaybar fits (it is the same part number for the 2500 and 3500 if I recall). Timbrens might work (I hope) and I don't know if I'll need the Supersprings. Unfortunately I had to leave the Rancho 9000XL shocks on the 2500 because I threw the OEMs away.

[3_tons]

I doubt you'll find the weight rating, but another approach is to find out if there forged and that's as good as they come...Back in 04, I determined that mine were forged on my 2004 2500 Laraime, and that was normally the case with any HD 2500/3500 alloy truck wheel...Stay away from cast...

[d3500ram]

bikerdib wrote:
...The 2013 2500 is now rated the same as the 2012 3500 but the 2013 SRW 3500 has gone up quite a lot; 11,700 GVWR with front GAWR at 6,000 and rear GAWR at 7,000.

Isn't it frustrating how the truck makers keep upping the numbers on the SRW but keep the same old tires.

I asked this question of the Dodge truck salespeople only to be met with the deer-in-the-headlights look.

[bikerdib]

Jimh425, I posted the same question on the Cummins forum and it's the same over there. No one knows. I stopped in at the Ram dealership today; no real answer from them (didn't really expect one).

JPF59, I thought the same wheel was used on both. Funny thing is, the 2012 SRW 3500 wasn't rated to carry a lot more than my 2500. GVWR is 500 pounds more (9,600 vs 10,100) and GAWR rear is only 190 more (6,010 vs 6,200)??? I think the front GAWR was the same on the 2500 and 3500 (5,500). Sounds like the only real difference was the rear spring pack. I also saw some 2013 2500 trucks with the same wheel, so they are still using it.

The 2013 2500 is now rated the same as the 2012 3500 but the 2013 SRW 3500 has gone up quite a lot; 11,700 GVWR with front GAWR at 6,000 and rear GAWR at 7,000.

[woodhog]

This one of the worlds great unknowns, the DODGE wheel ratings, I have tried for years to find the ratings, wrote to DODGE, no answer, asked dealers (No surprise they had no idea, probably didn't even know wheels of any kind had load ratings), asked on the DODGE Forums no definite answer...
Good luck and let us know if you find the ratings...

I ended up changing to wheels of a known rating due to being overloaded on the GVWR.

[JPF59]

I have a 2012 3500 SRW and it has the same wheel as in your photo

[jimh406]

Try a Dodge truck owner site.

[wintersun]

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.

[d3500ram]

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.

[bikerdib]

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).