Wheel Specifications?

[nomad297]

I currently have 15" aluminum wheels with load range C tires from the factory. How can I determine if my wheels are designed to handle the air pressure that can be applied to D class or E class tires? How can I find out if my wheel can handle 80 psi?

When I asked tech support at eTrailer about this a couple of years ago, the guy posted that if my wheel takes five lugs, they can "probably" handle 80 psi. I just don't feel comfortable with that statement. I would really like to know for sure.

Bruce

[nomad297]

Nobody?

Bruce

[onetonford]

Mine were stamped on the back of the rim at 65 psi for D range. also if you can find which rim manufacture you can go to their website for specs. mine are HWT rims.

[dannyabear]

Look on the backside first, or might have to remove the tire, but they all have a weight capacity stamped on them.

[Mtelkman]

My 5er came with aluminum 5 lug wheels and load range C tires. Sumec wheels? The local Les Schwab tire dealer told me the wheels would be just fine when I mounted load range E 80 psi tires on them as long as they had steel valve stems.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by Mtelkman

My 5er came with aluminum 5 lug wheels and load range C tires. Sumec wheels? The local Les Schwab tire dealer told me the wheels would be just fine when I mounted load range E 80 psi tires on them as long as they had steel valve stems.

This is exactly what I've been told by so many people in the tire/wheel business. I was told that the maximum weight specification of the wheel has no bearing on the maximum psi of the tire. I know that you can relate weight to load range on a tire, but there is no way to relate psi to load range on a tire. Granted, everybody expects a load range E tire to be inflated to 80 psi and. Load range D tire to be inflated to about 65 psi, but as far as I have found out, the wheel really doesn't care what the psi is as long as the weight limit is not exceeded.

Isn't there some sort of government standard for the maximum psi a tire can be inflated to on a particular wheel?

Bruce

[Airdale]

In all of the forums I review it’s pretty common to find that a lot of OEM rims are marked with load capacity or psi ratings or both. Existing regulations do not require rim manufacturers to do that. But the regulations do require the rim manufacturers to provide their brand name, serial number and part number on each rim.

The DOT does not certify rims. That’s a function of the ASE. Then the DOT approves their use. And requires them to be described in the TRA manual (just to mention one of the rim authorities).

Bottom line…..Call or email the rim manufacturer.

A rim’s load capacity is synonymous with the psi needed to provide that load capacity.