Trailer Wheel Weight Capacity vs Tire Weight Capacity

Question:

My Grand Design Reflection came with what appears to be this exact wheel and tire. Picked up a screw think it was actually already there when I bought it and am replacing the tire. Took it Costco since they are the only place around here that has nitrogen. They refused to mount the tire, stating it was against some regulation to mount a tire to a rim when the tire has a higher max load than the rim. According to the specs, this is the same configuration except mine has 3300 lbs max printed on the inside of the rim not 3200 lbs as this one has listed in the specs Evidently this is a liability issue for them. Do you not have the same liability concern? If not, why? I explained that in order to exceed the load rating on the wheel, I would need to exceed the GVWR of the RV, but didnt matter to them. Was hoping to get more information about this issue if you have it.

asked by: Brian

Expert Reply:

It is indeed quite common that a combination wheel/tire item like those we sell will combine a wheel rated for "X" and a tire rated for "Y".

This weight capacity variance can occur both ways. Wheel/tire # A16RTK6FPS that you referenced combines a wheel rated for 3540-lbs with a tire rated for 3520-lbs; the overall rating of this combination item then is that of the lower-rated component, the 3520-lb-rated wheel.

Wheel/tire # AM34969B combines a wheel rated for 3200-lbs with a tire rated for 3500-lbs, again the resulting overall capacity of 3200-lbs being that of the lower-rated part.

I cannot speak to legal issues or to Costco's own policies but we have not heard about this concern before.

expert reply by: Adam R