Matching Trailer Tire Capacity with Wheel Capacity to Reach Maximum Tire Capacity

Question:

# AM10245 with a weight rating of 2150 lbs. so stated can be mounted on a 15 by 5 wheel: why is all your steel wheels 15 by 5 under rated for this tire and in fact can only be mounted on a 15 by 6 steel wheel to match ratings unless other manufactures of 15 by 5 wheels ratings are higher?

asked by: Earl S

Expert Reply:

Any given tire will fit a range of wheel widths but that doesn't mean they all will carry the same rating. To achieve the maximum capacity of a given tire the wheel will need to meet or exceed the tire's capacity.

Also, for any given tire size there are different load ranges with different capacities. For example tire # AM1ST92 is also a 205/75-15 but it is a load range C (whereas the one above is a load range D) and it is rated for 1,820 pounds.

With a couple of exceptions, 15x5 inch trailer wheels are rated for 1,820 pounds which would be fine for a load range C but not a load range D.

expert reply by: Michael H