17" factory aluminum wheels vs. steel wheels...

[fkovalski]

Does any one have specifications on the weight ratings of factory 17" wheels?



I have a full set of both and am considering stepping up to 285 Toyo's with the higher weight rating and would like to know if they are compatible weight capacity wise with the aluminum wheels.



Thanks,

-frank

 

[jelag]

Each vendor if he's building wheels to DOT standards will rate their wheel based on the application and load rating of the suggested tire to be installed... . that's why the 3500 has one bolt pattern and the 5500 has a different one... . you can't put a wheel rated at a lower value on the 5500 unless you have some off the grid vendor make them for you... ...

The other key factor is that as the tire gets bigger a wheel needs to be wider to give correct wear... . this plays into the size of the wheel and its rating... .

So to really answer your question, the weight rating on your OEM tire on your OEM steel wheels are about the same for rating... the wheel might be rated for say 100 or 200 lbs more if that wheel might fit another vehicle with a higher rating... .

You need to check with the manufacturer of the aluminum wheels to really find out what rating they made them to... .

One last thought... . as the size of the tire gets larger, the pressure on the sidewall of the tire and wheel increases... . so a wheel that might be 6" wide might take up to a certain tire size... . if you remember as an example the 600, 650, 700, 750 x 16" truck tires... . a 750 tire mounted where a 600 has come off will fit the rim but might, or I'm guessing will exceed the side pressure limits of the wheel... .

I've had some 19. 5" wheels made for us with the bolt pattern and hub size for the DRW 3500's to get a better value, (lower cost per mile) on the trucks that I own... . plus added safety... I'm now doing that for my 5er... . so you can say that I've learned with the vendor asking 50 questions to make sure what I've had built will be safe for the road... . BTW - their weight (19. 5) is almost 50% more than the stock steel 17" wheels... .

I really didn't answer your question directly but hopefully have given you enough information to allow you to gather it from the wheel manufacture...

 

[fkovalski]

... You need to check with the manufacturer of the aluminum wheels to really find out what rating they made them to... .



... I really didn't answer your question directly but hopefully have given you enough information to allow you to gather it from the wheel manufacture...

Thanks for the info.



Did DC use more than one supplier for the OEM wheels? Would the weight be stamped on the wheel?

 

[JimB1]

Cast Al or Forged Al.



Dodge had both in '07.



Forged way better. For same strength/weight rating and uniformly strong all throughout the part and less wheel weight than cast. Cost more.



Cast Al is just that, a casting and can have random imperfections/weak spots. Bone crusher pothole might make it fail where Forged can take more abuse.



If you see what looks to be a GREAT deal on Al wheels, they're probably cast.

 

[jelag]

I didn't understand that you had the factory wheels and not aftermarket wheels... . I'm sure that the factory wheels will not handle much more than what the OE tire is rated at..... I had assumed that you had aftermarket wheels, thus they might be stronger knowing that some buyers will install larger tires... .

 

[2broke2smoke]

forged will bend ...

cast will break ...



how do you tell the diff between the forged and cast factory rims?

 

[Bob V]

Dodge is just using the terms "cast" and "Forged" to differentiate between the polished and non polished aluminum wheels. If you look at them side by side, they are made the same.

 

[2broke2smoke]

exactly what i've been saying for a while ...



bought the polished for the wifes '06 just in case they are forged

 

[WoodChuck]

From what I remember Dodge advertised forged wheels for the Power Wagon only.

 

[WoodChuck]

Also just remembered the cast alum. wheels came painted silver and chrome plated.

 

[fkovalski]

So... . does anyone know what the weight ratings are for OEM factory (cast, alum, steel) wheels?



I am thinking of the 285 Toyo's, but what good is a great tire rating if the wheels are not up to it. I may be buying too much tire for the capability of the wheels.

 

[mberry]

I believe the factory aluminum wheels are rated around 2800lbs each.

 

[31b]

First of all I just recently subscribed to TDR and this is my first post. The magazine and forum has been a great source of info.



I asked the local dealer the same question, "What is the load rating of the 17X8 forged aluminium OE wheel?" They did not know the answer.



I bought a set of aftermarket wheels and told the wheel manufacturer that they were going on a 2007 2500. When I opened the box the load rating was 2800lbs and 60psi. My 2007 2500 has a rear GAWR of 6010lbs. Shouldn't the wheels have a minimum load rating of 3000lbs? It seems to me that I was sold wheels that will not support the trucks load rating



I don't want to name the manufacturer because I'm trying to resolve this with them first but any opinions are welcome. Did I get sold a wheel with the wrong load rating or is this not a problem?



Thanks in advance.

 

[fkovalski]

*BUMP*

OP here...

Any new leads on verifiable weight capacity ratings on factory steel and aluminum wheels?

 

[CUMMINZ]

*BUMP*



Any new leads on verifiable weight capacity ratings on factory steel and aluminum wheels?

What year model truck? It does make a difference.



Factory steel wheels on 04-06 dually is 2600# each.

 

[fkovalski]

Thanks, but looking for ratings for SRW. I added sig to the bump post.