If you carry a lot of weight with your truck or 4WD as an outdoorsman, stop. You won’t want to miss this topic: wheel and tyre load index. The last thing you want when pulling your camper or boat is to be betrayed by your wheels or tyres. What is a wheel and tyre load index, and why are they important to be aware of?
1. Wheel Loads
A wheel’s load rating, as set by the manufacturer, should never be exceeded. The maximum load rating and tyre diameter of a wheel can be found on the back of the wheel or by contacting the wheel manufacturer.
The wheel should not be used on the vehicle if the load rating is not available. The wheel load rating is calculated by multiplying the vehicle’s heaviest gross axle weight rating by two.
Most vehicles have an identification label on the driver’s side door jamb, gas tank door, truck lid, or glove box that shows the axle weight rating.
At Black Rock Off-Road, we ensure that all our wheels come load rated and Australian standard approved. Regardless of size, make or model, our wheels are guaranteed to be made of the best materials and are able to withstand any road condition.
2. Tyre Loads
Your tyre’s load index is a value used to explain load carrying capabilities. The higher the tyre’s load index number is, the greater capacity your tyres were designed to handle.
Depending on what type you’ve got, the original tyres on your truck probably have load indexes ranging from 70 to 126. However, there are tons of aftermarket tyre options to choose from to accommodate heavy loads.
As an outdoorsman, it’s always better to be aware of your tyre load index so that you don’t over-stress your truck and get a flat. You can usually find the index number on the sidewall of your tyre. To find your total carrying capacity for your truck, multiple the load index by four because you have four tyres.
If you’re not sure what the right tyre index you need for your truck is, start off by finding the total weight of your truck and everything you’re carrying. Don’t forget to factor in the weight of your tools, gear, spare parts, ice shack, or whatever you’ve got piled on your truck.
The Wrap Up
We hope this helped you figure out how to find the correct wheels and tyres load rating for your truck or 4WD. If you are unsure or do not feel confident with your choice, get in touch with one of our official suppliers for a professional advice.
