Community Forums

84prerunner · 08-22-2015, 01:05 AM

just curious if anyone has seen a rim failure on heavy diesel pickup trucks? reason I ask is I an over the weight rating and pressure rating of my aftermarket chrome steel wheels (highest rating I can get in this size) and wonder about failures. I cant seem to find anything on line about them failing and my buddy that works at a tire shop said id likely be just fine and my only option to upgrade 19.5s or a dually conversion.

the_vfox · 08-22-2015, 01:45 AM

I have never seen a rim failure, however i have seen the results of tires blowing being overweight, not a pretty site and expensive. If you are running over, i would suggest you lower your weight or get beefier rims and tires. The other part of the question is the suspension and axle weight capacities. It might be better to get a bigger truck.

84prerunner · 08-22-2015, 11:50 AM

the tires are load range E 4080lb rated, which should be high enough. We are over the trucks GAWR,but the axle itself used in other applications has a much higher rating, something like 9500lbs going off memory.

wingnut60 · 08-23-2015, 08:09 AM

So at 4160lbs tire capacity, you are over that? I think just about every rear axle is rated higher than the tires, but many other parts come into play on the factory rating. I would never tow with more weight on the tires than rated, and would shoot for at least 20% tire capacity over actual axle weight.

dustyone · 08-23-2015, 09:04 AM

Yes rims can and will fail. Ask any rig driver. That's why dot will and do check them on an inspection. I have been and have seen cracks on aluminum rims. And have seen a front wheel rim come off the hub due to cracking going unnoticed.

dustyone · 08-23-2015, 09:14 AM

Oh that was a hot shots truck. Not a rig.

84prerunner · 08-23-2015, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wingnut60

So at 4160lbs tire capacity, you are over that? I think just about every rear axle is rated higher than the tires, but many other parts come into play on the factory rating. I would never tow with more weight on the tires than rated, and would shoot for at least 20% tire capacity over actual axle weight.

I assume you meant 8,160. I have never weighed the entire setup, but based off weights given and numbers off similar setups that have been weighed I am guessing I am around 7500-8000lbs on the rear axle. I did have a rear tire blowout, but it was a load range D tire rated at I think 3400lbs and ironically it blew out on the trip I was loaded by far the lightest (no trailer, food, or water). the rims are rated around 3600lbs which seem to be the next weak link based off ratings.

I know all about cracked rims In other applications, I make a living based around off-road desert racing. I have personally cracked a few rims on my offroad truck and seen the centers rip out of wheels fairly often in offroad, but those are taking an entirely different kind of abuse. I inspect the truck pretty well everytime I use it and so far no signs of cracks or failures.

here is some pictures of the setup at its heaviest.

dustyone · 08-23-2015, 03:24 PM

Go to a CAT scale. From what I can see you may be guessing you're weight wrong. Weigh each Axle on truck. Connect trailer weigh again. Get a true weight. You look like you may be able to adjust you load and come up ok. It may be as simple as turning you truck around. Don't laugh, weigh.

dustyone · 08-23-2015, 03:35 PM

A weight distribution hitch maybe the answer as well. An after thought I just had. You may be able to share your load with trailer.

wingnut60 · 08-23-2015, 08:45 PM

Sorry, yep, meant 8160lbs.
That is a unique tow setup--but I can't imagine that you have not gotten good weight data on it as it sits in the pic. Can't tell if you have a WD hitch--surely you do?
Have you contacted a wheel mfg such as Rickson as to rims/capacities? Maybe there is something they have that has more weight rating to at least cover the tire pressure/load.
Joe

Mr_D · 08-23-2015, 08:52 PM

Had a 1988 Okanagan 17' Type B MH. Broke two of the factory chrome wheels. Both on the passenger side rear. They split right at the bead. Okanagan finally replaced them with Alcoa wheels once I reminded them that it was illegal to ship an RV into the country with underrated wheels. The only wheels I found that would take the weight on the rear were the Alcoa's so they paid for them. Nice upgrade!

84prerunner · 08-23-2015, 08:53 PM

I do not currently have a weight distribution hitch, but it is something I am looking to purchase.

George Schweikle · 08-24-2015, 07:08 AM

Years ago, back when UPS used Michelin on all of it's trucks, I put Michelin tube type tires on my single axle car trailer. I forget the tire pressure I used, but it was too much for the Dexter rims (the style with a big opening in the center that bolted to the brake drum) and one split almost all the way around the rim. I called Dexter and was very pleased to be connected to someone in engineering who, when told what pressure I was using, said "That rim failed since it is only listed for 60 PSI". That's when I learned that rims have the max. pressure stamped on the inside.

timetogo · 08-24-2015, 03:54 PM

50 years or so ago, split rims were considered heavy duty on pickups. There were several failures on GM products and maybe other brands.

Quality rims today are better built and I haven't seen a failed rim in many years.