I've always wondered why my load range E tires say I can put around 3000 lbs on them in a single wheel configuration, but that number drops down to around 2700 lbs per tire in dual wheel configuration. You'd think that dual wheels would give you the capacity of 2 single wheels, but according to what the tire says, that's not true. What's the deal?

 

All tires I have seen say that.

 

Safety factor in case one blows out?

 

I don't know what formula they use but if not on a perfectly flat road, one tire would be subject to more load. Such as a crowned road or dropping one tire off the pavement at speed that often happens loaded heavy.

 

Hehe- I may thow in my 2c here: According to a European tire man. whom I asked about it:

The 2 factors determining max load on a tire are the static of the construction and heat. The static will determine tha maximum short term load (like bump in the road etc) and the heat will determine long term max load. A dually setup must be able to support a decent bump in the road with only a single tire on the ground (like running over a brick on the road with just one tire at speed) without blowing out. In a single wheel setup the determining factor is heat for prolonged use. Heat dissipation is inhibited in a dually setup a bit. (the flanges close to each other) so that the sustained capacity is reduced a bit. A little reduction has to be considered for the fact that the tires in a dually setup will likely be unevenly loaded for some time (road crown etc) so that one tire will heat up more. The reduction of lateral rub per tire in the dually setup (shearwinds, road crown) will reduce the amount of heat generated in the tire a bit again, so that they can get a little higher with the dually load.
A good measure for the max. short term load of a tire is it's dually rating- the closer to the single rating the higher it's short time load resistance ( multiply by 2 for the dual rating since the dually tire must be able to support the vehicle alone on short term, and must stand bumps in the road at low speeds)

HTH

AlpineRAM

Disclaimer: These infos come from a European tire manufacturer so they may not be applicable for US tires. I do not suggest overloading of tires. Keep tires properly inflated.

 

Good info Marcus!

 

Yes you CAN. I just put on 22.5 (no lift) rated H ,5510lbs per tire.

http://www.chromewheel.com/

Much better ride than the stock 16's.

400,000 mile tires (regrovable)

D.O.T. approved rims and tires

OverFueled

 

Interesting...never thought about it that way. Thanks all!