Aftermarket Wheels

[c4cruiser]

I'm thinking about some aftermarket wheels for my 99 Silverado Z71 for next spring, but of all the wheels I have seen on various websites, no mention is made of the weight that aftermarket wheels can support.

 

Because the existing tires (Bridgestone Dueler AT REvo's) have about 50% tread life remaining, I will be sticking with 16" wheels. I would like to go to 17's but I'm not sure right now if I want to spend the extra money for new tires.

 

I tow my 87 Vette on a steel trailer and the total trailer weight is 5400 lbs. I toss in about 400lbs of cargo in the bed. While that's probably not really close to the maximum weight the truck can carry, do most aftermarket wheels have a weight capacity close to the OEM wheels?

[Rocco715]

For the most part a name brand wheel will have the same the capabilities as stock, and since your sticking close to stock size you should be alright.

[hubbycap]

Well your trailer tongue weight will probably be 10% or 540lbs and the 400lbs of other cargo, you are less than a 1000lbs. Most of the time I see >1700lbs max weight stamped on wheels. That'd be 3400lbs on the axle, minimum. I don't know the exact frnt/rear weight ratio but you probably have a ton of unloaded truck on the rear axle plus you payload. At minimum with a couple of people you are at the rating. Most likely the max load rating on the wheel is higher though and you would be well within the maximum.

[Zembonez]

Major wheel companies offer load and overall tire height ratings on their wheels. This information should be on their websites. Anybody not willing to discuss their ratings would be eliminated immediately from my consideration for obvoius reasons.