Alloy wheels load rating

Alan Andrews · Oct 9, 2022

Hello,

I'm thinking about changing the standard alloys on my Ocean.

I like Team Dynamics Motorsport Y spoke design.

But the issue I am unable to resolve, is what load rating does the alloy wheel need to have?

All I can find online is that the alloys are load rated. But what does this actually mean and is it suitable for a 3 ton vehicle?

Hoping that someone can confirm please.

Many thanks

WelshGas · Oct 9, 2022

Alan Andrews said:
Hello,

I'm thinking about changing the standard alloys on my Ocean.

I like Team Dynamics Motorsport Y spoke design.

But the issue I am unable to resolve, is what load rating does the alloy wheel need to have?

All I can find online is that the alloys are load rated. But what does this actually mean and is it suitable for a 3 ton vehicle?

Hoping that someone can confirm please.

Many thanks

Tyres for the California have a Load Rating of 103 or 875 Kgm.
Wheels therefore should have the same Load Rating or greater.

There is a data plate under the bonnet with the maximum Load/Axle.
Take the higher rated axle and divide by 2 to give the minimum Load Rating/ Wheel.

sidepod · Oct 9, 2022

Pretty much guarantee those are not van rated.

Any decent wheel manufacturer will provide a certificate stating the exact load rating.
Have a look at the Ronal website for example.

I feel this could end up being one of those Bling beats Brains threads.

Alan Andrews · Oct 9, 2022

WelshGas said:
Tyres for the California have a Load Rating of 103 or 875 Kgm.
Wheels therefore should have the same Load Rating or greater.

There is a data plate under the bonnet with the maximum Load/Axle.
Take the higher rated axle and divide by 2 to give the minimum Load Rating/ Wheel.

Thanks Welshgas, yes this is where I got to.

You have confirmed my opinions.

So many alloys simply state 'Load Rated' without actually stating that rating. Confusing!

Alan Andrews · Oct 9, 2022

sidepod said:
Pretty much guarantee those are not van rated.

Any decent wheel manufacturer will provide a certificate stating the exact load rating.
Have a look at the Ronal website for example.

I feel this could end up being one of those Bling beats Brains threads.

Yes I'm of that opinion. Thanks

sidepod · Oct 9, 2022

It’s a frustrating thing. Probably all of the wheels out there, despite their load rating, will have 100% redundancy or a safety factor of 2. So in 99.9999% of cases they will all be fine.
It’s just that “100 year wave” thing. The one time you’re pilling down the alpine pass, Mrs asleep, kids/dog in the back, four bikes on the rack, 2 canoes on the roof, ten cases of plonk in the boot and you need to do a e-stop!!

Alan Andrews · Oct 9, 2022

sidepod said:
It’s a frustrating thing. Probably all of the wheels out there, despite their load rating, will have 100% redundancy or a safety factor of 2. So in 99.9999% of cases they will all be fine.
It’s just that “100 year wave” thing. The one time you’re pilling down the alpine pass, Mrs asleep, kids/dog in the back, four bikes on the rack, 2 canoes on the roof, ten cases of plonk in the boot and you need to do a e-stop!!

Yes I understand.

The confusion comes because some sellers are using terms like "Commercially load rated" and "Load rated" without in many cases providing any meaningful numbers.

And then there are websites that allow you to put in your reg or vehicle type, and provide conflicting search item in return....with some stating that this wheel is suitable and others saying it is not. Talk about confusing!

I then come back to looking through the VW commercial van options, but invariably decide that their designs are not what I want.

The Davenport wheels work, but they are not the best looking, and I do not ever want to buy diamond cut finished wheels ever again.

Are there any genuine alloy sellers who truly understand what a California is? beyond a variant of a transporter or Caravelle?

Any recommendations?

DevillBelgium · Oct 9, 2022

Alan Andrews said:
Yes I understand.

The confusion comes because some sellers are using terms like "Commercially load rated" and "Load rated" without in many cases providing any meaningful numbers.

And then there are websites that allow you to put in your reg or vehicle type, and provide conflicting search item in return....with some stating that this wheel is suitable and others saying it is not. Talk about confusing!

I then come back to looking through the VW commercial van options, but invariably decide that their designs are not what I want.

The Davenport wheels work, but they are not the best looking, and I do not ever want to buy diamond cut finished wheels ever again.

Are there any genuine alloy sellers who truly understand what a California is? beyond a variant of a transporter or Caravelle?

Any recommendations?

That is why I ask a professionel for advice. Usually I go to Blacksheep (located in Belguim) and they sell vossen wheels also from the UK

sidepod · Oct 9, 2022

Alan Andrews said:
Yes I understand.

The confusion comes because some sellers are using terms like "Commercially load rated" and "Load rated" without in many cases providing any meaningful numbers.

And then there are websites that allow you to put in your reg or vehicle type, and provide conflicting search item in return....with some stating that this wheel is suitable and others saying it is not. Talk about confusing!

I then come back to looking through the VW commercial van options, but invariably decide that their designs are not what I want.

The Davenport wheels work, but they are not the best looking, and I do not ever want to buy diamond cut finished wheels ever again.

Are there any genuine alloy sellers who truly understand what a California is? beyond a variant of a transporter or Caravelle?

Any recommendations?

I had mine custom made and certified for this very reason.

I searched and searched but it came down to about three companies, all German and all OE suppliers. Unfortunately I didn’t like what they had to offer apart from a TUV certificate.

I used Image Wheels.
They may have a style you like.

drdaveboycali · Oct 9, 2022

some decent wheels on transporter hq

westfalia · Oct 9, 2022

It could be that the only Y spoke design you can have are these-
This is from the website in Germany, the small picture isn't the actual
wheel.
Hope not..
At least you get a product number there that you can check out.

Alan Andrews · Oct 10, 2022

westfalia said:
It could be that the only Y spoke design you can have are these-
This is from the website in Germany, the small picture isn't the actual
wheel.
Hope not..
At least you get a product number there that you can check out.
View attachment 100304

Many thanks. But unfortunately, the Part number search comes back with nothing.

B J G · Oct 15, 2022

There are two legal issues relating to load rating of wheels and tyres.
1 - If under the required loading figure insurance won't be valid. Implications for claims whether at fault or not.

2 - Police/law deem the vehicle to be in a dangerous condition and will prosecute on that basis.

Think of the load on a wheel when cornering at speed and the front wheel hits a pothole which will be well beyond the basic static load figure.

I wouldn't go below 950kgs and in my case I purchased 17" alloys with a 1320kgs load rating.
Cracked alloys are common especially on the larger diameters with wide rims.

I have seen technical articles that recommend as much as a 25% load safety margin.

Pre Brexit Tyreleader sold Alloys in UK and you could access all the load rating info but they stopped with the Brexit Customs hassle/costs.

As you say getting figures is very difficult and many suppliers will sell ones that are only up to small van use not 3 Tonnes+

These seem more informative that many. Just change the wheel diameter to required figure. 18" max for comfort.