A question about wheel load rating

[Geppinger]

Hi all, I'm considering picking up a set of 18" wheels for my ST to give myself more tire options and more importantly more sidewall for the bad roads on my commute. Looking around at the options, it seems most of the 5x114.3 options have lower load ratings for cars, and then moving up into truck/suv wheels you have limited options in terms of style and offset. Specifically, I was looking at a Konig Forged set of 18s, rated at 1543lbs. According to Google, the stock 21s are 1900-2200lbs.

I guess what I'm looking for is, does anyone have experience using these or similar lower rated wheels and had decent luck? I'm not towing with this car, and hoping the extra sidewall would account for the stresses the wheel would see during driving. But 6200lbs vs 7600lbs is a pretty big difference. Previous commuter was a mercedes that cracked a wheel at least once a year, so not looking to go down that road again.

Thanks in advance.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

You’ll just need to calculate the full weight of the car with people in it, and just see if those weight ratings will be okay. The car usually weighs around 4800 lb with fluids, but you also have to add passenger and potential cargo weight. That weight rating might be adequate enough.

 

[Geppinger]

You’ll just need to calculate the full weight of the car with people in it, and just see if those weight ratings will be okay. The car usually weighs around 4800 lb with fluids, but you also have to add passenger and potential cargo weight. That weight rating might be adequate enough.

Yeah, I would estimate the weight with myself and cargo to be maybe 5200-5500 depending on the day/passengers. But I'm also assuming the wheel load rating is for static and rolling load, not shocks and impacts. I'm not sure if a safety margin is padded into those numbers.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Yeah, I would estimate the weight with myself and cargo to be maybe 5200-5500 depending on the day/passengers. But I'm also assuming the wheel load rating is for static and rolling load, not shocks and impacts. I'm not sure if a safety margin is padded into those numbers.

It depends on the manufacturer.

 

[Geppinger]

It depends on the manufacturer.

Good point, I'll try to reach out to the manufacturer and see what they have to say. I'd imagine they'd say no for liability reasons, but maybe I'll get some good info and report back. Thank you.

 

[2020FordRaptor]

Good point, I'll try to reach out to the manufacturer and see what they have to say. I'd imagine they'd say no for liability reasons, but maybe I'll get some good info and report back. Thank you.

I wouldn’t depend on a “comfort space” between the rating and the wheel cracking. Stay under that, if you can’t find a different wheel.