Rim Load Index & Towing Capacity

[famous]

Was wondering about the load index on the Gladiator rims. I originally had a 2019 Jeep Rubicon. Had it for 3 weeks before it was rear ended. I was going 65 on the Freeway and another driver fell asleep at what looked like they were travelling at 100+mph. As they smashed into the rear quarter of the right side of the Rubicon., the (Rubicon) rim looked like a grenade blew it up. The rim did not handle that impact well at all.

Which leads me to my question(s)
I am purchasing a Gladiator Diesel & plan on towing - not knowing much about load index until this point. And having Real concerns about the strength of the OEM rims. Makes me wonder what load index a rim should have for max towing capacity of the jeep diesel gladiator and what is the total weight of a Gladiator Diesel with its max towing capability? And also what is the current load index (on the rims) for the Gladiator in their stock form?

From my understanding if a rim has a load index of 2500, then its:
2500x4=10k lbs total weight capacity, which would not support the Gladiator with its max tow weight

Gladiator Approximate Weight:
5,200lbs
Max Tow Weight:
6,500lbs

=== 11,700lbs

So buying a rim with a load index of 2,500 and towing the max weight would potentially cause the rim to FAIL AKA destruct!

This is a newby thinking this threw so any definitive insight is much appreciated.

Thanks

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[WXman]

Nope, what you need is the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). THAT is the maximum weight that can be applied to the vehicle (vehicle weight plus all passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue). In the case of the JT, the GVWR of the diesel is 6,350 lbs. So, you need wheels with a minimum capacity of 1,587 lbs. each.

The Mopar accessory wheels are listed at 1,900 lb. capacity. The stock OE factory wheels are "unknown or proprietary" according to all the FCA reps I've talked to about this....although Jeep engineers had mentioned during the JT launch that the JT wheels would have a higher rating than the JL wheels.

It's virtually impossible to find wheels that are below the needed specs. to handle a mid-size truck.

 

[famous]

@WXman Nope, what you need is the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). THAT is the maximum weight that can be applied to the vehicle (vehicle weight plus all passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue). In the case of the JT, the GVWR of the diesel is 6,350 lbs. So, you need wheels with a minimum capacity of 1,587 lbs. each.

The Mopar accessory wheels are listed at 1,900 lb. capacity. The stock OE factory wheels are "unknown or proprietary" according to all the FCA reps I've talked to about this....although Jeep engineers had mentioned during the JT launch that the JT wheels would have a higher rating than the JL wheels.

It's virtually impossible to find wheels that are below the needed specs. to handle a mid-size truck.

@WXman So are you saying

6,350 GVWR
+
800lbs 4 passengers at 200lbs

= 7,150 + tongue weight approximately up to 700lbs

Total of approximately 8k lbs

Which means that rims rated at 2,500 lbs (x4 = 10k) should cover the max weight across the Gladiator no problem?

 

[WXman]

@WXman So are you saying

6,350 GVWR
+
800lbs 4 passengers at 200lbs

= 7,150 + tongue weight approximately up to 700lbs

Total of approximately 8k lbs

Which means that rims rated at 2,500 lbs (x4 = 10k) should cover the max weight across the Gladiator no problem?

No, I'm saying 6,350 lbs. is THE MAXIMUM weight. So if the truck weighs 4,000 lbs., that leaves you 2,350 for all people, cargo, trailer tongue weight, any anything else you can stuff onto or into the truck. But you cannot legally pass 6,350 lbs. total.

So, ANY wheel on the market is going to easily handle that, as I've rarely ever seen one with less than 1,900 lbs of weight capacity.

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