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Technical Artillery Wheel Load rating?

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan, Apr 15, 2019.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
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    Question for the wheels guys... You know those 15x6 6-lug artillery wheels that came on the original apache? They look like this:

    [​IMG]

    I think they came on NAPCO 4x4 conversions as well?

    In any case, does anyone know where I could find the original load rating of such a wheel?
     
  2. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,931

    squirrel
    Member

    I'd look at the Chevy restoration info available on their heritage site

    https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/

    But you might not find what you want there, either. They appear to have load ratings for tires, but not wheels.

    Also I don't think that wheel has anything to do with the Chevy Apache truck, circa 1958....maybe something earlier? or aftermarket?
     
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  3. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
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    yeah, it might be a NAPCO only thing for all I know...
     
  4. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
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    Gofannon
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    lothiandon1940, swade41 and Ryan like this.

  5. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
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  6. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
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    Mr48chev
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    Gofannon is faster than I am.
     
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  7. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
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    Ryan
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    3/4 ton? Thanks. You’d think they’d have a pretty high load rating then.
     
  8. Gofannon
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 924

    Gofannon
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    At a guess, they'd handle the load rating of whatever tires you could mount on them.
     
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  9. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
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    Strength shouldn't be a problem unless you plan to tow a heavy trailer.
     
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  10. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
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    More like put them on a very light trailer... 1947 Curtis Wright Clipper. :)
     
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  11. 302GMC
    Joined: Dec 15, 2005
    Posts: 7,856

    302GMC
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    from Idaho

    '35 - '42 Chev & GMC trucks, optional on 1/2 ton, standard equipment on "3/4 ton" Chev which was merely a long wheelbase 1/2 ton. Years ago, an old fella who hauled a heavily loaded 2 axle swap meet trailer thousands of miles a year told me he had destroyed dozens of standard & split rims from heat related explosions, and switched to these wheels with no problems since. They actually are 5 1/2'' wide, but sure look 6'' ...
     
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  12. Mr48chev
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    They should do well on that and look right to boot.
     
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  13. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,931

    squirrel
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    This is what Chevy has to say about them, circa 1941. So the load rating would be at least 1500 lbs.

    41 wheel.jpg
     
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  14. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 21,632

    Ryan
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    I think that is in reference to the tire load capacity given the pressure. I hope it is anyhow!

    This is off topic, but I’m prolly gonna run a modern radial trailer tire.
     
  15. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,931

    squirrel
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    That's what it looks like to me
     
  16. Thoes wheels would look great on that camper. HRP
     
  17. I didn't know they came in 15" I thought it was 16" like mine up to 17", 18" Screenshot_20190415-230410_Photobucket.jpg
     
  18. I think it has more to do with the tires fitted, and specifically the inflation pressure needed.

    I had a neighbor who tried to 'upgrade' his 1/2T pickup into a 1T. Helper springs, heavy-duty shocks got him a long ways, but two items didn't work out. First was the tires/wheels. He managed to find some load range 'E' tires in a 15" size (I think they may have been equipment tires) and when inflated to their recommended pressure (80 psi?) started peeling the lip off the rims. I know he had at least two rim failures from this. The insurmountable issue was brakes... the first time he had it loaded up like a 1T, he went off the road at the first corner because it wouldn't slow down...
     
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  19. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
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    from Quincy, IL

    If the '40 Ford wheels fitted when you bought the trailer were original, then the Chevy wheels in question should be more than adequate when fitted with equally adequate tires. Further, IMO, using the latest technology trailer tires is wise....tradition is fine when up to the job at hand....not always the best option for maximum reliability and/or safety. In my twenty years of trailer tire experience, there are more poor quality trailer tires than good/great ones...buy the best you can find.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2019
    lothiandon1940 and 302GMC like this.
  20. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    15" optional wheel for pickups. hard to find
     
    swade41 likes this.

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