Tires: tire load rating vs axle rating, GAWR, Tire Load Rating

Question
Is there a relationship between the tire load rating and the axle rating?

Answer
Leslie,

Yes.  The simple answer is:  The load rating of the tire at the specified pressure must be larger than the GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).

This is a complex issue and how the tire rating is selected based on the GAWR is one of those things that every vehicle manufacturer has, but doesn't publish.  However, it is good engineering practice for the tire's capacity to be underutilized - and that is one of the lessons learned from the FORD / Firestone situation a few years back.

But the issue of tire rating vs GAWR is so complex, that to make it simple, there is a sticker the listed the original tire size and the proper pressure for that size - and the GAWR - and with that information, you don't need to know how this works.  Either use the same size, or a tire with the same or larger capacity.

But be careful.  There are still some pitfalls in changing tire size and they are too numerous to put in this simple Q & A format.