It’s not easy to change a tire, mainly because of the weight. Tires can be very heavy, but what is the average weight? How much do tires weigh, and what factors affect how heavy they are?
The average passenger car tire weighs between 15 and 25 pounds. However, the tire’s weight depends a lot on the type and size. A smaller passenger tire might only weigh 15 pounds (6,8 kg), while a larger truck tire can weigh upwards of 80 pounds (36 kg) or more.
These weights are just for the tire alone, without factoring in the additional pounds that the rim adds.
In this guide, I evaluate the different tire weights. I also talk about what affects weight. While every tire might be slightly different, this article gives you a better idea of where the weight might fall.
Factors Affecting Tire Weight
1. Size
The biggest factor in determining weight is the size of the tire. There are multiple parameters to consider here. First, you must look at the diameter. The diameter affects the volume, which translates to weight. It also shows how much material needs to be used, which makes it heavier.
You must also compare the width of the tire. The wider the tire is, the more material is used and the more air pressure it holds, which translates to greater weight.
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2. Type
The tire type also affects its overall weight. A compact passenger tire is going to naturally weigh less than a larger tire size.
It’s easy to see how tires stack up by weight when compared to one another. In most cases, the smaller the tire is, the less it should weigh.
3. Application
The standard passenger tire comes with a belt system, casing and tread. All of these components will be found across the tire industry. However, certain tires meant for additional purposes can have other features that add to the weight.
As an example, mud or all-terrain tires have chunky blocks in the tread, which is very different from the regular passenger tire. While these tires could be the same size, the all-terrain tires would naturally be heavier.
Additionally, the premium tire might weigh more overall. It can contain extra layers of rubber compared to the budget-minded tire. While the durability is higher, so is the price.
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Tire Weights by Type
1. Passenger Car
It’s difficult to put all passenger car tires into one category because there are so many of them. This category can cover everything from 13- to 20-inches.
The majority of passenger car tires measure between 15 and 25 pounds. The smaller the tire is, the less you can expect it to weigh. It also depends on what level of performance the tire provides, with luxury or performance-focused tires having more material included, adding to the weight.
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2. Truck/SUV
A truck or SUV tire is going to come in a variety of sizes, just like the passenger car tire. When it comes to a light-duty truck tire, it needs to provide support for regular hauling and towing. However, these same tires are used on comparable SUV models. That’s why most of the tires are between 17- and 24-inches.
On average, you can expect a truck or SUV tire to weigh 45 to 100 pounds, although there are some that weigh more or less.
3. Commercial Truck
Clearly, the commercial truck tire is going to be much heavier than the average pickup truck. They are larger and heavier than the average tire because of how much of a load they are expected to bear. These tires must also provide the capability for hauling and towing.
On average, the commercial truck tire will weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. As with all the other types, there can be some that may be lighter or heavier in certain circumstances.
4. Monster Truck
The monster trucks will be among the heaviest on the market. They are built with heavy-duty applications in mind. They aren’t necessarily towing or hauling any loads, but they need to be built so that the rubber doesn’t blow out.
The majority of monster truck tires measure up to 66 inches high and possibly to 43 inches wide. That means you get a tire that’s about 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It becomes clear why the tire is meant for monster trucks.
With a tire this big, you can only expect a massive amount of weight. Because these tires weigh between 600 and 900 pounds, it’s not easy to simply change them. It requires a lot of effort and the right equipment to get one of these tires off and a new one put on.
5. Motorcycle
If you think that a motorcycle tire is usually lighter than a passenger car tire, you would be right. It’s important for all motorcycles to keep the weight to a minimum, which is why lighter tires are used.
On average, a motorcycle tire might weigh between 8 and 30 pounds. Generally, the front tire weighs less than the rear tire.
Unlike car tires, where all four will likely weigh the same amount if they are the same brand, the two motorcycle tires can have different weights.
6. Golf Cart
The golf cart tire helps you to traverse even smooth surfaces, such as what’s found on the golf course. For this reason, the tires don’t need to weigh a lot.
On average, you can expect golf car tires to weigh about 10 pounds. This could be a little more than what’s found on a lawnmower.
7. Trailer
The trailer tire needs to be able to hold whatever you are hauling. Depending on the size of the trailer, your tires could weigh around 10 pounds each.
Trailers can also hold a varying amount of tires. If the trailer contains two axles with dual-tire hubs, you would have a total of eight tires.
8. ATV
All-terrain vehicles have tires that can handle rough surfaces. For this reason, they are built to handle more obstacles and uneven terrain.
On average, the ATV tires will weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. The UTV will hold the same type of tires.
9. Farm/Tractor
There is a wide variety of farm and tractor tires available, depending on what equipment you are using. These tires must be able to get across any type of surface, or the farmer might not be able to get to crops or accomplish the tough jobs that are ahead.
That’s why farm and tractor tires can have a variety of weight ratings. Some can weigh as low as 30 pounds, while others can weigh hundreds of pounds.
How much do the big tires weigh?
How much a big tire weighs depends entirely on how big the tire is. For example, large tractor tires can weigh 400 to 600 pounds each, which can give a total weight of all 4 tires of 2400 pounds. Large SUV tires for a car can weigh 100 pounds or more.
How do you know the weight of a tire?
The best and most accurate way to figure out the weight of your tire is to either get the correct weight from the tire manufacturer, or put it on a scale. If you find the product number on the tire, you can often find the weight information on the tire manufacturer’s website.
How much does a tire weigh with air?
The weight difference between a tire filled with air versus an empty tire is only a few grams, so the difference is almost unmeasurable. Therefore, to find out how much a tire weighs with air, you only need to find out how much it weighs without air.
How much do wheels and tires weigh?
The average rim weighs around 20 to 30 pounds, and the average tire is around 15 to 25 pounds. Therefore, you can expect a full wheel weight of 35 to 55 pounds. However, this depends on many factors such as rim material, tire size and much more.
Categories: Tires
