How much does a tire weigh? (Average weight by vehicle type)
It is 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 their weight?
The weight of the tire depends on its type and size. A smaller passenger tire may weigh only 15 pounds (6.8 kg), while the largest truck tire may weigh up to 80 pounds (36 kg) or more. These weights are only for the tire, without taking into account the extra kilos added by the rim.
In this guide, we evaluate the different tire weights. We also talked about what affects weight. While each tire may be slightly different, this article gives you a better idea of where the weight might fall.
Factors affecting tire weight
1. Size
The most important weight factor is the size of the tires. There are several facets to tire size. First, you need to look at the diameter. The diameter affects the volume, which translates into weight. It also indicates the amount of material to be used, which makes it heavier.
You should also compare the width of the tires. The wider the tire, the more material it uses and the more air pressure it contains; therefore, the greater the weight.
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2. Type
The type of tire also affects its overall weight. The compact passenger tire will naturally weigh less than the large tire.
It’s easy to see how the tires gain weight on each other. In most cases, the smaller the tire, the less it should weigh.
3. Application
The standard passenger tire comes with a belt, carcass, and tread system. All of these components will end up in the tire industry. However, some tires intended for additional purposes may have other characteristics that increase weight.
For example, the mud or off-road tire has large blocks in the tread, which is very different from the ordinary passenger tire. While these tires may be the same size, all-terrain tires may be heavier in nature.
Additionally, the premium tire could weigh more overall. It may contain additional layers of rubber compared to the economy tire. Although the durability is greater, so is the price.
Related: How much does a car weigh? (Average weight by car type)
Tire weight by type
1. Passenger car
It is difficult to group all passenger tires into the same category because there are so many of them. This category can cover 13 to 20 inches.
Most passenger car tires weigh between 15 and 25 pounds. The smaller the tire, the less you can expect it to weigh. It also depends on the level of performance provided by the tire, with luxury or performance-oriented tires having more material included, which increases weight.
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2. Truck/SUV
The truck or SUV tire will come in a variety of sizes, just like the passenger car tire. As for the light truck tire, it should provide support for regular hauling and towing. However, these same tires are used on comparable SUV models. That’s why most tires are between 17 and 24 inches.
On average, you can expect a truck or SUV tire to weigh between 45 and 100 pounds, although some weigh more or less.
3. Commercial Truck
Obviously, a commercial truck tire will be much heavier than the average pickup truck. They are larger and heavier than average tires due to the load placed on them. These tires must also provide hauling and towing capacity.
On average, a commercial truck tire will weigh between 100 and 250 pounds. As with all other types, some may drop lighter or heavier under certain circumstances.
4. Monster Truck
Monster trucks will be among the heaviest on the market. They are built with heavy duty applications in mind. Although they do not necessarily tow or carry loads, they must be constructed so that the rubber does not burst.
Most monster truck tires are up to 66 inches tall and possibly up to 43 inches wide. That means you get a tire that is about 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It becomes clear why the tire is designed for monster trucks.
With such a large tire, you can only expect enormous weight. Because these tires weigh between 600 and 900 pounds, it is not easy to simply change them. It takes a lot of effort and the right equipment to remove one of these tires and put on a new one.
5. Motorcycle
If you think a motorcycle tire is generally lighter than a passenger car tire, you’re right. It is important for all motorcycles to keep weight to a minimum, which is why lighter tires are used.
On average, a motorcycle tire can weigh between 8 and 30 pounds. Generally, front tires tend to weigh less than rear tires.
Unlike car tires, where all four will probably weigh the same if they are the same brand, two motorcycle tires can have different weights.
6. Golf Cart
The golf cart tire helps it traverse even smooth surfaces, such as those found on the golf course. For this reason, tires do not need to weigh much.
On average, you can expect golf cart tires to weigh about 10 pounds. It might be a little more than what is found in a lawnmower.
7. Trailer
The trailer tire must be able to hold whatever you are hauling. Depending on the size of the trailer, the tires can weigh about 10 pounds each.
Trailers can also contain a varying number of tires. If the trailer contains two axles with dual tire hubs, it would have a total of eight tires.
8. MTB
All-terrain vehicles have tires that can handle uneven surfaces. For this reason, they are designed to handle more obstacles and uneven terrain.
On average, ATV tires will weigh between 20 and 40 pounds. The UTV will contain the same type of tires.
9. Farm/Tractor
There are a wide variety of tractor and farm tires available, depending on the equipment you are using. These tires must be able to traverse any type of surface; otherwise, the farmer may not be able to access the crops or complete the difficult tasks ahead.
This is why farm and tractor tires can come in a variety of weights. Some can weigh as little as 30 pounds, while others can weigh hundreds of pounds.
