Dense loose rims
Boxed steel or alloy rims on a compact pallet
48 × 40 × 36 in
Packaged weight: 1800 lb
- Cubic feet
- 40.00
- Density
- 45.00 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
55
55
Tires and Rims LTL Shipping Guide
Freight Class for Tires and Rims
To estimate your shipment, use the Tires and Rims Freight Class Calculator.
The Tires and Rims Freight Class Examples use the current 13-tier density scale, effective July 19, 2025, and range from Class 55 to 92.5.
These are density-based estimates.
Tires and Rims density calculator
Calculate Your Tires and Rims Freight Class
A palletized tires and rims shipment is preloaded as an example. Adjust the packaged dimensions or weight to calculate your tires and rims freight class.
Your result
Cubic feet
64.00
Density
21.88
lb/cu ft
Estimated freight class
70
This is an example density-based estimate. Update any field to calculate your shipment.
Tires and Rims shipment examples
Tires and Rims Freight Class Examples
These examples use packaged outside dimensions and the site’s density-to-class chart. They are examples only, not fixed classes for all tires and rims shipments.
Mounted wheel sets
Mounted automotive wheels secured on a pallet
48 × 48 × 48 in
Packaged weight: 1400 lb
- Cubic feet
- 64.00
- Density
- 21.88 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
70
70
Bulky mixed assemblies
Mixed tires and rims with additional protective cube
60 × 48 × 60 in
Packaged weight: 1000 lb
- Cubic feet
- 100.00
- Density
- 10.00 lb/cu ft
Estimated class
92.5
92.5
Tires and Rims shipment comparison
Tires and Rims Freight Class by Shipment Type
Tires and rims shipments may include dense boxed rims, mounted wheel assemblies, nested tires, or mixed automotive sets. Class depends on package cube, wheel diameter, pallet pattern, exposed finishes, rolling risk, protruding valve stems, and whether the load can safely accept top load.
| Tires and Rims shipment | Typical packaging | Density tendency | Stackability | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loose rims | Partitioned cartons or crates | High | Usually stackable | Protect finished faces and bead seats. |
| Mounted wheel assemblies | Palletized upright or flat | Medium to high | Limited | Prevent rolling and face-to-face abrasion. |
| Nested tires with rims | Mixed pallet load | Medium | Limited | Separate heavy rims from flexible sidewalls. |
| Oversized wheel sets | Custom skids or frames | Low | Non-stackable | Confirm dimensions and lifting access. |
tires and rims shipping options
Choosing a Shipping Method for Tires and Rims
The right service depends on tires and rims size, packaging, stackability, and handling needs.
| Tires and Rims shipment | Common shipping option |
|---|---|
| Boxed loose rims | Standard LTL |
| Mounted wheel-and-tire sets | Protected LTL |
| Mixed tires and rims | Limited-stack LTL |
| Oversized specialty wheel sets | Oversize or dedicated service |
Large, irregular, non-stackable, unusually valuable, or specially handled tires and rims shipments may need carrier review before booking.
Tires and Rims Packaging, Stackability, and Damage Risk
Tires and Rims Packaging
- Use partitioned cartons, face protectors, felt or foam separators, crates, or wheel pallets for loose and mounted rims.
- Block mounted assemblies against rolling, protect valve stems and finished faces, and keep all wheels inside the pallet footprint.
- Separate loose tires from heavy rims and use bands, nets, corner boards, or custom frames that do not damage sidewalls or finishes.
Tires and Rims Stackability
- Boxed loose rims may stack when cartons or crates are rated for concentrated wheel weight.
- Mounted wheel sets require stable pallet patterns and rigid top caps before accepting limited top load.
- Treat oversized assemblies, exposed alloy faces, mixed loose tires and rims, and custom show wheels as limited-stack or non-stackable.
Tires and Rims Finish, Rolling, Bead-Seat, and Valve Protection
- Prevent rolling, face scratches, bead-seat damage, bent rim flanges, sidewall cuts, valve-stem breakage, and separation of matched sets.
- Protect polished, painted, machined, chrome, or powder-coated finishes along with sensors and center caps.
- Document wheel diameter, width, material, mounted or loose status, quantity, declared value, and center of gravity.
Before Requesting a Tires and Rims Freight Quote
How to Measure a Packaged Tires and Rims Shipment
- Measure after all cartons, pallets, face protectors, cradles, bands, frames, and wraps are installed.
- Include tire bulge, rim projections, valve stems, crate feet, and pallet overhang.
- Use the total packaged weight of tires, rims, mounted assemblies, cartons, pallet, and securement.
Tires and Rims Freight Quote Checklist
- Measure the finished boxed-rim pallet, mounted-wheel set, mixed tire-and-rim load, or oversized specialty assembly.
- Record the total packaged weight, wheel diameter and width, tire sizes, assembly count, package count, and declared value.
- State whether cartons or frames are top-load rated or require limited-stack handling because of exposed finishes, mounted assemblies, rolling risk, or oversize dimensions.
- Include photos of rim faces, bead seats, valve stems, sensors, sidewalls, separators, blocking, and pallet securement.
- Confirm forklift capacity, liftgate, dock access, appointment, oversize review, limited-stack, and high-value handling requirements.
Freight Planning Calculators
Calculate and Plan Your Tires and Rims Shipment
Use the freight class, density, pallet, and linear-feet calculators to plan your packaged LTL shipment.
Freight Class Calculator
Estimate freight class from packaged dimensions, weight, and density.
Freight Density Calculator
Calculate cubic feet and pounds per cubic foot for packaged freight.
Pallet Freight Calculator
Plan pallet dimensions, shipment weight, density, and configuration.
Freight Linear Feet Calculator
Estimate trailer-space usage for pallets and non-stackable freight.
Freight classes shown on this page are density-based estimates for shipment planning. Actual classification may also depend on value, handling requirements, liability, stowability, dimensions, and other commodity-specific factors. Confirm the final freight class with your carrier, broker, or official NMFC resources before shipping. NMFC® is a registered trademark of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. FreightClassCalculator.tools is an independent calculator and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or licensed by NMFTA.