Tires & Wheels Freight Class Calculator

Tires are one of the most consistent and predictable freight commodities in the transportation industry. Major tire manufacturers — Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Cooper — ship from US plants in South Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio to wholesale distributors, tire chains, and dealerships on regular replenishment schedules. The aftermarket tire replacement cycle generates constant freight demand, with an estimated 290 million replacement tires sold annually in the US alone.

Freight class for tires is Class 65–70 based on their moderate-to-high density. A P225/65R17 passenger tire weighs roughly 25–28 lbs. A pallet of 20 tires stacked four high on a 48x40 base weighs 500–560 lbs and occupies 20–22 cubic feet — approximately 24–27 lbs/cuft, solidly Class 65. Commercial truck tires are heavier and denser, potentially qualifying for Class 60. Wheels with tires mounted add significant weight and can hit Class 60 or lower.

The handling consideration that most carriers underestimate is height and stability. Tires stacked on a pallet can reach 60–72 inches if stacked four high, creating top-heavy loads that shift during cornering. Tires should be stacked with the bead seated consistently and the stack slightly interlocked rather than perfectly column-stacked, which reduces lateral shifting. Strapping should go around the stack at mid-height, not just around the pallet base. Wheel assemblies should be stacked horizontally and strapped flat.

Commercial truck tires — steer, drive, and trailer tires — are heavier and physically larger than passenger tires, requiring a separate approach to palletizing. Many commercial tire distributors stack truck tires only two high or ship them in racks. Carriers picking up truck tires at retreading shops may encounter loose casings without pallets, which need to be loaded onto flatbed or in van with proper dunnage. Rate context: tire freight is reliable commodity work at fair rates with minimal damage exposure.