Richard,
re the load rating, that may well be in spec, but what is the situation when the wheel hits a pot hole, in some instances it must be like hitting the loaded tyre/wheel with a sledge hammer which could well be double the load rating limit.
Not that I look for pot holes and and wary taking the Sprinter off the Tar.
Fair comment Peter and a hard one to crack as to variables:Can a rim split
answer yes, but dam it has to old and rusted through on the weld seams. even under excessive loads
Well why did it split
answer over weight maybe, the pot hole is another factor to consider as to tire type, condition, and complacency of the owner playing tricks with shortcuts is anther risk factor to consider.
Lets look at in another way, your rim is rated for x = Kg; and it's marked on the rim near the center of the offset they vary as to Sprinter models.
I just ran into a pothole
it was so big the hole swallowed my Sprinter up
and it was lost forevermore.
OK, 'the above is a joke of sorts' anything is possible, but I'd base a split rim on the tire type to begin with, more than the
load itself; as the steel rims rarely fail unless previously damaged or rust has effected the seam, and the latter is a high possibility with time.
One a rim and tire must be matched to a rolling diameter this tyre is matched to the older load bearing icon ply. plus with the newer icon load ratings front and rear. this inches ply plus load limits and speed limitaions as marked on the sidewall of a tire.
The suspension itself can be a factor off road, but that goes outside of the standard known parables of possible failure of a rim.
Peter your not going to bust a rim as your van is within the loading limits providing you have the correct tire ratings those rims are tested to 4.6 metric tonne ,they are built tough.
The question as to a 16 inch rim on a standard 3 series sprinter is possible. ''However" as you have a camper that is specked to Australian specification's, one needs to look back at Benz as to why a 15 inch rim.
Low Center of Gravity= 'Higher yaw rate of stability at ground zero.
Off road winter traveling the needs to be sufficient clearance for snow chains otherwise if a 16 inch rim is instated, your too close to the outer front guard 'Under suspension' travel variations ,more so with turning, or on a severe camber offset road surface.
An option is for a high lift suspension pack available from Benz for campers more so for the arse end but it raises the van at the rear .less chance of bottoming out on outback tracks or sudden elevation increases from a road to another or if in suburbia, a simple thing such as a driveway entrance can cause the rear to hang up.
16 inch added is possible with the Australian
SPRINTERS
By moving up to a 16 inch rim the load limit on the rim increases. "providing you can find one that's compliant' 'However the rim width increasing to 7 inches with a off-set to match the OEM specs, sounds simple enough but not in Oz
You have only choice and the legality of the change is a major issue with insurance, if you don't get it right.
In brief add a higher rated rim the load limit increases, so does the width of the rim which is manufactured to Benz off-set specification's, and that's OK.
Catch 22 RTA and road transport Australian regulations combined bring in the changing of a tires dynamics.
Yes a new tire for a 16inch rim changes the loading to 1500 depends on the tire brand.then the tire is lowered to a low profile tire to remain with in the OEM rolling diameter of with-in2 mm.
this means your tire is no longer a 70 series rather a 65 series and your limited to 195/205 in width as it comes back to the front guard not catching under sharp turns or impacted by variable-travel suspension offsets at high or low peak axis heights.
There is a down side to a lower profile tire and that is shock vertical-impact- absorption the 15 inch tire has less chance of failure, as opposed to a low profile tire sort of a 50/50 each way bet on that one.
Simply put yes you can change,'but have you three grand to spare' because that's the real world cost of a new rim and tires without a filth wheel either.
Very few folk are prepared to spend 3 grand plus on rims/tires with a Sprinter as to the high cost in Australia.
Cheer's Richard