We are talking about wheels without tires. They consist of a disc and rim and lay people call them rims. The specialists call them wheels. The buyers determine, in detail, how the wheels should be packed, i.e. how the pallet loads are to be secured. Car manufacturers often place their own pallets at the wheel manufacturer’s disposal. These are usually wooden pallets measuring 1150 x 1130 mm.
Recently there are also steel pallets available (EWPS = European Wheel Pallet System). They are organised in a so-called pool and are recommended by the VDA (German Association of Automotive Industry). Between 40 to 80 wheels (average weight of approx. 10 kg) are usually placed on a pallet either in a standing or lying position. Example: Lying position 2 x 3 outside, and 2 on the inside = 80 wheels in 10 layers. Each layer is separated from the next by either a hard fibre board, a grate, a frame or a plastic mould which is so shaped that each individual wheel cannot move. A wooden grate, pallet or, in connection with steel pallets, a steel frame tops the load. Up to four pallets can safely be stacked on top of each other.