Posted 2015-09-29 5:26 PM (#164881) Subject: Load Range D or E?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Louisiana
My 3H aluminum trailer with a 4ft.shortwall,livingquarters, has Loadrange D tires.The tireshop says I should replace them with Loadrange E tires.
Also,when I bought this trailer used, I was told to carry about 50lb. of pressure, otherwise the ride would be too stiff for the horses.The tire store said absolutely not,fill to 60-65lb.
I'd love to hear some opinions on whether or not I should buy the 8 or 10ply tires. I haul 2 horses max.
Thanks
Sibylle
Posted 2015-09-29 6:53 PM (#164884 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
Do not exceed the pressure that the WHEEL is rated. Look on the steel for a stamping that states the max pressure for the wheel, bad news is sometimes the max pressure is stamped on the inside, the area covered by the tire.Otherwise E rated all the way and max pressure! Air is what keeps the tire from overheating and blowing.Remember, tires blow on the hottest day in the most isolated places.
Posted 2015-09-29 7:15 PM (#164885 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Sibylle on 2015-09-29 8:26 PM
My 3H aluminum trailer with a 4ft.shortwall,livingquarters, has Loadrange D tires.The tireshop says I should replace them with Loadrange E tires.Also,when I bought this trailer used, I was told to carry about 50lb. of pressure, otherwise the ride would be too stiff for the horses.The tire store said absolutely not,fill to 60-65lb.I'd love to hear some opinions on whether or not I should buy the 8 or 10ply tires. I haul 2 horses max.ThanksSibylle
So have you actually weighed your trailer?...Empty and LOADED??
Posted 2015-09-29 8:22 PM (#164888 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Louisiana
So why would a buisness that sells Truck accessories,tires,..... and owns,transports their own racehorses tell me not to inflate them all the way? Could it have something to do with the fact that I live in hot,humid Louisiana? Does that make a difference when deciding how much air to put in?
I haven't weight the trailer,but I usually only carry 1 900lb.horse,very occassionally another 1200lb horse.It will be going on trips of about 250miles one way.
What if I can't find the max airpressure for the wheel? The rim is 15inches.
The plackard on the trailer does say 65lb.pressure.
Thanks.
Posted 2015-09-29 10:21 PM (#164889 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
An underinflated tire can't maintain its shape and becomes flatter than intended while in contact with the road. If a vehicle's tires are underinflated by only 6 psi it could lead to tire failure. Additionally, the tire's tread life could be reduced by as much as 25%. Lower inflation pressure will allow the tire to deflect (bend) more as it rolls. This will build up internal heat, increase rolling resistance and cause a reduction in fuel economy of up to 5%. You would experience a significant loss of steering precision and cornering stability. While 6 psi doesn't seem excessively low, remember, it usually represents about 20% of the tire's recommended pressure.
Posted 2015-09-29 11:49 PM (#164891 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A lot of good answers here. Ditto the "E" range tires run at their advertised max inflation. Tires pressure ratings include the additional pressures realized during travels under load on hot days. Do not run reduced pressures to compensate for these increases.
Posted 2015-09-30 5:26 AM (#164892 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Veteran
Posts: 233 Location: Pataskala, Ohio
If the trailer says 65psi that may be the max for the wheel. Use load range D @ 65psi. Max pressure for the tire will keep the tire temps within limits as long as it is not overloaded.
Posted 2015-09-30 5:39 AM (#164893 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Louisiana
Thanks for all the advice.
Since I only have the plackard to go buy, I think I may be better of staying with the D load range.I'll never have that trailer loaded to max anyway.
Posted 2015-09-30 8:38 AM (#164894 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 787 Location: Tenn/Ala.
One item you've not mentioned is trailer year. Some years ago a very common trailer tire was a 7.50-16 Load Range D, initially in a bias ply, then later in a radial. You'll be hard pressed to find these today except in a warehouse. If in fact this is what you are placarded for, there's no issue running an "E" tire, inflated to 65 PSI if that is what you wish. But this will give you the "D" carrying capacity. It is the air that carries the load. The tire's job is simply to hold the air.
Also- while a direct conversion to a LT-metric size would be a LT215/85R16, you'll find many more LT235/85R16 and at better prices. And will almost always fit under the fender.
Posted 2015-09-30 8:57 AM (#164896 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 787 Location: Tenn/Ala.
For what it is worth- it is often said here that the proper inflation is what is stamped on a tire. To be entirely accurate, that is the maximum inflation. And for most folks, that is best because it gives some safety cushion for a tire to leak down and still be able to carry the weight.However, the trucking industry learned many years ago that excessive pressures (resulting in unneeded load capacity) were harder on equipment and tires due to a harsher ride and stiffer sidewall (which caused tires to be more easily damaged by impact breaks on potholes, which aren't warranty items). Therefore today most large truck tires are rated/sized to be just heavy enough to carry their needed load. Recreational trailers are not quite in that case.If you want to get particular, as Paul said, weigh your trailer to see actually what you have. Then using this Goodyear chart (which will apply to any brand of tire) you can see the proper air amount required to safely carry the load and which tire can carry that amount of air. A little extra doesn't hurt. A lot extra is unnecessary and causes a harsher ride and higher than needed costs. I tried to post the chart, but can only post a link.http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdfWhen I was active in the heavy duty tire business, the Load and Inflation book was every tire guy's best friend. And for good reason. Once you know the loaded weight, there are many resources to help you safely meet it, at the most practical cost.
Posted 2015-09-30 9:27 AM (#164898 - in reply to #164896) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Regular
Posts: 78
Originally written by RTSmith on 2015-09-30 8:57 AM
For what it is worth- it is often said here that the proper inflation is what is stamped on a tire. To be entirely accurate, that is the maximum inflation. And for most folks, that is best because it gives some safety cushion for a tire to leak down and still be able to carry the weight.However, the trucking industry learned many years ago that excessive pressures (resulting in unneeded load capacity) were harder on equipment and tires due to a harsher ride and stiffer sidewall (which caused tires to be more easily damaged by impact breaks on potholes, which aren't warranty items). Therefore today most large truck tires are rated/sized to be just heavy enough to carry their needed load. Recreational trailers are not quite in that case.If you want to get particular, as Paul said, weigh your trailer to see actually what you have. Then using this Goodyear chart (which will apply to any brand of tire) you can see the proper air amount required to safely carry the load and which tire can carry that amount of air. A little extra doesn't hurt. A lot extra is unnecessary and causes a harsher ride and higher than needed costs. I tried to post the chart, but can only post a link.http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdfWhen I was active in the heavy duty tire business, the Load and Inflation book was every tire guy's best friend. And for good reason. Once you know the loaded weight, there are many resources to help you safely meet it, at the most practical cost.
That is what I do. Weigh the rig and inflate according to what I'm carrying and the type of tire I'm using. 30 plus years experience hauling horses, and we also farm and use the same philosophy there successfully. My last trailer was a 3 horse with 6' LQ, 8' wide. I ran 16" load range E tires inflated 60-65 psi. And the truck was 60 on fronts and 65 on rear. Those numbers came off the chart according to axle weights on a scale. The only blown tire ever on that rig in 14 years and thousands upon thousands of miles was from a slow leak on a hot day due to a nail in the tire. My trailer now is quite a bit bigger and we're running Load Range G inflated to 95 and 70 all the way around on the truck (dually).
Posted 2015-10-01 8:12 AM (#164908 - in reply to #164906) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 787 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Originally written by huntseat on 2015-09-30 8:00 PM
Elite trailers puts on LT tires from the factory. Food for thought.
I concur. In the 235/16 size, I'd opt for a LT tire any day over the ST. It will be a 85 series rather than the 80, so it will be a pinch taller, but I've not seen clearance issues because of it. And the LT tires are easier to find & higher speed ratings.
Posted 2015-10-01 8:24 AM (#164909 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
New User
Posts: 4
Location: Louisiana
My current tires are 225/75/R15.I decided to stay with the D load,since the placard shows 65lb on the trailer,and I have not had any problems with these tires,it's jat past time to replace them because of age.I never carry more then two horses,most of the time just one.Thanks for all he posts,I learned a lot from them.
Posted 2015-10-01 9:20 AM (#164910 - in reply to #164908) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Originally written by RTSmith on 2015-10-01 10:12 AM
Originally written by huntseat on 2015-09-30 8:00 PMElite trailers puts on LT tires from the factory. Food for thought.
I concur. In the 235/16 size, I'd opt for a LT tire any day over the ST. It will be a 85 series rather than the 80, so it will be a pinch taller, but I've not seen clearance issues because of it. And the LT tires are easier to find & higher speed ratings.
Agree witht he higher speed ratings, do you know anyone that hooks up and only travels 60-65 MPH down the highway with their trailer? I live near I-35 and I've yet to see anyone under 70MPH traveling this stretch. How do most people not know about the speed ratings on their trailer tires?
Posted 2015-10-01 9:21 AM (#164911 - in reply to #164908) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Originally written by RTSmith on 2015-10-01 10:12 AM
Originally written by huntseat on 2015-09-30 8:00 PMElite trailers puts on LT tires from the factory. Food for thought.
I concur. In the 235/16 size, I'd opt for a LT tire any day over the ST. It will be a 85 series rather than the 80, so it will be a pinch taller, but I've not seen clearance issues because of it. And the LT tires are easier to find & higher speed ratings.
Agree with he higher speed ratings, do you know anyone that hooks up and only travels 60-65 MPH down the highway with their trailer? I live near I-35 and I've yet to see anyone under 70MPH traveling this stretch. How do most people not know about the speed ratings on their trailer tires?
Posted 2015-10-01 9:37 AM (#164912 - in reply to #164881) Subject: RE: Load Range D or E?
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Sibylle, you state in the original post that the trailer ride would be too stiff for the horses, why? Do you use trailer mats and a 3-4" layer of shavings over the mats? If yes, then you should not have to worry about ride quality unless you have major problems with your trailer or axles. Underinflating the tires so that the ride quality increases for the horses does not seem like sound or safe advice.
Load Range D or E?
