Forum Discussion

pitch's avatar
pitch
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2014

Trailer Tires

My HTT came with load class C 13" tires, barely adequate for the job. I can replace them with class D, either in a radial rated for 16xx pounds or bias rated at 17xx pounds.
The cost is the same. What is the advantage of one over the other on nonpowered nonsteering trailer use. The trailer has "TorqueFlex" suspension as opposed to the normal beam and leaf setup.

5 Replies

  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Nomad
    Feb 25, 2014
    That's what I did with mine, but I bought the entire wheel/tire combo. I went from LR "B" tires to the LR "D" tires and I'm completely satisfied with them..

    I got the combo for $95 each and it was even free shipping if I recall.. I also got a set of new electric brake assemblies at the same time.. Great deal IMO.. :)

    Mitch
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Feb 25, 2014
    Bias ply tire run hotter out on the highway at speed/more rolling resistance. Also when used on a trailer sometimes they don't track or follow the tow vehicle equipped with radial tires. They work great on lawn service trailers running around town or utility trailers pulled on dirt roads/pastures/etc.

    IMO the radial is the way to go for a highway trailer.
  • Turbo_Diesel_Du's avatar
    Turbo_Diesel_Du
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    My Forest River came with Load Range C even tho it had a dry weight of just around 6700 lbs. I went to the Load Range E for the extra safety margin and the forged aluminum wheels hold the 80 psi, no problem. No regrets been using Maxxis tires for the past 14 years or so.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    The advantage is that they can probably take a bit more heat. As downtheroad says, make sure the wheels can handle the extra psi.

    They will not increase the capacity of the trailer because the limitation is your axle capacity. The way most of these are designed is that the axles are just enough to carry the rated capacity of the trailer.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Feb 25, 2014
    First, make sure your wheels are adequately rated for the extra pressure of the D's over your present C's.

    I went from D's to E's to get the extra margin, but I still stay well under the GVWR of our trailer.

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