bought a used 2008 trailer today and the tires on it are ST/175/80D/13 they look in great shape no checking or wear.there is a DOT number on the sidewall which reads DOT 4LJU and than in a circle are the numbers 3606.can anyone tell me if these are new tires or need replacing?if they need replacing they are load range C with a capacity of 1310 lbs per tire.i found a ST/17580R/13 with a load range of D with a capacity of 1610lbs per tire.if i need 4 tires is it better off to go with the D range for almost the same price and its a radial.the trailer is 21ft and dry weight is 3400lbs in which we will have about a 1000 lbs in gear.thanks for the help

Believe tires were manufactured in the 36th week of 2006. So that would be, what, during about September 2006. First two numbers mean the week, last two are the year of manufacturer.

Increasing the load capacity isn't a problem, you just generally never want to go down in capacity.

The Mad Norsky wrote:Believe tires were manufactured in the 36th week of 2006. So that would be, what, during about September 2006. First two numbers mean the week, last two are the year of manufacturer.Correct.

The tires are getting pretty old - I'd replace them.If your trailer really weighs 4400 lbs loaded, the load range C tires are fine - you'd be several hundred lbs below their rated capacity after taking off the tongue weight. The load range D won't hurt if you're not certain about the weight though. In either case, radials pull nicer than non-radials.

tire codes, how to read?? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

atreis
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
coffebreak wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Based on your DOT code, your Carlisle tires made in Shenzhen, China in Sept of 2006 should be replaced.

WOW, so they were 2 years old right out of the factory when the unit was new. Its a 2008.

do u have a web site to find out all that other info? very interesting and would be a good site
thanks

This isn't all that unusual. My 2009 trailer (made in Aug of 2008) came with tires made in Feb of 2006, 2.5 years earlier. They were 8 years old when I replaced them. They had no problems, but the tread was getting pretty worn (I had about 30K miles on them) and I don't trust that tires won't invisibly dry rot.
coffebreak
Explorer
Oct 25, 2014
Dutch_12078 wrote:
coffebreak wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Based on your DOT code, your Carlisle tires made in Shenzhen, China in Sept of 2006 should be replaced.

WOW, so they were 2 years old right out of the factory when the unit was new. Its a 2008.

do u have a web site to find out all that other info? very interesting and would be a good site
thanks

My apologies for the late reply. For some reason, it didn't show up in my unread list.

Here's a site that shows how to read the various tire codes:

http://www.belletire.com/how-to-read-a-tire-sidewall

At this site, you can look up the manufacturing codes. Just uncheck all but "Tires" and enter the two digit code in the "DOT ID" box:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/apps/manufacturer/index.htm

GREAT, thank u, will give them a try. good to know.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2014
coffebreak wrote:
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Based on your DOT code, your Carlisle tires made in Shenzhen, China in Sept of 2006 should be replaced.

WOW, so they were 2 years old right out of the factory when the unit was new. Its a 2008.

do u have a web site to find out all that other info? very interesting and would be a good site
thanks

My apologies for the late reply. For some reason, it didn't show up in my unread list.

Here's a site that shows how to read the various tire codes:

http://www.belletire.com/how-to-read-a-tire-sidewall

At this site, you can look up the manufacturing codes. Just uncheck all but "Tires" and enter the two digit code in the "DOT ID" box:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/apps/manufacturer/index.htm
coffebreak
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
Dutch_12078 wrote:
Based on your DOT code, your Carlisle tires made in Shenzhen, China in Sept of 2006 should be replaced.

WOW, so they were 2 years old right out of the factory when the unit was new. Its a 2008.

do u have a web site to find out all that other info? very interesting and would be a good site
thanks
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 24, 2014
Remove the tires for inspection. Verify the tire is very round, uniform shape, no cracks in the tread or sidewall. If they look good I would run them another year in mild conditions.

Vegas summer heat.... good time to put those radials on. I would go with the 65psi LRD.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Oct 24, 2014
Based on your DOT code, your Carlisle tires made in Shenzhen, China in Sept of 2006 should be replaced.
coffebreak
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
atreis wrote:
The tires are getting pretty old - I'd replace them.

If your trailer really weighs 4400 lbs loaded, the load range C tires are fine - you'd be several hundred lbs below their rated capacity after taking off the tongue weight. The load range D won't hurt if you're not certain about the weight though. In either case, radials pull nicer than non-radials.

Thank u all for the help, yes I think I will replace them with the D rating. found them on line for 62.00 per tire with free shipping. well worth the piece of mind.... will have the bearing greassed and changed at the same time.
thanks again for the answers
atreis
Explorer
Oct 24, 2014
The tires are getting pretty old - I'd replace them.

If your trailer really weighs 4400 lbs loaded, the load range C tires are fine - you'd be several hundred lbs below their rated capacity after taking off the tongue weight. The load range D won't hurt if you're not certain about the weight though. In either case, radials pull nicer than non-radials.
wolfe10
Explorer
Oct 23, 2014
The Mad Norsky wrote:
Believe tires were manufactured in the 36th week of 2006. So that would be, what, during about September 2006.

First two numbers mean the week, last two are the year of manufacturer.

Correct.
Moderator
Moderator
Oct 23, 2014
Moved from ATC