Lots of threads in the area, but I thought I would drop another on the pile. I have read a number of them and most have their opinion on brands and type (ie. st versus lt)... but was wondering about ply ratings. I have come across the "elevate" brand which indicates an "8 ply" rating on a "C" load range on a 14 inch tire. This seems some what out of "whack" as either the ply rating is over stated or the load range is understate. Am I misunderstanding things or are "marketeers" heading in a new "direction"?

I suspect a mistype. PR (Ply Rating) and LR (Load Range) are directly linked with no deviation. The way to tell which is the mistype is to look at the max pressure. As a general rule, LR C have a max pressure of 50 psi, LR D = 65 psi, and LR E = 80 psi (Please note that some sizes have exceptions to this "rule".)

I was suspecting a "mistype" in the ad... but I see in others that even carlisle appear to have "multiple rating" for the 14 in size (and others) with both C and D. Is this the "new direction" especially at the 14 inch size which seemed to not have many options left in recent times?

The ply rating is meaningless nowadays. Archaic terminology.

CapriRacer is one of our tire engineers and certainly one to answer your questions. However a 14" C and D load range ST tire is nothing new or a new direction as you call it. We've had C and D load range ST tires since the ST tires first became available for light weight trailers (all types) many years ago. Actually the tire industry still use "ply rating" terminology in their mfg and dealer adds usually such wording as say a 6 ply rated load C tire. Six ply rated doesn't mean six actual plies.

Kanata Ontario? If you need tires now the Maxxis 8008s are on sale (25 percent off) from the manufacturer. They have good reviews and seem to be well liked on the forums. Order online from Maxxis Canada and they ship to your door for free.

More fun with tires :-) | Good Sam Community

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2017
CapriRacer is one of our tire engineers and certainly one to answer your questions.
However a 14" C and D load range ST tire is nothing new or a new direction as you call it.
We've had C and D load range ST tires since the ST tires first became available for light weight trailers (all types) many years ago.

Actually the tire industry still use "ply rating" terminology in their mfg and dealer adds usually such wording as say a 6 ply rated load C tire. Six ply rated doesn't mean six actual plies.
troubledwaters
Explorer III
Jun 27, 2017
The ply rating is meaningless nowadays. Archaic terminology.
budwich
Explorer
Jun 27, 2017
I was suspecting a "mistype" in the ad... but I see in others that even carlisle appear to have "multiple rating" for the 14 in size (and others) with both C and D. Is this the "new direction" especially at the 14 inch size which seemed to not have many options left in recent times?
CapriRacer
Explorer II
Jun 27, 2017
I suspect a mistype.

PR (Ply Rating) and LR (Load Range) are directly linked with no deviation. The way to tell which is the mistype is to look at the max pressure. As a general rule, LR C have a max pressure of 50 psi, LR D = 65 psi, and LR E = 80 psi (Please note that some sizes have exceptions to this "rule".)

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