Forum Discussion

sculver's avatar
sculver
Explorer
Aug 04, 2014

ST Tire Load Question

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and wanted to ask some advice from the pros here.

I have a 2010 Heartland North Country LS 27BHS. The stock tires that came on the trailer are Duro Radial DS2100 ST225/75R15 load range D.

My friend bought some Maxxis ST Radial M8008 trailer tires for his trailer and said they are very nice tires and have given him great service so I'm thinking about buying these as well.

My question is does anyone know if it is okay to go one load range up in the same size tire?

The Maxxis web site (http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-122-129-st-radial-m8008)shows they have two M8008 tires in my OEM size (225/75R15), one in 8 ply (D Load) and the other in 10 ply (E Load). My thought was to buy the 10 ply E Load which allows more psi (80 versus 65) which I think would give me better gas mileage and have a better safety margin while towing with 1160 more pounds of load capacity among the four tires. I do not plan to add more weight to the trailer or change anything at all to the way the trailer came from the factory.

My question is does anyone know if it is okay to go one load range up (D to an E) in the same size tire? Are there any disadvantages other than the E load range tires cost a little more? Any advantages of going with a E load tire instead of a D load tire?

Thank you very much for any advice any of you may have. I appreciate your input.

Respectfully,

Steve Culver
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2014
    I would go up to the E range Maxxis even if your wheels are not rated for it if they are steel wheels. The likelihood of a steel wheel failing versus a tire failing are very good odds. I went to Maxxis E tires and run psi to match my steel wheel load rating (no psi rating stamped on it) which is less than the max psi the tire can be inflated to but better than the OEM tire rating at max pressure by about 400 lbs. In my case, unlike many, the rated wheel and tire capacity of the OEM exceeded the GVWR of my trailer but I like the reserve capacity nonetheless. BTW, I too have had excellent service from Maxxis ST tires. The last set of D rated tires lasted 6+ years
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Aug 04, 2014
    Wheel pressure can be indented into the steel wheel or a sticker on the front or back or even in the valley. If its in the valley the tire will need to be removed from the wheel to find it.

    Lots of off shore made trailer wheels have no pressure rating ID on them. Then a 1-800 to the trailer mfg or their wheel mfg/supplier will be required.

    Your OEM ST225/75-15 D tires carry a 65 psi at 2540 lb load.
    I bet the wheels are the higher 75 or 80 psi rated. Many folks use the 75 psi in the E tires with no run hot/wearing the tires center issues.
  • sculver's avatar
    sculver
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    JIMNLIN (and everyone else):

    Excellent information and I thank you for taking time to share. It does seem going up to an E from a D is something I'm going to do. I just need to see if my wheels are able to handle the higher pressures.

    Does anyone know if there is a number or code on the wheels or a way to know if the wheels can handle up to 80 psi for an E load tire?

    Sorry for the newbie questions I just want to be as safe as possible rolling down the highway.

    Thanks again to everyone who has responded.

    Best regards,

    Steve
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Aug 04, 2014
    If the load D tire on your trailer are OEM then load E at max pressures is a good idea.
    However the advantage of a E over the D is at those higher pressures. Using less pressures and the E lost its benefit. A trailer unlike a truck can have too much tire. Like Michelin truck tire web said ..."max performance and max reliability comes at max pressures".


    This from our resident tire engineer Tireman9 on the subject.

    Tireman9
    rvtiresafety.com

    The question of load capacity and Load Range gets asked a lot, so it seems to be a bit of a stumbling block for a number of RV owners. Here is an example:
    "I need to replace the ST235/75R15 tires on my trailer. Currently have load range C tires which is sufficient for the maximum trailer weight when inflated to 50psi but allows almost no safety margin. I want to change to either load range D or E tires. My rims are only rated for 65 psi so if I went to the load range E tires I would only be able to inflate them to 65 psi. My question is this. Is there any advantage to a load range E tire used at 65 psi vs a load range D tire at 65 psi?"

    Now just because he is asking about a 15" trailer application and considering a change from LR-C to LR-D it does not mean the general answer does not apply to others, even if they are considering a change from LR-G to LR-H on a Goodyear 295/75R22.5 Class-A tire.
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


    The answer to the question is;
    He will gain a safety margin if he increases his inflation to 65psi with LR-D but if he stays at 65psi there is nothing further gained by going to LR-E as there is no difference in the capacity at 65psi.
    The same thing would apply to the 22.5 example. When we look at the Goodyear tables we see that at 110psi both the LR-G and the LR-H are rated for 6,175# single or in dual application at 100psi they both are rated as 5,675#.

    Special note: It is important that you look at the table on the web site of the manufacturer of your tires as not all companies give the exact same capacity number at every inflation level, even for the same size.
  • Turbo_Diesel_Du's avatar
    Turbo_Diesel_Du
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    My 7500 lb TT came with Load range C and as soon as I got it home , I had load range E Maxxis put on.
  • Atlee's avatar
    Atlee
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2014
    When possible, I feel it's always good to go up as high as possible in load range. The more "cushion" you have the better.

    I've had my Maxxis 8008 for a year now. Over 10,000 trouble free (knock on wood) miles so far. They don't look used yet.

    A 7900+ mile cross country trip is included in those 10k miles.

    I put metal stems in my tires also.
  • sculver's avatar
    sculver
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    I would have never thought of checking the wheels and valve stems for the higher pressures! Thanks for the great advice.
  • Bull_Rider's avatar
    Bull_Rider
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    I'm running the Maxxis, so far I'm pleased with the performance. If you go up to the next load range, think about metal valve stems too to handle the higher pressure.
  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    I've had good luck with E rated tires. C to E on one trailer and D to E on another.
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2014
    I did, when replacing mine. You just have to make sure your wheels are rated for the additional pressure, usually 80 #s.

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