Tires - Load Range D vs E

My TT has had the 15" tires switched out to 16" and they're load range E as I like the additional safety factor. I also carry two spares.

Bill

E's have another belt, they're stronger. Inflate them to D specs and they're only slightly stiffer, but significantly stronger. I'd rather (and do) run E's when D's would suffice by the book. I inflate them 5 PSI over D specs.

Our first camper, a pop-up, came with LRC. While on a 6 week grand tour of the western US, kept blowing tires, 3 or 4 during the trip. We were fully loaded, but not over the sticker rating. First blowout was replaced with a LRD. After that, LRE. By the time we got back, they were all LRE, and no issues after going to them.

I tried running a higher load range than my equipment trailers could use at a derated pressure. The results were always the same....hot tires and a shortened life span.
Those type trailers on the road may use 2 sets of tires per year at 40k-60k per set.

lesson learned was never mount a tire with more than 10-15 percent reserve capacity above axle loads in a trailer position.

RV trailers don't run this type of hard service/high miles/high interstate speeds..... so some may get by with derating a load E tire to 65 psi.
If you use a Carlisle their warranty says to use max sidewall pressures.

Like our resident tire engineer Tireman9 has told us and says in his rvtiresafety blog when he was asked....
**Is there any advantage to a load range E tire used at 65 psi vs a load range D tire at 65 psi?"**


*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 tire as there is no difference in the capacity at 65psi.

The op made a wise choice for long term service IMO.

I went from ST D to lt 16 inch. My sons FW we went D to Carlisle HD E and will put the Carlisle RH D's on Craigslist. Bigger is better

Checked my local tire stores and all of them only had load range E tires in stock

Yes, that is one reason I went with load range "E". Load range "D" little bit harder to find on the road.

Do you think it would make a difference in the ride

First trip for us with new load range "E's" that were aired up to 80psi, some stuff moved around more than normal. After watching temps on tires, we now run 68-72 psi. Seems better for us. And also had brass/steel valve stems installed. And wheel/rim is still within its spec's. Our trailer already had shocks.

Dreaming a little..would be nice if I could install air bags on trailer.

Of course every tire manufacture probably has its own load range chart. And I didn't bother to buy spare.

I just purchased new tires for my trailer, after one of my Goodyear Marathons blew out on me last fall. My tires are the same size as your tires in a load range D, but went with load range E for the first time. I did it because I thought why not, they will handle more weight even though I've always had load D, and my weight will probably be fairly close to what it says in my signature, but not over 8,000lbs. I don't care to much about the ride, but I wanted a decent tire, so I went with Carlisle HD in a load size E. So I'm about to find out how that's going to go. I wouldn't worry about E's if that's all they had, but that's your call. Good luck.

You did the right thing, and air those Ds to max 65 psi.

Jerry

Any tire, regardless of load range only needs to be inflated enough to handle the weight it's carrying. This is determined by the tire manufacturer's load inflation table. You would not "need" to inflate E to 80 psi.
Ride should be similar between a D and E assuming, again, that both are inflated to the required pressure and not above. Probably slightly stiffer ride on the E because of sidewall stiffness but not that much.
I would have probably gotten the E in your situation.

To clarify, you told the tire shop rep your wheels were not rated to handle LR E, but they might be rated for LR E? Why not just tell him "No. Get LR D?"

Me. I want the toughest trailer tires I can find and unfortunately in 14s it's LR D. So, since you are asking, I think you were wrong.