Load Range D tire confusion

[smokindok]

I have been reading the multitude of travel trailer tire threads and, embarrassingly, still have a question.

We have a Viking 17FQS (single axle) that came with Kenda LoadStar ST 205/75r14 Load Range D and the sticker on the trailer says inflate to 75psi. The tires are coming up on 4 years old and I thought it might be wise to replace before heading out on a few thousand mile trip next month. Having read the good reviews on the Goodyear Endurance and preferring to buy a USA made tire, I looked at my size options. Getting the Endurance in the original equipment size and LR D, the weight rating is 2040 lbs at 65psi, which is less than the original LoadStar at 2200 lbs at 75psi.

What I plan to do is move up to the Endurance 215/75r14 LR D, which will then match the original equipment tire’s 2200lb rating, but at the lower 65 psi. There is certainly plenty of room to accommodate the approximately 1/2” increase in diameter.

What has me puzzled is the rating on the original tire. Every ST205/75r14 Load Range D tire I looked at, other than the original equipment LoadStar, had the lower 2040 lb at 65 psi rating. There is only one tire from a single manufacturer that meets the original equipment specs.

It just seems strange to me. Am I missing something? Do I gain anything going with the Endurance in the slightly larger size? Or is there a down side going fro 75psi to 65 psi, even though both are rated at 2200 lbs?

Thanks!

John

[JIMNLIN]

Plenty of reasons moving up in load range above OEM isn't needed.
I would stick with OEM tire load ranges on your single axle trailer. Tires on a single axle trailer have no side scrub issues like our multiaxle trailers.
The ST205/75-14" 2040 capacity or ST215/75-14 D 2200 capacity Endurance @ 65 psi both would make a excellent tire for your small single axle trailer.

[smokindok]

Yep, I’m using the date on the sidewall.

[rexlion]

If the Kendas are truly only 3.75 years old and look okay, I'd run them another year at least. But if you are dating them by when you bought them, that's incorrect; check the date of manufacture on the tire's sidewall code to learn their true age.

[Grit_dog]

^There certainly isn’t an issue doing that as long as there is clearance (when the suspension compresses).
To save some money, you could consider keeping the 14” spare if you go this route.
There is no inherent issue with a smaller diameter tire in your situation, as a spare.
Those wheels go for about $60 a piece, online, as a comparison.
If you’re changing out rims too, check etrailer.com for cost comparison. They sell mounted tire and wheel sets free shipping.

Regarding keeping the old tires another year really depends on how they were kept and how hard/long you plan on running them this year.
I run my snowmobile trailer tires much longer generally. But they generally don’t go long distances, aren’t loaded to capacity and it’s cold out!
Boat trailer, 1 fender costs as much as 2 sets of tires if a tire shreds it, boat gets tugged at 80mph for hours on end in hot weather. I replace them every 4-5 years without question.

[smokindok]

So comments from Mark Twain and guidry got me doing a little more research. From Discount Tire, it turns out I can get the load range E GY Endurance ST225/75r15 on 15" Liquid Metal Supreme HD steel wheels (rated for 2835 lbs!) for a couple hundred more than my initial plan. I'm thinking this is the way I will go. I can try to sell off my 14" wheels (two alloys and a steel) and their mounted tires, which are in decent shape, to recoup some of the cost. The up-sizing will add basically 1" in radius, which I don't see as being a problem. Any reason not to go this route?

Thanks for the comments.

John

[guidry]

MarkTwain wrote:
Tire load size. Personally I would recommend moving up to a "E" rated tire if you have the room with your trailer. I prefer to have extra pay load with my tires even it is more than my trailer needs. I used to run "E" rated tires on my 5th wheel but switched to "G" rated. They felt more stable travling down the road and lasted longer. I replace my tires every 5 yrs. regardless how they look or how much tread is left. Having a blow out with your trailer can be dangerious and do some costly damage to your trailer from my own experience.

Best advice you’ll get! Go up a load range. I also went up to a Grated tire for my 5th wheel trailer.

[smokindok]

Thanks, everyone, for the responses.

Phillyg - Sound advice, of course. The axle has a 4,000 lb rating and our weight is always under that, so actually the 2040 lb rated tire would theoretically be acceptable, but the 2200 lb tire provides a much better cushion.

Mark Twain - I don’t think there are load range E 14” tires and moving to 15” wheels is not something I am planning on at this point. Certainly would be a nice upgrade, though.

Grit dog - I kind of figured the weight rating and psi capability went hand-in- hand. Thanks for the opinion on the quality of the Kendas. Good to hear that and makes me wonder if I would be okay putting a few thousand more miles on the 3 3/4 year old Kendas.

time2roll - You make a great point that I had not thought of. Using a tire size with a commonly available appropriate standard weight rating could certainly make an on-the-road replacement easier than needing to track down a specific tire from a specific manufacturer. I think this point really pushes me toward going ahead with the ST215/75r14, to get a standard 2200 lb at 65 psi rated tire.

Thanks again to everyone for your kind help in sorting this out.

[jdc1]

Grit dog wrote:
It's likely the higher pressure load rating accounting for the difference on the Kenda.
I wouldn't overanalyze it. And I wouldn't discount the Kenda tires as good tires. In my small sample size, I've had 2 sets of the same size Kenda Karrier tires, 1 set of C load and the other D load. Both have had no issues and are about 3 and 6 years old respectively. Both sit all year basically save for a handful of days use on each in opposite seasons.

You can't really go wrong with either option IMO

I had Kenda's on motorcycles for decades. Never an issue. They are part of the Cooper brand. Goodyear is purchasing Cooper as we converse.

[time2roll]

I recommend tires that cover the full trailer GVWR. Quick search says GVWR 4251 so the standard 2040 would not cut it for me.

I would tend to prefer a tire with standard ratings so that a replacement is easier on the road. I would be looking to go up a size. The 215-14 or the 205-15 would cover the GVWR. Check your clearance.

[Grit_dog]

It's likely the higher pressure load rating accounting for the difference on the Kenda.
I wouldn't overanalyze it. And I wouldn't discount the Kenda tires as good tires. In my small sample size, I've had 2 sets of the same size Kenda Karrier tires, 1 set of C load and the other D load. Both have had no issues and are about 3 and 6 years old respectively. Both sit all year basically save for a handful of days use on each in opposite seasons.

You can't really go wrong with either option IMO

[MarkTwain]

Tire load size. Personally I would recommend moving up to a "E" rated tire if you have the room with your trailer. I prefer to have extra pay load with my tires even it is more than my trailer needs. I used to run "E" rated tires on my 5th wheel but switched to "G" rated. They felt more stable travling down the road and lasted longer. I replace my tires every 5 yrs. regardless how they look or how much tread is left. Having a blow out with your trailer can be dangerious and do some costly damage to your trailer from my own experience.

[phillyg]

You're not missing anything. The real question is how much does the trailer weigh? Scale it and make sure a 2200lb tire can handle the axle weight, minus the weight on your tongue.