Can Load Range D Tires be Used in Place of Load Range C Tires

Question:

I just purchased a 2013 Forest River Micro-lite tandem axel travel trailer model 2109 fbrs, dry weight 3800 lbs, fully loaded around 5000 lbs. tongue weight 350 lbs. I will be pulling it with a 2005 Suburban half ton with 410 axel and It pulls fine so far without a weight distribution hitch. I am now wondering if I should replace the tires for safety sake. It has the original tires from the factory, Trail Express 205/75 R-14 load rate C, made in China build date 45/12 with no apparent cracking visible. I purchased your HWT alum. wheels and they are due to arrive this Wednesday. I am now thinking it is not prudent to put old tires on new rims. I had Discount tire examine the tires, said they looked fine recommended the Carlilse C rated, if I wanted to replace them here in Tucson. What has your experience shown, now or later, C rated or D. Discount does not sell Kenda . looks to me like the 10235 tire will be my tire from you either now or later. Will a D affect the way it tows?

asked by: Stan

Helpful Expert Reply:

The tires you have now, 205/75-14 load range C, should be rated for 1,760 pounds at 50 psi (it should say on the sidewall the ratings). Four of those, two for each axle on your trailer, would have a capacity of 7,040 pounds. This is more than enough for a 5,000 pound trailer. Going to a load range D tire would not provide any additional benefits and would not increase the capacity of the trailer. You may find the ride to be stiffer than with the load range C tires.

I recommend sticking with the load range C, # AM10234, if that is what the trailer manufacturer calls for. I have included a link to our help article on tires for you as well. The 45/12 indicates that the tires on the trailer now were made in the 45th week of 2012. That would be around November of 2012 so the tires are over 2 years old.

expert reply by: Michael H