Choosing Trailer Tire Load Range & How to Best Protect Trailer Tires from Blowout Failures

Question:

The boat trailer I have currently has load range E tires. I am looking at load range C tires. The trailer is dual axle and the hull weight is 2400 pounds dry Fuel adds roughly 280 pounds to the dry weight. We do not haul much additional weight in the boat, 13 life jackets maybe 1 pound each, a anchor 22 pounds. This brings total weight to 2715 pounds round up to 2800 pounds. C range tires i am told have a load capacity of 1000 pounds. With 4 tires the load capacity should be 4000 pounds. Is this correct? Am I risking tire issues by not going back to a load rating of E?

asked by: Marty

Expert Reply:

The advantage to using a higher load range tire than you actually need for the loaded trailer weight is that this tends to reduce the tires' operating temperature. Any tire's worst enemy is heat and a tire operated near or at its maximum weight rating will naturally run hotter than one that is operated at perhaps 75% of its capacity.

Since safety margin is never a bad thing, I do suggest staying with your current load range since it really has no down side. The price difference between Load Range C and E tires is usually going to be pretty modest. Considering how much fun it isn't to have a blowout on your trailer I would stick to the proven performer, the LR-E tire.

The main things you can do to protect your tires are to 1) always observe the rated cold psi pressure noted on the sidewall; it is never appropriate to under- or over-inflate a trailer tire for any reason; 2) always observe the tires' speed rating; an L-rated tire can be run to up 75-mph, and an M-rated one up to 81-mph, but unless we indicate a specific speed rating for a tire it is limited to 65-mph; 3) always observe the tire's weight rating; 4) protect the tires in the off-season with storage covers like # 290-3955 that will block most of the UV-radiation that will otherwise tend to lead to faster deterioration of the rubber compound.

I linked our main page for tire covers and also two helpful articles on trailer tires.

expert reply by: Adam R