What is the Difference Between Load Range B and C Trailer Tires

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Question:

Besides the number of plies and load rating, what else separates the B and C rates tires? Are C rated tires generally harder than B rated tires? Do C rated tires last longer than B rated tires? The tires I purchase will be used for a boat trailer with 8inch X 3 3/4inch wheel rims

asked by: Jeffrey S

0

Expert Reply:

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same size but it will not increase the capacity of the trailer.

If you go with tire # AM10004 it is rated for 745 pounds at 90 psi. And tire # AM10002 is rated for 590 pounds at 60 psi. Both tires will fit 8 inch x 3-3/4 inch wheels. I have included a link to our help article on tires for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Steve Q.

5/27/2020

Would there be any benefits to go from a 4.80 x 8 load range B to a 5.70 x 8 load range D on my boat trailer?

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Chris R.

5/29/2020

The slightly larger 5.70-8 trailer tire like the Kenda # AM10013 would provide the benefit of a substantially larger weight capacity (1,075 pounds compared to 590 pounds on what you currently have) and would raise the trailer by about an inch. Whether or not this actually benefits you just kind of depends no your specific trailer. If you're pushing the capacity limits of your existing set then getting a larger safety margin is definitely a good idea - it'll allow the tires to run a bit cooler and hopefully last longer because of that. If you feel like you could use just a bit more ground clearance then the larger tire will work well too.

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Steve Q.

5/29/2020

@ChrisR Thanks Chris.

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Chris R.

6/2/2020

@SteveQ Anytime!

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Answer 1

Trailer tires that are the same size but with different load ratings will have different capacities. A load range C tire will have a higher capacity than a load range B tire of the same size. The Kenda 4.80-12 Bias Trailer Tire with 12 Inch White…

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Answer 2

The 5.30-12 tires, being wider, are going to make more contact with the road. This means that the noise, and heat build up will be higher than a 4.80-12 tire but the rolling resistance will actually be less because the tire is larger diameter. The…

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Answer 3

Hey Tom! Not sure where you're getting the 3.25" or the 2.75" center to center distance, but with the exception of the item #AM20208 which is a 4 on 9.44, all of our 4 lug wheels measure 4" on center. For a ST175/80D13 Tire with a…

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Answer 4

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 5

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 6

The only instance where we might conceivably recommend a bias ply tire over a radial tire would be for farm or agricultural use where the tire would primarily be used on non-paved surfaces. This is due to the fact that the thicker sidewalls used on…

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Answer 7

I have attached a chart for you to take a look at that includes the lug nut torque specifications. If your wheel uses 1/2 inch lug nuts or wheel bolts like the 12 Inch Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel #AM20124 referenced in your question, you will torque…

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Answer 8

The two tire sizes you referenced, 4.80-12 and 5.30-12, both fit 4-inch wide rims, but they differ in their overall diameter. A 4.80-12 tire/wheel when fully inflated will have a diameter of 20-1/2-inches while the 5.30-12 size will be just under…

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Answer 9

Since both a ST145/R12 size tire, like the Kenda Karrier S-Trail #AM10130, and a 5.30-12 size tire, like the Kenda K353 #AM10068, fit a 12 inch wheel, a ST145/R12 size tire can replace a 5.30-12 size tire. Keep in mind that these tires do have…

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Answer 10

The speed rating limitation for a trailer will come down to the tires, it has little to nothing to do with the axle, hub, or wheel size. That said, smaller tires generally do have lower speed ratings but you do not need to upgrade the wheels on your…

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Answer 11

Yes, trailer tires are rated by tire. So for example, the Kenda 4.80/4.00-8 Load Range C Tire, part #AM10004, is rated up to 745 pounds at 90 psi. Two tires on one axle are rated up to 1,490 pounds. You still need to verify the weight capacity of the…

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Answer 12

The closest metric trailer tire size to a 4.80x12 is going to be a 145/80-12. The typical diameter of a 4.80x12 tire is 20.5 inches. On a 145/80-12, it is 21.3 inches. So the metric size will be a little over 1/4 inch taller. Make sure to measure the…

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What is the Difference Between Load Range B and C Trailer Tires

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