Are load range C enough?

[jayhaitch]

I just returned from my 2nd camping trip towing our new 30' travel trailer. I was checking tire pressure, and only now saw the Michelin LTX A/T's in 265/75-16 the truck came with, are load range C. I'd been inflating them to 65/80 as per the Dodge owners manual. Yikes! So now my question is, are these tires adequate for towing my trailer? Here are the numbers.

Dodge at the weigh station:

6800lbs, full tank, no driver. 4000 lbs front axle weight, 2800 rear. Usual cargo load (people, gear) 600 lbs.

Trailer: 6350 lbs dry weight, 836 lb tongue weight. Loaded weight, 7000 lbs.

Michelins: 2470 lbs per tire at max 50psi. I'm using an equilizer hitch, so some weight will be transferred to the front tires. But how much?

Am I OK towing this load with these tires?

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98.5 24V, 5sp QC SB 4x4, electric blue, 3.55, AutoMeter pyro/boost/FP, DSS, Diamond Eye 4" turbo back, Power Puck, Raptor, Valair 13" single disc organic, Icebox with Amsoil 4510, Challenger tool chest, timbom APPS

[BDekle]

I'd like some d's at least...

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03 3500 4X4 Laramie Quad LWB NV5600. Smarty, TS MP-8, AFE Stage 2 Si, Airdog 150, Arson Kit, Valair 3600 DD, ISSPRO Performax Pyro, Boost, Drive Pressure, Fuel Pressure, Rail Pressure, 7" Black Mitre

[DodgeCummins98]

I personally wouldn't want C's on my truck period, much less towing.

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98.5 2500 4x4 Reg Cab, 6" GrandRock's, Adrenaline w/ Pulse, FASS 150, Isspro gauges, Auto to NV4500 swap, Leveled on 315's Cooper ST's - Engine being rebuilt
07.5 3500 6.7L G56 Manual 4x4 Quad Cab Dually

[kgeiger81]

Load range C tires are way to light for your truck. I wouldn't buy anything less than a load range D rated at minimum 3000 lbs. Just my opinion though.

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- Kevin -
'07 2500 5.9L, K&N intake, Magnaflow exhaust, Cat and silencer ring MIA,
Autometer Phantom II's, Bully Dog Triple Dog, B&W Turnover Ball
My old truck: 1999 Dodge 2500 CTD, ACDC

[BDekle]

Originally Posted by kgeiger81

Load range C tires are way to light for your truck. I wouldn't buy anything less than a load range D rated at minimum 3000 lbs. Just my opinion though.

Not for towing.

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03 3500 4X4 Laramie Quad LWB NV5600. Smarty, TS MP-8, AFE Stage 2 Si, Airdog 150, Arson Kit, Valair 3600 DD, ISSPRO Performax Pyro, Boost, Drive Pressure, Fuel Pressure, Rail Pressure, 7" Black Mitre

[sofakingbad]

NO! I had some general 4ply on my truck for maybe one hour. the front looked like it was flat cause the side wall was so weak...i took them off a sold to a friend who said he didnt care he would put them on his truck....he blew one out three days later!!!!!

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05 Cummins 4x4 auto
01 cummins 2wd 6speed
06 Duramax LBZ- sold

[ruidosododge]

def get some heavier duty tires... you obviously wouldn't want one of your tires to blow pullin your trailer... get some D at least

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01 Red Sport X-cab SB 4.10's 6spd 4x4, Drag Comp, 62/71/14, 125hp stix, luk clutch, Raptor 150,boost & EGT gauges, intake, 4" exhaust, new brakes and front end

[PhatB]

Got E's on my truck and wouldn't think of going lower, just my $0.02....

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'07 Dualie, 5.9, G56, SB3250 DD, Free Flow Exaust, Silencer Ring & Baffles Gutted, **Coaltrain Customer 4 Life** WWW dot Coaltrain Diesel Performance dot Rocks! ! ! !

[TNdeerhunter928]

yep ... cooper atr load e's here ... you never know when that 10ply tire will save you

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06 2500 4WD w/ 48RE
325HP supplied by Cummins & the rest by FTE DIESEL
www.tncoalrollers.webs.com

[DORKWEED]

You'd better drop the pressure down to 50psi. That's the max for load range C tires!!!

[black01qcsb]

i wouldnt reccomend it i had some c's on my truck i was towing 6,000lbs and it made the back end of my truck sway and i had to go 55 or slower it really sucked

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black 2001 2wd qcsb goerend billet,4.10's, juice with attitude, 5in fbd turbo back, black h2's 295/70/17 terra grap's 12k hid's 15.0 @91mph

[jayhaitch]

Excellent points everyone. I appreciate your advice.

"i had some c's on my truck i was towing 6,000lbs and it made the back end of my truck sway and i had to go 55 or slower it really sucked"

Great point. I noticed towing at 65mph I was more wiggly than I was lead to believe. Flexing sidewalls make a lot of sense as the cause. A buddy just bought a Tundra. He didn't like the BFG tires, so changed to Goodyear Silent Armour, but they only came in P-series, not LT. He had to install air bags and cam type anti-sway bars on his new 28 ft travel trailer to compensate.

I also noticed my speedo was ~4-5% slow. The current tires are 265, OEM are 245. I think it's time to get a set of load range E 245's. Thanks again everybody.

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98.5 24V, 5sp QC SB 4x4, electric blue, 3.55, AutoMeter pyro/boost/FP, DSS, Diamond Eye 4" turbo back, Power Puck, Raptor, Valair 13" single disc organic, Icebox with Amsoil 4510, Challenger tool chest, timbom APPS