Quote:
Originally Posted by bsmith0404
You keep saying the double standard of load range and load index exists only in trailer tires. My truck tires are load range E load index 125. Load index 125 is 3638 lbs which matches the max load of 3640 marked on the side of the tire, Isn’t that a double standard as well? YES! Automotive tires have their inflation pressures set in accordance with a well established load capacity reserve factor. Trailer tires do not have that standard as they can be set at maximum inflation pressures to accommodate GAWR requirements. The purpose of the load index cannot be solely to have a place to put the speed rating. If that was the case, why would the industry assign weights to different load indexes? Btw, my spare is a load range E load index 124 and max load of 3525 which also matches up with load index 124
|
It's a 2# difference. In the eyes of a NHTSA tire rules committee it is a double standard.
The LT235/85R16 LRD (LI 120) provides 3086# at load index 120 and 3042# at LRE.
Tire rules can be very specific. Lets say the trailer manufacturer uses ST235/80R16 LR tires rated at 3420# on a 6840E vehicle certified axle but the load index is 123 = 3417#. According to the load index the tires are 3# short of minimum. That will automatically put that vehicle into a recall action.