Tire Question - C versus D Load

[ExCDNGuy]

I have a Jayco X17Z and I'm looking to replace the tires as a pair - killed one this past weekend via road debris Anyhow, the tires are 205/75R-14 Load C range - 50 lbs. Would there be any disadvantage or reason to upgrade or change to change to same size but D loading (65 lbs.) or reasons to not do that?
NOTE: for safety sake I'm not looking to haul any more than I have been. I get the 3500 lb axle limit so I'm not being dumb and trying to overload it and make it carry more than it should safely - frame, axle or vehicle. I'm just thinking of options and having tires that wouldn't be so close to the load limit when loaded. I'd like a safety cushion if you will. So, reasons for or against and any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[norty1]

That is why most of us do it. Just to have more tire capacity over what comes on them. The only limiting thing that you have to compute is the clearance between the tires and the load capacity of the rims. The tire specs are available for your comparison. The best thing is to find someone who has already done the same swap you want to do and the tires specs prove it works.

In your case the clearance between tires in not a factor.

The higher rated tires don't get you any more load carrying capacity than the axles will carry but it gives you a better margin between what you have and the axle capacity.

[need-a-vacation]

Ex,

As long as your rims are rated for the higher tire pressure for the D's, go for it! The max pressure or weight rating if the rim should be stamped somewhere on it. Sometimes on the back of the rim, possibly on one of the spokes (depending on wheel style), or maybe inside the rim (requiring tire removal). If you email Jayco they should be able to tell you what the rim is rated for if you can't find it stalled somewhere.

While I haven't changed out my stock tires yet, I plan on going up a load range as well when I do for the exact reason mention, more "reserve capacity".

[ExCDNGuy]

Originally Posted by need-a-vacation

Ex,

As long as your rims are rated for the higher tire pressure for the D's, go for it! The max pressure or weight rating if the rim should be stamped somewhere on it. Sometimes on the back of the rim, possibly on one of the spokes (depending on wheel style), or maybe inside the rim (requiring tire removal). If you email Jayco they should be able to tell you what the rim is rated for if you can't find it stalled somewhere.

While I haven't changed out my stock tires yet, I plan on going up a load range as well when I do for the exact reason mention, more "reserve capacity".

Thanks for the advice. I looked on the rim and on the back it says 2200 lbs max. The C tire is rated for 1740 lbs max at 50 psi and the D version of my size tire is rated for max 2040 lbs at 65 psi. If I'm understanding all this correctly, I should be able to make that switch.

[hoss10]

I had the same question last week when I replaced my tires and a few tire guys I talked to were not really in favour of doing it. One said that you might wear your tires in the middle because they would be under loaded and should probably reduce the air pressure to compensate. Another said that you might get heat build up if you you reduce air pressure!

When figuring tongue weight I had about a thousand pounds excess with my Jayfeather 242 GVWR 6500 with C range tires. So I went with them and saved a few bucks. More then a few actually because with the new Carlisle HDs the D range tires in my/your size seem to be 40% more expensive (at least up here in Canada) supply and demand I guess a D range 14 tire is a rare thing.

[spoon059]

It is rarely a problem to upgrade to a heavier duty tire. As long as your rim is rated to handle the higher PSI of the higher load range tire, you should be fine with no drawbacks. Having that spare capacity can only help.