We’re always happy to help when people have questions about their trailer tires. They’re all that’s between you and the road, so you need tires you can trust. Here are some questions we answer on the regular:
The load range of a trailer tire signifies its strength and load-carrying capacity. This is denoted by a letter, such as B, C, D, or E, with higher letters indicating greater load capacities. The difference between load ranges depends on the tire's size and brand. Ensure the combined load capacity of your tires is equal to or greater than the weight of your loaded trailer.
No, a 16" tire can’t fit on 17" rims. Your tire diameter must match your rim diameter. A 16" tire is made to fit a 16" rim. You can, however, switch to a 17" tire from a 16" tire, provided the larger tire doesn’t make contact with the wheel well, fenders, suspension, or trailer frame.
"D" on tires signifies diagonal (bias ply) construction, whereas "R" stands for radial construction. These days, you’ll mostly see radial trailer tires, since radials run cooler, offer better stability, and usually outlast their bias-ply counterparts. That said, you might still see ply tires on agricultural trailers due to their stiffer sidewalls.
17-inch trailer tires typically require 50 to 80 PSI, depending on the tire's load range and specs. For safety and best performance, always inflate your tire to the maximum PSI recommended by the manufacturer.