Load range is a rating system for light truck and trailer tires — it tells you how much weight the tire can carry at its maximum inflation pressure. Choosing the wrong load range for your use case is a safety issue, not just a tire spec.
Load range chart
Load Range C (6-ply equivalent): max pressure ~50 PSI. For light-duty trucks, vans, and trailers with moderate loads. Common on smaller trailers and 1/2-ton pickup light-use applications.
Load Range D (8-ply equivalent): max pressure ~65 PSI. For heavier loads — full-size truck payload and trailer use above the range of C tires.
Load Range E (10-ply equivalent): max pressure ~80 PSI. The most common heavy-duty load range for 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks, heavy trailers, and serious towing applications. Standard on most heavy-duty pickup trucks.
Load Range F (12-ply equivalent): max pressure ~95 PSI. Commercial-grade — very heavy trailers, delivery trucks, and specialized applications.
How to determine the right load range
Your vehicle's door jamb sticker lists the OEM tire size and load range. Match or exceed the specified load range — going lower is not safe if you use the vehicle for its intended purpose.
For towing: calculate the tongue weight (typically 10–15% of trailer weight) and ensure the tires' combined load rating (front and rear axles combined) exceeds the vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). This math is on the door jamb sticker.
For trucks used with varying loads: if you regularly haul near capacity, Load Range E is worth having even if Load Range D would technically suffice at your current use level. The reserve capacity reduces heat buildup and extends tire life under heavy use.
Load range and ride quality
Higher load range tires have stiffer sidewalls. A Load Range E tire on a truck that never hauls anything heavy rides harsher than a Load Range C or D tire would — the stiffness is doing nothing except transmitting road impacts to the cabin.
This is why some truck owners who do not tow or haul choose to run the lower load range their vehicle's door jamb specifies, rather than upgrading to heavier-duty rubber they do not need.
Frequently asked
What load range do I need for towing?
Check your vehicle's door jamb sticker for the OEM load range requirement. If you are towing near the vehicle's maximum rated capacity, match the OEM load range or go higher. Most 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks with serious towing applications use Load Range E (10-ply).
Can I use a higher load range than specified?
Yes — going higher is always safe (the tire has more capacity than needed). The trade-off is a stiffer ride when not loaded. Many truck owners run Load Range E for the durability benefit even when not always hauling heavy loads.
Does load range affect tire pressure?
Yes — higher load range tires are designed for higher maximum pressures. The recommended inflation pressure for your vehicle (on the door jamb sticker) accounts for the load range. Never inflate a Load Range C tire to the maximum pressure spec of a Load Range E tire.
What is the difference between ply rating and load range?
They refer to the same thing using different naming conventions. The old ply rating system counted actual rubber plies in the tire construction. Modern load ranges (C, D, E, F) replaced ply ratings — Load Range E equals the old 10-ply rating, for example. Both describe the structural strength and load capacity of the tire.
Last updated 2026-06-27. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.