Why not upgrade the tires on my Bambi?

[robert claus]

I'm about to buy new tires to replace the originals on the 2000 19" Bambi I just purchased. Airstream installed 225/75-15R ST tires in load range C. That means they are rated for 2150# each at 50psi inflation. With the trailer rated at 4500# gross that seems underrated. I realize that several hundred pounds are carried by the hitch, so the load should be within the range of the tires. However, for a few bucks more, I can go to a D rated tire of the same size. It is rated at 2540#, so the safety margin is increased. The D rated tires are run at 65psi inflation, so there could be less rolling resistance (and better mileage) although they would ride harder.
Stay with C rating or move to D? Any negatives?

[moosetags]

If it was me, I would go with the Ds. The Bambi may ride slightly harsher, but it would give me more peace of mind.

I have a 25FB that came with D's. I had 3 sepatate blowouts on the road last year with OEM Goodyear Marathons. I watch tire pressure like a hawk, so I figure that my tires were new old stock when they were put on at the factory. These tires only had about 12,000 miles on them.

No longer trusting the Marathons, I went to complete set (4) of Maxxis load range Es. I run them at 70psi. I have now covered another 15,000 miles and have not had any problems.

Brian

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by robert claus

...Stay with C rating or move to D? Any negatives?

hi robert

i'd go with the d rated tire and inflate as dictated by load.

u fail to mention IF there has been any issues with the current tires...

like blow outs or excessive wear and so on...

i followed a newer bambi a few miles last year and every rr track or dip or bump...

the tires would compress and flatten out like marshmallows...

it looked scary; in talking with the owner later he had 3 blow outs in 2-3 cross country trips...

he was also a bit over the carry capacity.

cheers
2air'

[ROBERT CROSS]

I think the "D's" have it.

Better to have more than you need, than need more than you have...

[robert claus]

Done - ordered the D rated tires from Tire Rack. Thanks, everyone!

[Silvertwinkie]

Hi Robert. Nice to see another "local" here.

My 2003 19' Bambi had D rated tires. I think going D rated is an excellent idea...Airstream does too since that's what they did a few model years later on the same unit!

Hope to see you at the Midwest Forums Rally near Bloomington/Normal this year.

[lewster]

My '06 19CCD came with LRD 225/75-15 Marathon's . I dumped them after the first season and went with BFG Commercial T/A 227/75-16 LRE tires that have a 2860lb capacity per tire at 80 psi. I only inflate them to 65, and am much happier and sleep better knowing that I don't have to worry about all of the potential Marathon 'issues'

[Beginner]

Ditto lewster.
Beginner