What does load range E mean on a tire?

Load Range E indicates a heavy-duty Light Truck (LT) tire with a 10-ply equivalent casing. It is designed to hold up to 80 PSI of air pressure, making it the standard choice for heavy towing and hauling on 2500/3500 series trucks.

What is the difference between Load Range C and E?

Load Range C tires are equivalent to a 6-ply rating and max out at 50 PSI; they offer a softer ride for lighter vehicles. Load Range E tires are 10-ply equivalent, max out at 80 PSI, and are significantly stiffer and stronger for heavy payloads.

Does a 10-ply tire actually have 10 layers of rubber?

No. Modern tires do not use 10 actual layers of cotton cord like vintage tires did. Instead, they use fewer, much stronger layers of steel and synthetic materials that provide the exact same strength as a historical 10-ply tire.

What load range are standard car tires?

Standard passenger car tires do not use the Load Range letter system. They are usually classified as "Standard Load" (SL, max 35 PSI) or "Extra Load" (XL, max 41 PSI). The letter system is reserved for Light Truck (LT) and Special Trailer (ST) tires.

Should I run my load range E tires at 80 PSI all the time?

No. You should only inflate them to 80 PSI when you are carrying maximum payload or towing a heavy trailer. For daily, empty driving, running 80 PSI will cause a harsh ride and wear out the center of the tread.

LT Tire Load Range Chart

Understand the ply ratings and maximum air pressure limits for heavy-duty Light Truck (LT) and trailer tires.

Quick Answer

A tire designated as "Load Range E" is equivalent to a historical 10-ply tire. It features a heavily reinforced casing designed for 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks, and requires a maximum inflation pressure of 80 PSI to achieve its full load-carrying capacity for heavy towing.

Select your tire's load range marking to find the correct inflation pressure. Optionally enter your current PSI to see how much load capacity you're using.

Passenger / Euro-metric tires

Light Truck (LT) tires

All load ranges — reference table

Range	Ply equiv.	Max PSI	kPa	Bar
SLStandard Load	4	35	241	2.41
XLExtra Load	—	41	283	2.83
CLoad Range C	6	50	345	3.45
DLoad Range D	8	65	448	4.48
ELoad Range Emost common LT	10	80	552	5.52
FLoad Range F	12	95	655	6.55
GLoad Range G	14	110	758	7.58

Standard LT Tire Load Ranges

Load Range Letter	Ply Rating Equivalent	Max Inflation (PSI)	Primary Application
B	4-Ply	35 PSI	Standard Passenger Cars (Obsolete for LT)
C	6-Ply	50 PSI	Light SUVs, Jeeps, Small Trailers
D	8-Ply	65 PSI	1/2 Ton Trucks, Large Vans
E	10-Ply	80 PSI	3/4 and 1 Ton Trucks (F-250/2500)
F	12-Ply	95 PSI	RVs, Commercial Dually Trucks
G	14-Ply	110 PSI	Heavy Commercial Equipment

Classification System

Standardized TRA alphabetical classification — Load Range letter → Max PSI → Ply equivalent

Load Range corresponds to maximum allowable inflation pressure to support heavy loads
Modern LT tires use high-tensile steel belts — not actual cotton plies like vintage tires
Load Range E at 80 PSI is the standard for heavy towing on 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks
Reduce pressure when empty — running Load Range E at 80 PSI on an empty truck causes harsh ride and center tread wear

Frequently Asked Questions

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