Tire Load Rating in Hillsboro, KS
The short answer
A tire's load rating is the most weight that tire is built to carry safely when it is inflated correctly.
It is printed on the sidewall as a number called the load index, plus a letter called the load range on truck tires. Picture a hot August afternoon on US-56 with a full stock trailer behind the pickup and a set of bargain tires underneath it. That is exactly when a tire rated too low runs hot and gives up. If you are not sure what your tires are rated for, bring it in, or we will come and get it.
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When tire load rating really matters
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Text us which onesHow to read a tire load rating
The load index hides at the end of the tire size. On a tire marked 265/70R17 115T, the 115 is the load index. It is a code that stands for a weight in pounds, and in this case it means each tire can carry about 2,679 pounds at its maximum rated pressure. A higher number means the tire can carry more.
Truck tires add a letter to the story. Light truck tires, marked LT, also show a load range, usually a letter such as C, D or E. A later letter means a tougher tire built to run at higher pressure and carry more weight, and many three-quarter-ton and one-ton pickups call for load range E.
The number on the sidewall assumes the tire is fully inflated. It is the tire's limit at its full rated pressure, not at whatever pressure is in it today. A tire running low can carry less and runs hotter, which is why pressure matters most when the vehicle is loaded.
Match it or beat it, and never go lower. The safe rule is to meet or exceed the load rating your vehicle's manufacturer lists on the sticker inside the driver's door. We check that sticker and ask how you use the vehicle before we recommend a single tire.
Why haulers ask Moxie about tire load rating
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We check what your vehicle needs
We match the load rating on your door sticker and ask how you use the vehicle before recommending tires.
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Fleet and work trucks welcome
We look after pickups, vans and fleet vehicles, and Moxie Fleet Priority is free for businesses with 2 or more vehicles.
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An ASE-certified technician
Our technician is ASE certified in engine repair, automatic transmissions and drivetrains, and Moxie pays for ASE testing for the whole team.
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Free pickup and delivery
Within 40 road miles, including McPherson, Moundridge and Hesston.
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Tire load rating myths we hear at the counter
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What overloads tires around here
- Towing trailers, campers and livestock, which puts extra weight on the rear tires
- Hauling feed, tools and equipment in the bed or the back of a van
- Running tires low on air, which cuts how much weight they can safely carry
- Long summer drives on hot pavement with a full load, which builds heat inside the tire
- Fitting a lower-rated tire than the door sticker calls for to save money
Tire load rating across five Kansas counties
We look after drivers across Marion County, Harvey County, McPherson County, Chase County and Lyon County, with free pickup and delivery within 40 road miles of 611 Orchard Dr, Hillsboro.
Tire load rating questions we hear every week
Can I use tires with a higher load rating than my vehicle needs?
You usually can, and it is generally safe. A higher load rating gives you more margin when you tow or haul. The trade-off is that a stiffer tire can ride a little firmer and may need a different pressure, so set it to what the door sticker or the tire shop recommends for that tire. Text us the size and we will check it for you.
What happens if my tires have too low a load rating?
An overloaded tire flexes more than it was built to, and that flexing makes it run hot. Heat breaks down the inside of the tire and can lead to a blowout, especially on a long summer highway drive with a full load. The vehicle also feels less stable. Always match or exceed the rating your vehicle calls for.
Does the load rating matter on a regular car?
It matters on every vehicle, although it comes up most on trucks and vans. Most passenger cars have plenty of margin with any tire in the correct size. It becomes important if you often carry a full car of people and luggage, pull a small trailer, or drive a heavy electric vehicle that needs tires rated for its extra weight.