Tire Load Range and Ply Range Identification
The tire itself does not carry the load, but is rather a container for the air. Larger loads simply need more air. Therefore, the tire needs to be strong enough to handle the higher capacity, which means any prospective tire buyer should pay close attention to picking the tire with the best fit for their needs. Each tire suits different purposes and requires different air pressure; Tire Load Range or Ply Range are important components in identifying tire strength.
What is Tire Load Range/ Ply Range?
The load range or ply rating identifies how much load a tire can carry at its industry-specified pressure. In other words, it is an expression of the tire’s strength and capacity, and will be clearly marked on a tire’s sidewall. The higher load range or ply rating means the tires can withstand higher inflation pressures and carry heavier loads.
At present, the plies which refer to the number of cotton layers forming the internal construction of tires to measure relative strength with higher numerical ratings are long gone. This is because modern tire materials and engineering allow for the creation of greater tire strength and capacity without adding layers. Since then, Tire ply rating has been more commonly expressed as “load range”, which indicates the maximum load recommended for the tire.
How to Identify Tire Load Range and Ply Range?
Identifying tire load range depends on the tire type. Passenger tires feature named load ranges as Light Load (LL); Standard Load (Nothing or SL) and Extra Load (XL). Differently, the light truck tires use load ranges that ascend in alphabetical order, in which letters further in the alphabet identify stronger tires that withstand higher inflation pressures and carry heavier loads. For example, load range B/ply rating 4 has higher load pressure than load range C/ply rating 6. Tires loaded beyond their maximum allowable loads will build up excessive heat resulting in sudden tire destruction, so picking the right ply rating is important to maintain good safety and efficient performance.
Still unsure how to pick the best ply rating? Feel free to contact us at OTRUSA.COM, or give us a call at +1-855-687-8721! We have over 20 years of experience in the industry, and our specialists are happy to answer any questions and provide good quality tires to serve all your needs and maximize the performance of your vehicle.