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Charles,
I think Dr. Johns answered the radial v. bias ply tire
question best.
Vintage A/Ss, except for the smallest and lightest, were
equipped at the factory with 700 x 15" bias ply, light truck type tires.
Single axle trailers used 8 ply rated (now classified load range D), and
tandem axle trailers were equipped with 6 ply rated, (load range C) tires.
Obviously, load range D tires have a higher weight carrying capacity than load
range C.
I don't think load range E, 10 ply rated tires, are available
in that size because the tire would exceed the weight capacity of the rim.
The higher the ply rating of the tire, the stiffer the side wall and resultant
stiffer ride but I don't think much of the stiffness would be transmitted to the
tow vehicle.
Of course the tire alone won't carry much weight. It is
the air pressure within that actually carries the weight. An 8 ply tire
can be inflated to 60 psi, a 6 ply tire to only 45 psi. A 10 ply, if
available, can be inflated to even higher pressures. There is no harm in
installing load range D tires on a tandem axle A/S. That tire cost on
y a few dollars more than a load range C tire and
its stiffer side walls might wear a little longer and resist
damage from striking a road hazard slightly better.
Are you confused yet?
Hope this helps answer your question.
Harvey
Harvey Barlow
WBCCI 1171, WDCU, VAC
and a couple of A/Ss
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