C-Type Tires: What You Need to Know
What are C-Type tires? C-Type tires are tires that were specifically designed to maintain high loads. These high-load requirements are especially useful for certain cargo vans. The C-Type tire originally comes from Europe, but due to the increase in popularity of cargo vans, they are widely available in North American markets. This type of tire is commonly referred to as euro-metric commercial tires.
Cargo Vans
The cargo van, interchangeable with commercial vans, has experienced significant growth in recent years. This growth is attributed largely to the rise of e-commerce businesses and increased demand for delivery services nationwide. In addition to being a useful tool for the services mentioned earlier, cargo vans are also used by tradesmen, such as electricians, plumbers, and even mobile car detailers.
The most common cargo vans seen in the United States today are the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Dodge RAM ProMaster, and Chevrolet Express. Each of these vans have a unique tire requirement. Some may need an LT tire, while others may require a C-Type tire. It’s a good idea to double-check the manufacturer’s tire recommendations, which can usually be found on the door jamb of the driver’s door, or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
C-Type Tires and LT Tires: What’s the Difference?
C-Type and Light truck tires (LT) are both rated for high weight capacities compared to passenger tires. Even so, C-Type and LT tires are meant for two very specific and different vehicle applications. Light truck tires typically are denoted with load range C, D and E. That said, some LT tires denoted with a C rating may not be suitable as a C-Type tire substitute or replacement.
Although both C-Type and LT tires are built to tackle heavy loads, C-Type tires are designed to handle a much heavier load than an LT tire in an equivalent size. The drawback is that C-Type tires generally have a lower speed rating.
The table below shows how LT, C-Type, and passenger tires are shown on a tire.
| Tire Type | Tire Size | Load Index | Speed Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| C-Type | 195R14C | 106/104 | Q |
| Light Truck | LT235/75R15 | 110 | S |
| Passenger | 205/40R17 | 84 | W |
*To learn more, our tire markings and sidewall guide outlines how to properly read a tire.
Choosing the Right Type of Tire
Looking at the table above, at first glance it seems as though all of these tires will fit the same vehicle. However, they are all designed for different load capacities, shown in the table. This means that choosing the wrong tire for your specific vehicle application can lead to unsafe driving conditions, known as overloading. Overloaded tires can cause excess heat buildup which may result in tire damage or complete tire failure.
Lionhart highly suggests always referring to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. By reading the placard on the door jamb or reading the owner’s manual, you’ll get a good idea of what types of tires to use, what tire inflation pressure (PSI) to use, and other information regarding load ratings and load capacity.
The Best C-Type Tire for Your Cargo Van
Lionhart LH-CTS
Looking at the table above, at first glance it seems as though all of these tires will fit the same vehicle. However, they are all designed for different load capacities, shown in the table. This means that choosing the wrong tire for your specific vehicle application can lead to unsafe driving conditions, known as overloading. Overloaded tires can cause excess heat buildup which may result in tire damage or complete tire failure.
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Lionhart highly suggests always referring to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. By reading the placard on the door jamb or reading the owner’s manual, you’ll get a good idea of what types of tires to use, what tire inflation pressure (PSI) to use, and other information regarding load ratings and load capacity.
