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Tent Camper Owner’s Manual
u.S. dot t
ire
i
dentiFication
n
umber
This number begins with the letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two
numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last four numbers represent the week and
year the tire was built. For example, the numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other numbers are mar-
keting codes used at the manufacturer’s discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect
requires a recall.
t
ire
P
ly
c
omPoSition
and
m
aterialS
u
Sed
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire. In general, the greater the
number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the materials in the tire,
which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
m
aximum
l
oad
r
ating
Load rating indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire.
m
aximum
P
ermiSSible
i
nFlation
P
reSSure
This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving
conditions.
S
Peed
r
ating
q
– 99 mph
H
– 130 mph
r
– 106 mph
v
– 149 mph
s
– 112 mph
W
– 168 mph*
t
– 118 mph
y
– 186 mph
u
– 124 mph
For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph, tire manufac-
turers sometimes use the letters ZR. For those with a maximum speed
capability over 186 mph, tire manufacturers always use the letters ZR.
important note: If it becomes necessary to replace a tire and you feel it
is a warranty issue, most tire manufacturers require the D.O.T. number
be cut out and returned to them, with the warranty claim, otherwise the
warranty could be voided.
Speed rating denotes the speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of time. The ratings
range from 99 miles per hour (mph) to 186 mph.
Note: This information may not appear on all tires since it is not required by law.
t
readwear
n
umber
This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the
tread to wear down. For example, a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200.
t
raction
l
etter
This letter indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car
on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as ‘AA’,
‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.
t
emPerature
l
etter
This letter indicates a tire’s resistance to heat. The temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated properly and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat build-up and possible tire failure. From highest to lowest, a tire’s resistance to heat is graded as ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’.