LT245/75R17C Tire Size

LT245/75R17C Tire Specifications and Load Range Behavior

LT245/75R17C is a Light Truck tire in Load Range C, designed for moderate load capacity with lower inflation pressure compared to higher load ranges such as D or E. This size shares the same external dimensions as LT245/75R17 and 245/75R17, with an overall diameter of ≈31.5 inches, but differs in how load is carried and distributed.

LT245/75R17C Key Specifications

• Diameter: ≈31.5"
• Width: 245 mm
• Sidewall height: 7.2"
• Load Range: C

What Load Range C Means in  LT245/75R17C Tires

Load Range C in the LT245/75R17C tire size corresponds to a lighter-duty LT construction with lower maximum inflation pressure - typically around 50 psi - and more sidewall flexibility compared to Load Range E or D.

This results in:

• Greater ride comfort: The lower-pressure ceiling allows the sidewall to absorb road irregularities more naturally, producing a noticeably more compliant ride than stiffer D or E range tires under the same light-load conditions. This makes LT245/75R17C tires a practical choice on trucks that spend most of their time unladen on paved roads.
• More sidewall deflection under load: With less internal pressure resistance, the sidewall flexes more as the weight increases. Within the tire's rated capacity, this is acceptable, but it means Load Range C reaches its deflection limit sooner than LT245/75R17 D or LT245/75R17 E - making it unsuitable for sustained heavy hauling or towing where sidewall stability and heat resistance are critical.
• Lower maximum load capacity: LT245/75R17C typically supports around 1,820 - 2,470 lbs compared to over 3,000 lbs for Load Range E at 80 psi. That gap is significant on a truck operating near its GVWR - selecting Load Range C in a D or E application does not just reduce the safety margin, it can place the tire outside its structural design limits under real working conditions.

LT245/75R17C Load Capacity and Pressure Behavior

Load capacity in LT245/75R17C increases with inflation pressure up to its rated maximum of 50 psi — the ceiling defined by Load Range C construction. That pressure limit is what separates LT245/75R17C from LT245/75R17D (65 psi) and  E-rated (80 psi) tires, and it directly determines how much weight the tire can safely carry before sidewall stability and heat resistance become limiting factors.

Because C load range operates at lower pressure than D or E, LT245/75R17C tires provide a more compliant ride but reach their load ceiling sooner. At maximum inflation, LT245/75R17C typically supports around 1,820 - 2,470 lbs per tire - sufficient for light truck duty and occasional hauling, but not for sustained towing or operation near maximum GVWR.

The LT245/75R17C taller 7.2-inch sidewall allows more deformation under load than shorter 17-inch truck profiles, which improves impact absorption on rough or uneven surfaces. However, that same compliance makes correct inflation more critical - running below 50 psi accelerates sidewall flex, raises operating temperature, and reduces the tire's ability to maintain a stable contact patch under load, increasing both wear rate and the risk of heat-related structural fatigue over time.

LT245/75R17C Fitment Considerations

Because LT245/75R17C shares the same dimensions as other 245/75R17 variants, fitment is determined by clearance and rim compatibility, while performance depends on selecting the correct load range for the vehicle’s requirements.