Replacing a tire is one of the many activities you have to carry out if you are a car owner. A truck is no exception, whether you use it for daily commuting or off-road adventures. Maybe it is for a routine replacement, you need better traction on the trails, or you're simply looking for a tire that is more aggressive-looking.
A Truck tire impacts the performance of your pickup or light truck in both on-road and off-road situations. The best truck tires will withstand obstacles on the road since they have customizable features. In addition, a set of high-quality tires ensure safety and enhance driveability, giving you the confidence you need on the road.
Since trucks come in different sizes, shapes and capabilities, finding the right tires to match your trucking needs may be quite a hassle. In addition, since there are many tire truck options available on the market, we have curated a list of the top five best truck tires based on extensive research. We have also included a guide of features and important considerations to be made before buying.
First, let us look at the best truck tires on the market.
1. Kanati Mud Hog M/T
KANATI MUD HOG M/T 35X12.50R20LT LRE 121Q Mud-Terrain Light Truck Tire Only
- Aggressive angled tread design delivers enhanced traction in...
- 3-Ply sidewalls for increased strength and puncture resistance
- Optimized void ratio for superior self-cleaning action
- Engineered for on and off-road performance
- Built with resilient rubber compounds for even tread wear and...
The Kanati Mud Hog m/t tire is designed to be used on light trucks and SUVs to offer superior off-road and on-road performance. This tire is made of a tough puncture-resistant compound and formed into an aggressive tread pattern to increase traction. In addition, the Kanati tires feature staggered shoulders to improve handling and steering.
The tires are equipped with higher voids to provide more traction in clay sand, mud, and gravel. The siping found around the tread helps to add hard pack traction to the tire. In addition, the Kanati Mud Hog tire has a 3ply sided construction to provide resistance to tears, punctures and other possible damages.
The Mud Hogs have self-cleaning abilities. This is made possible by the deep alternating shoulder lugs found on the tires. In addition, this helps to clear out the mud and prolong the tread expectancy.
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2. Goodyear Wrangler SR-A Radial Tire
Goodyear Wrangler SR-A Radial Tire - 275/60R20 114S
- Made in United States
- The package length is 26.67 centimeters
- The package height is 80.01 centimeters
- The package width is 80.01 centimeters
The Goodyear Wrangler SR-A radial tire is a new season highway or on-road tire. It is mostly found in factory equipment tires, especially in a new pickup truck. Additionally, it is a common replacement for crossovers and SUVs.
These tires employ the Goodyear WetTrac technology with a symmetrical tread pattern. This pattern helps to provide traction on light snow, gravel, mud and wet surfaces. In addition, this tire has zig-zag sipes and wide circumference grooves around the tread to remove water from below the tire. This helps to reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
The Goodyear Wrangler SR-A radial tire has lateral grooves, independent tread blocks and wider road contact to enhance dry pavement grip. In addition, the tread is designed to lower the vibrations and ultimately reduce road noise.
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3. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Tire - 285/75R16 126R
- CoreGard Technology: Tougher Sidewall Rubber: Split & bruise...
- Specially formulated tread rubber: Optimally blended to reduce...
- Upper Sidewall Traction Bars: Protruding sidewall rubber blocks...
- Serrated Shoulder Design: Staggered shoulder blocks that provide...
The BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and all-season tires have an aggressive tread pattern that is also self-cleaning. In addition, the tires feature a large footprint and tough construction, making them resistant to bruises, cuts and punctures, especially in rocky terrains. The tough construction also offers support in muddy environments.
The BFGoodrich shoulder grooves are about 40 percent wider than the best all-terrain tires and help increase traction and improve control when the tires are aired down. In addition, the staggered shoulder treads are responsible for handling and steering in deep snow and muddy surfaces.
The BFGoodrich all-terrain tires utilize CoreGard technology to create a tougher sidewall construction than most options on the market. The tire treads wrap around the shoulder and have sidewall protection to ensure that the tires perform well on both on and off-road terrains. Additionally, they feature 3D sipes that provide snow and wet traction.
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4. Goodyear Wrangler Radial Tire
Goodyear 795698918 Wrangler Radial Tire - 235/75R15 105S
- Large tread blocks create a large tire-to-ground footprint for...
- Optimized tread pattern provides off-road durability and enhances...
- Sidewall styling options let you choose between outlined white...
- 235/75/15
- Performance Tire
The Goodyear wrangler radials are the best all-terrain tires on the market and a value for money. The tire height is directly proportional to the width, ensuring a good aspect ratio for handling. In addition, these tires are capable of withstanding any weather conditions and maintain traction on wet slippery surfaces, making them a safe choice.
These Goodyear tires have a large symmetrical tread block that increases traction. In turn, these blocks ensure that your pickup truck does not get stuck in muddy terrain. Furthermore, the tug lug spacing in the truck tire reduces the rolling resistance and, therefore, increases the vehicle's fuel economy. In addition, since the protruding blocks are less, the ride becomes smoother and more road contact results in high acceleration.
The Radial tires by Goodyear have a tough sidewall to improve the resistance to damage while maintaining traction on the highway and off-road terrain. They also have metal studs that increase traction on ice and mild snow terrains. In addition, deep and wide voids are included along each ridge to support the free flow of mud and water, hence self-cleaning. Finally, these tires have multiple lateral sipes to give a better grip for traction.
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5. Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 Off-Road Tire
Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 Off-Road Tire - P265/70R17” 113T
- Wraparound tread gives a rugged look and increases puncture...
- Deep two-step sipes extend tread life and increase performance on...
- Tiered side grooves for more predictable cornering
- 7-8% wider footprint than the competition for increased road...
The Hankook Dynapro balanced on and off-road tires are high-performance with exceptional grip and road contact. This is mainly because of the increment in tread width. They also feature a light truck form with a large independent and symmetrical block design. This is important to enhance the rip, contact and acceleration.
The Hankook tires also have center and shoulder grooves with stone ejectors. These act to protect the tire from damage caused by stone drilling or any external impact. In addition, these Dynapro tires feature a wraparound tread design that provides a strong, puncture-resistant and rugged pattern to protect against terrain tire bruises and cuts.
The tire's resistance to wear is increased by the featured two-step sipes that also improve wet traction on light snow and surfaces. Additionally, the Hankook Dynapro tires have a center scallop and tiered side grooves. These help to improve the biting edges of the tire, therefore increasing handling. This is important when negotiating turns, more so when it's winter or during off-roading.
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Why Should You Get the Best Truck Tires for Your Pickup or Light Truck?
1. Improve Off-Road Performance
Most truck tires are designed to fit the needs of off-road performance. This ensures that more stable and has a good handling performance in rugged terrain. In addition, this prevents the pickup from being stuck in muddy and sandy conditions.
2. Increase Mileage
A truck tire is prone to fast wear and tear, especially when used for heavy-duty activities like towing or transporting cargo. For this reason, the best truck terrain tire will resist damage and tear regardless of the road conditions. In addition, they will last you up to 60,000 miles before needing a replacement.
3. Enhance the Truck's Look
The best truck tire has an aggressive and relatively unique tread design that transforms your light truck from weak and ugly to a beast on the road. In addition, they have a large surface area compared to the normal passenger car tires.
4. Prevent Tire Damage
The best tires have strong construction that prevents bruises, cuts and chips from damaging the tire. In addition, they reduce stone retention; hence you will not need to stop to change a flat tire, especially when you are on rough terrain.
What Are the Types of the Best Truck Tires?
1. All-Season
All season tires are designed for on-road performance and are by default found on pickup trucks. This is because manufacturers design and test pickups with this type in mind. In addition, they are reliable and safe while still being durable enough to withstand moderate seasonal weather changes.
Apart from ensuring a smooth ride on the road, all-season tires are lightweight and more fuel-efficient than their counterparts. This feature makes them applicable for hauling furniture or doing heavy-duty activities like towing a car. Although they are perfect for on-road use, it is best to consider other alternatives if you want to participate in off-road adventures.
2. All Terrain
Also known as a balanced on or off-road performance tire, an all-terrain tire is designed to withstand highway and rocky terrain harsh conditions. If you are looking for effective winter tires that will not only protect your pickup truck from the cold but also maneuver through wet roads, an all-terrain tire set will be sufficient.
Commuting in rough terrains with potholes and gravel can be cumbersome, but not when on a balanced on or off-road terrain tire. This is because they have tough construction that makes them resistant to such road conditions. However, you need to prepare yourself for more road noise and less fuel economy if you use them. In addition, reduced handling performance is also a result of the construction and weight of an all-terrain tire.
3. Mud Terrain
If you and your pickup truck spend more time off-road, getting a set of the best mud-terrain tires will be more beneficial to you. They are designed to thrive in off-road environments such as deserts, muddy areas and mountains. This is because they have tread blocks that have a firm road grip on rocky or muddy terrains.
Mud terrain tires have a high performance off-road but are not as suitable to be used for long on highways. In addition, they have drawbacks similar to those of all-terrain but amplified. These include road noise and decreased fuel economy. Diminished tread life is also common due to the wear and tear of the off-road terrain.
When Should You Replace Truck Tires?
Worn-out tires make the biggest reason why you should consider a replacement. Reduced performance on the road will prompt most truckers to get a new set almost immediately. In addition, the wear on the tires is represented in the form of mileage.
Most truck tires are rated to offer between 50,000- 70,000 miles of usage before wearing out. Additionally, most truckers will have used at least 12,000 miles by the end of the year. This mathematically gives about 4-5 years before replacing. Unfortunately, it is also not uncommon for some people to overstretch this period, which is dangerous.
Most truckers do not realize that tire trucks have a designated time frame and an expiry date. This is usually five years after manufacture. According to the law, tires sold in the U.S and North America must have a time stamp indicating when they were manufactured. After this period, the compounds used in construction begin to break down, making the tire unsafe and unroadworthy.
Tires have UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) and DOT (Department of Transportation) markings indicating the manufacture date and the tire's design, size, and capabilities. The last four digits on the DOT rating show the week and year of manufacture. For example, 3217 means that the tire was made in the 32nd week(11-17th September) of the year 2017.
The three-digit numbers followed by two or three letters right after the tire's name indicate the UTQG. For example, in Michelin LTX A/T 2 118R E, 118R E is the UTQG number. This is because 118 represents the tire's load capacity, while the R indicates the speed ratings of the tire. In addition, the E shows the load range.
Since many truck tires do not have the tread life indicated, it is best to assume that 30,000 miles are sufficient for each tire. Additionally, as a common rule, off-road and all-terrain tires will bear less mileage before needing to be replaced.
Can You Replace Your Truck Tires With the Original Tires?
Factory tires are good for general use that compromise all the points the manufacturer deemed fit. During the truck design and manufacturing process, the engineers have several expectations on how the truck should be used. For that reason, they chose tires based on those expectations and sometimes the relationship with the tire manufacturer.
A truck tire is often optimized for different purposes, such as fuel economy, off-pavement use, weather capability and road bearing. One tire may have all these features equally, while another has some and lacks others. Overall, how you prefer to use your truck and how the designer had pictured the ultimate use may not always coincide. Therefore, it is best to make a replacement according to your trucking needs.
How Do You Choose the Best Truck Tires?
1. Tread Design
The tire you need will determine the tread design. For example, a truck tire with a chunky-looking tread pattern for off-road driving will provide maximum grid and resistance. On the other hand, symmetrical treads with shallow grooves and closely spaced gaps are suitable for road comfort.
2. Load Index
Depending on how you use your light truck, each tire's load capacity will determine the tire set to get. As a general rule, choose a truck tire with a load index that is higher than the weight of your vehicle. In addition, you can use an online load index chart for reference.
3. Size
The tire size should always be the right fit for your truck. This is because getting a bigger or smaller-sized tire will damage the rims. In addition, they can reduce your truck's stability. You can read the sidewall of your original tires to see the serial number and use it to find the right tire size for your truck. Alternatively, you can consult with the manufacturer or a car dealer to get the same.
4. Speed Rating
You should always match your vehicle's running speed to the speed rating of the tires. Using a tire with a low-speed rating is not suitable if you have a high-speed vehicle. In the long run, a speed mismatch will result in fast treadwear.
Other features to consider include:
- Self-cleaning
- Stone ejectors
- A rubber compound
- Tougher sidewall
- Wide shoulder and center rib blocks
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best tires for a truck?
There is no single answer to this question since every trucker has different needs. For example, one may be looking for the best off-road grip, while another needs a tire that has low noise. Therefore, it is best to narrow down your trucking needs then look for the best tires within your budget.
2. How often should I rotate my truck's tires?
The typical tire rotation period is between 5000 and 7000 miles. In most cases, this will coincide with when the normal vehicle maintenance is done. However, it is important to remember that some steer axle tires cannot be interchanged with the drive axle ones. To work around this, you can use the manufacturer's manual to see the recommended rotating guidelines.