Well, howdy there, my fellow road warriors! I’m Alvin Reyes – the tire whisperer, the tire guru, the tire encyclopedia – I know more about tires than a bald man knows about hair growth. I’ve been cruising the highways for months, collecting feedback from tire experts, and testing tires like a mad scientist all to help you find the perfect rubber for your rig.
When it comes to hauling a heavy load, you need tires that are tougher than Chuck Norris and softer than a baby’s bottom. But finding the right tire can be harder than finding a four-leaf clover in a field of dandelions.
That’s why I’ve done the grunt work and put together a list of the top 8 best truck tires that will make your rig purr like a kitten and grip the road like Spider-Man. Whether you’re hauling cargo or cruising down the freeway, my recommendations will have you rolling on the best tires in town.
Difference Between Light-Duty Truck And Heavy-Duty Truck
Let’s take a look at some of the differences between the two main types of trucks: Light-duty and Heavy-duty.
Light trucks are small and maneuverable. These models for everyday driving will have a maximum payload capacity of about 3,000 pounds, providing 12,000 pounds of traction.
Meanwhile, heavy trucks are much larger in size and weight than light trucks. This vehicle has a payload capacity of up to 6,500 pounds and a towing capacity of more than 20,000 pounds.
Within the framework of this article, I would like to introduce you to the tire models best suited for heavy trucks. If you have a portable truck and want to find the ideal replacement tire, check out the best light truck tires I shared earlier.
The Best Truck Tires In-depth Reviews in 2024
Whether you are looking for an all-terrain tire or a product that can perform well in harsh winters, the list below can meet your requirements. Therefore, scroll slowly so as not to miss important information.
Michelin Crossclimate2
Best for Overall
High performance, comfort, and refinement are the adjectives that best describe the Michelin Crossclimate2.
On the dry road, this tire model offers a pretty exciting ride. I’ve wanted to keep control of my truck, and the tire’s responsiveness completely satisfied me.
The product’s handling ability is not affected when the tire is subjected to a large load. The V Ramp chamfers have done an excellent job of increasing the contact area with the road surface, thereby increasing brake traction.
On slippery roads, the tire from Michelin continues to show excellent performance. It has an impressive stopping distance and excellent traction even in extreme conditions. With Crossclimate2, driving a truck in heavy rain is no longer dangerous.
Finally, the snow performance of this tire is quite impressive. Since my area has a fairly mild climate, I have favored using Crossclimate2 during the winter.
And this tire model did not disappoint me. The flexible tire compound and the design that maximizes the product’s traction allowed me to move safely on light snow without getting stuck. Crossclimate2 is perfectly capable of replacing winter tires, as long as you don’t have to deal with heavy snow or ice.
In addition to impressive handling, this Michelin tire also conquered me with comfort and sophistication. On roads without too many defects, tires can effectively eliminate vibrations.
Even when moving through potholes, CrossClimate 2 can handle collisions quite well, minimizing vibrations transmitted into the cabin.
The noise produced by the product does not bother me either. Even when driving in urban conditions, I did not detect the growl on the tire.
This French representative has a good balance between performance and comfort, which not many truck models do.
However, to get the perfect experience like the above, you must spend a lot of money. It is also the only downside worth considering for this tire model.
Pros
- Good brake traction.
- Impressive vertical dry grip.
- Provide a smooth and quiet ride
- Maintain traction in extreme conditions.
- Handle well in light snow conditions
Cons
- Expensive.
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
Best for Durability
Due to frequently being subjected to heavy loads, most truck tires usually cannot last too long. But you can completely extend the time between your two tire changes by looking for durable products. And Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 is such a product.
Making the Geolandar A/T G015 durable is the exclusive Enduro tire compound. This compound is resistant to scratches and cuts when moving through harsh terrains such as gravel and sharp rocks.
The manufacturer also equips the product with three SD grooves on the surface. These grooves helped maintain the block’s rigidity, ensuring even tire wear.
If you are still skeptical about the product’s durability, look at the warranty service that the manufacturer provides.
Yokohama offers a full treadwear warranty of up to 60,000 miles, which is quite impressive for a truck tire like the Geolandar A/T G015.
In addition to durability, I am pretty satisfied with the grip of the Yokohama tires. On dry road surfaces, this tire model provides stable traction. The braking force of the product is also quite strong, meeting the expectation of a safe ride.
On wet roads, the tire’s stability remains quite good. I’ve been driving trucks on the highway quite a few times in heavy rain. And luckily, I always managed to keep the tires under control in these adverse conditions.
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 suits light or medium terrain driving. However, I do not recommend using the product to move on large rocks or deep mud. I struggled quite a bit driving my heavy truck off these terrains.
Pros
- Good dry grip.
- Stable handling on slippery roads.
- Durable proprietary compound.
- Stable block stiffness, even tire wear.
- Up to 60,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Cons
- Not suitable on large rocks and deep mud.
General Grabber A/TX
Best all terrain truck tires
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015, although quite durable, does not perfectly meet my off-road driving needs. That’s also why I came to General Grabber A/TX, one of the best truck all-terrain tires.
This product offers off-road capability and durability beyond my expectations.
Thanks to the robust tread design, the product has accompanied me through various terrain surfaces such as sand and mud.
In addition, due to the unique tread design, which can push loose stones quite well, harsh terrains cannot make this tire difficult.
Frequent travel on rough terrain, but Grabber A/TX does not have wear-related problems. I’m also delighted with the 60,000-mile maximum tread life, which is more impressive than most competitors in the same price range.
Another interesting point of this representative from General Tire is that the product balances quite well between off-road and normal road operations.
On dry highways, this tire provides a ride that is both reliable and smooth. Meanwhile, on loose surfaces such as snow and dirt, the traction grooves maximize power, enhancing traction and handling.
My only complaint about the Grabber A/TX is the lack of maintenance stats. This disadvantage brings difficulties when I want to determine the tire’s wear.
Pros
- Quiet, quietest in class.
- High traction on dry roads.
- Have the good off-road ability
- 60,000-mile tire wear warranty.
- Grip and handle well on loose surfaces.
Cons
- There are no maintenance indicators.
Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac
Best Truck Mud Tires
My first impressions of the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac are the pretty sturdy design. And it is this advantage that makes the tire the first choice for towing and transporting.
When it comes to transporting heavy loads, this Goodyear representative provides ample highway dry traction. Although the steering response under heavy loads is not very flexible, this tire model still completes the task quite well.
On wet surfaces, the Wrangler Duratrac gave me a big surprise.
Before that, I always thought products with large voids like Goodyear tires would slip on wet surfaces. However, reality has proven that Wrangler DuraTrac still works safely on this terrain.
During the journey in heavy rain, this tire from Goodyear retains a large contact area with the road surface, maintaining stable handling.
In addition to its wet and dry handling, this tire also impressed me with its off-road performance, especially on mud.
The product’s strong traction was excellent enough to keep me from getting stuck in shallow mud. In the deep mud, the spike blocks no longer perform so well. But overall, what Goodyear can do on this terrain has far exceeded products in the same category.
As a commercial off-road tire, I did not expect comfort and refinement from the start. Wrangler Duratrac is noisy at all speeds. However, this drawback is entirely acceptable. Because without the large tread block, the cause of the noise, the tire would not have excellent handling on all terrains, especially in mud.
Pros
- Anti-slip.
- Handle shallow mud terrain well.
- Stable handling on slippery roads.
- Maintain contact with wet pavement.
- Great traction, suitable for heavy cargo transportation.
Cons
- Noisy.
Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek
Best Heavy Duty Tires
If you’re looking for a model for your heaviest truck, I won’t hesitate to recommend the Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek.
Discoverer Rugged Trek has quite an impressive durability. The product has been with me for more than 12,000 miles. The tread is still quite good, and the tire wear is not too significant. And I believe that, in the future, the durable tread compound and uniform tread design will continue to work.
In addition to durability, I always choose Discoverer Rugged Trek to complete heavy-duty jobs because the product has pretty good traction.
Even on rough surfaces, this model maintains excellent control and stability. The tire wall is sturdy to withstand the impact of gravel on uneven terrain.
I also had the opportunity to test the product on a slippery road, and the results were quite surprising. Discoverer Rugged Trek with deep spikes is waterproof and has reasonable slip control.
Finally, I want to mention the driving feel of this on/off-road all-road tire model.
Like all off-road tires, it has a slightly longer response time. Surprisingly, this tire model steers quite accurately. Thanks to that, although the reaction is slower, I still have no problem controlling the car to the correct position.
Pros
- Solid tire.
- Strong traction.
- High tread life.
- Good waterproof.
- Reasonable control of the rough surface.
Cons
- Late response
Firestone Destination LE3
Best Highway Truck Tire
It’s harder to find an ideal off-road truck tire for highway than the Firestone Destination LE3.
A pure highway all-season release, this Firestone offering offers traction, grip, and a comfortable, quiet ride year-round.
I tested the Destination LE3 on various road surfaces regarding traction and grip. And under all conditions, I am satisfied with the results obtained.
On the dry highway, the responsiveness of the Destination LE3 is entirely different from my previous bad experience with some highway models.
Its grip also satisfied me. Even when driving in idling condition, the grip the Firestone provides is quite reliable.
When driving on slippery highways, Firestone tires provide a confident driving feeling. I can even safely accelerate and corner even in heavy rain.
Finally, the Destination LE3 still did not let me down on light snow terrain. The representative from Firestone provides the necessary grip and a good driving feeling. Although not a substitute for specialized winter tires, it still provides acceptable performance on light snow.
In addition to the pretty good handling, I also love the Destination LE3 because of a series of other impressive advantages. Two of them are silent operations on the highway and a 70,000-mile warranty.
However, this product still has some disadvantages that make me unsatisfied.
The cut resistance is relatively poor by the standard. Therefore, this model is not a suitable choice for off-road driving.
Pros
- Cozy and quiet.
- Responsive handling on the highway.
- Reliable grip in heavy rain conditions.
- The driving feeling is quite good on light snow.
- Warranty mileage is up to 70,000 miles.
Cons
- Not durable enough for off-road driving.
Kumho Road Venture AT51
Best for Full-size Trucks
Tires for full-size trucks require a large load rating and stiff sidewalls to withstand the vehicle and cargo weight. And Kumho Road Venture AT51 is one of the few products that can meet the above requirements quite well.
Road Venture AT51 has a rather aggressive design. The tire compound of the product is also unique when it contains a large amount of silica that is resistant to cutting. Thanks to that, the ability to disperse the temperature and the durability of Kumho tires are unquestionable.
Performance is also the reason I always trust this on/off road all-terrain tire.
It usually gives a comfortable and relatively reliable ride at high speeds on dry roads. You probably won’t be too impressed with its dry-road experience using a performance tire. Overall, Kumho still offers outstanding grip and stability.
The Road Venture AT51 has a better performance on wet roads. The product’s silica double hemp compound offers excellent grip in various conditions.
The contact area between the tire and the road is also relatively stable. Thanks to that, I always confidently drive, even in heavy rain.
Road Venture AT51’s grip on ice and snow is also quite commendable. I appreciate the automatic mechanism that cleans mud, rocks, and snow to work better on rough terrain.
The only problem I think the manufacturer can do better is to improve the style. Some users may not be too fond of the overly aggressive look of the product.
Pros
- Enduring.
- Comfortable on the highway.
- Excellent grip on wet roads.
- Maintain contact with the road surface.
- Automatic removal of mud and stones.
Cons
- Design can be improved.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
Best snow tires for trucks
The tire models I have just introduced to you above are only capable of working on light snow. Although some products receive 3PMSF certification, most cannot replace specialized winter tires.
But the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 is an exception. This tire model performs well in winter, especially on unpredictable rough surfaces.
The product’s ability to handle snow and ice comes from its adaptive tire compound and many microscopic biting particles. Besides, the directional tread design also helps to move on slippery terrain.
All of the above provides a tire with short braking distances on snow, effortless acceleration, and safe handling. In particular, when cornering, the Blizzak DM-V2 experience is as smooth and effective as when moving on a normal wet road.
It has impressive snow performance, but that doesn’t mean it has poor dry handling. On the contrary, I am completely assured of the grip and short braking distance when using this product from Japan.
On wet roads, the tire continues to impress with its water resistance and stopping distance. All the above advantages have made reliable tire travel in heavy rain conditions.
No surface Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 performs poorly. And this tire model is the first choice for trucks when you want to move safely in the winter.
However, Bridgestone does not provide a treadwear warranty for the product. This omission is a significant drawback compared to rival Michelin, which has provided its winter models with a more impressive warranty.
Pros
- Good waterproof.
- Good dry handling.
- Safe to move on slippery roads.
- Short braking distance on snow.
Cons
- There is no treadwear warranty.
Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail
Best Budget Truck Tire
A tire that balances off-road traction as well as quiet comfort, often comes with a hefty price tag. However, the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is an exception.
This all-terrain on/off-road all-terrain tire offers some cool rides while keeping a budget-friendly price tag.
I test drove the Wildpeak A/T Trail for the first time on a dry road. The product’s cornering ability on this road impressed me. The tire didn’t make me feel too stiff, light, and responsive enough to make it easier to control.
I have also used Wildpeak A/T Trail many times on slippery roads. In this condition, the grooves and potent tread compound do excellent waterproofing.
The snow handling ability of this tire is also quite commendable. Although sometimes slippage still occurs, in general, the grip of the Falken tires on light snow is still quite good.
Finally, the power of Wildpeak A/T Trail is most evident off-road. The product’s traction on harsh surfaces is quite impressive. Even I used to move through shallow mud quickly with the help of this tire model.
In addition to the performance advantages, this budget-friendly product conquers me with its comfort. This tire is much softer than most off-road tires I’ve used. On the highway, the roar of the A/T Trail is not too loud.
The disadvantage of this tire model is the relatively sizable rolling resistance. As a result, this budget truck tire likely won’t be the most fuel-efficient option.
Pros
- Good waterproof.
- Handle well on light snow
- Reasonable control on dry roads.
- The side walls are solidly structured.
- Enough traction to get through shallow mud.
Cons
- Not the most fuel-efficient option.
How to choose best tires for trucks
Installing the wrong truck tires can affect your work and safety. To avoid making the above mistake, let’s look at some tips when choosing truck tires.
Tire Tread Types
Here is a summary of the most popular tire styles available today:
- Directional tires: The most significant advantage of this type of tire is good drainage. Yet, to get the most out of the tire’s power, you will need to rotate the product from front to back relative to the side of the tire.
- Symmetrical tire: This design often appears on travel tires. The symmetrical tread design will create smooth, long-lasting tires.
- Asymmetrical: This tire has quite an impressive grip. This tire also has a lot of different spin patterns. You should choose the most optimal rotation type to improve your processing ability.
Loading
The load rating is an indicator you should not ignore when choosing tires for your truck. Here are load ratings that are best suited for your high-load vehicle.
HT
Tire models with the HT symbol are durable, cost-effective, and fuel-efficient.
However, this type of tire usually does not have shoulders and sidewalls. Therefore, HT cannot operate off-road.
AT
In contrast to the HT, the AT is an all-terrain tire. This type of tire has a deep tread and solid side walls that can overcome the roughest and harshest roads. Disadvantages of the AT tire style are its heavy weight and lack of fuel economy.
MT
MT is a specialized tire for off-road driving and incredibly muddy terrain. Products with the MT symbol will have deep treads, overcoming all obstacles. Compared to AT and MT tires, they are prone to uneven wear and are also quite expensive.
Tire Sizing
Changing the tire size to the manufacturer’s standard has positive and negative effects.
If you choose larger tires, your truck can overcome obstacles better. However, the enormous size of the tire will adversely affect the brake components and the suspension system.
Meanwhile, when choosing small tires, the ground clearance will decrease. But, you also get positive changes like efficient brakes and ergonomic steering.
FAQs
How long do truck tires last?
The average lifespan of a truck tire is between 50,000 and 75,000 miles. However, the above number depends on many other factors, such as driving frequency and driving habits.
What is the difference between ST and LT tires?
Load capacity is the main difference. ST tires have a higher load capacity than LT tires.
Are LT tires better for towing?
LT tires can still be suitable for heavy towing duties. These products often have a considerable tread depth and a more profound overall design.
Do I need 10 Ply tires?
You should get 10 ply tires if your truck has a load range of ¾ ton.
Is there a difference between tire brands?
The popularity of tires greatly influences the price and quality of the product.
Final Thoughts
Here are the best truck tires and buying tips from my experience. If you don’t have special requirements for truck tires, try the Michelin Crossclimate2, a product that is close to perfection.
Meanwhile, if you live in an area with harsh winters, choose the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. Besides, you should consider the Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac for its impressive sludge handling.
What is your final decision? Please consider and let us know!
Thank you for reading!