When buying truck tires, don’t get swept up in the truck hype
Many trucks are built to look tough, and it’s tempting to want to buy tires to match that rugged image. Tire manufacturers are happy to indulge people’s off-road fantasies with a large variety of oversized tires with extremely aggressive tread patterns – and they don’t often come cheap.
Remember to take into account how often you off-road versus how often you use that vehicle to commute. While those monstrous, knobby tires may come in handy when driving up to your favorite ski resort, you are wasting tred - and money - by having those on your truck as you go back and forth to work.
Websites for tire manufacturers such as Michelin, Goodyear, and Dunlop Tires all offer tires that will match your trucks needs.
If you’re buying new tires for your truck, don’t allow yourself to be sucked into a pair of gnarly tires that you don’t really need. Stop, take a deep breath and carefully consider your driving habits. Beyond navigating the occasional dirt road or grass parking lot, do you really ever go off-roading? Do you really need tires that can stick to a snow-covered granite face during a windstorm?New tires let you look rugged, be practical
If you absolutely want your truck to have that rugged, outdoor look, then you’re in luck. Several tire manufacturers are now making the equivalent of all-season tires that have the look of hardcore off-road tires. These tires have normal all-season tread in the center of the tire which makes contact with the pavement. However, the edge of the tire is surrounded with an aggressive outer tread, giving the tire (and your truck) that hard, rugged appearance.
Types of Tires
Bridgestone model tires are constructed of heavy-duty rubber and evoke a rugged toughness while still being practical. They afford high performance on all terrain, minimize slip down on cornering, and prevent serial breakdown and punctures. These tires are durable and flexible. Michelin tires are often larger than normal truck tire size. They are made of softer rubber to prevent over-heating, hence saving fuel. They have an exceptionally long tread life. Goodyear tires are made with heavy duty rubber, like Bridgestone, and have a technology to them that automatically seals punctures. They come in various different sizes to fit any size truck.
Inclement weather handling
Truck owners should always consider their typical driving conditions when choosing a new set of tires. People who live in wet, rainy parts of the country such as the Pacific Northwest should invest in all-season tires that are built to prevent hydroplaning. People who live in colder areas of the country – where temperatures frequently dip below freezing – should consider getting winter tires for the hard-weather months. Winter tires are made from specially formulated rubber that stays soft and sticky even during freezing weather. Winter tires also have more aggressive tread patterns than all-season tires. However, winter tires should not be driven year-round, whereas all-season tires never need to be removed.Performance truck tires
Performance tires allow people to give their trucks a unique look and feel along with improved handling on dry roads and highways. Performance tires are often smaller than standard-sized tires, which means new wheels must usually be purchased to accommodate performance tires.
Tires for true off-road trucks
A wide variety of rugged truck tires are available for drivers who really do drive off-road. These tires are aggressively cut with deep treads for gripping rocks, dirt, clay, mud or anything else that may be in the way.
