10 Factors to Consider When Choosing Truck Tires

10 Factors to Consider When Choosing Truck Tires

Automotive

Every vehicle has its ideal tires that suit them. When talking about suitable tires, it’s not just about the size but also maximizing performance and safety. Those two things are more prioritized when talking about vehicles for commercial purposes like trucks.

Trucks are mostly engineered to carry and move all sorts of goods to another location through direct routes. They’re utilized for commerce across several industries for shipping purposes because of their efficiency, flexibility, and versatility. Trucks are the most optimal vehicle for such a crucial task, making them a key part of many business operations.

Choosing the ideal tires for your truck or fleet is just as crucial for your business to operate efficiently or for whatever purpose you use them for. To do that, you have to know what to look for in a truck tire. Here are the factors you need to consider when choosing them. Those who are in the tire business will never tell you these tips.

Deciding on which type to choose

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As it stands, the type of tires you choose for your truck depends on the surfaces you normally drive on and weather conditions. Your choices are engineered for optimal performance for both factors due to their impact on your driving experience. So for you to choose the suitable tire type, you have to take into account the places you drive to and the weather changes.

The majority of the original equipment truck tires nowadays are all-season tires. Those tires are focused on on-road performance, so they’re perfect if you mostly drive on roads. They’re also made for both the summer and winter, so you can also get decent performance from them in both seasons.

Mud-terrain tires are truck tires best for off-road driving. If you spend 80% of your time driving on rougher terrain, these tires are good for your truck.

However, if you determine that you drive on both on and off-road, all-terrain tires are the best option for you. These tires are advantageous for driving contexts where extra durability and higher performance limitations fit the requirements.

Understanding the Tire type You need

Different types of tires could suit your truck for various reasons. However, it always boils down to what you need for now and the future. This means adapting to changing seasons that affect driving conditions and tire pressure.

The different types of tires you can choose from are as follows:

1. On/off-road tires

On- and off-road tires can drive through rough terrain and the normal road conditions. They feature multi-faced tread blocks that provide all-directional traction for all conditions, including the snow.

2. Summer tires

Summer tires are suitable for driving during the warmer months. Most of these tires emphasize even tire wear and low noise and provide good traction on dry or wet roads.

3. Winter tires

Winter tires are best for driving on icy and snowy roads. The studded variant of these tires offers the highest level of safety and traction your truck will need to drive through snow and on ice.

4 All-season tires

All-season tires are optimally designed for everyday use. They’re the most versatile out of all the tire types and can be driven in different road conditions, including light snow.

Each tire type has sizes and load ratings, and other important variables mentioned with each type can accommodate whatever you need now and in the future. You just have to find a shop or distributor with the variants of the type you require. Most credible companies like Triangle Tires Philippines would have them or point you to the right seller where you can buy them.

5. Understanding tire codes

Tire codes are the alphanumeric characters you’ll see on the tire’s sidewall. They indicate the specifications of each tire, serving as a guide for vehicle owners so they can find the suitable tire for their auto. Here’s what the tire code on truck tires mean:

  • The first letter represents the type of vehicle a tire is for. P is for passenger vehicles or light trucks. LT is for light-duty trucks, which often accompany larger ¾ and one-ton pick-ups.

 

  • Following the first letter are three numbers that represent the sidewall width. These numbers are the tire’s width from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters.

 

  • Next are two numbers that refer to the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is the percentage of the sidewall’s height to its width.

 

  • Following the aspect ratio is either of these three letters: R, B, or D. These letters refer to the tire construction. R designates radial tires, B is for belted tires, while D is bias-ply tires.

 

  • The next digits following the construction letter refer to the wheel diameter or wheel size. It’s measured by inches, and the larger the number, the larger the wheel size.

 

  • Next to the wheel size is the load index and speed rating, represented by two numbers and a letter, respectively. The load rating refers to how much load the tire can support, while the speed rating indicates the maximum speed limit the tire can go.

 

The speed rating is important to know so you can protect your truck and keep your cargo safe. The optimal rating for work trucks is R which indicates a speed limit of 106 miles per hour (mph)

Another key factor to remember when choosing truck tires is the rim size. This coincides with the wheel diameter, representing the distance between the bead seat areas where the tire is sealed onto the wheel. You have to ensure your tires fit your rim size so that your truck’s performance and ride quality won’t be affected.

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6. Tread-wear warranty

Tires begin to wear out once they’re used for driving. Their treads, which provide traction to have enough contact on whatever surface you’ll be driving on, decrease as you drive regularly. Thus, securing yourself with a tread life warranty that covers tread wear is the smartest thing you can do to get the most of the tires you buy.

Generally, the tread life warranty coverage depends on the tire manufacturer. The maximum number of coverage goes up to six years from the date of purchase.

7. Driving comfort

One of the things you should consider with tires is their comfortability when driving. Discomfort when driving usually happens when you install tires that aren’t suitable for your vehicle. This same reasoning applies to your truck.

If you don’t need tires that look good, don’t use them. For example, not all trucks are for off-roading, so avoid going for tires to achieve the “off-road” look because it’ll result in poor handling and a stiff ride. Don’t sacrifice function over aesthetics because it’ll compromise comfort.

8. Buying extras

You can also consider spending on additional offers from tire shops. Some shops offer road hazard insurances and rotation and balancing packages. You should consider buying them because they can help in maintaining your tires.

9. Prepare for the worst

Concerning the different tire types, you have to keep in mind that matter, including the harshest conditions you may encounter. Preparation is key to overcoming the worst during your drives. Take note of that when choosing tires for your truck to be ready for the worse circumstances.

Think about the heaviest load your truck will have to carry and the roughest terrains and worse roads you’ll have to drive to, if there’s any. Then, choose the tires that can help you through them. Find tires that should match your heaviest anticipated load and tires with a rubber compound with more traction and a tread design fit for terrible road conditions.

10. Best places to shop truck tires

You have multiple options on where you can buy truck tires. Purchasing them online is the more convenient choice because you can shop from anywhere you like as long as you can connect to the internet to do it. You can also opt to visit a local tire shop near you to inquire about the best available deals they can offer.

To learn the pros and cons of shopping on either, you can check this tire buying guide right here.

Wrap up

Choosing your truck tires carefully will benefit you in the long run. Doing it will improve your truck’s performance and overall driving experience. Keep these tips in mind when you need to go to the tire shop to get the most out of your money.

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Author: Simon RobertEasyInfoBlog is a multi-author blog. We have experts and professionals in various fields who share their ideas and expert knowledge to help you with your daily information needs. Thanks for reading!

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