6 Different Types of Truck Tires

Imagine a truck without its tires; it would be utterly useless. Therefore, truck tires are an essential make-up of the vehicle.

However, you use a truck for several purposes, which will affect your choice of tires.

When searching for the most suitable truck tire type, you must consider several things.

These include your resident region, climate, and the job purpose of the truck.

Therefore, choosing the right truck tire is vital as it will aid the truck to work perfectly.

Truck tires differ in size, shape, and purpose. Here, we shall discuss the truck tire types to help you find the best one for your vehicle.

Different Types of Truck Tires

1. “Truck” Tires

If you own a truck or a sports utility vehicle (SUV), these tires are the best option for you. Also known as heavy-duty tires, these wheels serve the purpose of bearing heavy loads.

Truck tires come with improved characteristics that give them an advantage over several terrains and climate situations.

Advantages of “Truck” Tires

Using Truck tires has several advantages, and they are listed below.

• There is no need for constant change as the tires work perfectly in all seasons.
• It saves you the cost of car service.
• Truck tires do not need extra care; maintaining their condition is relatively easy and cheap.
• Truck tires can stand a severe workload.
• It is more economical for trucks and cars you rarely use
• It runs noiselessly on asphalt road
• During winter, it is much stronger than winter tires

Disadvantages of “Truck” Tires

Despite their advantages, truck tires also come with disadvantages. These are:

• Though it is durable, they weaken over time. As a result, you will have to change these tires every seven months if you constantly use the vehicle
• Extreme weather conditions could damage them permanently
• They do not do well with aggressive driving
• Due to its make, it may damage the road when there is ice or heavy snow

2. Off-road Tires

Off-road tires offer the best performance on uneven surfaces. Their puncture resistance structure makes these tires run smoothly on sand, gravel, and rocky terrains without damage.

Though noisy, these tires can serve drivers who frequent roads that are not paved.

However, though they might suit all seasons, they are not suitable for smooth and highway surfaces.

Advantages of Off-road Tires

• They are durable and can last for a long time
• Each tire has a good grip on rocky and muddy surfaces
• Off-road tires are easily affordable
• These tires feature puncture resistance that prevents them from damage.
• Off-road tires feature a wide side groove that makes them excellent for cornering at sharp bends

Disadvantages of Off-road Tires

• Very Unsuitable for highway speed
• They wear faster when used regularly on pavements

3. All Terrain

As the name implies, these tires run smoothly on all types of roads. With these tires, you can juggle between driving on highways and driving by the countryside.

Made with a unique mechanism, they can quickly adapt from smooth surfaces to rocky and muddy terrains.

In other words, these tires offer a balance for truck drivers in all walks of life.

Advantages of All-terrain Tires

• Provides a compromise between different types of tires
• It is resistant to cuts and punctures
• They are stronger and better than most tire types
• These tires feature a prominent tread that gives them a better grip on all kinds of roads.
• It is convenient for different seasons

Disadvantages of All-terrain Tires

• Because of their design, all-terrain tires make more noise than other tire types.
• The tires have softer rubber, which means that it has a short tread life
• All-terrain tires are prone to cupping. This means that the tires will have abnormal worn patches on several parts of the tread.

4. Mud Tires 

You should consider mud tires if you are a truck driver who frequently drives on unpaved, uneven, and muddy surfaces.

These tires are specially designed with features that allow them to perform smoothly on muddy roads. 

Furthermore, some of these tires have tread patterns that allow them to have a lateral grip on slopes or ditches.

Some prominent features to look out for are the narrow gaps between the treads, which decrease reactions.

In addition, these gaps prevent mud and debris from getting stuck in the tires.

However, while these tires have moderate puncture protection, they are not suitable for paved roads.

Advantages of Mud Tires

• They have an excellent grip on rocky and muddy surfaces
• These tires have a very long lifespan
• They have moderate puncture protection
• They are easy to maintain
• These tires feature gaps that prevent debris and mud from clinging to them

Disadvantages of Mud Tires

• They are not affordable
• Mud tires quickly wear out on pavements

5. Winter Tires

If you reside in a part of the world where winter comes with so much snow and ice, then you’ll understand how useful winter tires are.

During winter, your regular tires cannot bear the strain of making their way through the snow. Therefore, you need these special winter tires to do the job for you.

These tires feature deep ridges that give them a firm grip on slippery ground.

Furthermore, they are made of soft rubber, which does not freeze in icy conditions.

It is advisable to have a set of winter tires and another set of all-terrain tires for extreme road conditions.

Advantages of Winter Tires

• Winter tires are cost-effective
• They are very suitable for cold situations
• Winter tires last longer than most tires as long as you carefully maintain them
• Winter tires provide safety from road risks.

Disadvantages of Winter Tires

• They are not suitable for other weather conditions
• The cost of maintenance is high
• Though they are flexible, they are also fragile. This means that you have to put in effort to maintain them.

6. Highway Tires

Highway truck tires are the types you use for your daily routines. These tires are suitable for driving on streets and highways.

Furthermore, they offer excellent handling and can go on smooth surfaces for hours.

Advantages of Highway Truck Tires

• They are perfect for paved surfaces
• With their lightweight design, they are good for higher-speed
• They are fuel-efficient and are suitable for a long drive.

Disadvantages of Highway Truck Tires

• Highway tires easily puncture on rough terrain.

How to Pick the Right Tires for You?

When picking out your truck’s tires, there are certain things you must consider. These are:

• Your type of vehicle
• The purpose of the vehicle
• Your regular route

Your Type of Vehicle

Before settling on the type of tire to get for an automobile, you have to consider your type of vehicle. All kinds of tires come in different sizes.

Therefore, you have to find the perfect fit for your truck.  Whether an SUV or a CUV, ensure that the tires are neither too large nor too small.

The Purpose of the Vehicle

This is another vital factor you must consider. Different types of tires have their specific attributes; therefore, your tires must be one that will suit your purposes.

For instance, you could opt for heavy-load tires if you plan to carry heavy loads.

Your Regular Route

Every tire has its own making. Therefore, they run on different surfaces. Hence, when settling for a tire type, go for that which will serve you best.

If you know that your route is mostly muddy, opt for mud tires. If you want to drive during winter, opt for winter tires to increase the friction on slippery ground.

How to Maintain Your Truck Tires?

No matter what type of tires you use, you should maintain them and keep them in good working condition.

Below are some maintenance tips for truck tires.

Check Tread Depth

The tread is the part of the rubber that is in direct contact with the road.

New truck tires usually come with a tread depth of 11/32 inches. However, this depth reduces as the tire wears down.

Therefore, changing these tires when their tread depth has become too low is advisable.

Regular Air Pressure Check

Along with tread depth, you should always watch your tires’ air pressure. Your tires’ air pressure tells how they will react when there is an emergency. 

Therefore, truck tires should never be overinflated or underinflated. 

Maintain Proper Wheel Torque

Wheel torque is the act of adjusting or changing the lug nuts of your wheels.

Your nuts should never be too tight or too loose; thus, always check them before embarking on a trip.

Practice Good Driving Habit

As a driver, you should practice good road habits. Ensure that you drive at a good pace, avoid making hard stops, and abide by road laws and regulations.

Fix Problems 

When you notice a minor fault in your vehicle’s tires, ensure you fix them as soon as possible. The act is irrespective of how little that problem might seem.

Conclusion

There are several types of truck tires, and each has its specific duty to perform.

So, before deciding which tire you prefer, be sure they are the right type for your vehicle.