Is Bigger Always Better? Picking the Right Tires for Your Truck

Are Big Tires Better?

Large tires are a common look with trucks, and there’s no denying how good a lifted pickup truck looks with massive tires. But do they actually make the truck drive better? It all depends on what you’re doing, and on how big the tires are.

Bigger tires can provide greater clearance, which is important for anyone who is regularly off-roads. Wider tires, meanwhile, offer more surface area in contact with the road, which usually increases traction and thus performance. So, there are definitely some benefits to putting bigger tires on your truck, though they are usually for aesthetics first and foremost.

How to Pick the Right Tires for Your Truck

When it comes to choosing the right set of tires, there’s one main factor to consider: what do you use your truck for? The type of driving that you do with your truck determines the type of rubber that’s best for the vehicle. There are three major categories of truck tires to consider, and your driving needs should steer you towards one of them.

Highway Terrain Tires (H/T)

These are the tires to get if you use your truck around city roads, highways, and freeways. They’re essentially just the same tires that you would have on a sedan or an SUV but with a load rating to carry your heavier pickup. H/T tires are designed to increase the smoothness of your ride, lower the road noise, and last for a long time, making them the perfect tire for a daily driver, or any other truck that you’re just using to get around on well-paved roads.

All Terrain Tires (A/T)

A lot of people buy trucks to mostly use on city roads and highways, while allowing them the flexibility to leave the asphalt behind when they want to. A/T tires will give you additional traction and durability if you put your truck to work on dirt and gravel roads, or with some off-roading from time to time, while retaining a smooth and quiet ride on the freeway.

Mud Terrain Tires (M/T)

If off-roading is your thing, then you need M/T tires. They maximize durability and traction on unpaved roads and with mud, gravel, and obstacles that you need to drive over. The large tread blocks don’t make for the best ride on the highway, so most people only opt for M/T tires if their truck is primarily used for off-roading.

Other Factors to Consider When Picking Tires

Picking between H/T, A/T, and M/T tires is the most important thing to do when buying a new set of rubber. But there are a few other factors that you should keep in mind as well.

The Weather You Drive In

Weather has a big impact on tires, especially H/T tires. If you live and drive in a lot of rain, snow, and ice, you’ll want tires suited for that. Similarly, temperature impacts tire life and performance, so you’ll want specific tires if you live in extreme heat or cold.

Wheel Size

You should always get tires that fit your truck’s wheels. If the tires are too big for the wheels, your performance will be compromised, and the tires might rub against the body of the truck, causing damage.

Always Maintain Your Tires

Keeping your tires properly maintained is as important as picking the right tires. Make sure to have regularly scheduled tire rotations and wheel alignments, and always keep the proper air pressure in your tires. This truck maintenance not only prolongs the lifespan of the tires, but allows them to function to the best of their ability. And before you get in your truck, check for damage or excessive wear and tear.

Every truck and every driver has unique needs, and that’s true with tires. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got sales techs available to help you find the perfect option so you can get the most out of your truck every time you hit the road.