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Top 10 Best Light Truck Tires 2023: Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

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In the United States, light trucks are by far the most common form of motor vehicle. They are robust and flexible, and they serve as the physical skeleton of the economy in the United States. People are naturally drawn to them because to the fact that they can be driven virtually anywhere, that they have enormous carrying and pulling capacities, and that, more recently, they also give exceptional comfort and luxury facilities.

A light truck is the only type of motor vehicle that the vast majority of people will ever own. This indicates that individuals drive their vehicles a significant number of kilometers, which places a significant amount of strain on various components. When we talk about tires, in particular, what we mean is that you need to replace them on a regular basis in order to maintain the best degree of performance from your truck.

The fact of the matter is that tires designed for light vehicles may be rather pricey, particularly those with greater dimensions and higher load ratings. And certainly not every tire performs at the best level; some are unquestionably superior to others in this regard. You should get a high level of performance from the light-truck tires regardless of the surface you travel over.

Additionally, you should ensure that they are durable, particularly if you frequently carry or tow with your vehicle. Modern motorists have come to anticipate outstanding longevity from their tires; nobody wants to have to replace their tires every two to three years. In addition, high levels of comfort and quietness are always a welcome benefit, particularly considering that the vast majority of truck owners use their pickups as day-to-day vehicles.

There is, however, a minor problem with all of these attributes, and that is the fact that there is not a single tire available that contains each and every one of them. There is always going to be a middle ground. For instance, a tire could be fantastic for driving on the highway but not so great for activities that take place off-road. I’m sorry to say that there is no way to have the best of all worlds when it comes to tires.

To your good fortune, we are here to assist you in locating the most suitable tires for your light vehicle. On this ranking of the best tires for light trucks, we will include a variety of tire brands and models to cater to the requirements of a wide range of motorists. In this way, each owner will be able to locate the tire that best suits his or her requirements.

Don’t worry if you don’t know much about tires; we’ve also put together a comprehensive buying guide on light-truck tires for those of you who need it. In that article, we will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various kinds of tires, with the goal of assisting you in selecting the kind of tire that will serve your needs in the most optimal manner. You won’t want to miss it because it comes after our list of the top 10 light truck tires, so make sure you look it up.

However, without further ado, let’s have a look at the list we’ve painstakingly compiled of the finest tires for light vehicles that are now available on the market.

The 10 Best Light Truck Tires Available in 2023

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best Highway Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

The Defender LTX is, without a doubt, the most polished light-truck tire that has ever been produced due to its exceptional on-road performance as well as its rugged construction.

This tire will provide you superb stability on the highway, whether you have a huge trailer connected or not, and it will offer you with good grip on dry and wet terrain while you drive on the street or highway.

In addition to this, the Land Rover Defender LTX is quite comfortable over rough terrain and very quiet while driving on the highway. In addition to that, it has an exceptional treadwear warranty that lasts for 70,000 miles and a casing that is resistant to cuts and chips, making it suitable for driving on hardpacked terrain.

The one area in which we believe there is room for development is the snow traction, which is merely satisfactory.

Pros

  • On dry terrain, exceptional stability as well as handling and braking performance
  • Outstanding effectiveness in wet conditions
  • A wonderful option for transporting and pulling vehicles.
  • A ride that is both peaceful and relaxing throughout.
  • Extended service life and a robust build

 

Cons

  • Does not perform particularly well in conditions with thick snow, ice, or slush.
  • Expensive

2. Cooper Discoverer HTP

Best Highway Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

The Discoverer HTP may not have all of the necessary characteristics to unseat the Defender LTX from its throne, but it certainly comes close. When you factor in the cost, it’s possible that the Discoverer HTP is actually the superior option.

On the road, this tire offers the driver reliable traction and braking performance, regardless of whether the surface is dry or wet. In addition, we discovered that the tire is comfy and quiet, as well as having outstanding stability on the highway, and this was true whether the road was dry or rainy.

In spite of the more affordable price point, you are still receiving a great treadwear guarantee that covers 65,000 miles and a durable casing. Having said that, snow does not offer a great deal of traction.

Pros

  • Relaxing and secluded in nature
  • Outstanding work despite the wet conditions
  • Superb consistency along the highway
  • Very reasonable pricing for a treadwear warranty that covers 65,000 miles.

Cons

  • Traction on snow and ice is significantly lower than typical.

3. General Grabber HTS 60

Best Highway Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

Because of its reasonable price and generally solid performance, the Grabber HTS 60 is a popular choice among owners of light trucks. This is due to the tire’s excellent value.

The Grabber HTS 60 can operate securely on both dry and wet terrain, regardless of whether or not a trailer is attached to it. The heavy-duty variants perform marginally less well in the rain, but they do not compromise the product’s integrity in any way. Despite this, there is room for improvement in the snow’s traction.

The ride is really comfortable, and there is not a lot of road noise when driving on the highway, which contributes to the overall level of comfort. Additionally, the tire is extremely robust and long-lasting, and it can even withstand some punishment when used off-road.

Pros

  • Towing and hauling are both made easier by the sturdy build.
  • Calm and inviting throughout
  • Secure in both dry and damp environments
  • price that is favourable to one’s wallet

Cons

  •  In wet conditions, heavy-duty models perform somewhat less well.
  • The traction on the snow might be improved.

4. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus

Best Touring Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

The Dueler Alenza Plus is yet another well-liked kind of light-truck tire, and it is designed exclusively for motorists who do not make use of the utility aspect of their vehicles.

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The touring tire manufactured by Bridgestone offers the finest mix of comfort, quietness, and overall performance in a single product; it is suitable for use on dry, wet, and snowy conditions.

In addition to that, the Japanese manufacturer offers an industry-leading guarantee on treadwear that covers 80,000 miles, which is undoubtedly noteworthy. In light of the foregoing, we do not suggest using this tire for hauling big freight or trailers.

Pros

  • The most relaxing and peaceful tire option available in its class.
  • The category winner for longest treadlife.
  • Control and stopping ability regardless of whether the asphalt is dry or wet
  • Suitable for use in moderate snow

Cons

  • Both responsiveness and steering feel have room for improvement.
  • It is not possible to pull huge trailers with this vehicle.

5. Continental CrossContact LX25 with EcoPlus+ Technology

Best Touring Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

In terms of overall performance, the CrossContact LX25 is the product that most directly competes with the Dueler Alenza Plus. Overall, the CrossContact performs somewhat better on dry terrain, almost the same on wet conditions, and about the same on snow.

This tire is also quite quiet on the highway and comfy, even while driving over bumps. In addition, Continental utilized a technology with low rolling resistance to improve fuel efficiency, which is something that is always appreciated.

Having said that, the treadwear warranty of 70,000 miles is significantly lower than that of its primary competitor. In addition, we do not advise using these tires for hauling trailers that are very huge or heavy.

Pros

  • When the circumstances are dry, very good control and stopping ability.
  • Excellent control and stopping ability when it’s wet out.
  • On the highway, you can expect a quiet ride with a smooth ride quality.
  • The lower the rolling resistance, the better the fuel efficiency.
  • Suitable for use in moderate snow

 

Cons

  • When compared to other brands’ treadwear warranties, this one falls short (but is still above average).
  • It is not possible to pull huge trailers with this vehicle.

6. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

Best All-Terrain Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

In terms of both performance and longevity, the all-terrain tire manufactured by Goodyear is the greatest option available in its class. For tasks that take place off-road, it offers the driver sufficient grip, even while traversing muck, boulders, and uncompacted snow.

In addition, the sturdy design is resistant to punctures, cuts, and chips, and there is an exceptional guarantee that covers treadwear for 60,000 miles.

Even though the Wrangler Adventure is a safe vehicle to drive on the road, we would still want to see some improvements made to its level of silence.

Pros

  • Excellent grip on any and all slick surfaces.
  • Effective operation when traveling.
  • Compatible with use on snow that has not been compacted down.
  • a treadwear warranty that is the best in class and covers 60,000 miles

7. Continental TerrainContact A/T

Best All-Terrain Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

The TerrainContact A/T is an all-terrain tire that takes into consideration how well it performs on the street. Because of this, this tire will provide you with the safest ride possible on the road, regardless of whether the road is dry or wet.

When used for off-roading, the TerrainContact A/T performs exceptionally well on hardpacked ground, although it is not practical for use in really deep muck.

Despite this, the TerrainContact A/T is the quietest all-terrain tire on the market, so what you sacrifice in terms of genuine off-road traction you make up for in comfort.

Finally, Continental provides an excellent treadwear guarantee that is good for 60,000 miles.

Pros

  • Exceptional performance on the sandy surface
  • One of the best all-terrain tires designed specifically for use on the road.
  • Outstanding guarantee on treadwear covering 60,000 km
  • On the road, peaceful and comfortable accommodations

Cons

  • Not very effective in mucky conditions

8. Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

Best Off-Road Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

The Wrangler MT/R is the category leader in the real off-roading subcategory, just like its sibling, the all-terrain Wrangler. This tire will provide you just exceptional off-road grip on any terrain, even huge boulders and very deep mud, so you won’t have to worry about getting stuck anywhere.

Additionally, the Wrangler MT/R is extremely rugged, which contributes to its already impressive off-road capabilities. Additionally, the tire is totally functional on the street, and it has outstanding stability when driven on the highway. Having said that, we wished for stronger grip and stopping power in the wet; nonetheless, this is an area where every off-road tire falls short.

In addition, the Wrangler MT/R does not come with a guarantee for treadwear and may be loud for some drivers. Despite this, you should be able to anticipate this from the vast majority of mud-terrain and maximum-traction off-road tires.

Pros

  • Traction off-road that is truly remarkable on any and all surfaces
  • Extremely robust and long-lasting structure.
  • Excellent steadiness when driving on the highway.

Cons

  • When it is raining, it is not as effective.
  • There is no guarantee on treadwear.

9. Falken Ziex S/TZ05

Best All-Season Street/Sport Tires for Light Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

It’s not necessary to go any farther than the Falken Ziex S/TZ05 if you want to improve the way your light truck drives on the street.

Not only does this tire have all of the characteristics of a genuine high-performance tire, but purchasing it won’t break the bank either. We observed that owners are quite happy with the vehicle’s handling and braking performance, regardless of whether they are driving on dry or wet conditions.

The fact that the Falken Ziex is surprisingly quiet for a Street/Sport tire is something that is very much appreciated. In spite of this, there is room for improvement in the snow’s traction.

Pros

  • Adaptability in the handling and an enjoyable steering feel
  • Superior traction and standing stability on dry ground
  • Exceptional traction and stopping power in the rain
  • Exceptionally quiet for a high-performance tire

Cons

  • The traction on the snow might be improved.

10. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2

Best Winter Tires for Light-Truck

Best Light Truck Tires

At this point in time, there is no other winter tire on the market that can match the level of performance offered by the X-Ice Xi2 while also providing a treadwear warranty.

The Latitude X-Ice Xi2 delivers an exceptional level of performance throughout the winter, particularly on snow, ice, and slush. In addition to that, the treadwear warranty is good for 40,000 miles, which is something that no other winter tire manufacturer offers.

Also, it’s true that the Latitude X-Ice Xi2 costs a lot of money, but that’s to be anticipated considering the number and variety of features it possesses.

Pros

  • Winter performance with the best grip and traction in its class
  • Traction on snow, slush, and ice that is second to none
  • 40,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is the best in the industry.
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What to look for when choosing a set of tires for your light truck?

When it comes to selecting tires for your light vehicle, there are a number of factors you need to take into consideration. If you go to a tire store, the technician there will undoubtedly assist you, but if you buy tires online (and we provide a link to the page of our site that has the best pricing for each tire), you should still adhere to certain principles.

Naturally, you should always begin with the measurements; they should be the same as the dimensions of the tires that are now mounted on your truck. On the other hand, in contrast to passenger tires, the load ratings on light-truck tires are just as crucial. Let’s take a closer look at this issue.

1. Load Ratings

Each tire model is available in a wide variety of sizes, with varying maximum speeds and load capacities. Because light trucks are not capable of reaching very high peak speeds, the load rating is probably more essential than the speed rating when it comes to these vehicles. However, you should always select tires that have a speed rating that is greater than the maximum speed that your vehicle is capable of traveling.

When it comes to load ratings, things get a little trickier. In this scenario, you will need to do some basic calculations in order to determine the total amount of weight that your vehicle can pull when it is being hauled or towed. If the objects you transport are fewer in number and lighter in weight, a pair of tires with a lower load rating will serve your needs just fine. If you transport heavier products, you should search for tires that have higher load ratings than the ones you now have.

Examining the tread pattern on the sidewall of the tire is a good place to begin. Tires with P-metric sizing are often available with load ratings that are lower. These tires may be identified either by the absence of a letter before the measurements or by the presence of the letter “P” before the numbers. P-metric tires are ideal for cars weighing between a quarter ton and a half ton, as well as for light-truck owners who do not transport a lot of heavy freight or pull particularly large trailers.

However, we do suggest LT-metric (Light Truck) tires for motorists who are interested in increased carrying capacity. These tires come with bigger load ratings and have sidewalls that are more resistant to damage. The initials “LT” that are located before the size of the tire are how you can identify these particular tires. People who utilize their pickup trucks for transporting big stuff or towing large trailers, as well as people who drive 3/4-ton and 1-ton cars, are ideal candidates for purchasing LT-metric tires.

Before settling on one option, it is very recommended to determine the weight capacity of each tire you are considering using. For instance, if the maximum weight that the tire is intended to carry is 3,000 pounds, then the maximum weight that your vehicle may weigh as a whole cannot be more than 12,000 pounds.

2. The Weather Factor

Following the completion of the necessary calculations and the determination of the appropriate dimensions and load rating for your vehicle, it is time to turn your attention to the climatic conditions.

Tires designed to perform in a wide range of conditions are called all-season tires. Because these tires contain tread compounds that are designed to perform safely in warmer as well as colder areas, they are an ideal choice for the majority of people who buy light-trucks.

When used in the real world, all-season truck tires offer traction and braking that is both safe and dependable, regardless of whether the pavement is dry, wet, or anywhere in between. Even while some of them are capable of functioning in light snow, it is still not a good idea to use them in severe winter weather.

On the bright side, the tread compound that comes standard on all-season tires is extremely, extremely long-lasting. The best all-season truck tires typically come with treadwear guarantees that go up to 80,000 miles, which is a very astounding amount.

We strongly advise investing in winter tires if you frequently drive in conditions with heavy snowfall, ice, and slush. These tires contain a tread compound that is less rigid and more flexible, meaning that it will not become brittle even when the temperature drops below freezing. Because of this, winter tires will provide you good grip on dry, rainy, snowy, icy, and slushy conditions during the winter months. And believe us when we say that driving on snow with all-season tires versus winter tires is a completely different experience.

To no one’s surprise, summer tires are by far the superior option for driving in warm weather. However, there is a limited selection of summer tires for light vehicles, which is especially problematic if you need towing or hauling capabilities. Performance, rather than usefulness, is the primary design priority when developing summer tires.

Nevertheless, if you want to get the greatest performance out of your light truck, investing in a pair of summer tires designed for high-performance driving is your best bet by far. Your pickup will be considerably more responsive and stable once you mount those tires, and it will also handle turns and other tricky driving situations much more capably once you do so. Summer tires, on the other hand, don’t have a very lengthy lifespan and nearly none of them come with a treadwear warranty. This is a real bummer.

3. Touring Tires

In the past, touring tires were utilized mostly on passenger cars and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Nevertheless, you may get them in sizes and weight ratings appropriate for light trucks nowadays, particularly on some models designed for lighter-duty use.

These tires were primarily developed with comfort and durability in mind during the design process. Touring tires offer the finest ride quality and quietest rolling of any other style of tire, in addition to having the longest treadlife.

When it comes to functionality, the performance of touring tires is more than satisfactory for the typical owner of a light truck. You should anticipate a ride that is both secure and enjoyable, with plenty of grip and traction on the road, solid stability on the highway, and short stopping distances.

Touring tires, on the other hand, are not designed to be used for pulling huge trailers or carrying a lot of weight. Because of this, they are typically placed on vehicles that are more frequently used for carrying passengers and less frequently for carrying cargo. Additionally, touring tires are virtually useless for off-roading since they are prone to punctures and other problems.

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4. Highway Tires

The method in which highway tires function on the road is relatively comparable to the way in which touring tires perform, however highway tires are available in LT-metric sizes. Because of this, owners who pull large trailers or move heavy freight should give serious consideration to purchasing highway tires for their vehicles.

When the vehicle is not carrying any cargo, the highway tires’ overall performance will be marginally inferior to that of the touring tires. Despite this, they are still more than enough for driving on the street as well as the highway. Both traction and grip are excellent, as is the vehicle’s steadiness on the highway. When the truck is heavily laden, however, the performance of highway tires will be superior to that of touring tires, particularly in terms of the vehicle’s steadiness on the highway.

It’s possible that highway tires have a somewhat worse ride quality, but they should both be just as silent. Due to the overall more durable structure, they are an excellent option for driving in harsher environments, such as off-road terrain. However, you shouldn’t anticipate extremely high levels of traction from them because you can only use them on areas that are hardpacked.

Last but not least, the treadwear guarantees on touring tires are often longer than those on highway tires; nonetheless, the gap between the two is not very large.

5. Off-Road Tires

Because of the high number of owners who use their light trucks off-roading, there is a large selection of off-road tires available for these vehicles.

To get the most out of your off-roading experience with your pickup truck, we believe that all-terrain tires are the way to go. When compared to highway tires, these versions are intended to provide superior grip for off-roading, particularly on conditions that are wet or otherwise slippery. In addition, all-terrain tires are exceptionally durable, and some models are even resistant to punctures.

When you choose all-terrain tires, you won’t sacrifice much of your vehicle’s performance on paved roads, either. The overall traction, grip, and braking performance will all suffer, but the vehicle will still be perfectly usable for driving on the street. Having said that, you should anticipate hearing greater noise while driving on the highway.

In light of the aforementioned, true fans of off-roading will need to boost their game and select mud-terrain or maximum traction off-road tires for their vehicles. In comparison to all-terrain tires, these tires have been developed to provide superior grip when driving over huge boulders and through very deep muck.

You can anticipate a further decrease in both performance and comfort if you choose to install mud-terrain or off-road tires on your vehicle, as these types of tires are not designed to function well on paved roads.

6. Street/Sport Tires

Street/Sport tires are a lot like high-performance tires for sports vehicles in that they are developed with performance as the primary focus during the development process.

These tires will provide you with the best levels of traction and grip possible, in addition to the shortest stopping distances possible. They also have a much improved responsiveness and provide a more satisfying feeling when steering.

Off-roading, towing, and hauling are all activities that cannot be performed with tires designed for street or sport use. In addition, the tread life of these tires is less than that of touring or highway tires, and the only sizes available are larger ones that cost more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • What is the recommended pressure on light-truck tires?

It is not only dependent on the make and type of the automobile, but also on the load that is placed on the tires. In most cases, it’s somewhere between 30 and 35 psi.

  • Can I overload my truck tires?

It is possible to overload the tires if you put more weight on them than they can support at one time. We strongly advise against doing so since tires that are overloaded are not stable and may potentially sustain harm if you do it.

  • How often to rotate light-truck tires?

For optimal performance and long-term durability, rotating the tires should be done once every six months or every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (whichever comes first), whichever comes first.

Conclusion

We can’t stress this point enough: wherever possible, you should choose tires that are customized to your preferences and requirements. In particular, you need to make sure that the load rating of the tire is appropriate for the kinds of driving you do and that the tires are compatible with the kind of weather you typically see in your region. Even if you get the greatest tire available in a certain classification, there is still a possibility that it may not meet all of your requirements. Because of this, you shouldn’t automatically assume that the top tire on our list is the greatest one for you; rather, you should consider the fact that it is merely the best tire overall.

After you have determined that the kind of tire you need is a good fit for you, read the review in its entirety, and choose the model that most appeals to you. You will be setting yourself up for years of enjoyable and carefree driving if you do that.

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