The Best Truck Tires For Light Trucks And SUV's

Many homes in the U.S. own at least one light truck or SUV, and most people have no idea which light truck tires to buy when theirs are worn out.  Although many tire brands claim to have great products, there are some that separate themselves from the rest, both in durability and in drive-ability.  There are also some specific differences in tread patterns and designs that can have a big impact on handling, especially in certain terrains.

This site will help you figure out what you should be looking for in a new light truck or SUV tire, what brands are the best, and what prices you should be expecting to pay.  Although different tires have varying prices in certain areas, no matter where you are, the right tire is paramount and there are always good deals to be had.

What Do You Need From Your Light Truck Tires

One of the first things that needs to be decided when looking for new light truck and SUV tires is figuring out what terrain they need to handle. Do you drive predominantly off road or very little off road? Do you live in areas that tend to ice over or do you deal more with rain on the roads? The tread pattern and depth of your new tires need to be able to meet the demands of their terrain to give you maximum contact, better grip, more safety, and optimum durability.

Many truck owners make the mistake of buying big, off-road tires for their truck simply because they think it makes their truck look bigger or better. By doing so you are spending more money for less mileage, along with not being able to hear yourself think due to the hum created by the larger gaps between treads. Similarly, it is very frustrating for someone who works a lot off-road to constantly have little grip due to having street tires.

Some tire brands have great ratings on highway tires, offering excellent ability to move water and gain grip. Those same brands may have terrible ratings for their off road or all terrain tires, or they may offer little to choose from in those areas. Knowing which type of tire you need will help you easily eliminate certain brands and focus your research on others, saving time and possible disappointment.

Best Warranty On Light Truck Tires

One area where light truck tire makers are definitely different is with warranties. Although most offer warranties on their street tires, most of them do not offer warranties on off-road or all-terrain tires. Some tire retailers will offer a supplemental warranty in the form of a replacement policy, and although they may have similar terms, many retailers come and go, so buyer beware. However, if the retailer is a known national brand, or if the supplemental warranty is sold through a third party company, you may have to weigh the benefit of added coverage against the added cost to the tire.

Although some money can be saved by going with a lower brand, such as General tires or another off brand, buying a brand with a warranty is much more preferred. One of the best brands with great warranties on their on and off road tires is BF Goodrich. This and a few other companies offer warranties that average around 60,000 miles, which is plenty for any light truck tire.

Best Truck Tires For A Smooth Ride

Although many of the light truck tires on the market today will give an excellent ride, some of them do not. Probably one of the worst riding sets of truck tires I have had were a set of Dunlop 32"x11.5" tires. These tires were all terrain tires and had a good warranty, but the flex of the sidewall along with the design of the tread made the tire seem unstable when taking a tight corner. A good way to avoid this problem is to buy from someone you trust to give you accurate information.

If you need more information on a partiucalr tire, there is a great deal of it online. Be sure to look at ratings on multiple forums regarding the tires you are looking into. More often than not, if the particular tire you are researching has decent to great views on every forum, you will have no problems. If, however, your light truck tire has a few poor ratings, think twice. Remember, you are buying a tire for a light truck, not a one ton deisel truck, it should provide spring and a smooth ride. If nothing else, be sure to ask the sales staff where you buy the tires. They would probably prefer to sell you a different tire if it means return business, unless the staff are mostly young workers that will be gone in a few years.

Best Price On Light Truck Tires

When searching for the best price for light truck tires, be sure to include large retailers such as Sams's, Cosco, Wal-Mart, and Sears.  Although  you may find a better variety and get more knowledgeable information at a true tire shop, the buying power of the large chains is unmatchable.  Although they will not always have the best deal on the tires you may want, they often do.

Also, be sure to look for available deals, such as "buy three, get the fourth free."  Although these offers do not often pertain to the higher brands, sometimes they will.  Also, you can often get sales people to honor these deals with the better brands, especially at the smaller chains or single store operations.

Lastly, beware of added fees.  Know what fees and taxes are standard for your area, and be sure to look over the estimate for anything that does not belong!