Are you on the market for new tires for your truck and you are looking for big tires for trucks? If this is the case, then you are at the right place because we are going to cover everything you need to know when it comes to this type of tire and will thoroughly explain everything you need to know when it comes to this upgrade. This will be useful especially for beginners.
When you are a beginner and you got your first truck or car, it is very easy to make mistakes and buy tires that will not fit your car or truck. That’s why you need to learn all of the characteristics of your vehicle in order to get the right tires or other components for your vehicle.
Also, not all tire brands offer quality tires. That’s why you need to read a lot of reviews before making a purchase. At first, you might get attracted by those expensive tires that are marketed as top-of-the-line products. But there are also some hidden gems that are out there. And we are going to explain to you how you can do that.
In this article, we are going to learn what are big tires for trucks and also some basic information about them. Then we will see if do you need this upgrade at all for your truck and what upgrades will you need before placing these big tires for trucks on your truck. Then we will learn more about the tire tiers that are out there and we also going to list our top picks when it comes to big tires for trucks. So, let’s get into it.
What Are Big Tires For Trucks?
Big tires for trucks as their name implies are big tires. These tires are considerably larger in comparison with the regular OEM spec tires that your truck came out the factory line with.
These tires include a bigger diameter and are extremely wide in comparison to the regular tire, going from 255 up to 305 or 325 millimeters in diameter. Which is extreme, to be honest. If you have so much rubber, then you probably need a huge amount of horsepower to make this vehicle drive well.
Power is one of the first things that you need to consider before getting big tires for trucks. If you want to have big tires with big thread, you will need that extra edge to make everything function properly. And by this, I mean a lot of power. If you drive a gasoline truck you are probably going to need a bigger displacement engine in order to make the power necessary to make this vehicle nice and snappy.
Or a good diesel truck will fit the bill because diesel trucks have huge amounts of torque that can be delivered in any place at any time.
Another aspect is the wheel diameter. The wider the tire the bigger the rim that you will need in order to fit these big tires for trucks. And these rims can also be quite expensive costing thousands of dollars in some situations. That’s why before ordering big tires, you will need to learn if your rims are going to fit these new tires.
If they fit the tires, then excellent. But if they don’t, you will need a new set of rims as well. Making this swap extra costly. But in my opinion, it’s worth it. There isn’t anything better than custom wheels and big grippy tires.
Benefits Of Big Tires For Trucks?
And here we came to the benefits of installing big tires on your truck. In this chapter, we are going to cover precisely that, and in the following chapter, we will see what are the downsides of installing big tires for tucks on your truck. So, let’s elaborate on the benefits.
The number one benefit of installing bigger diameter tires on your truck is probably the increased ground clearance. But what does this mean for you as an owner?
This means that your vehicle will be better at tackling obstacles. It will tackle rugged terrains a lot easier than those equipped with smaller tire sizes.
Big tires for trucks mean also a bigger grip. These tires have a lot of tread, which means a big grip. The truck will not slide in the mud and will be able to keep your truck moving in any conditions. That’s why if you are after some improved grip and tackling hills, this upgrade would be welcomed. You will probably be one of the first guys that reach the highest point of your route. That’s why it’s worth investing.
Another advantage is the increased towing capability. As we mentioned, big tires for trucks have a lot of grip and this will mean that the truck will tow better than with regular OEM spec tires. This would be even handier if you tow on an uphill terrain that needs a lot of effort in order to make it out.
The last and the most important benefit are the looks. Trucks with big tires get all of the attention out there. Everything looks better on a truck with big tires. That’s why if you are after the looks, this upgrade is a no-brainer.
Downsides Of Big Tires For Trucks?
When it comes to installing big tires for trucks, there are also some downsides. These downsides can be a deal-breaker for some people. That’s why it is worth covering these downsides in depth.
More road noise, this would probably be the first downside that you will notice. Especially, if you drive your truck a lot on the highway. These tires have much bigger tread and this tread is also producing more noise. Before getting a pair of tires, it is a good idea to see what are their sound ratings and see how much sound they are producing. This can be a lifesaver because you don’t want tires that produce too much road noise.
Another downside would be the increased difficulty for yourself getting inside of the truck. This will be caused by the increased ride height. So if you don’t have running boards on your truck, this mod could make your life really difficult and ruin your driving experience.
A bigger tire will also mean more power is required to roll the vehicle on the road. This will translate into more frequent visits to the gas station. More visits to the gas station equal more money spent on fuel.
Increased wear and tear on the vehicle. This can also be a problem, especially in situations where you mount big tires for trucks on a truck with a small displacement engine. This will result in premature engine failure and other engine issues since the engine would be too much stressed.
And the last downside of this mod is the price. The cost to run these tires is considerably higher compared to regular tires. They cost considerably more compared to regular tires and also the rims to run these tires are quite expensive as well.
Do You Need This Upgrade?
This is a good question that you need to ask yourself before you do anything. You have to learn if this upgrade is really necessary for you and what are the goals that you want to achieve. Either they are focused on the aesthetics or focused on the visual aspect.
This is key, before if you only want to go for the visuals, you don’t need to spend quite a lot of money on big tires for trucks and you might go for something more affordable and more purposeful like a big diameter tire but with smaller tread. Here you can save some money.
Also if you opt for performance and turn your truck into an off-roading beast, then spending more on big tires for trucks makes a lot of sense. Since not every tire delivers the same performance in off-road conditions.
Another aspect is the financial situation you have and your overall spending budget. Since when it comes to trucks, the upgrades are never-ending and you have to plan in advance what you want to upgrade and when.
Because you need to do some upgrades as well if you want to install bigger tires. And we are going to cover that in the next chapter of the things that you will need to improve in order to accommodate these beefier tires on your truck.
After, we will cover the tiers of tires and manufacturers that are making tires that are still affordable and deliver one of the best off-road performances out there. So, follow along.
What To Do Before Getting Big Tires For Trucks?
If you are new to this game, you should know what things to upgrade first before getting big tires for trucks. But which are the things that you need to upgrade before getting some beefier tires on your truck?
Suspension Lift
If you are running aftermarket coilovers or you plan to get some for your truck, then you will be able to adjust the ride height to accommodate these bigger tires. But this isn’t always the case because lifting the truck by tweaking the suspension is quite limited and will not work for big trucks. You might get an inch or two, but this will not be enough for installing big tires for trucks on your truck. That’s why you will need a lift kit. Which we are going to cover next.
Install A Lift Kit
The thing you will need to do before getting bigger tires is to install a lift kit. But what does the lift kit do? The lift kit is an aftermarket kit for your truck. These kits are designed for each specific chassis and are bolt-on.
Some lift kits that will give you a few inches of lift are quite affordable and cheap. But if you want to do a more extensive lift on your truck, you will also need to upgrade other components. Like installing new aftermarket coilover suspension and also special drive shafts and axles.
These upgrades are essential if you want to retain the drivability of the vehicle and improve the base handling ability. That’s why, when getting a lift kit, bear this in mind.
Bigger Rims
Bigger rims are also one of the essential upgrades that you will need to perform if you want to install big tires for trucks.
This is the case because bigger tires require bigger rims as well. New rims can cost a ton of money. But there are also some really affordable options that you can take.
There are a ton of rims that look particularly good on trucks and are made out of steel. These steel wheels with chrome lug nuts will be perfect for your new upgrade. Also, they will be extremely durable. If you are planning to run this lifted truck on rugged terrains.
Installing regular alloy rims is not recommended because they are going to crack and will cost you a ton of money to get a replacement rim. That’s why to bear this in mind and based on your application, make the rim purchase right. If you are just for the show, then go for alloys. If you are in for off-road performance, then go for steel wheels. In the next chapter, we will cover our picks when it comes to big tires for trucks.
What Are The Best Big Tires For Trucks?
And now we came to the important bit. That is which are the best big tires for trucks? This question is pretty tricky to answer since there are a ton of good tire manufacturers out there.
But we somehow managed to squeeze the best picks. Our reviews will make up your mind when it comes to choosing the best tire for your budget. So, without further ado, let’s start our in-depth reviews on the best bit tires for trucks.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is one of the newest tires that BFGoodrich started to offer and this tire has greatly improved their lineup. This is the case because this tire is the perfect off-roading tire out there.
It was engineered for the off-roading fanatics and it quite delivers for the money that you pay for. I personally think that it’s extremely hard to find a single downside of this tire.
This tire builds upon its predecessor and perfects the downsides that the previous model had. And that is rock crawling. But this tire delivers outstanding performance in almost any condition. It doesn’t matter if you drive over dirt, mud, or sand. The KM3 tackles almost everything.
The traction that this tire offers is one of the best out there and this tire will guarantee that you conquer any hill out there and more. But it is also an excellent tire on the road as well. Delivering extremely quiet performance.
The only downside of this tire is the price. These tires are quite expensive and this can be a deal-breaker for a lot of customers. But if you have the budget. This tire is for you.
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar
The second best tire on our list which is on par with the KM3 that we reviewed before would be Goodyear’s Wrangler MT/R tire. As their name implies, these tires are reinforced with kevlar which is an extremely durable material that guarantees the unity of the tire. This will be of great use while off-roading.
This tire has exceptional characteristics for any terrain possible, but it exceeds in muddy conditions. The tread pattern is specifically made for mud. This tire simply doesn’t get stuck at all. It will just go on.
But not only mud, but this tire also conquers hills with great ease. The kevlar reinforcement makes this all possible. The kevlar reinforcement makes this tire extremely durable when it comes to punctures and 35% stronger than a regular tire.
These tires handle well in any condition. The only downside is that they are noisy on the streets. That’s why if you drive a lot on the highway, you should consider this.
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro
This Cooper Discoverer STT Pro is one of those tires that we discussed. These tires offer a lot for what you pay for. But you will also need to have some lower expectations when it comes to budget tires because in some aspects they exceed and in some aspects, they do not fulfill the expectations. So, in the case with the STT Pro by Cooper.
This tire performs outstandingly well in mud and it simply cannot stuck. Even in deep mud, if you have a good truck it will keep going and going.
The Discoverer STT Pro is also an excellent tire when it comes to rugged terrains and traction over large rocks and uneven surfaces. This tire breaks no sweat when it comes to these types of surfaces as well.
The only downside of this tire is that the Cooper simply doesn’t like the winter. With this tire, you will have big trouble if you drive over icy and snowy conditions. That’s why if you drive a lot in the snow, this tire wouldn’t be the right one for you. If else, then you got yourself an excellent tire.
Dick Cepek Extreme Country
These Dick Cepek Extreme Country offer quite a lot and they are extremely desired by owners who have lifted trucks. This is the case because of the extreme tread of this tire. They simply look outstanding. But do they drive well? Well, that is a good question.
These tires excel when it comes to rock crawling and deliver the best performance under these conditions. Their construction is extremely tough and utilitarian. The tough constructions also contribute to lower puncture rates compared to other tires.
The Dick Cepek tire also exceeds in muddy conditions and snowy conditions as well. You will not have any issues while driving this tire in the snow.
The downside of this tire is the road noise that it produces. The thread of this tire is simply not made to be silent and you will have a hard time if you drive a lot on the highway. But this doesn’t stop here because if you drive these tires at higher speeds, you will also experience some vibrations in the cabin as well. All this is attributed to the tread of the tire. So, if these points are not a deal-breaker for you. Then you should go for this tire.
General Grabber X3
When it comes to budget tires, you cannot avoid General Tire and its amazing products. Namely, the General Grabber X3.
This tire offers quite a lot of performance for a really affordable price. This tire exceeds in rock crawling because of its high strength core that is designed to withstand punctures and deliver an excellent performance.
The Grabber X3 also offers excellent performance in muddy conditions and also other surfaces that are quite challenging. The only downside of this tire is that it is quite noisy on the street. So, you should take note of this if you are in search of a quieter tire.
Firestone Destination M/T2
The last tire that we are going to review is the Firestone Destination M/TM2. Which is another budget tire made by Firestone. And another good deal to be honest.
This tire is extremely popular among truck and SUV drivers because of its low price and driving characteristics. It implements an extremely strong housing that will prevent punctures and deflating of the tire. Making it perfect for rock crawling.
Another field that this tire exceeds is while driving in the winter. The M/T2 is one of the best all-around tires that offer everything for a good price.
The only downside of this tire would be the mud traction, which is quite worse than other tires that exceed in driving in mud. But overall, not a deal-breaker.
Off-Roading and Truck Wheels: Facts You Need to Know
- Ground clearance is important before taking a truck off-roading to prevent hitting big rocks and other obstacles, and it can be increased with portal axles, lift kits, and bigger wheels.
- Larger wheels can lift a truck higher, increasing ground clearance, and improving handling on dirt and gravel, as well as on-pavement braking.
- Fitting larger wheels to a truck can also improve its aesthetics and potentially affect braking performance.
- Bigger wheels cost more, both to install and replace if they get damaged.
- Manufacturers design suspensions with a specific combined diameter, and offering a bigger wheel means the tire’s sidewalls have to get thinner, which means the truck’s ride gets worse and noisier.
- Increasing the tire’s sidewall can throw off the speedometer, odometer, and tire-pressure sensors, and add weight, lowering fuel economy and putting extra strain on the suspension and brakes.
- Installing a lift kit to fit bigger wheels can add cost and raise the truck’s center of gravity, increasing the risk of tipping over.
- Bigger truck wheels are mostly beneficial for off-roading, and for everyday use, they are mostly about the look.
- Serious overlanders may benefit from bigger wheels, but it’s essential to consider the pros and cons before fitting a bigger truck wheel.
- Before fitting bigger wheels on a truck, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits and downsides to determine whether they are worth the cost and potential risks.
Conclusion
In this article, we have covered a lot when it comes to big tires for trucks. We learned what are big tires and also the benefits and downsides of installing these tires on your truck.
Then we have covered the possible upgrades that you need to perform on your truck like lifting the suspension and also installing a lift kit. Other upgrades are the rim upgrades.
Lastly, we have covered our top picks when it comes to big tires for trucks. In our list, there is an option for everyone out there. Depending on the budget that you have. Overall installing big tires on your truck is an excellent idea if you are an off-road die hard. These tires will make your life quite easier.
