Pickup trucks haul gear, tow trailers, and handle rough roads, so the right tires really matter for safety and performance. Tires for pickups come in all kinds: all-terrain for mixed road and trail use, highway tires for a smoother ride and better fuel efficiency, mud-terrain for off-road grip, and heavy-duty light truck tires for towing and load capacity.
Choosing the right tire changes everything—ride comfort, braking, fuel use, and how well your truck handles in rain, snow, or mud. When you’re shopping, pay attention to load rating, tire size, tread type, and weather performance.
Matching the tire’s load and speed ratings to your truck and trailer needs is crucial. Check out tread design for the conditions you’re in, and don’t forget to glance at manufacturer warranties and real-world reviews about wear and noise.
We’ve tested and compared top pickup tires to help you find the best fit for your driving style and needs.
Best Tires for Pickup
Here’s our list of the best tires for your pickup. These picks cover all-season, off-road, and hauling needs, so you can pick what fits your driving and load requirements.
Finalist Terreno A/T (Set of 4)
If you want a budget-friendly all-terrain tire that rides quietly and lasts on light trucks, these are worth a look.
Pros
- Smooth, low-noise highway ride.
- Tough tread with good siping for wet grip.
- Strong value with a 3-year road hazard warranty.
Cons
- Not the top performer in deep mud or heavy snow.
- Limited brand track record compared to big-name tires.
- May need occasional balancing on heavier trucks.
I put a set on my mid-size pickup and tried them on all sorts of roads for a few hundred miles. They felt planted on pavement and didn’t drone at highway speeds the way some AT tires do.
Off-road, the tread bit into dirt and gravel just fine for light trails, but didn’t grab as well in really soft mud. Wet roads felt safe thanks to the siping, though I wouldn’t call these a winter-only tire.
Mounting and balancing was easy, and they tracked true after an alignment. If you want a dependable, wallet-friendly all-terrain that handles daily driving and light off-road work, these deserve a try.
Hankook Kinergy ST H735
This is a solid, budget-friendly all-season tire if you need something reliable for daily driving and light hauling without spending too much.
Pros
- Smooth, quiet ride on pavement.
- Good value for price and long tread life feel.
- Easy to mount and fits common pickup sizes.
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy towing or off-road use.
- Some shipments have slightly older DOT dates.
- Limited aggressive traction in deep snow or mud.
I put these on an older small pickup for street use and noticed the truck felt calmer. Steering stayed predictable and road noise dropped compared to the worn-out tires they replaced.
Wear looks slow and the tire tracks stay even, so they feel like a practical buy for daily driving. They handled light loads, grocery runs, and a couple of small landscaping jobs without any issues.
Mounting was straightforward and the seller shipped fast. If you haul heavy loads or need serious off-road grip, you’ll want something more rugged. For town driving and occasional light hauling, these do the trick.
Starfire Solarus HT 235/75R15
If you want quiet highway miles and decent year-round traction on a budget, this tire is a solid all-season pick.
Pros
- Smooth, quiet ride on highways.
- Even treadwear that lasts for many miles.
- Good value with a 50,000-mile warranty.
Cons
- Wet traction is okay but not the best in heavy rain.
- Not as aggressive in deep snow or off-road mud.
- Sidewall feels softer than some heavy-duty tires.
I put these on my truck and immediately noticed how quiet they are at interstate speeds. The ride felt composed and highway vibrations dropped compared to the old tires.
After a few hundred miles, tread wore evenly. The pattern seems built for long life, not off-road grip, which made me feel confident on longer trips.
In wet conditions, the tires performed safely, though braking distances felt a bit longer than with higher-end touring tires I’ve tried. For light snow and slushy roads, they worked fine, but I wouldn’t pick them for frequent deep-snow driving.
You get dependable highway manners and a long warranty at a low price. If your truck mostly stays on pavement, these are a practical choice.
BFGoodrich KO2 All-Terrain
If you want a tire that handles hard off-road work and still rides quietly on pavement, these are a strong pick.
Pros
- Tough sidewalls resist cuts and tears.
- Predictable traction in mud, snow, and gravel.
- Rides smoother and quieter than many all-terrain tires.
Cons
- Heavier than street tires, can slightly lower fuel economy.
- Some road noise at highway speeds.
- Higher upfront cost than basic highway tires.
I ran these on a loaded pickup for several months and took them through gravel roads, snowy mornings, and daily highway miles. The KO2 felt solid on rocks and packed dirt; the sidewalls shrugged off hits.
On pavement, the ride stayed composed with less vibration than older all-terrains I’ve used. Snow and slush felt secure — the tire bit in where others slipped.
Braking on wet gravel improved compared to standard highway tires I’d used before. Long drives showed steady wear; they didn’t feather or cup after a few thousand miles.
Mounting was easy and they balanced well right out of the shop. Expect a bit more weight and some road roar at high speeds, but you get durability and year-round grip in return.
AR-PRO 10″ Solid Tire (2-Pack)
If you want worry-free, flat-free wheels for carts and hand trucks that install fast and hold up to rough use, these are a good bet.
Pros
- Never goes flat — solid rubber means no punctures.
- Sturdy build — steel hub and sealed bearings roll smoothly.
- Easy swap — fits standard 5/8″ axles and goes on in minutes.
Cons
- Ride is firm — solid tires feel harsher than air.
- Heavier than inflatable wheels; adds weight to the cart.
- Not ideal if you need shock absorption on delicate loads.
I put these on an old hand truck and a Gorilla Cart and noticed the difference right away. No more stopping to pump tires or patch tubes, and they slid onto the axle without fuss.
Pushing over gravel and yard debris felt solid. The sawtooth tread gripped well and the sealed bearings kept things smooth even after a few heavy loads.
You’ll feel the firmness over rough ground, so skip them if cushioning matters for fragile cargo. But for yard work, hauling tools, or equipment that needs low maintenance, these worked out as a reliable upgrade.
Buying Guide
Start by figuring out how you use your pickup. Think about load capacity, towing needs, and where you drive most.
Match tire load and speed ratings to your vehicle and trailer requirements. Look at tread pattern and rubber compound.
Deeper, blocky treads work better for off-road and mud. Tighter, ribbed treads give you a better ride and fuel economy on highways.
Consider traction in wet and winter conditions. Sipes and grooves help channel water and slush. Good wet-traction features cut hydroplaning risk.
Durability and mileage warranty matter too. Stronger sidewalls help resist cuts and punctures. Mileage ratings or warranties give you a sense of long-term cost.
Ride comfort and noise can make a big difference. Some tires are built for quiet, smooth rides with touring-type designs. Others focus on ruggedness and can be a bit louder.
Double-check size and fitment. Use your owner’s manual or tire placard for the correct size. Don’t mix sizes across axles unless your vehicle allows it.
Compare braking and handling performance. Tires with better stopping power improve safety, especially when towing. Look for tests or ratings on wet and dry braking.
Don’t just look at sticker price—think about total cost. Consider fuel impact, expected life, and maintenance. Plan for rotation, balancing, and alignment to get the most out of your tires.
Professional installation and proper inflation matter. Good mounting, torque, and pressure keep performance and safety at their best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s where I’ll cover which tires grip best on dirt, mud, and rocks; how tread patterns change steering and ride; what tire features help with heavy towing; which all-season tires work in rain and light snow; how to know when tires need replacing; and how to pick the right tire size and load rating for your truck.
What types of tires offer the best traction for off-road pickup use?
Mud-terrain (MT) tires give you the strongest grip in deep mud and loose dirt. They’ve got big, deep lugs and wide voids to clear mud and bite into soft ground.
All-terrain (AT) tires balance off-road traction with on-road comfort. They work well on gravel, hard-packed dirt, and moderate trails, and they keep noise and wear reasonable.
Rock-crawling or stone-specific tires use reinforced sidewalls and close-set tread blocks for grip on rocks. Only go this route if you do serious rock work—they trade ride comfort and tread life for toughness.
How do tire tread patterns affect handling and performance on pickups?
Directional treads channel water away, so wet traction and hydroplaning resistance improve. They can also boost straight-line stability at higher speeds.
Asymmetric treads split inner and outer functions—inner for water evacuation, outer for cornering grip. That gives you a good mix of wet handling and dry performance.
Big, blocky treads and wide gaps increase off-road traction, but they raise road noise and cut fuel efficiency. Smaller, tightly packed tread blocks lower noise and help tread last longer for highway use.
What should I look for in tires for towing and hauling with my pickup truck?
Go for tires with the correct load index and a higher load range (like load range E) to handle heavy payloads and trailer tongue weight. Always match or beat the manufacturer’s recommended load rating.
Look for reinforced sidewalls and ST (Special Trailer) or LT (Light Truck) designs if you pull heavy trailers. Heat resistance and a strong carcass cut the risk of blowouts under heavy loads.
Check tire speed rating only after you confirm load capacity. For towing, load capacity matters way more than top speed.
Can you recommend all-season tires suitable for various weather conditions for pickups?
All-season tires with a highway-terrain (HT) or all-terrain (AT) design usually handle year-round driving—rain, dry pavement, and light snow. I’d go for tires rated for mud and snow (M+S) and check user reviews for wet braking.
Look for models that use silica-enhanced compounds to boost wet grip. Tread designs with lots of sipes help with light snow traction.
If you drive through heavy snow or deep ice often, all-season tires just won’t cut it—winter tires are the safer call.
What are the signs that indicate it’s time to replace tires on a pickup truck?
When tread depth drops below 4/32 inch on the front tires, you’ll start losing wet traction. Most folks recommend swapping them out at or before this point on bigger trucks.
Grab a tread depth gauge or a 4/32-inch tool to check. If you spot bulges, cracks, or cuts in the sidewall, that’s structural damage and you’ll want to replace the tire ASAP.
Vibration, uneven wear, or tires that keep losing air—these all mean it’s time to get them inspected. Severe tread wear, exposed cords, or repeated punctures that can’t be safely patched? Yeah, don’t risk it—get new tires.
How do I choose the right tire size and load rating for my pickup?
First, check out the tire size on your driver’s door placard or flip through your owner’s manual. You’ll see something like LT265/70R17.
Don’t install tires with a lower load index than what the manufacturer recommends. That’s just asking for trouble.
Think about your usual payload and towing habits when picking a load rating. Add up the tongue weight and the cargo weight, then make sure your tires can handle that total per axle.
If you’re thinking about going up a rim size or slapping on bigger tires, talk to a tire pro. You’ll want to double-check your speedometer and make sure there’s enough suspension clearance before you start swapping sizes.
