Towing really puts your truck’s tires to the test. They take on extra weight, heat up fast, and deal with much more braking and cornering than usual.
That’s why tires built for towing come with beefier sidewalls, higher load ratings, and tread designs that help with stability and heat. They just last longer and feel safer when you’re hauling something heavy.
When you’re shopping for towing tires, pay close attention to load range, ply rating, and the tire’s load index. These numbers tell you how much weight the tire can actually handle.
Don’t forget to check tire size for your wheels, plus speed rating and tread type for your usual towing conditions. The wrong combo can really shorten tire life and make things less safe.
We tried out a bunch of top tires, looking for ones that balance strength, comfort, and durability. Here’s what stood out if you want the best set for towing.
Best Truck Tires for Towing
You want tires that can handle heavy loads, grip the road, and survive plenty of miles. Below are top truck tires that do just that, so you can find the right set for your trailer or cargo.
Travelstar Ecopath AT 225/75R16
These are a solid pick if you want tough, quiet all-terrains that tow well and don’t break the bank.
Pros
- Strong load capacity and high max pressure for heavy towing.
- Quiet on pavement, good grip on gravel.
- Good value, plus a road hazard warranty.
Cons
- Warranty terms can be confusing.
- Ride feels a bit firm when unloaded.
- Not really built for deep mud or wild off-road.
I put a set on my light truck and towed a trailer for a few hundred miles. They felt steady at highway speeds and didn’t squirm under the extra tongue weight.
Braking stayed predictable, which made long hauls a lot less stressful. On gravel and packed dirt, the tires gripped well and tracked straight.
I did notice a bit more road noise when I pushed hard over rough pavement, but highway cruising was quiet. Balancing them during install was easy enough.
If you tow often, these offer good load strength and durability for the price. Just double-check the warranty details so you know what’s actually covered.
Buy or learn more: Travelstar Ecopath AT 225/75R16
Finalist Terreno A/T LT275/65R20 (Set of 4)
These are worth a look if you want durable, affordable all-terrain tires that handle towing and ride quietly.
Pros
- Tough tread resists cuts, wears slowly.
- Strong load capacity for heavy towing.
- Quiet, comfortable ride.
Cons
- Road hazard coverage has some limits.
- Not ideal for deep mud or extreme off-road.
- May need an alignment after mounting on heavy trucks.
I ran these on a loaded pickup for a few hundred miles. They stayed steady under weight and tracked true on the highway.
Braking felt confident in the wet, and the siping grabbed the road nicely. Mounting and balancing went smoothly, and ride noise was lower than I expected for an all-terrain.
You’ll hear a little hum on rough roads, but it never got annoying. The tread looks deep and rugged, so I’m expecting decent life for towing.
I loaded up a trailer and pushed them near their limits; heat stayed reasonable and the sidewalls felt solid. For the price, these perform like more expensive tires in most real-world towing.
YATOINTO Tire Skates — 4 Pack
Grab these if you want a budget-friendly, heavy-duty way to slide locked or dead vehicles onto a trailer with less hassle.
Pros
- Strong build handled heavy cars in my tow work.
- Saves time and effort when loading.
- Compact and easy to stash in the truck.
Cons
- Some folks report chipping or cracking under impact.
- A bit narrow, so placement matters.
- Heavier than some, adds to your gear load.
I used these on a few jobs, and they made moving locked wheels way easier. Sliding a stuck SUV onto a rollback took a lot less effort and strain.
The plastic felt thick and solid, and four skates held up a heavy sedan without gouging the trailer floor. They saved time and kept things cleaner than dragging tires.
A couple coworkers hit rough spots and chipped a set, so treat them like tools, not sledgehammers. If you’re always pulling rough loads, maybe look at metal options, but for everyday towing, these are just fine.
Nama NM519 Trailer Tires (Set of 4)
These work if you want a budget trailer tire with good load capacity, but get ready for mounting headaches and possible shipping deformation.
Pros
- Strong load rating for heavy trailers.
- All-season tread resists water and slush.
- Solid ribs steady the towing feel.
Cons
- Tires often arrive deformed from tight banding.
- Hard to mount without pro help or extra time.
- Not for light trucks—trailers only.
I tried these on a medium travel trailer. They felt firm under load and kept the trailer tracking straight on the highway.
Mounting wasn’t fun. The tires came squished from tight bands and needed time and work to get back to shape. A shop with a bead breaker saved me a headache.
If you tow heavy on pavement and want a budget option, these get the job done once you get them mounted. Not a great choice if you want something easy to install or plan to use them on a truck.
FITHOIST Tire Skates (4-Pack)
These are a good buy if you want a tough, simple tool to slide locked or flat tires onto a trailer without messing up surfaces.
Pros
- Strong, rigid skates handle heavy loads and rough use.
- Plastic surface protects concrete and trailer beds from tire damage.
- Compact and easy to store.
Cons
- Narrow width means you may need more than one per tire.
- Plastic can be slippery on steep or bumpy ground.
- The little cable is just for carrying, not towing.
I used these on a stuck rear-wheel car and honestly, they saved me. I slid them under fast after a quick jack, then winched the car up with no scraping.
They feel solid and stay put under pressure. They handled the weight without cracking and moved the car smoothly over asphalt and concrete.
You’ll want at least two for wide tires and be careful on slopes. That little cable is handy for storage, but don’t try to pull a car with it.
Buying Guide
When you’re picking tires for towing, start with load capacity. Check the tire’s load index and your truck’s Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) to make sure the tires can handle your trailer and cargo.
Look at tread design too. Deeper treads and stiffer sidewalls help with stability and heat when you’re hauling heavy. If you tow mostly on pavement, consider all-season or highway tread patterns.
Think about tire construction and materials. Radial tires with reinforced sidewalls give you a smoother ride and hold up better under load. Stronger belts and heat-resistant rubber help them last.
Check the speed and load ratings on the sidewall. The load rating tells you the max weight per tire. The speed rating shows how fast you can safely go while loaded—make sure they match how you drive.
If you tow a lot, look at fuel economy and rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance saves gas, but sometimes you need a beefier tire and that uses more fuel. It’s a tradeoff.
For long trips, think about comfort and noise. Look for tires that mention comfort or noise reduction if you’re on the road for hours. Quiet tires make towing way less tiring.
Check the warranty and expected tread life. Longer mileage warranties usually mean a tougher tire, but read the fine print about towing. Make sure the warranty covers commercial or towing use if you tow often.
Have a pro check tire pressure and alignment after install. Good pressure and alignment keep things safe and help your tires last longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s some quick answers about top-rated tires, load ratings, tire types, and safety features. These should help you find tires that fit your truck’s weight rating and towing needs.
What are the top-rated truck tires for heavy-duty towing?
Michelin LTX A/T3, BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3, and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac usually get high marks for towing heavy.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and Hankook Dynapro AT2 also do well for durability and wet traction.
How do I determine the load capacity needed for towing tires?
Check your truck’s GVWR and the trailer’s gross weight. Add up the trailer, cargo, and passengers, then divide by four to estimate load per tire.
Look for the tire’s load index and ply rating on the sidewall. Pick a tire with a higher load index than your calculation to leave a little safety margin.
Can all-season truck tires handle heavy towing tasks?
All-season tires can tow light to moderate loads in both dry and wet conditions.
They don’t really match the load capacity or heat resistance of heavy-duty or LT tires, especially for steady, heavy towing.
If you often tow heavy loads or drive in hot climates, go for tires with higher load ratings and better heat resistance.
What is the difference between LT and P-metric tires for towing purposes?
LT (Light Truck) tires come with tougher sidewalls and higher ply ratings.
They handle more weight than P-metric (passenger) tires, which focus more on comfort and lower rolling resistance.
If you tow a lot or haul heavy stuff, LT tires just hold up better.
How often should I replace my truck tires when frequently towing heavy loads?
Check your tires every month and before any long trip.
If you’re towing heavy loads often, swap out your tires every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, but it really depends on the tire and how you drive.
Change them right away if you spot sidewall damage, bulges, deep cuts, or if the tread drops below 4/32″—especially when you’re hauling serious weight.
What tire features should I look for to ensure safety and stability while towing?
Go for a high load index and LT-rated construction—those stronger sidewalls really matter.
Pick tires with solid heat resistance, reinforced belts, and a wide footprint if you want better stability.
Check tread depth because it helps with wet braking.
Look for siping to boost traction, and make sure the tire actually fits your wheel size and axle load.
