The Best Truck Tires on the Market in 2023 (3 Types)

Rubber burn hurts. Especially when it’s your vehicle’s wheels — and you’ve only just bought your tires.

Tired of replacing faulty wheels? Looking for something better?

What if we told you there were better wheels out there, road rippers that last 70,000 miles or more? Look no further, because Equipment Experts, Inc. is here to help you make more informed tire purchases.

If you’re looking for better tires for your truck, you’ll want to read our review of the best truck tires on the market in 2023.

The list: best truck tires of 2023 (categories)

When it comes to truck tires, not all are made equally. Before we dive into the best of the best of 2023, it’s worth knowing about the three different categories of truck tires, including:

• All-terrain tires (A/T)
• Highway tires (H/T)
• Mud-terrain tires (M/T) and snow tires

When you’re buying tires for your new-old truck, it’s worth asking yourself which of these tires best fits your needs. We have a few considerations we think can help you in your quest for quality tires for your truck.

What to consider before buying new truck tires

Before deciding on which type of truck tires to buy, you’ll want to make sure you’re clear on two key factors: what type of truck you drive, the type of truck tires you’re interested in, your driving style, and whether your driving style suits your truck and preferred tire choice.

Truck type and driving style

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised at how many people purchase the wrong tires for their truck. Whether you use your truck for pleasure, work, or a bit of both, finding the right truck tires requires you know where — and how — you drive your truck.

If you’re an urban road warrior who sticks primarily to asphalt and concrete streets and highways, it may not make so much sense to buy terrain tires. However, if you’re the type of person who lives in the countryside and takes an unpaved, dirt road to the job site each day, perhaps sturdier, thicker mud tires would best suit your driving style and tire needs.

Most people tend to hover somewhere in the middle, driving on well-paved and unpaved roads and paths. If you’re a middle-of-the-road kind of a person, all-terrain wheels are an economical and practical choice.

Once you’ve determined the type of truck you’re driving — whether a pick-up, semi-, or heavy duty equipment truck — it’ll be much easier to determine the type of truck tire for your needs.

Your environment and your truck tires

The most common truck types include highway tires (H/T), all-terrain (A/T) or hybrid tires, mud tires (M/T), and snow tires.

A note on snow tires: if you’re the type of person who lives in areas that receive light snow, if any at all, it may not be worth the money to buy snow tires. Just as well, you’ll want to skip out on highway tires if you live in a place that consistently receives severe snow alerts. If you live in a place that’s known for having four seasons, consider buying all-season hybrid tires that will help you pretty much all year round.

Whether during wintry conditions or sweltering summers, by identifying where you drive most — rough terrain or smooth concrete pavement — you can maximize the value and life out of your new set of tires.

The best tires for trucks on today’s market (2023)

In our humble opinion, the tires listed below are some of the best in 2023’s market. We organized our favorites — in no particular order — based on the following three categories.

• All-terrain tires (A/T)
• Highway tires (H/T)
• Mud-terrain (M/T) and snow tires

You might be wondering: how did you make your choice? Our choices reflect popular demand and our writer and editors’ research on some of the market’s top truck tires.

Note: We love a great discussion on vehicle wheels and parts! If you’re considering purchasing new tires, need repairs on an existing set of wheels, or would like to weigh the pros and cons of each tire, don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. We’d be more than happy!

The best all-terrain (A/T) truck tires 

Most truck drivers use their trucks for two common activities: work and pleasure. If you’re a pickup truck driver, you’re likely hauling loads and commuting from one job site to the next.

Whether you’re an average pickup driver, a heavy equipment handler, or an over-the-road semi-truck driver, you’ll want to have tires that are both rugged and versatile for your traveling needs.

All-terrain tires are the perfect option for the load-carrying driver looking for tires with a little bite that is both smooth and low on noise. If you’re looking for something that adapts to the road in smooth pavement and broken dirt — a tire that’s built for any weather condition — you’ll want to check out our list of all-terrain truck tires below.

Nitto Ridge Grappler

Pluses: Provides a quiet and comfortable ride and comes with a responsive hybrid tread pattern; deep sidewall lugs come in handy for rough, unpaved roads
Minuses: The jury’s still out about how well these tires perform in rainy conditions.

With a name like “grappler,” it’s easy to understand why this tire grips us (pun intended). Grapplers are first on our list of best A/T tires.

With solid shoulder and lateral Z grooves, Nitto’s Ridge Grapplers are excellent for maintaining traction in some of the worst conditions. These versatile tires offer stellar highway performance, and the tread life on them is tough to beat.

If you’re grappling over the best on-road tires to buy for all weather conditions, opt for the Nitto Ridge Grappler for its smoother, quiet, and long-lasting tread.

Toyo Open Country A/T III

Pluses: Excellent handling and braking in wet conditions; these tires come with a generous 65,000-mile treadwear warranty.
Minuses: If you’re on a budget, these tires can run a bit expensive.

For almost 60 years, Toyo has been providing racers, car enthusiasts, and average drivers with premium, durable, and quality tires. Their Open Country A/T may be one of the best all-around A/T tires in today’s market.

The side sipes and wave-like pattern on these all-season tires offer solid handling in snow, dirt, and mud. The Open Country is a great all-around tire for people looking for a dependable tire built and distributed by a trustworthy company that’s been around for decades.

BF Goodrich All-terrain T/A KO2

Pluses: Offers some of the best on- and off-road driving performance; these tires provide extremely durable tread
Minuses: These tires don’t make for a super quiet ride.

An equally solid tire as the Open Country A/T III, BF Goodrich did it again with the T/A KO2. This tire is 3-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) rated, meaning it provides a high level of traction in snowy conditions.

This tire is great for people who love driving jeeps, SUVs, and pickup trucks. Opt for the All-terrain T/A KO2 if you’re looking for a quality off- and on-road tire for light trucks and SUVs.

The best highway terrain (H/T) truck tires

Highway terrain tires are a class in themselves. H/Ts are a crossover between a street tire and an all-terrain tire.

These tires tend to provide better gas mileage then all-terrain tires.

While not quite as versatile as A/Ts when it comes to driving on rough, country roads, H/Ts make up for their lack of off-road performance by offering a smoother, quieter, and more fuel-efficient ride. Highway truck tires can also handle larger load capacities than street tires.

If you’re looking for the right type of tire for highway driving, you’ll want to take a look at these three dependable H/T tires.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Pluses: Michelin offers some of the highest mileage on their warranties; built for high-torque SUVs and crossovers, pickup trucks, and heavy-duty trucks
Minuses: These tires are not considered 3PMSF-dedicated snow tires.

Topping our list of best overall highway tires for trucks is Michelin’s Defender LTX M/S. These highway tires offer dependable traction in all weather conditions, while also ensuring a durable tread compound that stands the test of time.

Best of all, these tires offer a quieter ride than its all-terrain companions further up on this list. If you’re looking for a highway tire built with solid materials, one that’s low on road noise, the Michelin Defender series is your best bet.

Toyo Proxes S/T III

Pluses: One of the most sleek low-profile tires on the market; these tires have a long tread life and are super stylish.
Minuses: They can be more easily compromised on gravel roads and under rough conditions.

For those drivers with a need for speed (and style), the Proxes S/T III are some of the most sporty tires on the market today. Its base compound is molded from silica, a durable rock material found in our Earth’s crust.

The silica in the tread, patterned grooves along the tire, and integrated sipes also help decrease the amount of rolling resistance and hydroplaning in wet weather — and help ensure a longer-lasting tire.

If you’re looking for tire options that can handle wet roads, you’ll want to check out the sleek and stylish, low-profile Proxes S/T IIIs.

Cooper Discoverer HTP II

Pluses: These tires are backed by a generous 55,000- 65,000-mile warranty; this tire is great for uneven and harsh surfaces.
Minuses: They may not offer the best stability in heavier winter conditions.

The Cooper Discoverer HTP II is a tire for the driver with a larger vehicle — such as heavy-duty diesel-powered trucks. If you’re logging thousands of highway miles in your truck and need a tire that offers dependable year-round traction and stability across a variety of wet and light-winter conditions, the Cooper Discoverer is a great choice.

These tires can provide the on-road comfort you desire and stability in some of the worst  weather conditions. When selecting new tires, you’ll definitely want to check out Cooper’s Discoverer HTP II tires for your highway driving needs.

The best mud-terrain (M/T) truck tires

We saved the beefiest tires for last. Mud-terrain truck tires are hefty and built to drive in intense road conditions — like loose gravel, dirt, and soggy mud.

The deep tread blocks, ginormous spaces between lugs, and wide channels help trucks sling away rocks and mud from under the tire, giving trucks greater off-road ability and traction in uneven and loose surfaces. Unfortunately, they’re not much for on-road performance, as these tires can be clunky, noisy, and unwieldy on pavement.

But if you’re looking for an off-road tire that offers balance and stability in risky conditions, you’ll want to take a look at our recommended M/Ts below.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T tires

Pluses: Work well under snow conditions (3PMSF-rated); remarkably flexible and responsive tire tread — even on pavement
Minuses: These tires aren’t a comprehensive alternative to winter tires.

Named after legendary race car driver, Mickey Thompson, these tires really are the boss of tires. Even when tire pressure is reduced, they navigate rough and rocky roads with ease.

The asymmetric tread and side biter design helps ensure strong resistance to punctures. When you’re going off a loose and bumpy road, snarling your way through wet and wild off-road conditions, you’ll be grateful you fit with a set of Mickey Thompson Baja Bosses.

BF Goodrich Mud-terrain T/A KM3

Pluses: They’re considered one of the best on-road M/Ts on the road; relatively affordable
Minuses: These tires can make for a loud and noisy ride on the highway.

BF Goodrich’s mud-terrain T/A KM3 tires use high-performance symmetric tread designs and multi-block patterns to deliver stability in loose, rocky conditions. Whether you’re driving through snow or mud, this mud-terrain offers a surprisingly stable and solid on-road driving experience.

Built for trucks with a 16-inch tire diameter, these mud-terrain tires are worth the price. Best of all, they come with a 6-year standard limited warranty.

If you’re looking for an M/T tire that can help you slog through tough conditions, give BF Goodrich’s T/A KM3s a try.

Milestar Patagonia M/T tires

Pluses: A budget-friendly alternative to other tires
Minuses: This M/T tire isn’t the most fuel-efficient option out there.

Rounding out our list of tires for 2023 is Milestar’s Patagonia M/T tires. If you’re on a budget but are looking to buy dependable off-road tires, consider Milestar’s Patagonia M/T tires.

While the mileage may not be the best on the highway, what Milestar lacks in gas mileage it makes up for plenty in comfort and quality for on- and off-road driving.

Milestar Patagonia’s M/T tires are the perfect choice for cost-conscious buyers looking for durability and dependability. Give these awesome tires a try before embarking on your next tire-buy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

While no list is completely exhaustive, we hope the following FAQ questions will help you in finding the right tires for your needs.

How often should I replace my tires?

How often you should replace your tires will depend on several factors, such as if you regularly tend to carry heavy loads, if you regularly tow large freight, or if you engage in a great deal of off-road cruising.

The general rule of thumb is that your replacement schedule will depend on the type of tire(s) you bought and how you drove your vehicle. In general, most truck drivers and owners tend to replace a new set of tires every 35,000 to 50,000 miles — or every 3 to 10 years. 

How much will a set of four tires cost?

It comes as no surprise that if you drive a larger vehicle like a truck, you’ll end up paying more for the cost of tires. The thinking goes: larger trucks means larger parts — and larger parts means more money.

In general, four middle-of-the-road highway truck tires can cost close to $1,000 U.S. dollars. All-wheel truck tires can cost $1,000 or more, and a set of mountain tires can run you almost $2,000.

What types of repairs are needed for tires?

Cuts, chips, punctures, impacts, and bulges are the most common types of repairs needed on tires. A diesel truck repair shop — or mobile repair bay if you’re in a pinch (again, no pun intended) — can help you patch and plug a worn-out tire.

Expert repair service for your wheels

Whether you’re considering buying new wheels, servicing an existing tire rack, or just need some additional help finding the right wheels and tire size for your rig, you can count on the Experts to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

With over 20 years in the diesel truck repair truck industry, we’ve serviced all types of diesel equipment from diesel trucks to forklifts to liftgates and so much more.

To learn more about the many types of repairs we offer, don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our lovely repair facilities. We’d be happy to show you around!

There are almost as many variables in picking the right tires for your vehicle as there are in choosing the vehicle itself—including quality of workmanship, price, fuel economy and warranty.

And there are plenty of brands to choose from. Wikipedia lists some 85 tire makers worldwide marketing 230 different brands rolling around the globe on vehicles of every kind.

Fortunately, you do not have to kick all those tires in order to pick the ones that best fit your vehicle and your lifestyle. The answers to these eight questions will help you make an informed tire-buying decision:

1. How can I tell if it’s time to replace my tires?

Try the penny test. Take a penny and insert it into the grooves of your tire. If Lincoln’s hair is covered, then the amount of the tread on the tire is still good. Otherwise, it is definitely time to consider replacing them. Tires that have 2/32” of tread are considered to be “legally bald” and may lead to severely reduced traction, making your vehicle unsafe for the road. Before heading to your local tire dealer, brush up on your knowledge concerning buying your new wheels.

2. How is a tire made?

A tire is constructed from the inside out, starting at the inner liner. There are 20-25 different systems in every tire and up to 200 different materials. Fabric belts are wrapped around the inner liner with steel belts, more fabric belts and other materials layered between the tread surface and inner liner. These layers provide strength, noise suppression and ride quality.

3. Why are some tires more expensive than others?

Beyond the basic cost of raw materials or the fact that large truck tires use more materials than small passenger tires, advances made by design and production teams impact the ultimate price of tires, especially better tires. Changes to manufacturing processes, new materials, rubber chemistry and even rubber mixing technology are all closely guarded secrets. They can all impact tire performance, especially in stopping or turning your vehicle in different weather and driving conditions.   Better designs and more expensive materials translate into higher prices.

4. How do tires affect fuel economy?

Make sure you select the tires that deliver optimal fuel efficiency. Experts in the industry contend that drivers can see as much as a 15% to 20% difference in fuel economy, depending on which tires they select. Proper inflation to your manufacturer’s recommended air pressure also is crucial to fuel economy.

5. Are tires categorized by type of vehicle or by driving conditions?

The answer is “both.” The four main types of tires are highway, all-season, traction and winter. If you live in a sunny, warm climate like Tucson that gets some occasional rain but little to no snow or ice, highway or all-season tires are a logical choice for your vehicle. Buying snow-rated tires might make sense if you spend much of the winter here up on Mount Lemmon or the mountains in the far north of the state.

Many weekend warriors and hunters choose all-terrain tires made to handle year-round driving needs on and off the blacktop. All-terrain tires can be a great choice if you travel dirt roads for camping or enjoy weekend adventures or pulling a boat but you still have a long drive on the highway to get home. There are also specialty tires for trucks, Jeeps and other SUVs that are designed for off-roading, gravel and driving in the mud. A knowledgeable tire dealer like our good friends at Jack Furrier Tire, always ask the right questions and know which product is best to recommend for the clients’ needs based on their specific uses and budget.

6. What should I know about the warranty?

There are plenty of well-made tires; however, the details of the different warranties are critical in the long run. Even if the tires have comparable ratings, there are often significant differences in the warranty included by your tire dealer.

Generally, defect rates are extremely low, and if there is a defect in the tire you buy, it will typically be covered by the manufacturer. However, many other features of the warranty are covered by the dealer who sold and installed the tire(s) for you. Here are tips on what to look for in a good warranty:

• Length of coverage.
• Workmanship and materials guarantee. Both the tire and the quality of the installation and repairs should be covered.
• Maintenance guarantee. Flat repairs, regular inspections for wear, tire rotations and rebalancing should be free.
• Road hazard coverage. This means that the value of a tire is covered if you hit debris or a pothole and the tire is damaged beyond repair.
• Geography of coverage. Is the warranty honored at all locations? If not, which ones?

7. Is there a downside to changing out bigger or smaller tires in place of stock tires?

Upsizing or downsizing tires can be a fun way to change your ride’s look…but it could impact their overall performance.

When you change to a taller tire your speedometer will generally read slower than you are actually going because your tire is spinning fewer revolutions per mile. You may also experience more road noise or a difference in the way your vehicle handles. Lowering the profile of your car or truck by using smaller tires will alter both the handling and how much clearance you have; you may have trouble getting over hills you previously were able to clear.

Before you switch out your current wheels, talk to a tire professional about the pros and cons of different tire sizes. An expert will know how to translate the differences in revolution per mile, tire speed, load index and speed rating into what it will mean for your vehicle’s suspension, gearing and bodywork.

8. Can I replace one tire with a completely different model of tire?

It is best to consider replacing tires, at the very least, in pairs. Check your vehicle’s owner manual for tire replacement recommendations. Even small differences in size and type between your four tires can lead to serious consequences, especially if your vehicle is all-wheel drive. Consider this before replacing one tire alone:

• Replacing one tire with a different brand, model, size or tread depth can cause a noticeable pull in the steering wheel or cause other handling issues.
• There are tight tolerances for all-wheel-drive vehicles.
• A large difference in tread depth between tires can damage many parts of your vehicle. It is always a good idea to review your owner’s manual to see if the vehicle manufacturer has specific recommendations on this.

Replacing your tires is not an overwhelming task once you have the knowledge you need. If you are still uncertain which tires would be the best fit for your vehicle or have general tire inquires, call or visit your local Jack Furrier Tire and Auto Care for expert advice. Jack Furrier has been a trusted Southern Arizona brand since 1960. The Furrier pros know what it takes to find the right wheels your vehicle.

Jack Furrier Tire and Auto Care: JackFurrier.com or 520-547-4737.