Light Truck Tires
If you own a light truck then you will want to buy a specific type of tires. Every tire has information on the tire that tells you what it is for. For instance, you will often notice tires have a letter that is followed by a number. An example of this would be P210. The letter (P) in this case stands for passenger (vehicle). The number (210) is simply the width of the tire measured in millimeters. If you are shopping for light truck tires then look for the letter code, LT, which is just an acronym for light truck.
Buying a Light Truck Tire
There is a lot of data to look at when choosing what tire to buy for your light truck. Some of the most important factors should be the brand name, tire size, and construction of the tire. You may also want to consider choosing a tire that has strong traction, can be used off-road, and more. There are many other features that can be found in a light truck tire as well but this will all be personal preference.
Tire Size
Deciding what size of tire to buy for your light truck is not as simple as considering the dimensions of the tire. You will also have to factor in what the tires are being used for. You would not want to put passenger vehicle tires on a truck as it is not a good combination, especially if you do a lot of off-road driving. The letter code (P – passenger, LT – light truck, etc) can give you an idea of the appropriate use for the tire.
You are looking to buy LT (light truck) tires as they are designed for this purpose. Any other tires will be awkward on most light trucks as they are designed for different vehicle sizes, weight capacities, and driving conditions. The (LT) tires are designed for light trucks and can withstand heavy hauling, off-road driving, and harsh climates. LT tires are often designed to be used on trucks that have a high load capacity as long but the tire will have to have a high load capacity as well.
Strong Traction
Traction is very important if you plan to do a lot of off-road driving with your truck. Off-road truck tires are often referred to as “all-terrain” tires, or more simply put – A/T tires. These tires are often designed with shoulder grooves that are wider than average. The tread design is also much rougher and will feature dual-compound treading. There are many other noteworthy characteristics for A/T tires but they can vary by model. To find out more about the materials used and the details of the design you should look up more information on specific models of A/T tires.
Traction can also be important while driving through muddy areas. If you frequently drive in these conditions then A/T tires may not be your ultimate option. Instead, you may want to consider “mud-terrain” tires, or more simply put – M/T tires. These tires are designed to be able to withstand harsh climates that can include deep muddy areas, sandy areas, and even rocky areas. M/T tires will not be optimal for on-road driving but they are acceptable for the most part.
Conclusion
There are many different designs of light truck tires to choose from. You should not just make a blind purchase but rather do some research first. The most vital factor will be what you plan on using the truck tires for. If you plan to just drive your truck on-road then you will be fine with standard LT tires. On the other hand, if you are going to be doing a lot of off-road driving then you will want heavy duty tires with an advanced design. Take everything into consideration before buying tires for your truck and make sure you make a decision that will be most convenient for daily use.
