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Best Truck Tires for Towing: Confidently Carry Heavy Loads

These top tires for towing are durable and safe for transporting heavy loads

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It's critical to use the correct tires when towing to avoid damaging your tires. The walls of regular tires aren't strong enough to handle certain loads, and they will wear out faster than tires made specifically for towing. This guide includes some of the best towing tires on the market.

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Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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Best Overall

Michelin Defender LTX

When it comes to the best overall truck tire for towing, it's got to be the tried and tested Michelin Defender LTX. This tire has a great reputation and is one of the most popular makes of tires every year for a very good reason.

It's a 10-ply tire with an extra steel belt for additional support that's perfect in both wet or dry conditions. They're great for trucks, SUVs, and crossover vehicles.

This is an all-season tire that offers long-lasting mileage and includes a 70,000-mile manufacturer's treadwear limited warranty for added peace of mind. While these tires are some of the priciest tires you'll find, they emit very little noise when traveling at higher speeds and deliver a comfortable ride in any vehicle. They offer shorter stopping distances and superior traction in snow.

Best Value

Milestar Patagonia M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire

If you're not familiar with the Milestar Patagonia M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire, you need to be. It's a stellar value and a high-quality tire. This well-designed tire may not have the same name recognition as some others on our list, but that doesn't stop it from performing well and letting you keep some money in your wallet.

Its blocky tread design is a distinctive and rugged traction beast that works well in a wide variety of road conditions. This tire features a respectable load capacity of 2,270 pounds and a tread depth of 19 32nds. It's available in multiple sizes to efficiently fit on a variety of vehicles. It offers a relatively quiet and smooth highway ride compared to some other models on the market. It could perform better on wet or especially steep surfaces, however. When it comes to getting a bang for your buck though, this tire is tough to beat. Based in California, Tireco launched in 1972 and offers commercial as well as consumer tires. Their auto and light truck options are full spectrum, fall under the Milestar sub-brand, and include the all-terrain segment represented by a street leaning tread design in the Patagonia A/T R (rugged). Which makes the distinct design of its aggressive sibling, the M/T (Maximum Traction), all the more surprising.

Best for Commercial Towing

Bridgestone Blizzak LT Winter/Snow Commercial Light Truck Tire

When it comes to a heavy-duty commercial grade towing tire, the Bridgestone Blizzak LT Winter/Snow Commercial Light Truck Tire deserves our attention. This tire is newly redesigned and engineered specifically for heavy-duty winter performance.

Its remodeled tread design provides better traction and impressive handling and control in snowy, wet, or slippery conditions. With a large load capacity of 3,415 pounds, you can rest assured that you're riding on a super rugged and dependable tire. The new design features 30 percent more biting edges than its predecessor, giving it improved traction in snow, better longitudinal grip, and a shorter stopping zone. A smartly designed zig zag center groove in the tread helps prevent hydroplaning. Really the only thing that we don't like about this tire is the lack of warranty that should come with it.

Most Versatile

Cooper Discoverer H/T PLUS All-Terrain Radial Tire

If you're looking for a more sleekly designed, versatile truck tire for towing, consider the Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus All-Terrain Radial Tire. It's got a distinctive tread design that features lateral siping and grooves to effectively shunt water away from the contact area while simultaneously inhibiting irregular wear.

Specially designed alternating tread block geometry provides for stable and confident handling and a surprisingly quiet highway ride, even at higher speeds. This tire is rated to handle a load of up to 2,998 pounds, making it a solid addition to our list. Add to that one of the most competitive price points on the market and a 55,000-mile warranty, and you have a winning combination. Our only issue with this tire is that it doesn't provide as much traction in light snow as some others on the market, so keep that in mind if you live in a snowy climate.

Honorable Mention

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Radial

If you're looking for an aggressive tire that is ideal for off-roading as well as towing, look no further than the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Radial. These tires are made from a special compound that resists tearing and chipping and features an impressive 3PMSF rating for use in some of the snowiest conditions.

It provides the ultimate traction in all kinds of crazy road conditions. These tires are available in several different load ranges and come with an impressive 50,000-mile tread warranty. Reinforced sidewalls offer amazing puncture protection and solid load bearing. The extra strong casing allows this tire to securely tow larger trailers and heavier cargo. It can be somewhat noisy when on the highway, and due to their rugged construction, they're definitely a harder tire than some others.

Tips

Always check the factory ratings before making a decision. A vehicle factory rated for P-metric tires can use LT tires. It is not advisable to use P-metric tires on a truck that is factory rated for LT tires.
For city driving with no heavy loads, P-metric tires are cheaper and provide a smoother ride. They are also known to improve handling and have a longer overall service life.
For carrying loads or going offroad, LT tires are better. Because of the stiff walls, there is less sway when towing, although the ride is a bit harsher. LT tires are also better for off-roading because the rubber is more resistant to chipping.

FAQs

Q: What's the difference between P-metric and LT tires?

A: P-metric tires are for passenger vehicles. They offer a smoother ride due to softer sidewalls and are often cheaper than LT tires. LT tires are designed for light trucks, typically have stronger walls, and sometimes have a deeper tread and an extra steel belt.

Q: Should I buy LT tires if I never tow anything?

A: If you tow or haul things in your truck, LT tires are the best bet. P-metric tires should only be used if you never carry heavy loads and don't tow anything.

Q: Can LT tires be used on a trailer?

A: No, LT tires are designed to be used on the vehicle only. Tires for trailers are called ST service tires and come in different load ratings depending on the requirements.

Final Thoughts

Our pick for the best truck tires for towing is the Michelin Defender LTX. It has a long warranty and can withstand heavy loads in either wet or dry weather.

The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Radial is a more budget-friendly option.

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