A Guide to Commercial Truck Tires

DIY

Wheels and Tires

Chris Tonn

May 24, 2023

Chris Tonn

May 24, 2023

Most drivers don’t know the difference between different types of tires. They’re black and round, and that’s all they think they need to know. Commercial truck drivers, however, know that safe tires are a critical part of getting the job done and, more importantly, getting home safely afterwards.

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Getting the right tire in the right place on a commercial truck is critical. These aren’t the tires on your family SUV. There can be as many as three different types of tire on a single commercial vehicle. Getting the right ones is important to ensure a safe drive. So, what are commercial truck tires, and how are they different from standard tires?

What Are Commercial Truck Tires?

Commercial truck tires are built for the rigors of daily use under the heaviest of conditions. Truckers can’t afford to lose time due to a tire problem, so keeping issues to a minimum is critical.

Chevrolet G4500 18-foot box truck - right side

There are four different types of tires for commercial use. Not every truck will have all of these, as box trucks and delivery vans usually won’t have a trailer:

Yokohama 714R commercial truck drive tire

Steering tires - opens in new window or tab.. These are fitted to the front and are generally built with sturdy ribs to ensure stable handling and steering.
Drive tires - opens in new window or tab.. These are the tires fitted to the wheels that drive the truck. Often two wheels and two tires are paired up on each side of the drive axles (called duallies) to spread the load and provide an emergency spare in case of failure. Drive tires have deep tread to ensure forward motion through all kinds of weather.
Trailer tires - opens in new window or tab.. Trailer tires keep the trailer up, and are built with sturdy sidewalls for plenty of load capacity.
All-position tires - opens in new window or tab.. These tires, as indicated by the name, can go in any position on a truck or trailer. They aren’t always the best at any one thing, but they make for great spare tires to get you on the road in a pinch.

Goodyear G647 RSS all-position commercial truck tire

How Long Do They Last?

Commercial truck tires see a lot of work every day. Industry guidelines - opens in new window or tab. say that these tires should be replaced a minimum of every six years due to exposure to the elements. Typically, tires will wear much more quickly than that. They're molded with deeper tread than passenger vehicle tires, resulting in longer life. Just like passenger vehicle tires, however, truck tires must be replaced when the tread reaches 2/32 of an inch.

How Much Do They Cost?

Commercial truck tires vary greatly in size and application. They tend to cost several hundred dollars each. That may not sound like much, but in some cases, there will be eighteen tires on a truck and trailer. That adds up. That’s why truckers pay attention to their tires to get the longest possible life out of them.

What Are The Best Brands?

eBay Motors offers a wide range of tires from some of the best brands in the business, including:

We have it covered at every price point. Each of these brands offer features and benefits to ensure the best possible performance and lifetime for your needs.

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About the author

Chris Tonn

Some enthusiasts say they were born with gasoline in their veins. Chris Tonn, on the other hand, had rust flakes in his eyes nearly since birth. Living in salty Ohio and being hopelessly addicted to vintage British and Japanese steel will do that to you. His work has appeared in Hagerty, The Truth About Cars, Reader's Digest, AutoGuide, Family Handyman, and Jalopnik. He's currently looking for the safety glasses he just set down somewhere.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.