Picking the right tires for your truck or SUV is one of the most important decisions you can make for your vehicle. Tires affect everything — handling, braking distance, fuel economy, ride comfort, off-road capability, and even how your rig looks sitting in the driveway. With dozens of brands and hundreds of models on the market, narrowing down the best choice can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks it all down so you can make a confident decision.
Understanding Tire Types
The first step is knowing which category of tire fits your driving habits. Each type is engineered for a different balance of on-road comfort and off-road performance.
All-Terrain (AT) Tires
All-terrain tires are the most popular choice for truck and SUV owners who split their time between pavement and unpaved surfaces. They feature a moderate tread pattern with enough depth to handle gravel, dirt roads, and light trails while still delivering a reasonably quiet and comfortable highway ride. If you drive to work on weekdays and hit the trails on weekends, AT tires are your sweet spot. Browse our all-terrain tire selection.
Mud-Terrain (MT) Tires
Mud-terrain tires are built for serious off-road use. They have deep, widely spaced lugs that dig into mud, sand, and loose rock, plus aggressive sidewall designs that provide extra grip when aired down on trails. The tradeoff is more road noise and faster tread wear on pavement. If off-roading is a regular part of your life, MT tires deliver unmatched capability. Explore our mud-terrain tire lineup.
Highway and Touring Tires
Highway tires prioritize ride comfort, low noise, and long tread life. They use a tighter tread pattern optimized for wet and dry pavement and often last 60,000 to 80,000 miles. These are ideal for daily commuters and families who rarely leave the road. See our highway and all-season options.
Rugged Terrain (RT) Tires
Rugged terrain tires are a newer hybrid category that sits between AT and MT. They offer a more aggressive look and slightly better off-road bite than a standard all-terrain, without the harsh ride and noise penalties of a full mud-terrain. Brands like Nitto and Toyo have popularized this category, and it continues to grow fast.
Tire Sizing Explained
Understanding tire sizes helps you avoid costly mistakes and ensures your new rubber fits your truck properly.
Reading the Numbers
A tire marked 275/70R18 tells you three things: the tread width is 275 millimeters, the sidewall height is 70 percent of that width (called the aspect ratio), and it fits an 18-inch rim. The "R" stands for radial construction, which is standard on virtually all modern tires.
Plus-Sizing Considerations
Plus-sizing means going to a larger wheel diameter while adjusting the tire profile to maintain the same overall diameter. For example, moving from a 17-inch to a 20-inch wheel with a lower-profile tire. This changes the ride feel and look, so make sure the overall diameter stays within your vehicle manufacturer’s specs.
Lifted Trucks and Oversized Tires
When truck owners talk about running 33s, 35s, or 37s, they are referring to the overall tire diameter in inches. A "35" is roughly 35 inches tall. Bigger tires require more suspension lift, may need fender trimming, and can affect gearing and speedometer accuracy. If you are building a lifted truck, plan tires and suspension together. Shop lifted truck tires here.
Load Ratings and Speed Ratings
Load range is critical for trucks, especially if you tow or haul heavy loads. Truck tires come in load ranges C, D, and E, with E being the heaviest duty. A load range E tire can handle significantly more weight per tire than a C, but it also rides stiffer because of the extra sidewall plies.
If you tow a trailer regularly, never downgrade your load range from what the vehicle manufacturer recommends. Underrated tires can overheat under load and fail catastrophically. Speed ratings matter less for trucks than for sports cars, but make sure your tires are rated for the speeds you actually drive.
Top Tire Brands We Recommend
We have installed thousands of sets of truck and SUV tires. These are the brands and models our customers love most:
- BFGoodrich KO2 — The gold standard in all-terrain tires. Excellent tread life, tough sidewalls, and great looks. Shop BFGoodrich tires.
- Nitto Ridge Grappler — A rugged terrain hybrid that gives you MT looks with AT manners on the road. Shop Nitto tires.
- Toyo Open Country AT III — A versatile all-terrain with a 65,000-mile warranty and strong wet traction. Shop Toyo tires.
- Falken Wildpeak AT3W — The best value in the AT category with excellent snow performance and a long warranty. Shop Falken tires.
- Mickey Thompson Baja Boss — A hardcore mud-terrain with massive lugs and the aggressive style to match. Shop Mickey Thompson tires.
Installation Matters
Even the best tires will disappoint if they are not installed correctly. Proper mounting and balancing are essential for a smooth, vibration-free ride. We recommend Road Force balancing for trucks and SUVs, especially on larger wheel and tire packages where precision matters most. Standard balancing is also available through our tire installation service.
After installing new tires — particularly if you changed sizes — get a wheel alignment. Proper alignment protects your investment by ensuring even wear across all four tires and keeps your truck tracking straight.
Ready to Upgrade Your Tires?
Whether you need a set of daily-driver all-terrains or aggressive mud-terrains for your weekend trail rig, our team can help you find the perfect fit. Browse our full tire selection, call us at 913-291-2027, or stop by our shop at 12310 W 62nd Ter, Shawnee KS 66216. We mount, balance, and align everything we sell — and we do it right.
