Cheap Truck Tires: Buyer Guide 2020 - The Giga-Tires Blog

Light trucks and SUVs are a point of pride for most owners. They are designed for heavy lifting, towing, and rough driving conditions. Believe it or not, the unsung heroes of truck/SUV performance tend to be the tires. The good news is you don’t always have to spend a fortune to upgrade them. There are plenty of cheap truck tires that will give you a fantastic bang for your buck.

In this post, we want to educate you on:

What truck tires do
Why they are important
The different types of truck tires
Some of the best cheap truck tires on the market today

Without further ado, let’s dive in. Lots of ground to cover here!

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What are Truck Tires and Why do You Need Them?

Truck tires are designed with sturdy structure and sidewalls to withhold heavy loads without warping the shape of the tire itself. All-terrain and mud terrain tires generally feature a more aggressive tread pattern for superior grip on varied surfaces, which again can help with towing and pulling heavy items. Sport truck and highway tires often have a less aggressive tread pattern and offer better mileage, but still tow well, and handle heavy loads.

Now, truck tires are not a one-size-fits-all item. Obviously, truck and SUV drivers need truck tires, but the most ideal solution will depend on your driving habits, application, and of course, budget.

Truck tire prices can range from being quite affordable to extremely expensive. But if you know what features to look for, you can certainly find cheap truck tires that are still great quality and fit your needs.

If you are unsure of which truck tires to buy, you first need to determine which type will be best for your vehicle and the type of terrain you are driving on.

Types of Truck Tires

Highway Truck Tires

Highway tires are designed to be used primarily on paved roads.

The main purpose of these tires is for commuting. Highway tires generally provide long mileage warranties, good fuel economy, and smooth, quiet rides with predictable handling. Most of these tire models are built with independent tread blocks and multiple sipes around the tire for great performance and traction in moderate weather.

Most highway tire models come with the M+S symbol, indicating it is capable to perform in all seasons.

Highway tires can be identified by a few key features:

Sipes in a zig zag pattern to channel water away quickly for added traction on wet roads.
Less aggressive tread designs (compared to mud and all-terrain tires) for better braking and cornering.

If you mainly drive your truck or SUV on paved roads and need good fuel economy, highway tires are your best bet!

All-Terrain Truck Tires

As the name suggests here, all-terrain truck tires are designed for driving on all types of surfaces, from paved roads to dirt, mud, or rocky trails. These truck tires have more aggressive tread patterns and are great for people who drive their vehicle primarily on highways and paved roads, but often need to take their truck on different terrain.

You can spot an all-terrain truck tire by looking for:

Open-tread design, which helps provide traction on all kinds of surfaces.
Reinforced sidewalls for stronger structure and heavier load capacity.

All-terrain tires are meant to be multi-purpose. They are ideal for drivers who spend the majority of their time driving on paved roads, but spend a fair amount of time driving in moderate off-road conditions.

Mud-Terrain Truck Tires

Mud-terrain tires are made for more than just mud – they can be driven on other off-road conditions like sand or loose gravel, and rock climbing. Mud tires are commonly used by drivers who love to travel on super tough trails, often climbing rocks and moving through tough, diverse terrain. Off-road Jeep enthusiasts are prime customers for mud tires.

They are built with extremely aggressive tread patterns for the best performance in sticky, slick mud and dirt – making them a popular choice for off-road enthusiasts who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty.

These types of tires are not going to be a top choice if you spend a lot of time driving on paved roads – you will sacrifice fuel economy, noise reduction, and comfort. Mud tires are designed for off-road surfaces where superior traction is needed. They can still be used for towing, but will not offer as smooth a ride for a horse/livestock trailer and pay close attention to the the load range rating for the specific tire model.

Mud-terrain truck tires have a distinct design with:

Aggressive, thick tread patterns that create more surface contact for better traction.
Large tread blocks and void areas designed to clear mud and debris on uneven surfaces.
Multiple ply layers for added durability and off-road performance.
Thicker sidewalls to provide better protection from cuts, chips, and punctures.

If you spend most of your driving time off the beaten path, mud tires are the right choice for you.

Sport Truck Tires

Sport truck tires are designed for high-performance light trucks. The main draw for these is superior handling, performance, and stylish looks. Sport truck tires are built with larger contact patch areas, meaning they provide top notch grip on paved roads.

Sport truck tires are meant to be used with bigger rims and typically come in low aspect profiles – usually 55% or less.

You can spot sport truck tires by a few characteristics:

Wide patch area for optimal grip.
Low aspect ratio
Cool looks!

Sport truck tires are intended for high performance on paved roads – in wet, dry, and mild weather conditions. If you do any sort of off-road driving, you might run into trouble.

Best Cheap Truck Tires

Once you’ve figured out the type of truck tire that will fit your vehicle’s needs and driving style best, you can start comparing different models and makes. Many of the lowest price truck tires on the market are still great quality options, so you can easily stick within your budget.

Here are some of our top picks for the best truck tires.

Highway

The Laufenn X FIT HT is a great highway tire and good all-around option for light trucks and SUVs that drive primarily on paved roads. You can expect excellent overall handling from this model, plus it is designed for year-round driving.

This low-cost truck tire provides exceptional quality that rivals many of the high-end brands.

The Laufenn X Fit HT features:

High stiffness center blocks for safer cornering on tight turns.
2-in-1 shoulder block design for better steering and handling.
Zig-zag grooves and Snow Kerf design for traction, braking, and superior handling in light snow or on wet roads.
2-Step edged shoulder block for protection from external damage and punctures.
Belt Edge Tape design for better handling at high speeds.

Mileage Warranty: 60,000-mile warranty.

Speed Rating T, H, V

Load Index: 100 – 117

Price: Starts at $238.80/set.

The Westlake SU318 tire is a great choice for all-season driving. They are specifically designed for a comfortable, quiet ride at high speeds, and traction in all weather.

Westlake SU318 feature:

Quad-circumferential grooves for lateral traction and better handling.
M+S rated tread for improved traction on dry, wet, or snowy roads.

Mileage Warranty: 50,000-mile warranty.

Speed Rating: T, H, V

Load Index: 96 – 117

Price: Starts at $230.96/set.

The Kenda Klever H/P is a highway tire that offers amazing fuel efficiency, making it a popular choice for drivers who spend a lot of time on the road.

This tire proudly features:

Sturdy center rib designs for responsive handling.
All-season traction.
Sipes around the tire for excellent water dispersion and a quiet ride.

Mileage Warranty: 60,000-mile

Speed Rating H, S, T

Load Index: 97 – 116

Price: Pricing starts at $226.08/set.

The Antares Comfort A5 is designed to offer a smooth, quiet driving experience for trucks and SUVs. It is designed for long drives at high speeds, but offers a bit more strength than the average tire.

Antares Comfort A5 features:

Tread patterns engineered for extra comfort.
High fuel economy.

Mileage Warranty: 45,000-mile

Speed Rating S, T, H, V, W

Load Index: 95 – 116

Price: Prices start at $240.44/set.

All Terrain

The Ohstu AT 4000 is made for both on/off-road driving and offers fantastic traction on any sort of terrain. They are also some of the most affordable truck tires on the market.

This model offers:

A four-groove tread block pattern for a stronger bite on surfaces.
Dynamic wet grooves to dispel water on slick roads.
Random pitch variation tread block for a quiet ride.
Full nylon cap ply and thick sidewall rubber for added durability.

Mileage Warranty: 35,000-mile

Speed Rating: S, Q, T, H

Load Index: 99 – 123

Price: Prices start at $393.20/set.

The Mastercraft Courser AXT is a long-lasting all-terrain model that is great for drivers who spend equal times on and off-roading.

Mastercraft Courser AXT features:

Aggressive 5-rib tread pattern for better grip on rough terrain.
Random pitch variation tread blocks to reduce noise
Dynamic 4-groove tread block for extra bite on all surfaces.

Mileage Warranty: 50,000-mile

Speed Rating: R, S, T

Load Index: 100 – 127/124

Price: Prices start at $275.04/set.

The Federal Couragia A/T is designed to offer a quiet, comfortable ride and long-lasting tread on all types of terrain.

This tire features:

Cutting-edge silica tread compound and technology for superior performance.
Exceptional safety rating on all terrains, thanks to high handling ratings and zig-zag sipes to disperse and channel water.
An angled tread pattern to prevent mud, dirt, or snow from sticking to the tire.

Mileage Warranty: 30,000-mile

Speed Rating: Q, S, T

Load Index: 96 – 123/120

Price: Prices starting at $272.92/set.

The Laufenn X FIT AT is designed for equal performance on paved roads as well as dirt, sand, mud, or snow.

This tire features:

Stepped grooves to eject stones and gravel from getting stuck in the tread and enhanced durability.
2-step waved and deep Kerf sipe depth for long-lasting tread life.
3D-edged sidewall blocks for better traction on slippery surfaces, like mud and snow.
X FIT AT Rim Protectors to guard the sidewalls from scratches or punctures.
Rim cushion for added stability.

Mileage Warranty: 45,000-mile

Speed Rating: T

Load Index: 103-116

Price: Prices start at $274.24/set.

Mud Terrain

The Kenda Klever M/T KR29 model is the perfect choice for heavy-duty trucks driving in more severe and demanding conditions, like muddy roads or on construction sites.

Kenda Klever M/T KR29 features:

Self-cleaning lugs for great traction in thick mud.
Sturdy rubber compounds for better grip and stability.

Mileage Warranty: Four-year warranty with free replacement for the first 10% of wear.

Speed Rating: Q

Load Index: 104 – 123/126

Price: Prices start at $405.36/set.

Accelera MT-1 tires are another great choice for more intense off-roading experiences.

This tire includes the following features:

Deep tread design for an enhanced grip on loose surfaces.
Open scalloped hump tread for superior traction on dirt, mud, and rocky terrain.
Block slots to drain water and prevent rocks or mud from sticking into the tread.

Mileage Warranty: 35,0000-mile

Speed Rating: Q, L , S, P, V

Load Index: 104 – 124/127

Price: Pricing starts at $328.48/set.

For cheap truck tires, the Mud Claw Extreme M/T are top-quality and considered to be one of the best-performing mud tires on the market.

They are also quite versatile and offer a relatively quiet, smooth ride on highways while still being tough enough for extreme off-roading.

Mud Claw Extreme M/T features:

Large center lugs for added towing power in mud and loose dirt.
Alternating lug pattern for better stability and traction.
High void tread pattern to evacuate mud, water, and snow.
Chip resistant compound to reduce wear and tear.
Staggered shoulder blocks for option studs for winter driving.

Mileage Warranty: 50,000-mile warranty.

Speed Rating: Q, O, N

Load Index: 104 – 126

Price: Prices starting at $387.12/set.

The Centennial Dirt Commander M/T is perfect for someone who wants the ability to drive off-roads at any time – while still needing a fair on-road performance. This tire is certainly tough enough for rocky or muddy trails, but it still offers a quiet and smooth ride for pavement driven when needed.

Centennial Dirt Commander M/T features:

Aggressive tread pattern for great traction.
Raised upper shoulder sidewall lugs for a strong grip on loose or slippery terrain.
Wide open shoulder grooves and massive center blocks to dispel dirt and mud from getting packed in.
Upper shoulder lugs for sidewall impact protection.

Mileage Warranty: 4-year warranty.

Speed Index: N, Q

Load Index: 104/101 – 129

Price: Pricing starting at $359.40/set.

Sport Truck

The Atturo AZ800 is a high-performance truck tire for drivers who enjoy the luxurious feel of driving a sports vehicle. These tires are designed for ultimate grip on the roads, so your vehicle can hug the road and take tight turns.

This model features:

Extra long-lasting tread life.
Large shoulder blocks for stability and better steering response.

Mileage Warranty: 40,000-mile

Speed Index: H, V, W, Y

Load Index: 90 – 120

Price: Prices start at $311.20/set.

The Achilles Desert Hawk UHP offers an incredible driving experience of a touring tire with the added durability of a truck tire.

Achilles Desert Hawk UHP features:

Directional tread designs for traction on wet and dry roads.
Solid center rib for better stability and handling at high speeds.
Raised rim guard to provide protection from scratches or punctures.
Patented High Disperse Silica Compound for water displacement and improved grip on wet roads.
Low rolling resistance for better fuel economy and long-lasting tread life.

Mileage Warranty: 35,000-mile

Speed Rating:

Load Index: 95 – 118

Price: Prices starting at $296.04/set.

The Nexen Roadian HP offers enhanced grip for trucks and SUVs on multiple driving surfaces, including wet and dry roads. The stylish appearance makes these cheap truck tires a must-have for many drivers.

This tire features:

Large shoulder blocks for tighter corner grip and added stability.
Arrow-type center rib and directional tread patterns for improved handling.
5-pitch variation in tread blocks for a quieter ride and water dispersion.

Mileage Warranty: 40,000-mile

Speed Index: H, V

Load Index: 95 – 118

Price: Prices start at $285.32/set.

The Hankook Dynapro HP is a fantastic all-season driving pick – thanks to its ultra-high-performance ratings. This tire also has low rolling resistance, giving you better gas mileage and a longer lasting tread pattern.

Hankook Dynapro HP Features:

Four grooved tread patterns to resist hydroplaning and provide better grip on slick, wet roads.
High-density polyester carcass for better handling.
Strong, single strand bead wire for high-performance level handling response and steering capabilities at high speeds.

Mileage Warranty: 65,000-mile

Speed Index: H, V

Load Index: 95 – 117

Price: Prices start at $287.56/set.

Conclusion

Choosing the right truck tire can significantly elevate your vehicle’s driving experience and keep you much safer on any type of terrain.

If you have any questions about which truck tire is the best option for you and which size to order for your specific vehicle, reach out to the experts at Giga Tires.

We’ll help point you in the right direction!