Essential guide to light truck tyres

Light truck tyres are designed for hauling without sacrificing road safety or stability. Characterised by aggressive tread patterns, deep grooves, and rigid sidewalls, light truck tyres have superior traction, braking performance, and vehicle handling than other regular passenger tyres.

Light truck tyres are designed to carry out heavy-duty tasks. They can tow loads that weigh anywhere between 0.5 to 1 ton. On the flip side, passenger tyres are created for comfort which explains their significantly lowered load rating.

Light truck tyres and passenger tyres also differ in terms of road compatibility. Strong sidewall and deep tread patterns make light truck tyres capable of off-road driving. Passenger tyres are made up of softer rubber compound which makes for a smoother ride.

Passenger tyres and light truck tyres are not interchangeable. You should never put passenger tyres on light trucks because they can’t handle heavy loads. Any attempts to do so will only result in accidents on the road.

Conversely, you should refrain from putting light truck tyres on passenger cars. Light truck tyres have a certain stiffness, which can cause a harsh ride and incorrect TPMS.

The best light truck tyres for your vehicle should match your needs. When choosing light truck tyres for your vehicle, it is important that you consider the following:

• Size: For safety purposes, you should always pick light truck tyres that go hand in hand with the manufacturer’s recommendation. This is to guarantee the optimal performance of your tyres.

• Load rating: Depending on the type of load you intend to carry, your light truck tyres should be strong enough to withstand both the weight of your vehicle and any additional weight. This corresponds to the maximum speed in which your vehicle is capable of travelling.

• Speed rating: Load rating of your vehicle usually goes together with the speed rating. The speed rating determines your tyres’ ability to maintain optimal balance when travelling at high speeds. Look for a single alphabetic letter after the load index on your tyre sidewall.

• Durability: To avoid getting into road accidents, you should take into consideration your intended usage. If you are planning on hauling heavy loads day and night, you are putting a lot of toll on your light truck tyres. Find the tyres that are durable enough for heavy-duty work.

• Tyre pressure: It is crucial that you maintain the recommended psi value for your light truck tyres. Exceeding suggested pressure value could hinder your braking performance and result in accidents. Underinflation can damage the internal structure of your tyres. Refer to this article to learn more how and when to check your tyre pressure.

The best tyres for your light truck might be different from the others. Here are some of our top choices for you:

• Michelin LTX Trail: LTX Trail comes with Biting Shoulder design that provides an extra layer of protection for sidewalls, increasing durability during on-road and off-road rides. RallyForce 2 Tread Compound offers you a prolonged tread life and an uninterrupted drive. Premium Variable Thickness Sipes technology helps you maintain excellent traction in wet and dry road conditions.

• Michelin LTX Force: LTX Force guarantees safety and robust performance on the road. Thanks to CompacTread Technology, you can benefit from shorter wet braking distances, greater mobility and better durability with deeper tread pattern design.

Browse our catalogue for more light truck tyres options or contact our dealers in your area to see what Michelin tyres they can offer.