How to Find the Best Truck Tires for Sale: Price Tag vs. Treadwear Rating

If you’re shopping for truck tires on a budget, you should know that the price tag doesn’t tell the whole story. Today’s post explains how to estimate the “total cost of ownership” using truck tire treadwear rating.

Read on or Find a TIRECRAFT near you assistance from a truck tire specialist.

Price tag vs. treadwear rating: The “real” price of truck tires

“Tire value is more than just what you pay for a set,” writes author Gene Petersen in a 2016 guide for Consumer Reports.

While research shows that most consumers base purchase decisions almost entirely on price tag listings, it’s just as important to consider how long truck tires last so you can truly gauge the “total cost of ownership.”

Research by Consumer Reports bears this out. For example, in a 2016 test comparing the inexpensive GT Radial Champiro VP1 with the top-rated Michelin Defender, researchers found greater long-term value associated with the larger price tag. While the Michelin Defender cost $120 per tire, compared to only $64 per tire for the GT Radial Champiro, the former required less frequent replacements, and averaged less in “cost per mile.”

Granted, there are some cases where low-priced truck tires make sense. For instance, if you don’t plan to hold on to your truck for years to come, it might make more sense to save money upfront.

But generally speaking, it’s a good idea to consider the total cost of ownership, and identifying the treadwear rating is a good place to start your calculations. Treadwear grades indicate the tire’s relative wear rate. The higher the number, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. Of current tires, the majority (32%) are rated between 301-400, while a small minority (2%) exceed 600.

Identifying the treadwear on truck tires is easy—just check the sidewall. The rating will be listed as a number between 100 and 600+. While you should not always default to the higher treadwear rating, you should factor it into your price assessment, and consider how long you intend to drive your truck.

Browse all the best truck tires for sale at TIRECRAFT

TIRECRAFT carries all the best truck tire brands, including:

• Goodyear
• Continental
• Cooper Tires
• Firestone
• Dunlop tires
• General Tire
• Pirelli
• Toyo Tires
• Hankook
• Uniroyal
• West Lake tires
• Falken Tire
• BF Goodrich
• Michelin, and more

We also offer multiple types of treads, for everything from freight trucks and pickups to passenger buses and beyond, including:

• Highway tread (HT) in traditional style with four circumferential grooves for water evacuation, and large or solid tread blocks on the shoulder for better mileage, fuel economy, and comfort.
• All terrain tread (AT) for drivers seeking a more rugged, off-road experience that doesn’t compromise on pavement performance.
• Mud terrain tread (MT) for serious off-road drivers who need small contact pads and aggressive tread to keep them going well off the beaten path.

Whatever your truck tire needs, TIRECRAFT has what you’re looking for, and we add serious value to every purchase with our Advantage Plus Program, which includes:

• 12-month / 20,000km Mechanical Warranty (whichever comes first)
• 30-day truck tire satisfaction guarantees (no charge for tires and labor for personal vehicles)
• FREE flat truck tire repairs (eligibility determined by TIRECRAFT)
• Road Hazard Coverage (See our Road Hazard Policy for conditions and limitations)
• FREE tire rotations

Use the Find a TIRECRAFT tool to find a local tire specialist and start your free truck tire consultation now.

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