August 16, 2022
Your Complete Guide to Light Truck Tyres and Commercial Tyres
Tough, stable, and long-lasting. It would be best to look for these qualities when buying Light Truck Tyres and Commercial Tyres These tyres are not for a quiet, comfortable cruise down the highway. Instead, they are built for long hours of regular muscle work—heavy lifting, towing, and rolling on harsh terrains.
And yes, we all know that manufacturers designed these hardworking tyres for heavy loads, but, the loaded question remains: Which is best for your ride—Light Truck Tyres or Commercial Tyres? Tyroola breaks down the benefits and functions of each tyre type.
What are Light Truck (LT) Tyres?
Light Truck Tyres have the acronym LT on their sidewall markings. These tyres are compatible with commercial vans, utes, caravans, trailers, and small to heavy-duty trucks.
Load Capacity: Anywhere from 1,000 pounds (half a ton) to 2,000 pounds (1 ton)
Distinct Features: Chunky tread pattern, Deep grooves, Robust sidewalls, Tough internal instruction that includes thick sidewall plies and bulky wires
What's Awesome:Puncture resistance, Boosted protection from carcass damage, Ensured stability and safety when carrying or towing excess weight
What's Tiresome:High rolling resistance, Low fuel economy, Not for pavement pounding, Noisier and stiffer ride, Increased tyre heat at high speeds
Best to use:Mostly driving on uneven or rough surfaces and industrial roads with obstructions like pits and rocks. You can also use these for city driving but prepare for the downsides mentioned above.
In summary, you need Light Truck Tyres if you:
✅ are looking for a robust and resilient tyre for your heavier and bigger vehicle such as 4WDs and commercial vans.
✅ regularly use your vehicle for carrying and hauling heavy loads.
✅ plan on towing a caravan or trailer.
✅ will be navigating off-road terrain.
✅ won't be spending a lot of time on the highway.
Also read: Tyre Load Rating and Tyre Speed Rating
5 Best Light Truck Tyres
Enjoy supremacy over off-road elements such as mud, sand, and rocks. With rim flange protector, self-cleaning shoulder blocks, and cutting-edge grooves for cargo protection in rough conditions.
Tough and aggressive, this tyre promises to cool down your hardworking tyre fast, thanks to its dual silica tread compound. No need to worry about driving when it rains; the Road Venture AT 51 boasts excellent wet grip and braking.
BF Goodrich All-Terrain TA KO2
Light Truck Tyres are all about toughness, traction, and durability—which this tyre proudly provides. Off to see some mud action? The All-Terrain TA KO2's serrated shoulder design and side-biter lugs will efficiently pull your vehicle and cargo out of the muck.
This tyre's stellar point is its impressive on-road civility—a rarity among the Light Truck variety. Still, its rugged and solid profile tells you it also performs well on rough trails. Another bonus is its Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Certification, which lets you drive in light to medium snow conditions.
This tyre is best when you mostly do urban driving. While it provides a quiet and comfortable on-road ride, it also shows its mettle on light off roads, displaying ace traction and cornering abilities.
What are Commercial Tyres?
A step above Light Truck Tyres is Commercial Tyres, which are heavier, stronger, and even more hardworking. Commercial Tyres are essential components of our daily lives. These are used by delivery trucks that distribute essentials such as food, medicine, and construction materials. They are also fitted on garbage trucks, fire engines, tractors, and vehicles for mining and agricultural use.
Load Capacity: Most truck tyres have load ratings that let them hold 6,000 (3 tons) to 6,500 pounds (3.25 tons).
Distinct Features:Compared to Light Truck Tyres, Commercial Tyres are made of more rigid rubber, boosting puncture resistance. Also, they are noticeably bigger and contain more tread.
Commercial vehicles typically use more tyres because of their length and the significant weight they're towing or hauling. This is why Commercial Tyres are fitted in different axles to optimise vehicle performance.
- Steer Tyres
These tyres are located at the front of your vehicle and are probably the most crucial because they affect handling. Steer Tyres let you control your ride when you're making turns—very important when you're driving a huge vehicle. - Drive Tyres
Mount Drive Tyres at the point which connects the truck to the trailer. Because these tyres turn to mobilise the vehicle, they need to have top traction and grip. - Trailer Tyres
These tough and rigid tyres are installed at the trailer's rear, bearing the applied load.
What's Awesome:Capable of bearing major loads; Built to travel for long periods without sustaining internal damage; Enhanced resistance to wear and tear; Excellent traction and grip; Rigidity ensures stability, responsive steering, acceleration, braking, and cornering
What's Tiresome:Noisier than standard tyres, Increased rolling resistance, More fuel consumption
In summary, you need Light Truck Tyres, so your commercial vehicle can:
✅ haul, tow, and carry significant loads regularly.
✅ handle different terrains—pavement, dirt roads, uneven trails and more.
✅ keep your driver and cargo safe.
✅ be protected from suspension damage.
✅ maintain grip and traction in different weather conditions.
5 Best Commercial Tyre Brands
Michelin tyres are used for big-scale businesses like construction, freight transportation, quarrying and many more. It constantly improves its Commercial Tyres traction, fuel economy, and durability.
Pirelli is known for being an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for prestige cars, but it has also beefed up its industrial vehicle tyre lines. Pirelli targets better mileage and efficiency as it creates solutions and services for fleets.
Dunlop's commercial tyres let you drive the distance while guaranteeing traction, handling, and tread life, and are constructed with durability and energy efficiency in mind.
Kumho boasts an impressive commercial tyre line for various purposes—long haul, regional haul, and on/off-road conditions. Being in the tyre industry for over 60 years, Kumho, which originated in Korea, now enjoys a global network of sales organisations.
This Chinese brand is an affordable option in the international tyre market. Their versatile range of quality products includes Commercial Tyres, which display robust construction, wear resistance, and high traction.
5 Fun FAQs About Light Truck and Commercial Tyres
When answering your questions about Light Truck and Commercial Tyres, Tyroola is in it for the long haul.
1. Can you mix tyres on your Light Truck or commercial vehicles?
There are two schools of thought on this. Some drivers are all for putting the same tyres on their vehicles because this means they would only need to carry one type of spare. Different spares mean more load and fuel consumption. However, manufacturers offer specific patterns for Steer, Drive, and Trailer tyres. Though this entails purchasing other tyres, it also equates to maximum vehicle performance and safety. If you're taking this route, buying tyres from only one manufacturer for uniform quality is best.
2. Can I fit passenger car tyres on my light truck?
Nope, especially if you usually load up your light truck. Remember that tyres have specific load ratings. A passenger car tyre can't support the weight meant for Light Truck Tyres. Aside from damaging your Light Truck, you can also get into accidents!
Also read: Your Tyre Load Rating Explained
3. How can I save on Commercial Tyres?
It's no secret that Commercial Tyres are more expensive than standard tyres. A possible solution is having your tyres retreaded. This process involves removing a used tyre's worn tread and replacing it with a new one with a similar design. Aside from being affordable, this option is also environmentally-friendly. Bridgestone reports producing half a million truck retreads yearly in Australia—a practice that saves 60 million litres of oil in tyre production annually.
4. How important is tyre pressure in Light Truck and Commercial Tyres?
Extremely important. Having the proper pressure lets your tyres support the extra weight, boost fuel efficiency, and promote ride safety. You don't want a sudden flat tyre to ruin your day just because you didn't check its pressure before driving. You can usually find the recommended tyre pressure on a sticker inside the driver's door (for newer vehicles), your owner's manual, or the tyre's sidewall.
Also read: Tyre Pressure: A Complete Guide
5. How can I make my Light Truck and Commercial Tyres last longer?
Besides inflating them to the recommended pressure, conduct a weekly inspection to nip tyre issues in the bud. Remember to always wash your tyres and wheels. Bring them to a service centre for regular rotation, wheel balancing and wheel alignment. Good driving habits like changing gears smoothly and gentler braking prevent premature tyre wear.
Also read: 10 Tyre Shops and Fitting Centres Near You in Sydney
Get the Right Tyres for Your Vehicle!
If you need Light Truck Tyres and Commercial or Industrial Tyres in 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch and other sizes, you can find them all in Tyroola. Our Light Truck Tyre prices—as well those of our Commercial and Industrial Tyres—are highly competitive. Tyroola's Price Beat Promise ensures that it offers the lowest tyre prices online.
Still undecided if Light Truck Tyres or Commercial Tyres are best for your ride? Get in touch with us for expert advice. Our wide range of tyres makes it easy to select the right tyres. After your purchase, you can have the tyres installed through our mobile service or a fitting station near you.
Ready to learn more about tyres? Read our blog and helpful guides.
