commercial tire

Finding the Best Commercial Tire to Fit Your Needs

In the past, there were very few options when it came to selecting a commercial tire for your vehicle. While this made it a simpler process when looking for a tire replacement, it was not the best thing for your vehicle or commercial operations. 

Commercial tire manufacturers, today, have identified the importance of making tires that address the unique performance needs for different types of applications, road conditions, load capacity, and other key factors. This means there are a lot of tire options for you to choose from.

Having more tire options means you can choose the best tire that meets your vehicle’s specific needs while addressing the specific challenges.

It is recommended to consider the following factors when looking for the perfect tire for your commercial vehicles:

Application or Purpose

Consider where and how the vehicle will be used. Different tires are designed for different forms of applications. Consider the following points:

  • Will your vehicle be making lots of turns and tops?
  • Does your routine involve off-road travel?
  • Will you be driving at high speeds on the highway?
  • What kind of weather conditions will your tires experience?

You should consider all physical factors pertaining to your operations. It will become much easier to choose the right tire when you have a clear picture of your operations’ requirements.

Tire speed rating is an important factor here. Consider whether your vehicle spends more time on the freeway or local roads. The tires you choose will depend on how fast your vehicle will be traveling. 

Road conditions are a crucial factor as well. Does your vehicle need to travel on uneven or bumpy roads? Do most of your travels stay on smooth roads? Based on the surface conditions, you may need to invest in more durable tires.

Load Capacity & Weight Rating

Next, you must consider the load capacity of the commercial tire. This factor refers to the maximum weight the tire is capable of supporting at a proper inflation level. The tire’s load capacity must match the weight of the load the vehicle will be carrying.

A tire’s weight rating is usually displayed on its sidewall. The best way to determine the proper tire load capacity and weight rating is to consult a tire specialist.

Tread Design

Next, you should consider the tread design that will work best for your commercial vehicle. Rib and lug treads are the two most commonly used tread designs. Their key features are as follows:

Rib Treads

Rib treads run across the tire’s circumference and can be in the form of straight or zigzag grooves. 

  • These tread designs are typically used on trailer and steer positions
  • The biting edges on zigzag grooves are perfect for wet traction
  • Zigzag grooves are suited for pickup and delivery purposes where a lot of maneuvering and turning is required
  • A commercial tire with straight grooves is perfect for operations where high speed, high mileage, and fuel efficiency are top priority
  • These tires are designed to roll straight with minimal resistance

Lug Treads

Tires with lug treads feature grooves and blocks cutting across the tread. 

  • The design provides excellent traction
  • You can also find tires with this design along the circumference
  • These tires are suited for vocational service applications
  • You can choose tires with closed shoulder designs, having wide shoulder ribs, for applications where high resistance is required against side forces
  • Closed shoulder design tires are perfect for linehaul operations where long tread life is desired
  • Open shoulder pattern tires feature more blocks on the edge and are suited for operations in mud, rain, and snow

There are even more tire tread designs. Unidirectional designs are suited for rotating the tire in a single direction. Stone ejector or rejector designs are meant to reduce stone retention in the tire. Sipe design has features cut or molded into the tread blocks or face.

Overall, a commercial tire with rib patterns is suited for highway driving for exceptional grip and stability. You should choose tires with lug patterns for off-road and irregular terrains. These tires provide higher levels of traction. Then, there are block-patterned tires that provide a balance between rib and lug-patterned tires.

Whatever commercial tire options work best for your vehicle or fleet, TMS TruckMasters offers a full inventory of options in different sizes and patterns. Whether you need tires for 1-ton or super heavyweight trucks, reach out to us at (514) 631-0963 in Montreal, at (450) 455-2578 in Vaudreuil-Dorion, or at (450) 645-0404 in Boucherville.