Texas is the state where they go big or go home, including their trucks. But bigger tires aren’t only about appearance. Texans regularly encounter challenging terrain and driving conditions, including ranch roads, gravel, mud, jobsites, heavy towing, recreational off-road jaunts, and strenuous highway commuting.
If you want bigger tires on your truck: how big should you actually go?
WHY ARE BIG TRUCK TIRES SO POPULAR IN TEXAS?
Quick Answer: A combination of terrain, work needs, recreation, and preference for a bold, rugged appearance are all reasons why Texas is the leader in big tire sales.
The Lone Star state is the second largest in the United States and, paired with their independent roots, fierce spirit of self-reliance, and state pride, it’s no surprise to anyone that “everything is bigger in Texas” rings true.
The “go big or go home” attitude is very clearly seen in Texan’s preferences for large trucks–and tires to match.
Reasons that Texans might prefer larger tires
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Rough road conditions
Much of Texas is huge swathes of wide open rural land with ranches, farms, oil fields, plains, forests, and desert. Caliche and other rough components make up many roads and wreak havoc on wheels, tires, and vehicle paint. Texans want big, tough tires to withstand these obstacles and perform the way they need.
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Work applications
A significant portion of Texans use their trucks for their daily work, including agriculture, oil, construction, transportation, and industrial applications. Larger tires may be necessary to handle the job.
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Off-road recreation
Off-road fun is a fundamental element of downtime in Texas. From camping, sand dunes, mudding, 4x4 trails and off-road parks, big tires are just part of the picture of performance.
El Paso Discount Tire store manager Stephen Menapace says: “We have a lot of customers with lifted vehicles that enjoy taking their vehicles off-road during free time!”
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Aesthetic & vehicle size
Large trucks tend to demand large tires to manage their heavy curb weight, load and tow ratings. Also, they just look good!
MOST POPULAR TRUCK TIRES & SIZES IN TEXAS
The most popular* truck tires in Texas include:
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3
- Cooper Discoverer ATP II
- Michelin Defender LTX M/S2
- Bridgestone Dueler Maverick A/T
- Nitto Ridge Grappler
- Toyo Open Country R/T Trail
- Bridgestone Dueler LX
- Mohave Highway Terrain
*In no particular order
The most popular* truck tire sizes in Texas include:
*In no particular order
Manager Stephen over at our El Paso Discount Tire store says the most common truck sizes for his store include:
Best Truck Tires BlogHOW BIG OF A TIRE CAN I PUT ON MY TRUCK?
In general, most tire experts follow the 3% rule–which means your new tires should be within 3% height and width of the original equipment.
There isn’t one maximum tire size for every truck because there are too many fitment factors, like weight capacity, physical modifications, vehicle use, and so on, to create an absolute rule.
Some factors that affect tire fitment include:
- Rim or wheel size
- Bolt pattern
- Offset and backspacing
- Wheel well clearance
- Suspension
- Diameter tolerance
You can get around the 3% rule when upsizing by installing a lift or level kit to your truck.
Need help?
Ask for a FREE sizing consultation with an experienced tire expert at your local Discount Tire!
DO YOU NEED A LIFT FOR BIGGER TRUCK TIRES?
Not always. Depending on how much larger from the original equipment size, you may be able to just add larger tires if you have enough clearance.
If the size you’ve chosen exceeds your existing clearance, you may need to add a lift kit to accommodate your new tires. Check with a tire expert at Discount Tire to find out if you need a lift or to find the best deal on big truck tires!
HIGH FLOTATION TIRES IN TEXAS
Texas buys more flotation tires than any other state–almost 90,000 flotation tires were sold in Texas this past year according to Richard Cook, Discount Tire’s Associate Category Merchant!
Flotation tires are large, wide tires that are ideal for use on soft surfaces such as soil, mud, and sand–making them an excellent option for Texas’ rural conditions.
Learn more about flotation tires here.
Common flotation sizes in Texas include:
You can find flotation tires on vehicles like:
- Large trucks
- Off-road vehicles like Jeeps, ATV/UTVs
- Golf carts
- Lawn equipment
- Farming equipment
ALL-TERRAIN VS HIGHWAY TIRES IN TEXAS
Size shouldn’t be your only consideration when shopping for tires in Texas. How and where you drive will dictate which tire type you choose.
For trucks, the main choice is between all-terrain and highway-terrain tires. We’ve given a quick comparison below for you.
| All-Terrain or Highway-Terrain? Which Does My Truck Need | ||
|---|---|---|
| If you need… | …and can tolerate… | …then choose |
| △ Long tread life △ Efficient △ Comfortable △ Towing capable △ Minimal off-road service | ▽ A less rugged appearance | Highway-terrain |
| △ Traction in dirt, gravel, rock, mud, or sand △ Strength △ Work or recreational service △ Rugged appearance | ▽ Less efficiency ▽ More roadnoise ▽ Rougher ride | All-terrain |
The best tire for you depends on the needs of you, your vehicle, and your drive.
Check out our suggestions for the best tires for:
Need help choosing the right tire for you?
Start with Treadwell, our smart tire buying tool. It’s the same tool we use in stores to find the best tires for you. In a few easy steps, Treadwell will use extensive third party data and testing to recommend the best tires for you based on where, what, and how you drive.
START WITH TREADWELLBIGGER TIRES COME WITH TRADEOFFS
Bigger isn’t always better. Increasing your truck tire’s size can change how it performs and drives. Here’s what can change:
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Efficiency
Added tire weight, rolling resistance, and changes in effective gearing can affect fuel economy.
Here’s some tips on how to make your next road trip more efficient.
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Road noise
Aggressive tread patterns common in big tires can increase road noise.
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Acceleration and braking
Larger tires take longer to accelerate and stop due to their larger rotational and unsprung mass, alter gear ratios, and create longer leverage points.
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Vehicle Metrics
Changing the size of your tires can affect your vehicle’s ability to accurately read and calculate important metrics, such as your speedometer.
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Clearance issues
Even if the tire appears to fit while parked or traveling straight, you may encounter rubbing during cornering, steering, or as the suspension moves.
Also: consider that load capacity doesn’t necessarily increase with tire size. Always check your load and vehicle manufacturer requirements before assuming a larger tire will improve towing performance.
Shop our list of the best tires for towing and hauling.
WHEELS MATTER IN TEXAS, TOO
Tire size is only one part of a bigger truck tire setup. Your wheels also play an important role in determining fitment, clearance, stance, and how a finished package performs.
Wheel fitment components like:
- Wheel diameter
- Width
- Offset
- Backspacing
…all work together with tire dimensions. Changing these specifications can affect how the tire sits in relation to the suspension and fenders. This is why tire diameter alone can’t tell you if a particular setup will fit without rubbing.
Both wheel and tire choice affect everyday drivability and efficiency. A larger, heavier wheel and tire package adds weight and can contribute changes to driving behavior, such as braking and acceleration. The right package, however, can deliver the stance, capability, and performance you want.
Let us help you find the best combo for you and your truck!
Ready to find the best Texas size truck tires?
If you have any questions or are unsure what tires work best for you, drop in or give us a ring. We’ll get you taken care of. Buy and book online and save time in-store!
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