Choosing the right tires for your lifted truck is a critical decision that balances aggressive off-road capability with daily driving comfort and safety. The perfect set needs to handle mud, rocks, and trails while still providing reliable performance on wet or snowy highways. It’s about finding a tire that matches your truck’s enhanced stature and your driving ambitions.
This roundup focuses on ten of the top tire options designed to meet the demands of a lifted truck. From rugged mud-terrains to versatile all-terrains, each model brings unique technologies and strengths to the table. We’ve evaluated key features like traction, durability, and ride quality to help you make an informed choice for your vehicle.
The Top Tire Picks for Your Lifted Truck
- Toyo Tires Open Country R/T 35X12.50R20
- Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT All-Season Radial Tire
- General Grabber X3 All-Terrain Radial Tire
- Firestone Destination M/T2 Max Traction Truck Tire
- Yokohama GEOLANDAR MT G003 Mud Terrain Radial Tire
- Nitto Ridge Grappler All-Terrain Radial Tire
- BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Car Tire
- TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III
- Mickey Thompson Tires BAJA BOSS A/T
- Falken Wildpeak A/T3W All-Terrain Radial Tire
Toyo Tires Open Country R/T 35X12.50R20
The Toyo Open Country R/T is a robust hybrid tire designed for drivers who need serious off-road traction without sacrificing too much on-road manners. Its 3D multiwave sipes create numerous biting edges that improve grip in challenging conditions like rain and light snow, providing confidence when the weather turns.
Circumferential grooves effectively channel water away from the tread to reduce hydroplaning risk. Furthermore, the specialized energy-reducing tread compound helps minimize rolling resistance. This can contribute to a smoother ride and potentially better fuel efficiency, which is a welcome benefit for a large tire on a lifted truck.
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT All-Season Radial Tire
Goodyear equips the Wrangler DuraTrac RT with DuPont Kevlar for enhanced strength in the tread area. This reinforcement helps protect against cuts and damage from sharp rocks and debris, giving you more confidence to tackle rough off-road sections.
This tire is also built to handle winter conditions. Its tread pattern is designed with numerous biting edges that dig into snow for better traction and control. This makes it a strong all-season option for lifted trucks that see duty in various climates, from dry trails to snowy roads.
General Grabber X3 All-Terrain Radial Tire
The General Grabber X3 offers an aggressive, bold look that complements the stance of a lifted truck perfectly. Its rugged styling is matched by a tread design intended for challenging off-road environments, providing the visual and functional toughness many truck owners seek.
Despite its aggressive nature, General has engineered this tire to maintain a surprisingly quiet and comfortable ride on pavement. The reduced road noise is a significant benefit for daily driving. The manufacturer also supports this tire with a 45-day trial period, allowing you to test its performance with less risk.
Firestone Destination M/T2 Max Traction Truck Tire
Built for maximum traction off the beaten path, the Firestone Destination M/T2 is a dedicated mud-terrain tire. Its tough construction and deep tread are made to handle the rigors of off-roading, from rocky inclines to deep mud, giving you the capability to follow trails wherever they lead.
This tire doesn’t only perform in dry dirt. Firestone has designed it to also offer impressive performance in wet and snowy conditions. This broader capability means you can rely on it for better traction during rainy commutes or unexpected winter weather, adding to its year-round usefulness.
Yokohama GEOLANDAR MT G003 Mud Terrain Radial Tire
The Yokohama GEOLANDAR MT G003 is a premium mud-terrain tire with a high load capacity, suitable for heavier lifted trucks. Its universal fitment makes it a versatile choice for various truck models, and its construction is focused on delivering serious off-road performance.
Manufactured in Japan, this tire benefits from Yokohama’s rigorous engineering and quality control standards. The result is a product known for its durability and consistent performance in the most demanding muddy and rocky conditions, appealing to off-road enthusiasts who prioritize build quality.
Nitto Ridge Grappler All-Terrain Radial Tire
The Nitto Ridge Grappler is a popular hybrid tire that blends mud-terrain and all-terrain characteristics. It comes from a trusted brand known for producing premium quality tires that meet the high expectations of truck and off-road communities.
Its unique tread pattern is designed to offer aggressive off-road traction while managing noise levels better than a traditional mud-terrain tire. It’s important to note that the specific tread pattern may vary slightly depending on the tire size you select, but the core performance attributes remain consistent.
BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Car Tire
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a legendary tire known for its exceptional toughness and durability. It provides reliable control and comfort across a wide range of surfaces, including mud, dirt, sand, and rocks, making it a top choice for serious adventurers.
This tire carries the three-peak mountain snowflake rating, meaning it is certified for severe winter service. This provides year-round traction and peace of mind for drivers who encounter snowy conditions, solidifying its status as a true all-season, all-terrain option for lifted trucks and SUVs.
TOYO OPEN COUNTRY A/T III
The Toyo Open Country A/T III represents the latest evolution in Toyo’s all-terrain lineup. It is engineered to deliver balanced performance for drivers who split their time between highway driving and off-road excursions, offering a practical solution for a lifted truck.
This tire builds upon the proven reputation of its predecessors with updated tread compounds and design features aimed at improving wear life, wet weather traction, and winter performance. It’s a modern all-terrain choice designed to meet the diverse needs of today’s truck owner.
Mickey Thompson Tires BAJA BOSS A/T
The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is a high-performance all-terrain tire designed for maximum traction in all conditions. Its substantial size and weight, as indicated by its package dimensions, reflect its robust construction intended for demanding use on and off-road.
Mickey Thompson is a brand synonymous with off-road racing, and that performance heritage is built into this tire. It aims to provide exceptional grip in dirt, mud, and rock while still maintaining respectable manners on pavement for a tire of its capability.
Falken Wildpeak A/T3W All-Terrain Radial Tire
The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W has earned a strong reputation as a value-packed all-terrain tire that performs well above its price point. It is designed to be a severe snow service-rated tire right from the start, making winter capability a core feature, not an afterthought.
Its aggressive tread pattern and durable sidewall design provide reliable off-road traction and protection. Many users report a good balance of off-road grip, on-road comfort, and long tread life, making it a frequently recommended option for lifted truck owners looking for a dependable daily driver that can also play hard.
What to Look For in the Best Tires For Lifted Trucks
Choosing the right tires for your lifted truck isn’t just about looks; it’s about matching your new stance and capability with a tire that can handle it. I’ve learned that the wrong tire can make your truck drive poorly, wear out fast, or even be unsafe. The first thing I consider is tire type. All-terrain tires are the sweet spot for most lifted trucks, offering a good mix of on-road manners and off-road grip. If you’re mostly on pavement but want an aggressive look, a rugged all-season might work. For serious mud and rocks, mud-terrain tires are the answer, but be ready for more road noise.
Size is everything. You lifted your truck for a reason, and a tiny tire will look silly. You need to calculate the new overall diameter you want. A good rule of thumb is that a 2-inch lift can typically fit a tire 2-3 inches larger in diameter than stock. Always check for clearance at full turn and when the suspension compresses. Load range is another big one. Trucks are heavy, and bigger tires put more leverage on components. I always look for a Load Range E (10-ply) tire for its strong sidewalls and ability to handle the weight, especially if I’m towing or hauling.
Tread design dictates performance. For all-around use, I want staggered tread blocks and plenty of siping (those little cuts in the tread) for wet pavement and light snow. For mud, I need large, self-cleaning lugs with wide gaps. The sidewall is part of the tread off-road, so an aggressive sidewall pattern can help with traction in ruts and when airing down. Finally, I think about the brand’s reputation and the specific tire’s reviews. Some are known for longevity, others for pure traction. Balancing my budget with my actual needs, not just my wants, has saved me money and hassle. Getting the right set makes all the difference in how your lifted truck drives and performs.
FAQ
What size tire can I fit on my lifted truck?
This depends on your specific truck, the amount of lift, and any other modifications like wheel offset or trimming. A common estimate is that a 2-inch leveling kit or lift allows for tires about 2 inches larger in diameter than stock. A 4-inch lift might fit tires 4-5 inches larger. The only way to know for sure is to research forums for your exact truck model and lift kit, or consult with a professional installer. Trying to fit a tire that’s too big can cause rubbing, which damages the tire and your truck’s body.
Are all-terrain or mud-terrain tires better for a daily-driven lifted truck?
For a daily driver, all-terrain tires are almost always the better choice. They offer a much quieter and smoother ride on the highway, better wet pavement handling, and usually last longer. Mud-terrain tires are incredibly capable off-road but come with significant trade-offs: louder road noise, a often rougher ride, and faster wear on pavement. Unless you’re spending a lot of time in deep mud or on rocky trails, a high-quality all-terrain tire will serve you better for the 90% of time you’re on the road.
Do I need to re-gear my truck after putting on larger tires?
This is a very common question. When you increase your tire diameter, you effectively change your final drive ratio, making it “taller.” This can make your truck feel sluggish, reduce towing capacity, and cause your transmission to hunt for gears. For minor size increases (e.g., going from a 31″ to a 33″ tire), you might just notice a slight change. For more significant jumps, re-gearing your differentials is the proper fix to restore performance and fuel economy. It’s an investment, but it makes the truck drive correctly.
How does a lift kit affect tire wear?
A properly installed and aligned lift kit should not cause unusual tire wear by itself. However, the process often changes the suspension geometry. This makes a professional alignment absolutely critical after any lift is installed. If the alignment is off, you will see rapid and uneven wear, like cupping or feathering on the edges. Also, more aggressive tires (especially mud-terrains) and larger, heavier tires will naturally wear faster than stock highway tires. Regular rotations every 5,000-7,000 miles are key to getting the most life from your set of the best tires for lifted trucks.
Can I use my stock wheels with new tires for my lifted truck?
You often can, but you might not want to. Stock wheels usually have a lot of positive offset, tucking the tire in close to the suspension. When you add a larger tire, this increases the chance of rubbing on the inner suspension components or frame at full turn. Many people use wheels with less offset or negative offset to push the tire outwards. This provides better clearance for the larger tire and also gives the truck a wider, more stable stance. Always check backspacing and offset specifications to ensure your new wheel and tire combo will fit.