How long do commercial truck tires last? How are commercial truck tires rated? When is it ok to use light truck tires on a commercial vehicle? We know that questions abound where commercial truck tires are concerned, and we’ve put together a guide that can help you take better care of your fleet or your commercial vehicle.
Commercial truck tires generally last for three to six years, but no two commercial enterprises have exactly the same requirements, and that means that you should always keep a close watch on your tires as you drive through Madison and Waukesha. Commercial truck tires need to be replaced when tread depth reaches 3/32 of an inch, and you can pick up a tread gauge from our parts team if you think that it’s time for an inspection.
Commercial truck tires are rated on the same load index scale that all tires use. Most commuter cars and light trucks require tires with load ratings that range from 70 (739 pounds per tire) to 124 (3527 pounds per tire). At the upper end of the scale, you have tires with load index ratings of 150 that can handle up to 7,385 pounds each.
It’s also important to consider your tires’ speed rating. It’s rare to see tires with speed ratings lower than L, which corresponds to a top speed of 75 mph. Speed ratings go all the way up to (Y), which is used for vehicles that reach a top speed of 186 mph or more.
How are commercial truck tires sized? Many ½, ¾, and full-ton trucks can use LT tires without trouble. Generally speaking, if your vehicle falls into Class I, Class II, or Class III, you can use LT tires. For semi trucks, the most common tire sizes are 295/75R22.5, 275/70R22.5, and 225/70R19.5—but these vary from year to year, and it’s important to choose a tire that will fit your vehicle perfectly. Naturally, we can help!
When comparing commercial tires vs. light truck tires, the most important thing to note is that light truck tires—which bear the letters “LT”—are not suitable for larger commercial vehicles like semi trucks. The same is true for P-Metric tires, marked “P”, which are used for passenger vehicles. Commercial truck tires do not have a specific designation, which is why it’s so important to understand how commercial truck tires are rated.
You’ve seen how commercial truck tires are rated and sized, but if you need help selecting the right tire for your jobs, we’d be more than happy to help. Contact us today if you have any questions or need tires for one or more of your vehicles. Our locations are easy to reach from anywhere near Milwaukee or Chicago.
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