Best Tires for Ford F-150 (XLT, LT, 4×4, 2000 – 2024

As America’s best-selling truck for several decades, the Ford F-150 offers incredible capability and customization. With varied configurations plus robust engine choices, owners can tailor their F-150s to their lifestyles.

For this exact reason, choosing the right tires can be challenging. This guide will go through the top-rated tires for the Ford F-150 for certain needs so you can clarify your priorities and get the best choice for your beloved truck.

How to Choose The Best Tires for Ford F-150

Understanding Your Ford F-150

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all truck, and its configurations reflect that. Depending on the model year and trim level, it offers a variety of engine sizes and cab configurations. So, the best tires for the Ford F-150 4×4 might not be the right choice for a 2WD unit.

More powerful engines might require tires that can handle rapid acceleration and high-speed stability, especially when you use the 4×4 variants. For instance, the F-150 Raptor, with its off-road inclinations, demands tires that offer superior traction on rugged terrains.

If you own F-150s with longer beds, like the 8-foot variant on the Regular Cab, you can choose tires designed for better stability under load, like those with reinforced sidewalls.

In general, this pickup truck is designed to handle heavy loads, whether it’s hauling construction materials or towing a family RV for a weekend getaway. When selecting a tire, always consider an adequate load rating to support the truck’s full potential. Typically, look for tires with a load rating suitable for light trucks, such as E-rated tires.

Choose The Right Tire Type for Your Needs

There’s a spectrum of tire categories for you to consider: all-season, all-terrain, and snow tires, to name a few. Each type is meticulously designed for a specific driving need, ensuring that whether you’re finding your way through city streets, cutting through rugged landscapes, or braving winter conditions, there’s always a tire tailored to support your journey.

All-Season Tires

All-season tires are particularly well-suited for the versatile demands of the Ford F-150, blending dependable performance across various conditions and terrains. Given the truck’s rugged nature combined with its urban usability, all-season tires find their niche in offering a comprehensive driving experience. If you see yourself in one or more of the scenarios below, all-season tires might be your best bet:

• Highway and City Commuting: Do you find the majority of your driving is on paved roads, whether on urban streets or highways? The moderate siping and refined groove design of all-season tires keep them agile and responsive, ideal for such regular driving environments.
• Wet Roads Encounters: Do you occasionally find yourself driving on wet roads after a downpour? These tires generally offer commendable wet traction, ensuring hydroplaning risks remain at bay.
• Mild Winter Regions: Does your area experience light winter conditions rather than harsh snowfalls? While the all-season tires for the Ford F-150 lack the specialized rubber compounds and deep tread patterns found in winter-specific tires, they adequately manage in regions with light or infrequent snowfall.
• Long Hauls: Planning on taking your F-150 on extended drives? All-season tires efficiently absorb common road imperfections, delivering a quieter ride even at sustained speeds.
• Budget Constraints: Standard all-season tires are typically cost-effective, fitting well within the budgetary constraints of many drivers. However, if you’re looking to invest a bit more for enhanced road performance, there are premium all-season variants available. They’re fine-tuned for an even smoother driving experience with the F-150.

Keep in mind that while all-season tires are versatile, they may not be the best choice for regions with heavy snowfall or challenging off-road terrains. In those situations, dedicated winter or all-terrain tires might be a better choice.

All-Terrain Tires

All-terrain tires are a prime choice for Ford F-150 owners who often venture off the beaten path. Designed to tackle both on-road comfort and off-road resilience, these tires bring out the F-150’s rugged potential. If the following scenarios resonate with your driving habits or requirements, it might be time to consider all-terrain tires for your truck:

• Mixed Driving Conditions: Do you split your time between city streets, highways, and off-road trails? All-terrain tires boast aggressive tread patterns and robust sidewalls that can effortlessly transition from paved roads to gravel, dirt, and even mud.
• Off-road Adventures: Are weekend getaways to remote terrains or camping sites a routine? With larger tread blocks and stone ejectors, all-terrain tires are equipped to navigate rocky paths, muddy tracks, and sandy stretches with relative ease. They’re also meant to resist punctures, cuts, and abrasions from off-road hazards better.
• Occasional Snow: If you reside in an area that experiences light to moderate snow, the versatile tread design of all-terrain tires offers adequate grip in snowy conditions, although not as specialized as dedicated winter tires.
• Towing and Hauling: Planning on using your F-150 for towing trailers or carrying heavier loads? The reinforced construction of all-terrain tires provides enhanced load-bearing capacity and stability, ensuring safer and more controlled towing.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Do you prefer a more aggressive and rugged look for your F-150? The pronounced tread patterns and sidewall designs of all-terrain tires often complement the truck’s robust demeanor, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

Winter Tires

Winter tires are the best companion if you must confront the challenges of treacherous winter roads. With specialized rubber compounds and tread designs, they deliver better safety and control of those conditions.

Even if snow isn’t constant but temperatures in your area drop significantly, those tires can maintain their flexibility and provide consistent performance and reduced tire wear.

Remember that winter tires aren’t made for year-round use. As temperatures rise, the softer rubber compound can wear out faster on warm and dry roads. As a result, you won’t have the same level of wet traction as all-season tires during warmer months.

How Did We Test and Pick The Best Tires for F-150

Our 2023 COR Wheels Tire Test for the Ford F-150 thoroughly examined 196 tires to determine the 10 best in the 3 key groups above. We also weighed in feedback from F-150 owners across the country for more diverse driving experiences.

Our exhaustive tests took place in distinct dry and winter times, covering both on and off-road, focusing particularly on everyday towing jobs. We used the 275/55R20 size, a very good do-it-all tire size for full-size trucks like the F-150.

Best All-Season Tires for F-150

Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best uses: daily commutes (city streets & highways), on-road towing, wet roads (even with deep water), light snow, long on-road trips, light dirt and rock

The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is crafted for drivers who regularly switch between city drives and longer trips, with some off-road ventures (dirt, gravel, or small rocks) in between.

It demonstrated its strength during our test period with heavy loads such as boats on highways. We loved its stable steering control, which might result from its broad tarmac footprints. On asphalt roads up to speeds of 70 MPH, the tire remained steady without slipping.

But, when faced with very tight turns, a slight shift in the steering direction, or understeer, was evident. Also, the tire gives you a distinct, soft feeling during turns that you should be aware of.

Still, this tire is a good choice for city roads and road trips with super corner handling and comfort. You’ll love how quiet the cabin is, and the best part is that most drives from our survey have testified to its amazing durability. For our part, there was minimal wear even after over 300 miles on test tracks.

On less forgiving surfaces, the Defender LTX M/S still showcases its resilience. The tire can keep its connection with the road under rainfall at up to 55 MPH. But when laden with weight, you should still be more cautious and slow down your F-150 on those damp roads.

The tire appears to navigate through hard-packed gravel or dirt with ease. However, it’s worth noting its limitations on deep mud and sandy surfaces, where its performance becomes less predictable. Also, with snow depths approaching 8 inches, the loss of traction can become too uncomfortable to handle.

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Continental TerrainContact H/T

Best uses: daily highway commutes, regular city drives, light off-road towing on dirt, dry paved road cruising, wet roads (even with deep water)

This tire strikes a balance between city cruising and conquering rugged landscapes. At its core, it’s designed to bear the brunt of demanding roads without compromising on basic urban utility.

In the cityscape, you’ll find this tire effortlessly blending into the daily driving rhythm. Moving from stoplights and meandering through traffic at speeds of around 30-40 MPH, the tire displays consistent grip and stability. You’ll appreciate how it handles bumps and minor road imperfections, providing a ride that’s both reliable and comfortable.

For those occasional off-road enthusiasts, you’ll be pleased to find decent traction on dirt roads. You might notice some initial reluctance on rockier terrains, but it will adapt soon.

This tire isn’t made for heavy towing, so don’t put too much weight on it. This makes sure the TerrainContact H/T can handle abrupt directional changes without sacrificing too much comfort, even on roads that show significant wear.

Keep in mind not all terrains are compatible with this tire. In icy conditions or deep mud, you’ll feel the tire has trouble adapting to them. Steering occasionally may feel unpredictable at high speeds of 60-65 MPH on uneven patches as well.

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Firestone Destination LE3

Best uses: Budget choice (for a highway AS tire), daily commuting, limited off-road conditions, light on-road hauling jobs, moderate water depths 

When we started out on a clear asphalt highway, the LE3 excelled. The tire embraced the road and delivered a tactile but secure grip. This wasn’t just a superficial touch; it exuded confidence even as we navigated the unpredictable spurts of traffic flow.

Steering remained crisp during our test, while stability wasn’t a concern either. When we pushed the limits to 70 MPH, it could promptly respond to every twist and turn.

Dirt trails, with their unpredictable turns and inclines, present a test for many tires. The LE3 may require that extra push in acceleration to reclaim its grip in those scenarios. But overall, there should be no problem for you on occasional light off-roading.

While many tires specifically cater to heavy-duty towing, the LE3 stands somewhere in between. It’s a good choice when you’re thinking of towing moderately sized loads, such as a trailer weighing under 3,500 pounds, or pulling a small boat. At speeds up to 65 MPH, both your F-150 and its towed load should remain balanced and steady.

However, brace yourself on more rugged terrains, as they may seem a tad unyielding. Those tight S-curves on rain-soaked roads do pose a challenge as well. During such bends, the tire slightly loses its intimacy with the road.

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Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra

Best uses: daily commuting for both dry and wet seasons, on-road towing

Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra shines in its role for everyday use. Thanks to its flat and wide contact patch, the tire boasts a strong connection to the road.

In the concrete confines of the city, the tire demonstrates a confident stride. As you weave through dense traffic or negotiate tight corners at moderate speeds of 40-50 MPH, the tire establishes a surefooted grip, allowing for controlled lane changes.

When tasked with towing duties, the tire’s communicative nature becomes apparent. Its responsiveness to steering inputs is both swift and reliable. This ensures safety, especially during maneuvering or when bearing heavy loads like what F-150s usually do.

On wet roads, it maintains consistent traction up to moderate speeds, say around 55 MPH. However, you should exercise caution in standing water, especially when water depths exceed 5 inches.

With snow deeper than 8 inches, you’ll find the tire grappling with frequent drifts. Similarly, when pushing the tire in these tough terrains, not only does traction falter, but durability concerns could also creep in. The tire, not built to withstand the harsh demands of off-roading, might show early signs of wear, such as cuts or bruises when faced with the rigors of the wild.

Another aspect to consider, especially for those who cherish a quieter ride, is the road noise. Particularly at higher speeds of around 70 MPH, the Alenza AS Ultra does let out a pronounced hum.

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Best All Terrain Tires for F-150

Nitto Nomad Grappler

Best uses: daily highway commuting or spirited driving, challenging wet conditions, light off-roading (dirt, gravel), and all winter terrains

When it comes to meeting a variety of road challenges, the Nitto Nomad Grappler stands out as a solid choice for many drivers.

For starters, on dry roads, the Nomad Grappler showcases its prowess with excellent traction and stability even when reaching speeds of up to 75 MPH. This performance doesn’t waver even when towing light loads. The tire handles highways, curves, and accelerations with aplomb.

During our tests, its steering response remained sharp and consistent across different speeds, particularly between 30-50 MPH. You can also anticipate a bonus: the tire offers better fuel economy than some of its competitors, as shown in our extended driving range.

The Nitto Nomad Grappler handles deep stagnant water pretty well. It managed to retain its grip even when we cut through waters deeper than 7 inches. You will appreciate the tire’s stability when towing light loads under 1000 lbs and cruising between 35-50 MPH on wet terrains.

The Grappler also holds its own in snowy conditions. It displays aggressive clawing actions on light snow and offers consistent performance on snow depths up to 12 inches, especially with snow chains.

There is predictable traction on gravel and dirt at regular driving speeds. However, it’s worth noting that it lacks ejectors for more challenging sandy, rocky, or muddy patches.

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Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Best uses: dry commuting and long road trips, moderate water depths, all dirt tracks, light dry off-road duties (sand, mud, rock), general comfort

This tire consistently demonstrates excellent dry traction, even when navigating over uneven surfaces with cracks and bumps. During our tests, we found that it maintained stability even when driving at speeds of up to 70 MPH on highways.

At corners, the tire shows prowess at lower speeds but can become a bit unsettled during abrupt maneuvers at higher speeds. The steering, however, stays remarkably responsive and remains consistent even as you push towards 60 MPH.

Off the tarmac, the Discoverer AT3 4S showcased its strengths and weaknesses. It handled dirt roads confidently when we revved up to speeds of 50 MPH and even possessed the ability to climb over rocks at gentle speeds.

Sand terrains will benefit from its grooves with satisfactory traction. But it’s best to keep the speed under 35 MPH as the ground becomes more challenging. Muddy terrain is certainly not its strongest suit, especially when the mud gets thicker than 4 inches.

We’re sure you’ll like the comfort it offers. On pavement, drivers will experience a smooth and quiet ride, allowing for relaxed travel. However, as the terrain shifts to dirt or rocks, you’ll hear an increase in tire noise.

The disappointing thing is that, in wet conditions, the tire’s performance is more modest. While it offers decent wet traction at speeds up to 40 MPH, it begins to struggle as the rain gets heavier.

For standing water, it manages decently but should not be the first choice during a torrential downpour. Similarly, its traction performance is average at best when faced with icy roads under heavy loads.

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Sumitomo Encounter AT

Best uses: off-road driving and towing, dry highway trips, light/deep snow, light rain, durable choice

This tire will allow you to accelerate confidently up to 65 MPH on well-paved roads. During urban drives, when turning into tight corners at speeds around 30-35 MPH or even pushing it up to 60 MPH, it demonstrates good corner stability. You’ll also find the steering response to be almost instantaneous, with crisp feedback during both gentle and aggressive turns.

Off-road terrains are truly where the Encounter AT is made for. Carrying payload on gravel and dirt is no challenge, with impressive traction even at speeds approaching 60 MPH.

Keep in mind that you should be wary of deeper sand patches that can challenge its limits. And while it maneuvers through light mud at speeds between 40-55 MPH with ease, it tends to struggle in thicker mud beyond 5 inches.

This is among the rare products that can stand tall amongst many of its winter competitors.

On light snow, you’ll find its traction comparable to dry terrains with a consistent performance from 0-50MPH. In snow deeper than 12 inches, you might expect some drag and slippage. But it maintains stability within the comfortable speed range of 25-40 MPH.

Wet performance, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. In deeper water, the tire finds it challenging to maintain grip. Driving during an active rainstorm may require more caution from you.

The bright side is that you won’t need to replace the Encounter AT as often. The tread design stands robust against wear and tear. It retained its shape even when subjected to our rigorous drives.

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Falken WildPeak A/T3W

Best uses: budget choice (for an AT tire), off-road towing, highway commuting, moderate wet and snowy conditions

On rough terrains, this tire truly flexes its capabilities. You can expect sturdy grip and stability on dirt roads, even approaching 70 MPH with a moderate load behind. With rocky surfaces, we noticed the grip remained solid within the 40-55 MPH range, though we sometimes felt some resistance during tight cornering.

Going through light mud at 40-55 MPH was relatively stable, but entering deeper mud zones could be a tad challenging. Sand may also present minimal challenges for you, as deep dents in the sand might cause some loss of traction.

On-road experiences are not bad either. It can integrate seamlessly into your daily commute. For those who occasionally tow, just be mindful when turning, as there can be slight swaying. This is when you might need to decelerate for better control.

The Falken WildPeak A/T3W isn’t a superstar in winter, but it can manage just fine. Light snow should not be a problem with traction levels reminiscent of dry terrains, ensuring consistent driving from 0-45 MPH.

However, you’ll run into the limitations on heavily icy or damp roads. While it manages water levels of up to 5 inches effectively, deeper water zones can make you slow down a lot. Similarly, very deep mud zones pose a struggle, especially during entry and exit.

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Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003

Best uses: heavy off-road duties, highway towing, regular dry commutes, snowy roads

When it comes to off-road terrains, this tire is a beast. On dirt paths, you’ll experience an almost domineering grip even at 60 MPH. Though there are occasional jitters on washboard paths, these instances are few and predictable. Mud is no obstacle either, with the tire displaying a stellar ability to navigate thick mud beyond 5 inches and rebound swiftly from deep clay pits.

And the best part is you have no reason to worry about the wear. It has exceptional resilience against sharp rocks and steep inclines, with almost negligible. Within the urban environment, this tire proves its value by offering a steadfast grip on dry roads.

As you dart through city intersections or cruise on highways at moderate speeds, around 40-60 MPH, the tire provides an assurance of grip, even when faced with unexpected debris. However, you might experience slight delays on highways with rapid alternating steering.

The tire did well on both light and deep snow on our test drives, but there was some fatigue after prolonged 2-3 hour sessions. It also struggled with even the slightest ice buildups, so it’s best for you to keep speeds below 20 MPH.

Before getting this tire, make sure you understand how noisy it can be, especially at highway speeds or on very wet surfaces. And while the ride comfort is cushioned, it doesn’t entirely insulate against all bumps.

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Best Winter/Snow Tire for Ford F-150

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

Best uses: long rides during winter (both on snow and ice), wet roads, occasional dry traveling

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 tire blends robust winter traction with everyday drivability. It shines in urban settings coated with packed snow and ice. At cautious speeds of 20 MPH on icy residential streets, we felt its precise traction facilitating controlled maneuvers without slippage risks.

Light, fluffy snow is another area where the tire excels. On roads covered in 4 inches of fresh powder, it stuck to the surface with ease, allowing us to make quick lane changes and steady acceleration up to 45 MPH on rural routes. You’ll feel confident pushing the speed limit thanks to its planted stability.

Even steep gravel trails buried under 10 inches or more of dense snow shouldn’t intimidate your F-150. At a moderate 20 MPH climb, the DM-V2’s tenacious treads keep your vehicle progressing without the need for chains.

This tire also provides a trusty grip on roads submerged under 2 inches of water. However, use caution in deeper pools. We noticed it resisted hydroplaning well at 30 MPH, but speeds over 35 MPH induced some slight drifting.

As expected, driving on warmer and drier roads is not as good. You can still competently handle highways at 60 MPH and execute solid straight-line traction. However, stability through sharp corners is somewhat reduced compared to specialized summer or AS tires.

Rugged backroads are a big no with its soft compound. Taking it off-road would provide a very bumpy ride. You’d gain nothing except frustration and accelerated tread wear.

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Conclusion

Ultimately, there is no single best tire for the Ford F-150, as the optimal choice depends on each driver’s specific needs and priorities. Carefully weighing factors like on/off-road performance, ride comfort, and cost will lead you to the tire from our 2023 COR Wheels Tire Test that suits you the best.