Although most people think of pickup trucks as work vehicles, truck enthusiasts buy them for other reasons as well. For those who want a reliable work truck during the day and a luxurious vehicle at night, the GMC Sierra 1500 is the perfect choice. But what are the Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500. Or are there any Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500 available in the market?
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right tires for your GMC Sierra. You should also consider your priorities for tire replacement. A factory tire, or OEM, was chosen by GMC as the most economical and reasonable compromise between capability, fuel economy, and price. One factor may be more important to you than another, depending on your priorities.
It is our firm belief that there is no one-size-fits-all set of tires. Off-roading tires won’t do much for the best street tires, and vice versa. It is just as important to choose your tires according to your needs and budget as to buy a high-quality product. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500.
Choosing the Right Tires for Your GMC Sierra 1500
Choose the right tires for your GMC Sierra 1500 based on the model you choose and how often you drive. If you drive off Royal Oak highways often, or if you use your GMC Sierra for off-roading and racing, you should choose a tire accordingly. Here are some of the best tires for your GMC Sierra based on your driving needs:
GMC Sierra 1500 base and SLE
- Budget– Suitable for pickup trucks, General Tire Grabber HTS is an all-season light truck tire. A combination of comfort, durability, and performance makes the Grabber HTS an attractive choice.
- Mid-Priced– The Falken Wildpeak A/T 3W tires are all-weather off-road and on-road tires with severe snow duty ratings thrown in.
- Most Expensive– The Michelin Defender LTX M/S offers a smooth, quiet ride with long life. Tires like this one offer excellent traction in wet, dry and wintry conditions, even in light snow.
Best Tire for GMC Sierra 1500 Elevation and SLT
- Budget– The Continental CrossContact LX20 is an affordable all-season pickup truck tire that offers performance on the highway and in mild off-road conditions.
- Mid-Priced– The Cooper Discoverer H/T Plus tires are a budget-friendly option for the AT4 model Sierra. Providing moderate off-road capability, these tires emphasize all-season traction.
- Most Expensive– The Michelin Defender LTX M/S offers a smooth, quiet ride with long life. Tires like this one offer excellent traction in wet, dry and wintry conditions, even in light snow.
Best Tire for GMC Sierra AT4
- Budget– A There are few budget tires like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02. However, we recommend some low-cost pickup truck tires in this size and style. This is our mid-priced pick for off-road and on-road tires.
- Mid-Priced– The Cooper Discoverer AT3 tires are equipped with white raised lettering and have a snow duty rating of severe.
- Most Expensive– Most off-road adventure vehicles use the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W as their OEM tire. Due to their severe snow duty rating, they are suitable for all weather conditions.
Best Tire for GMC Sierra Denali
- Budget– For a premium vehicle, the Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner A/T is a great tire. The tire is designed for longevity and overall balance. The tread compound is chip- and tear-resistant.
- Mid-Priced– The Long Trail T/A Tour tire from BFGoodrich offers drivers maneuverability as well as comfort, traction, and durability for highway driving.
- Most Expensive– The Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus II tire provides premium performance and fuel efficiency.
Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500 for Highway Driving
- Michelin Defender LTX M/S
- General Grabber HTS60
- Cooper Discoverer HTP
Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500 4×4 / Off-Road
- BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
- Yokohama Geolander M/T G003
- Cooper Discoverer AT3
Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500 Sport / High-Performance
- Yokohama Parada Spec X
- Falken Ziex STZ05
- Nitto NT 421Q
Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500 Winter
- Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
What are the Best 10 Tires for GMC Sierra?
1. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus tires are the most popular touring tires among crossovers, SUVs, and trucks that don’t tow frequently. Their performance is long-lasting, and they offer a balanced driving experience.
There is no better tire for GMC Sierra 1500 right now – it comes with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty. For a more luxurious ride, it is also very quiet and comfortable.
Learn more about it here.
Pros
- Exceptionally quiet and comfortable on the street
- Wet and dry handling is excellent
- Category’s best durability
- Stable at high speeds
Cons
- The best option for towing is not this one
- The traction on snow could be improved
2. General Grabber HTS60
It is very popular among trailer enthusiasts in the USA, especially the General Grabber HTS60. Although the treadwear warranty doesn’t reflect that (65,000-mile treadwear warranty for models with S- and T-speed ratings, and 50,000-mile treadwear warranty for models with LT sizes and H-speed ratings), the tire is powerful and durable.
Pros
- A heavy-duty version is ideal for towing
- Comfortable and quiet
- Excellent performance in both dry and wet conditions
- Gravel-friendly
- The price is fair
Cons
- In the rain, heavy-duty models aren’t as good
3. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All-Season Plus
Scorpion Verde is one of the best touring tires for trucks, especially for those who want to save money and have an elevated driving experience.
Apart from Pirelli’s slightly lower 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, its competitor is excellent in every other respect. This tire offers excellent high-speed stability, traction, and grip.
Pros
- Response time is excellent
- Handles wet and dry surfaces well
- Braking performance is excellent
- Resistance to rolling is low
Cons
- Treadwear warranty reduced to 65,000 miles
4. Falken Wildpeak AT3W
There is no treadwear warranty offered by Falken on the Wildpeak AT3W. Nevertheless, we believe that it is durable and strong. In addition to providing you with ample traction, this tire can handle even the harshest off-road terrain. It has the deepest tread in its category. Due to the heat diffuser technology, the Falken provides excellent high-speed stability on the road, especially when pulling heavy loads or towing.
Both dry and wet handling and braking are excellent. Noise is a concern on highways, however, as with most all-terrain tires.
Pros
- Benefitsllent off-road traction
- Traction is excellent off-roadabilities
- Strong and durable
Cons
- Highway noise is a problem
- There is no warranty on treadwear
5. Yokohama Parada Spec X
If If you own the sportiest version of the Sierra 1500 with the largest 275/55R20 wheels, the Yokohama Parada Spec X will enhance your driving experience significantly. Additionally, the tire offers excellent grip and traction, as well as excellent braking performance.
Due to its wide circumferential center groove and sweeping lateral grooves, the Yokohama tire also performs well in wet conditions. However, light-snow traction isn’t as good as heavy snow.
Pros
- Response time is excellent
- Ability to corner well
- Comfortable and quiet
- Wet traction is very good
Cons
- There is no warranty on treadwear
- The traction on light snow could be improved
6. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2
Blizzak DM-V2 BridgestoneM-V2 comes with the NanoPro Tech Multicell compound that has a water-loving hydrophilic coating. It literally removes water from the snow or ice beneath you, improving traction and braking. It sounds silly, but it works.
Additionally, the Bridgestone provides excellent traction, grip, and braking on wet and dry surfaces in cold weather, thanks to its Multicell compound. However, Bridgestone does not offer a treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Capability to handle snow well
- Wet and dry handling is excellent
- Suitable for use on ice as well
- Class-leading snow and ice braking
Cons
- There is no warranty on treadwear
7. Cooper Discoverer HTP
It is cheaper to buy the Cooper Discoverer HTP than the Defender LTX. Don’t be fooled by its price – this is a great all-season highway tire for GMC Sierra 1500s.
On Coopers are very quiet and comfortable on the road, almost as good as Michelins. In addition to traction and grip, responsiveness is also excellent. In heavy rain, the Cooper works great, but it doesn’t have the best winter traction.
Pros
- Comfortable and quiet
- Exceptional traction and braking in wet conditions
- Dry conditions are stable
Cons
- Traction isn’t the best in light snow
8. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
A/T KO2 by BFGoodrichwl-Tek compound, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 offers amazing off-road traction on gravel, rocks, sand, and mud, almost on the level of mud-terrain tires. In addition to Sidewall Armor, the T/A KO2 has a loose object rejection feature.
Pros
- Off-road capabilities that are outstanding
- Strong and durable
- Warranty of 50,000 miles on treadwear
- Traction on the road is excellent
Cons
- Definitely not the quietest all-terrain tire
9. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
There is no doubt that Michelin Defender LTX M/S is one of the best highway tires on the market right now. Exceptional high-speed stability, excellent grip, and dependable traction on dry and wet pavement. With a large trailer attached, models with a higher load range offer excellent stability. Although hydroplaning resistance is excellent, light-snow traction could be improved.
Pros
- Dry handling in warm and cold temperatures
- Exceptional traction in wet conditions
- Towable and haulable
- Comfortable and quiet
Cons
- Winter conditions are not the best time to use it
10. Continental CrossContact LX20 with EcoPlus Technology
Those who want to save on fuel while driving should consider the Continental CrossContact LX20. Tires with low rolling resistance improve fuel economy in trucks. Plus, the Continental CrossContact LX20 is very quiet and comfortable – perfect for trucks like the GMC Sierra 1500. They also provide excellent grip and traction in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
Last but not least, this GMC Sierra tire comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is excellent, but still falls short of the best touring tires for SUVs today.
Pros
- Dry handling is excellent
- Wet performance is very good
- A plush ride
- Highway traffic is quiet
- Fuel economy is improved
Cons
- The treadwear warranty of some competitors is better
What is the Buying Guide for Choosing the Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500?
If you do not haul or tow heavy items, touring tires are great
For pickup trucks and SUVs, touring tires offer the best balance. For most GMC Sierra 1500 drivers, these are the best tires. The first reason is that they are very affordable today, even models made by premium manufacturers such as Michelin, Bridgestone, and Pirelli. However, comfort is the main reason they are so popular with truck owners.
When driving over smaller and larger imperfections on the road, touring tires offer the best ride quality. Even at highway speeds, they are very quiet. It used to be that trucks were noisy, especially those with tire noise; now, modern touring tires are quieter.
Additionally, touring tires last for a long time. As a result, they cannot used on very uneven terrain, but their tread life is longer than any other type of tire. Today, most premium touring tires for trucks come with a treadwear warranty between 70,000 and 80,000 miles, which we think is pretty impressive.
Towing and hauling with highway tires is a great option
Similar to touring tires, highway tires offer a balanced set of qualities. Touring tires, however, do not come with high load range capacities, whereas highway tires do.
On Additionally, highway tires tend to have tougher casings, making them better for driving over uneven terrain, such as dirt or gravel.
On Highway tires provide dependable and safe handling on the road. You can’t drive like a racing enthusiast on these tires if you want your GMC Sierra 1500 to be sporty. In spite of this, they will still provide excellent traction, both on 2WD and 4WD models, and strong braking.
How Do I Get Sporty Handling?
If Street/Sport tires will provide better handling for your GMC Sierra 1500 V8, compared to touring or highway tires. Designed for high speeds and hard cornering or braking, Street/Sport models provide a unique driving experience.
On A Street/Sport tire feels much livelier and more responsive on the road. Driving a lighter truck will almost feel natural. On more powerful versions of the Sierra 1500, they also have better traction during hard acceleration. In addition to the better grip, the cornering speeds are also higher. Last but not least, braking is stronger when you drive fast. These things apply both to dry and wet surfaces.
How Does Off-Road Driving Work?
For dirt and gravel driving, highway tires are a good choice, but not for other off-road surfaces. With the Sierra 1500, all-terrain tires are a more reliable choice for off-roading.
Besides designed for off-road driving, all terrain tires are great for on-road driving as well. On dry and wet pavement, you’ll still get good traction and grip. Despite not being as responsive as touring or highway tires, these Sierra tires are perfectly fine for everyday use.
They can also used on most off-road terrains safely. Today’s best all terrain tires perform well on dirt and gravel, as well as on rocks and in mud. With these tires, you can pretty much tackle any terrain.
The durability of all-terrain tires is also very high. These tires made from very tough casings that are resistant to cuts, chips, and punctures, so even the toughest terrain won’t damage them. Additionally, they offer 50,000- to 60,000-mile treadwear warranties.
And What About the Climate?
This is also very important because the rubber compound of the tires designed to work in a narrow temperature range. You get all-season, all-weather, summer, and winter designations from there.
When temperatures drop, tires that work well in warm conditions become hard and brittle. As a result, traction, grip, and stopping power will be rapidly lost, especially on wet pavement. Conversely, tires designed for cold weather will become too soft in hot weather, resulting in less grip and responsiveness.
To In order to mitigate these issues, most tires available for GMC Sierra 1500 are all-season tires. As a result, they can used in a wider temperature range than other tires. They are neither too brittle in the winter nor too soft in the summer.
Regardless of the temperature, the best all-season tires today provide dependable handling and braking. Even though some of them work in light snow, that’s pushing it. In harsh winter conditions, you shouldn’t rely on these tires.
When Should You Replace Tires on Your GMC Sierra 1500?
Whether on a Sierra pickup or any other vehicle, time and mileage are the two enemies of tires. From the date of manufacture, most vehicle tires, whether for a truck or car, have a lifespan of about five years. Tires for trucks usually have a life expectancy of 40,000 to 70,000 miles.
As time goes on, checking for a “use by” date becomes easier. DOT numbers give an accurate date of manufacture on all U.S. tires. Each of these 12-digit codes has four digits. It identifies the manufacturer and place of manufacture, among other things. Three numbers indicate the week and year of manufacture. Tires with 3219 codes made during the 32nd week of 2019 (September 11-17, 2019). The code 1918 indicates manufacture during the 19th week of 2018 (May 7-13). Date of manufacture plus five years indicates tire expiration.
Mileage, however, is the most likely indicator of tire replacement. Vehicle mileage is usually measured by tread wear rather than actual mileage. By tread wear indicator, a tire rated for “70,000 miles” may need replacement after 65,000 or 75,000 miles.
Most tread wear measurements based on practical safety expectations. Tire wear is most often determined by tread depth, face wear, and so on. The “rules of thumb” governing treat depth checks known to most vehicle repair experts and technicians. To determine how much tread left, simply insert a coin into the tread. It is best to consult an expert before replacing a tire. As your Sierra’s first line of safety, you should treat its tires well.
Why Should You Use Original GMC Equipment Tires for your GMC Sierra 1500?
GMC recommends OEM (original equipment manufacturer) tires for your Sierra because they are the most suitable for it. However, GMC decides on your truck’s eligibility based on several factors that may or may not apply to you.
GMC assumes the Sierra 1500 will used on roads, highways, and in all weather conditions. Over the first few years of ownership, they consider the average user of the Sierra and what they can expect from its tires. Also, GMC considers its own relationship with tire manufacturers as well as the costs associated with choosing one tire over another as the OE choice. It is also important to consider road noise, handling characteristics, and the “sell factor” (how much of an impact the tire will have on truck sales).
As However, as a consumer, you have many choices when it comes to your GMC Sierra. Depending on your needs, you may want more all-weather capability, better off-road handling, or better hydroplaning resistance. Depending on your specific needs, warranties and dependability are also important factors as a consumer. The cost will also increase.
Although the original equipment choice from GMC might do, another option might also work for you.
How to Change GMC Sierra 1500 Tire Sizes?
There are a wide variety of wheel sizes and tires available for your Sierra. However, truck owners often replace those with aftermarket options that differ in size and style from the originals.
There are different sizes of wheels and tires mounted on them. It’s a good idea to keep the overall diameter of the wheel and tire the same unless you plan to change other aspects of the suspension. A larger wheel needs to proportioned to a smaller sidewall tire, or a smaller wheel needs to have a larger sidewall. Your truck will maintain its alignment, drive characteristics, safety metrics, and speedometer readings in accordance with its manufacturer’s specifications.
You may choose to upgrade or downsize wheels and tires to improve ride quality, reduce replacement costs, or to meet seasonal needs. For off-roading, you may need a smaller wheel and a larger tire wall depending on the truck’s use metrics.
How to Read Tire Sizes on Your GMC Sierra 1500?
A tire’s size determined by a number or letter. There are several things they indicate about the tire, however, and they are universal. These tire size indicators are important to know when matching tires or shopping for replacements.
A It is common for GMC Sierra tires to sized 235/65R17. In addition to the tread width, the sidewall height, and the opening of the wheel, the numbers give information about the tire. The 235 refers to the width of the tread of the tire, which is 235 millimeters. Generally, the higher the 65, the larger the tire’s sidewall height compared with its overall width–the higher this number, the bigger the tire. 152.75mm is the height of this tire (65% of its width). “R” indicates radial construction, which means the plies of the tire’s body radiate out from the hub or wheel’s center. Due to its radial construction, most tires distribute loads more evenly across their surfaces. In this case, a 17-inch wheel specified by the last two digits of the tire size.
The tire’s size and construction followed by more digits and letters that identify other features. Service Descriptions, although not related to size, are important to the consumer’s expectations of the tire’s use. A typical example would be “103H”. A tire’s two- or three-digit load rating indicates how much weight it can handle. The load rating of most truck tires is 100 or higher. Typically, this number followed by a letter, which indicates the tire’s maximum speed rating. Tires fall into the following categories: N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, and H. They range from 87 mph (N) to 130 mph (H). The use of tires beyond their speed rating may result in overinflation, warping, or worse. 106 to 112 mph is the speed rating on your Sierra’s tires.
Final Words: Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500
Above, you can see that we primarily covered Best Tires for GMC Sierra 1500 from reputable manufacturers. Our choice is driven by our belief that the GMC Sierra 1500 deserves premium tires, but also by your own safety. In wet conditions, cheap tires made by manufacturers you don’t know are outright dangerous. Furthermore, they don’t last very long and might end up costing more in the long run. Choose high-quality GMC Sierra tires that suit your driving needs, the roads in your area, and the climate in your area to get the most out of your new tires.
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FAQs
Is it a good idea to put all-terrain tires on a GMC Sierra 1500?
GMC Sierra 1500 all-terrain tires offer good performance both on and off-road. These vehicles are ideal for drivers who want to balance on-road comfort with off-road performance.
What is the recommended tire size for a GMC Sierra 1500?
The recommended tire size for a GMC Sierra 1500 depends on the model and year. To determine the correct tire size, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or the tire placard on the door jamb.
For my GMC Sierra 1500, should I get winter tires if I live in a snowy region?
In areas with significant snow and ice, winter tires are an excellent choice. In winter conditions, they improve safety and control by providing better traction and handling.
Will my GMC Sierra 1500 look better with larger tires?
If you want to use larger tires, make sure they are compatible with your vehicle’s specifications. Consider fuel efficiency, speedometer accuracy, and overall performance when considering potential impacts.
When should I rotate the tires on my GMC Sierra 1500?
To ensure even tire wear, it is essential to rotate the tires regularly. It is recommended that you rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or as recommended by the tire manufacturer.