What the tyre needs
| Common sizes | 195 R15C, 205 R16C, 265/70 R16, 265/65 R17, 275/65 R18, 275/60 R20, LT275/65 R20 |
|---|---|
| Cold pressure | 32–50 psi |
| Load and speed | Commercial C tyres such as 205 R16C 110/108R carry two load figures, single and dual, and are built for repeated heavy loads at moderate speed. LT tyres use load ranges C, D or E; load range E is common on heavy-duty trucks and anyone towing. Passenger-rated P-metric tyres are only suitable for lightly used lifestyle pickups. Speed ratings are typically R, S or T. |
| Replace every | Work pickups on C tyres usually get 40,000–60,000 km; full-size trucks on LT tyres 45,000–70,000 km. Heavy loads, low pressure and site work shorten this. Replace at about five years and inspect for cuts after site visits. |
| Price per tyre | AED 280 – AED 1,300 |
Recommended tyre types
- Commercial C tyres for work Hilux, Navara and D-Max
- LT highway tyres for full-size trucks that tow or carry heavy loads
- LT all-terrain tyres for site work and desert tracks
- Highway-terrain passenger tyres for lifestyle pickups used like SUVs
Cars in this class
Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi L200, Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger, Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Patrol Pickup
Work pickups and commercial C tyres
Single-cab and double-cab work trucks such as the Hilux, Navara, L200 and D-Max carry building materials, tools and goods all over the UAE, often loaded to their limit. Many run commercial tyres marked C, for example 205 R16C 110/108R, which have reinforced carcasses designed for repeated heavy loads.
Replacing a C tyre with a passenger tyre of the same width and rim size is a common and risky mistake. The passenger tyre may carry 300–400 kg less per tyre, and when the bed is loaded with cement or tiles in summer heat, it can overheat and fail. The load index on the replacement must equal or exceed the original.
Full-size American pickups
Full-size trucks such as the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Toyota Tundra are popular in the UAE as family and lifestyle vehicles. Most come on P-metric or euro-metric tyres in sizes such as 275/65 R18, 275/60 R20 or 275/55 R20, with load indexes around 114–116.
If you tow boats to Dubai Marina or Al Hamra, or caravans and horse trailers, consider upgrading to LT load range E tyres in the same size. They resist sway, handle the extra tongue weight, and run cooler under load, at the cost of a firmer ride when empty.
- Light use, no towing: P-metric H/T, load index 114–116
- Regular towing or payload: LT load range D or E
- Site work and sand tracks: LT all-terrain
- Always match or exceed the placard load index
Loaded and unloaded pressures
Pickup placards usually show two sets of pressures: one for normal use, often 32–35 psi, and a higher rear figure for full load, often 41–50 psi on C and LT tyres. Running unladen pressures with a full bed is one of the most common causes of rear tyre failure on work trucks in summer.
Running full-load pressure all the time on an empty truck causes the opposite problem: a harsh ride, less grip and wear down the centre of the tread. Fleet operators who load and unload daily should check and adjust rear pressures at the start of each shift.
Site work, sand and fleet tyre management
Construction sites, quarries and industrial areas such as Al Quoz, Jebel Ali, Mussafah and Sajaa are full of screws, rebar off-cuts and sharp stone. Pickups that work there benefit from LT all-terrain tyres with cut-resistant compounds and stronger sidewalls, such as the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, Cooper Discoverer AT3 or Yokohama Geolandar A/T.
For companies running several pickups, value brands such as GT Radial and Maxxis in commercial C sizes keep costs down without compromising load capacity. We visit depots and sites to check pressures, measure tread and replace tyres on several trucks in one visit.
Brands we recommend
- Bridgestone — Bridgestone is the world's largest tyre maker by revenue and a strong premium choice for UAE heat, especially on Toyota and Lexus vehicles that often leave the factory on Bridgestone.
- Yokohama — Yokohama is a Japanese mid-to-upper brand best known in the UAE for its Geolandar 4x4 tyres, especially the Geolandar A/T G015 on Patrols and Land Cruisers.
- Goodyear — Goodyear is a well-priced premium brand in the UAE, with strong wet grip from the Eagle F1 range and tough Wrangler tyres for 4x4s and pickups.
- BFGoodrich — BFGoodrich is an American tyre brand owned by Michelin and is best known in the UAE for its All-Terrain T/A KO2 and newer KO3, the default upgrade for Land Cruisers, Patrols, Wranglers and Hiluxes.
- Cooper — Cooper is an American tyre brand, owned by Goodyear since 2021, that UAE drivers mainly buy for its Discoverer AT3 all-terrain range for Land Cruisers, Patrols and pickups.
- Firestone — Firestone is an American tyre brand owned by Bridgestone since 1988, and in the UAE it is Bridgestone's lower-priced line at roughly AED 300–650 per tyre in 16–18 inch sizes.
- GT Radial — GT Radial is the main international brand of Giti Tire, a Singapore-headquartered group with factories in China and Indonesia, and in the UAE it sells for about AED 220–480 per tyre in 16–18 inch sizes.
- Maxxis — Maxxis is a Taiwanese mid-range tyre brand made by Cheng Shin Rubber, and in the UAE it costs about AED 260–560 per tyre in common 16–18 inch sizes.
Other vehicle types
Sedan · SUV · Coupe and Sports Car · Off-Road 4x4 · Hatchback · Luxury Car and Luxury SUV · Electric Vehicle (EV)