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Buying a 245/70R19.5 commercial tire is really a question about one number: how much weight each tire is certified to carry. Get that wrong and you are overloading a delivery truck, a box van, or a motorhome. This comparison covers the two mid-range options worth your time and explains exactly what separates them.
I’m Min — the founder and writer behind Gadgets Feed. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Commercial tires are a different animal from passenger car rubber — ply rating, load range letters, and speed ratings all change what you can legally and safely haul. The picks below show you exactly where each one lands on those numbers so you can stop second-guessing your 245/70r19.5 tires decision.
Quick Picks
- 245/70R19.5 Hercules Strong Guard H-RA 133/131L — Best Overall
- Cosmo CT588 Plus 245/70R19.5 All Season H — Best Value
How To Choose The Best 245/70R19.5 Tires
The 245/70R19.5 size sits on delivery box trucks, motorhomes, and light commercial chassis — vehicles that carry real weight every single day. That means the decision is driven by load numbers first and brand loyalty second.
Load Index And Load Range Come First
The load index is a number that maps to how many pounds a single tire is certified to carry. Higher is stronger. The load range letter — G, H, and up — tells you the ply rating of the casing. A load range H tire typically has a 16-ply rating, while a G sits at 14 ply. More plies generally mean a stiffer, more durable casing for heavy hauling.
All-Position Versus Steer-Only Design
An all-position tire is built so it can run on any axle — steer, drive, or trailer. That flexibility matters if you rotate tires between positions or want one spare that fits anywhere. Highway tread compounds are tuned for long stretches of pavement rather than mud or gravel.
Balancing Realities On 19.5-Inch Wheels
Your 19.5-inch commercial rims and tires can be hard to balance, so you may feel vibration even after a fresh mount. The tire causes some of it, and the wheel itself causes the rest. Buy from a shop that will rebalance for free if the first attempt does not stop the vibration, and you save yourself a lot of frustration.
Quick Comparison
In‑Depth Reviews
1. 245/70R19.5 Hercules Strong Guard H-RA 133/131L G/14 Tire
The Hercules runs 33.03 inches tall and is certified to carry 4540 pounds on a single tire.
If your truck regularly hauls heavy loads over long interstate runs, this is the tire to start with. The Hercules Strong Guard H-RA is rated 133/131L with a G load range, which is a 14-ply rating. Its 33.03-inch overall diameter is taller than the Cosmo CT588 Plus. It weighs 75 pounds per tire — one pound heavier than the Cosmo’s 74 pounds.
The Hercules is a commercial highway all-season tire with radial construction and a black sidewall. Neither gap is dramatic, but if you run near the top of your weight range, the higher number gives you more legal margin. Buyers report the casing runs stiff and predictable once properly balanced, with “good handling” over the service life.
Owners mention a recurring complaint: out-of-round tread wear on some units, with low spots that come from manufacturing variance. Even so, one verified set ran 160,000 miles before replacement. The tires are made in Thailand, not the USA, which caught at least one buyer off guard. The rim is not included, so budget for mounting and balancing separately.
Where It Wins
- 33.03-inch overall diameter is taller than the Cosmo CT588 Plus
- 160,000-mile service life reported on a verified set
- All-season highway traction compound suited to steady interstate running
- Black sidewall radial construction with a 14-ply rated casing
Where It Gives Ground
- 4540-pound load capacity trails the Cosmo’s 4806 pounds by 266 pounds
- Out-of-round manufacturing causing tread low spots has been reported
- Some buyers found the tires hard to balance on 19.5-inch rims
Lock it in if: you run a highway truck and want a tall, stiff-cased tire with real long-haul mileage behind it.
Think twice if: you are already near your axle weight limit — the Cosmo’s extra load capacity may matter more to you.
2. Cosmo CT588 Plus 245/70R19.5 All Season H (16 Ply) All Position Tire
A 16-ply all-position tire that carries 4806 pounds per corner and runs on any axle you mount it to.
Its load index of 135 also edges past the Hercules at 133. Both figures matter when your loaded weight creeps toward the top of your rating.
What sets the Cosmo apart mechanically is the H load range with a 16-ply rating, against the Hercules’s G load range at 14 ply. That stiffer casing pairs with an all-position design, so the same tire can serve steer, drive, and trailer axles without a swap. It is speed-rated L, which is certified up to 75 mph — worth knowing if your route includes highway stretches where you run near the limit.
Fitment is a genuine perk: this uses a universal fit, while the Hercules is vehicle-specific. The make-or-break detail is the wobble. Customers note receiving a unit with a 1-to-1.5-inch wobble, returning it, and getting a somewhat better one that still was not perfect — so inspect each tire before it goes on the truck. Others call them “just like the name brand tires but cheaper,” and the softer ride is polarizing: a buyer stepping down from a premium brand found them bouncier than expected.
Capacity over flex: The 135 load index and 4806-pound capacity are the highest numbers in this comparison — if your rig runs heavy, this is where you want to be.
Worth noting: Buyers describe the compound as softer than a premium brand, which reads as a plus on rough pavement and a minus if you want a firm, planted feel.
Reach for it when: you need maximum certified load capacity and one tire that fits every axle position on the truck.
Look elsewhere if: you cannot inspect and rebalance tires when they arrive — the wobble issue makes this a shop-installed purchase.
Understanding the Specs
Load Index Explained
The load index is a coded number that tells you the maximum weight a single tire is certified to carry — it is not the tire’s actual weight. A load index of 133 corresponds to 4540 pounds, while 135 maps to 4806 pounds. Always match the index to your axle’s loaded rating, then check that all four (or six) tires together exceed your gross vehicle weight.
Ply Rating And Load Range
Ply rating describes how many layers of cord the casing is built with — more plies means a stiffer, stronger tire. Load range letters are the shorthand: G corresponds to 14 ply, H to 16 ply. A 16-ply H-rated tire is generally the better choice for heavier commercial loads, while a 14-ply G-rated casing is adequate for moderate hauling.
All-Position Design
An all-position tire is engineered to be mounted on any axle — steer, drive, or trailer — which simplifies rotation and spare management. A vehicle-specific fit tire is matched to a narrower set of applications. If you want one spare that works everywhere, all-position is the more flexible spec.
Speed Rating
The speed rating letter indicates the maximum sustained speed the tire is certified to handle. An L rating corresponds to 75 mph. For commercial highway use, confirm the speed rating meets the fastest speeds your route requires — running consistently above the rating shortens tire life.
FAQ
What does the 245/70R19.5 size actually mean?
Is a higher load index always better for a 245/70R19.5 tire?
What is the difference between a G and H load range tire?
Will these tires fit a motorhome with 19.5-inch wheels?
Do these tires come with rims or wheels?
Can I use an all-position tire on only the steer axle?
Why are 245/70R19.5 tires sometimes hard to balance?
How do I know if my 245/70R19.5 tires are wearing out of round?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most commercial haulers, the 245/70r19.5 tires winner is the Hercules Strong Guard H-RA because its 33.03-inch diameter and proven long-haul durability make it the safest bet for steady highway running. If you need maximum certified load capacity and want one tire that fits any axle position, grab the Cosmo CT588 Plus with its 4806-pound rating and 16-ply casing. And if you are just replacing a worn set on a light-duty truck, the Cosmo CT588 Plus is the one to reach for. Whichever you pick, confirm your axle placard before you order, and have a shop balance each tire before it goes on the truck.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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