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If your truck, SUV, or crossover rides on 255/70R17 rubber, you already know the frustration: the same size number hides wildly different tires. A highway tire that hums quietly on your commute will spin helplessly on a snowy driveway, while a winter tire that digs through slush will drone all summer. The 255/70R17 fitment sits on some of the most common workhorses on the road, and picking wrong means living with the decision for 40,000 miles or more. This guide cuts straight to which picks actually hold up, how load ratings and speed ratings affect what you can safely tow or haul, and where tread pattern matters more than brand name.
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.
Your truck’s next set of tires should match how you actually drive, not just the size on the sidewall. This guide covers 255/70r17 tires for winter, heavy loads, and everything in between, so you can spot the durable picks fast.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best 255/70R17 Tires
Before you compare brands, lock in three numbers that never change once you own the vehicle. First, the tire size itself (255/70R17). Second, the minimum load index your door sticker lists (that number tells you how much weight each tire can carry). Third, the speed rating your factory setup was built around (a letter code for the top speed the tire is certified to handle). After that, it is all about matching tread design to your actual driving surface.
Read Your Load Index Before Anything Else
The load index is a two- or three-digit code telling you the maximum weight one single tire can carry safely. Cross-reference it against your vehicle’s gross axle weight, especially if you tow. A pickup rated for a heavy trailer needs a tire built for that sustained weight, and dropping to a lower load index tire to save money is a safety decision, not a budget one.
Match Tread Type To Where You Actually Drive
Highway tires prioritize quiet cabins and long tread life on pavement. All-terrain tires trade a bit of road silence for grip on gravel, mud, and light snow. Winter tires, especially studdable ones, use softer compounds and specialized tread to bite into ice and packed snow. Be honest about your conditions — most drivers need highway or all-terrain rubber, and only regular deep-snow drivers benefit from dedicated winter tires.
Understand UTQG Ratings
The UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) numbers on the sidewall — like the 500AA seen on some picks here — reflect treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance tested by the manufacturer. A higher treadwear number generally means longer life, though real-world results still depend on your alignment, rotation schedule, and how hard you drive.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Load Index | Speed Rating | Weight | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama GEOLANDAR H/T G056★ Best Overall | Quiet highway touring | 110 | T | 36.7 lb | Amazon |
| Arisun Aresta ZG02Best Value | Budget touring value | 112 | T | 36 lb | Amazon |
| Arisun Aresta A/T ZG06Off-Road Ready | Light off-road work | 112 | T | 39 lb | Amazon |
| Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw | Winter driving | 112 | T | 23.5 lb | Amazon |
| NEXEN Roadian ATX | All-weather all-terrain | 112 | T | 38.3 lb | Amazon |
| BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A | Paved and unpaved mix | 112 | T | 37.9 lb | Amazon |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 | Heavy-duty trucking | 116 | S | 49.8 lb | Amazon |
| Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II | Highway commuting | 110 | S | — | Amazon |
| Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 | Long tread life touring | 116 | T | 37.9 lb | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Yokohama GEOLANDAR H/T G056 All-Season Radial Tire – 255/70R17 110T
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 350+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
The highway tire that regulars keep re-buying for its quiet cabin and honest wear.
Commuter trucks, family SUVs, and long-haul crossovers built for pavement all day — this is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR H/T G056, and what it gets right is the ride. On-road manners are the headline: the tire runs smooth and quiet at highway speed, and dry and wet grip both hold up honestly. Its 110 load index carries up to 2337 pounds per tire, which covers the vast majority of half-ton pickups and mid-size SUVs without strain. The 44 psi maximum pressure rating gives you headroom to air up for a loaded trip or drop a few pounds for a cushier ride on broken pavement.
What wins people over is how well these cover long distances on pavement. Buyers report the compound holds up over thousands of miles with no chunking or unusual wear, and the ride stays smooth rather than turning harsh as tread wears down. One buyer logged 70k miles on a 2019 KIA Sorento EX AWD and said the tread ran quieter and smoother than the OEM tires it replaced. Another described dry traction scoring roughly 8.5 out of 10, wet grip 8, and quietness 9.5 on a 2016 Yukon — with tires looking and feeling new after 8500 miles.
Be honest about the limits: this is a highway tire, so deep snow and ice are not its territory. A few drivers run a dedicated winter set for those months instead. One pickup install needed up to 4 oz of balancing weight on a single tire, and one owner noted the tire rubs a fender well skirt at full turn when parking a 1996 Chevy truck. At 36.7 pounds, it is a mid-pack weight for a 255/70R17 — noticeably lighter than the BFGoodrich KO3 at 49.8 pounds, which keeps unsprung mass (the weight your suspension has to control) reasonable for a daily driver.
What Buyers Keep Praising
- Quiet, smooth highway ride on trucks, SUVs, and crossovers
- Competitive value that regulars keep coming back for
- Solid wet and dry traction for a touring compound
- Holds up well over tens of thousands of paved miles
What To Weigh Before You Buy
- Not built for deep winter — a few owners run a separate winter set
- Rubs a fender well skirt at full turn on some older trucks
- Occasional heavier balancing weight needed at install
Buy it if: you want a quiet, dependable highway tire for a daily-driven truck or SUV and rarely see real snow.
Look elsewhere if: your winters are long, icy, and you need dedicated winter traction from the same set.
2. Arisun Aresta ZG02 All-Season Truck/SUV Touring Radial Tire-255/70R17 112T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW
A no-frills touring tire that quietly undercuts the majors on price while holding its own on the road.
The Arisun Aresta ZG02 is what you buy when you need a fresh set of 255/70R17 tires for a well-used pickup or SUV and the budget needs to stay tight. Load index 112 is the standout number here — it supports up to 2469 pounds per tire, a step above the Yokohama GEOLANDAR H/T G056’s 110 rating and matching the heavy-duty Cooper. That extra capacity matters if you tow a trailer or carry a full bed. UTQG 500AA treadwear is a respectable grade for a touring tire, suggesting it’s built to go the distance.
Quality and value are what owners talk about most with these — the tire came in, mounted up, and did what a daily-driver tire should do. Owners mention smooth riding, low road noise, and good behavior on the Jeep and truck platforms they’re using them on. One owner put 600 miles on a set over a month on a 2008 ML550, with good snow and mud behavior and clean handling through a Connecticut blizzard. The ZG02 is also available in diameter options like the 31.1 inch size listed, sized for standard 17-inch utility rims.
Two honest notes: this is a 4-ply rated standard-load tire, so it’s not designed for extreme hauling duty. A few owners mentioned one set taking extra balance weight at the shop. And an occasional single-tire order can go sideways — one reviewer noted only three of five tires arriving, though that’s a logistics issue, not a tire defect.
The real pitch: load index 112 and UTQG 500AA at a fraction of premium pricing makes this a smart set for a work truck that just needs to run.
Not the one for: heavy towing schedules that call for a stubby LT-rated sidewall.
Reach for these if: the pickup or SUV does commuter and light-haul duty and you want max value per tire.
Pass if: you regularly push trailer weight that requires a dedicated LT load range.
3. Arisun Aresta A/T ZG06 255/70R17 112T All Terrain SL 17 inch Tire
A budget all-terrain that handles snow, mud, and gravel without abandoning pavement manners.
If your truck works all week and hits the trail on weekends, the Arisun all-terrain is built for that mix. Load index 112 supports up to 2469 pounds per tire, so a loaded bed or a trailer stays within spec. The 112T speed rating is certified up to 118 mph, plenty of margin for highway runs. The all-terrain tread pattern splits the difference between pavement comfort and off-pavement grip, and the tire is rated for all-season traction with UTQG 500AA (a manufacturer-tested grade for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance) — the same treadwear grade as the ZG02 touring version in this guide.
Value and looks are the first things people mention about the ZG06 — it’s a confident-looking tire on a lifted truck. Traction gets consistent praise: customers note it handles one-foot snow and mud well, and it holds up under heavy loads. One owner ran these a full year on an 8000-pound Ford Excursion, kept more than 80% tread, and towed a 13,000-pound camper with only minor rear squat. The toned-down tread noise also got mentioned as a plus versus a full off-road tire.
At 39 pounds each, this A/T stands nearly 16 pounds heavier than the Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw — note if you’re tracking unsprung mass. Two honest notes: aggressive A/T tread will be noisier than a highway tire on long trips, and balancing was called out as an occasional pain by buyers who noted one or two tires took extra weight to settle.
Trail-capable on a budget: Load 112 and honest all-terrain grip make this a strong pick for a truck that actually leaves pavement.
Expect a bit more noise: the blockier pattern and the durability that comes with it mean you’ll hear it slightly more than a pure highway compound.
Suits: anybody running a half-ton pickup or SUV that sees gravel, mud, and seasonal snow alongside daily driving.
Skip if: your truck never leaves asphalt and you want the quietest possible cabin.
4. Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw Winter 255/70R17 112T Tire
A studdable winter tire built for real snow country — the one to buy when ice and packed snow define your driveway.
The Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw is the odd one out in this lineup, and that’s the point. It’s a dedicated winter tire with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification — the tire-industry mark that confirms it meets severe snow service criteria. It arrives pinned for studs, so you can add metal studs for even harder ice grip. The tread compound is mixed to stay flexible when temperatures drop, and Cooper’s Snow Groove Technology traps snow in the tread to bite back against more snow. At 23.5 pounds each, this is dramatically the lightest tire in the guide — nearly 16 pounds lighter than the BFGoodrich KO3 at 49.8 pounds — which keeps unsprung weight low on the suspension.
Snow performance is the whole story here, and it delivers. One owner drove a 2021 4Runner 500 miles through upstate New York with no hydroplaning on wet roads and solid grip climbing snow-covered hills. Another who plows driveways in snow and ice called them the better tires they’ve run for the money. The 112 load index matches the heavy-duty Arisun picks at 2469 pounds per tire capacity, so a half-ton pickup or full-size SUV is fully covered.
The trade-off is what a winter tire always is: you lose warm-weather quiet and tread life in exchange for cold-weather grip. And because they’re a soft compound, curb strikes can be terminal — one buyer mentioned a set was destroyed by a hit-and-run impact against a curb. Install a set in late fall and swap them out when spring arrives; that’s how winter tires are meant to live.
The winter-specific edge: Three-Peak rated, studdable, and 112 load rated for full-size trucks — proper tools for real snow country.
The honest cost: soft winter compound isn’t meant for year-round use, so plan to swap them out each spring.
Made for: anyone parking a pickup or SUV in a climate where snow-covered roads are the norm, not the exception.
Not the pick: for year-round Southern driving, where the soft winter compound is wasted on dry pavement.
5. NEXEN Roadian ATX 255/70R17 112T BSW
The all-terrain that stays quiet on the highway and backs itself with a 65,000-mile warranty.
The NEXEN Roadian ATX is the tire for the buyer who wants one set to do everything — gravel roads, wet highways, and heavy loads — and wants real coverage backing it. The standout promise here is the warranty: an up-to-65,000-mile tread wear warranty comes with a 45-day/500-mile Free Trial and 36 months of roadside assistance through Nexen’s Total Coverage program. Load index 112 is certified up to 118 mph (the T speed rating), and the reinforced 3-ply sidewall is engineered to promote longer tread life and handle heavier loads and higher pressures compared to a standard 2-ply construction. The tread is also Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, so it meets severe snow service criteria — useful if you don’t want to swap tires every winter.
Owners consistently call out the noise level compared to most all-terrain tires — this one runs quieter than the category norm. Reviewers point out smooth highway rides and strong grip in dirt and mud. One owner who put these on a 2013 Ram 2500 called the ride and handling smooth and the noise level “not bad at all.” Emerging 3D sipes (small slits in the tread blocks) bite into the road for traction in snow, mud, and wet weather, and a puncture-resistant sidewall helps guard against cuts and chips on rougher surfaces. Wall-to-wall, the ATX spec sheet reads like a premium all-terrain at a mid-range price.
The one thing to know: an all-terrain like this isn’t a true winter tire, so if you drive on ice regularly, a dedicated winter set still wins. And at 38.3 pounds per tire, it’s a bit heavier than a pure highway tire, which most owners never notice on a truck but will on a small crossover.
Backed and built well: A 65,000-mile warranty and reinforced 3-ply sidewall together make this a rare combo at this tier.
Not a winter replacement: Three-Peak rated for snow, but dedicated winter tires still own icy pavement.
The right call for: truck and SUV owners who want one set to cover all four seasons and want real coverage behind it.
Skip if: your winters are dominated by ice where only dedicated studded or winter-specific tires belong.
6. BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A On and Off-Road Tire for Light Trucks, SUVs, and Crossovers, 255/70R17 112T
A crossover-friendly trail tire that balances gravel-road durability with a smooth paved ride.
If you want the BFGoodrich name and some off-road ability without the weight of a full all-terrain, the Trail-Terrain T/A is aimed at you. The warranty is the standout spec: a 60,000-mile treadwear limited warranty paired with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. Load index 112 provides up to 2469 pounds per tire, so a half-ton truck with a loaded bed stays covered. The tune footprint with Full-Depth 3-D Locking Sipes (grooves that lock together as the tire rolls) is engineered to keep tread blocks stable for even wear — which is what actually drives the longer tread life and quieter cabin the tire promises. Load range SL (standard load) and a T speed rating round out the sizing.
The ride quality punchline: owners switching from street tires say the paved ride is smoother and less bouncy, not harsher as you’d expect from a tread with off-road DNA. A tire technician who mounted a set noted the production date codes were fresh and the tires balanced out well. Buyers describe solid grip across rain, snow, and shine, and the general verdict is that these are worth the spend if you want BFG quality on a crossover or light truck.
At 37.9 pounds each, this sits between the mid-pack highway tires and the heavier KO3 — reasonable for a light-truck tire. The one honest caveat is that this is an on/off-road trail tire, not a heavy hauler. If you’re towing close to GVWR regularly, step up to the LT-rated KO3 above instead.
Warranty worth reading: 60,000 miles of treadwear coverage with a 60-day trial window is the most generous backing in this guide’s mid-tier options.
The right buyer: crossover and light-truck owners who split time between pavement and gravel without needing LT load capacity.
Pick these if: you want quiet paved manners plus dependable light-trail grip, backed by a 60,000-mile warranty.
Move up if: you tow near the truck’s max rating — the LT-rated all-terrain is a better fit for that job.
7. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 Car Tire for Light Trucks, SUVs, and Crossovers, LT255/70R17/D 116/113S
The next-gen KO3 — the toughest truck tire here, built for gravel, mud, snow, and heavy loads.
Heavy-duty pickup owners, dually drivers, and anyone who actually works a truck — this is where you land. The load index jumps to 116, meaning up to 2755 pounds per tire, the highest capacity in this lineup. That LT255/70R17/D sizing with the 116/113 dual rating and S speed rating places this in proper light-truck load range territory, which is what you need when towing a fifth wheel or carrying a full cab of gear. The 65 psi maximum pressure is the highest max on this guide’s list, reflecting the beefier casing. CoreGard Technology — developed from BFG’s Baja racing sidewalls — plus Advanced Deflection Design protects against rocks and sticks splitting the rubber. Serrated shoulder blocks and mud-phobic bars sharpen the mud and snow bite.
Anyone who ran the KO2 will recognize the fanbase these carry. The KO3’s new tread and compound are engineered for durability and longevity — even on gravel. Longtime KO2 owners moving up report quieter behavior than the previous generation, better rain grip, and cleanliness in mud for an all-terrain. One owner on a 2018 Ram 3500 dually called the snow handling solid the next day and the tire “pricey but worth it,” with no complaints after miles of use. Owners on heavier tow rigs mention the KO3 rides quieter than expected and stays planted under load.
At 49.8 pounds each, this is by far the heaviest tire in this guide — nearly 12 pounds heavier than the Trail-Terrain. That mass is the price of an LT-rated sidewall (a reinforced sidewall built for heavy loads), and it will shave a small amount off fuel economy. Also: the D load range demands the correct PSI for your axle weight — underinflation will show up in irregular wear. And the 50,000-mile warranty is a bit shorter than the Trail-Terrain’s 60,000, reflecting the tougher duty cycle it’s built for.
Where The KO3 Wins
- Load index 116 with 2755 lb per-tire capacity — max in this lineup
- LT-rated casing handles towing and heavy loads without complaint
- Quieter than prior KO2 generation, with improved rain traction
- CoreGard sidewall toughness and deflection protection for gravel
Where It Costs You
- Heaviest tire in the guide at 49.8 lb each — cuts into fuel economy
- LT load range needs accurate PSI for your specific axle weight
- 50,000-mile warranty trails the Trail-Terrain’s 60,000-mile coverage
Built for: work trucks, tow rigs, and diesel duallies that need maximum load capacity plus year-round all-terrain grip.
Skip if: your truck lives on pavement and you want max fuel economy — the weight penalty isn’t worth it for a commuter.
8. Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II Highway Terrain Truck & SUV Tire P255/70R17 110 S
A pure-pavement highway tire with longevity baked in — the commuter truck’s quiet, even-wearing default.
For drivers who spend nearly every mile on asphalt and just need the tires to run quietly and last, the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II earns its place. It’s a highway all-season, not an off-roader: load index 110, an 60,000-mile limited treadwear warranty, and a focus on dry and wet traction with a spiral wrap construction that helps high-speed stability. Wide straight grooves channel water for wet-weather grip, solid shoulder ribs promote even tread wear, and a rounded casing profile keeps the ride smooth over long hauls.
The story owners tell is about longevity. One buyer logged about 40,000 miles on a truck with around 4/32 tread left and no complaints. Another reported the same model lasting over 50,000 miles in prior use, at a price that beat local tire shops. Fitment and value come up repeatedly — the tire fits as described, arrives brand new rather than old stock, and balances with minimal wheel weights. It’s a tire for people who measure value in years, not weeks.
Regular highway duty only is the honest limit here — wide straight grooves are designed to clear water, not bite into mud or loose gravel. Speed rating is S (a step below the T rating used on most all-terrains here), which still covers typical American highway speeds with margin but signals this tire is tuned for pavement rather than sustained high-speed truck work.
Made for the long run: A 60,000-mile warranty and the cadence of 40,000-to-50,000-mile owner reports point to a tire you won’t think about for years.
Know the role: this is highway-only rubber; if you leave the pavement regularly, look at an all-terrain instead.
Reach for these if: a commuter truck or SUV stays on paved roads and you want maximum reliable miles per set.
Look elsewhere if: your wheels regularly meet dirt roads, gravel lots, or muddy worksites — the highway tread is the wrong tool.
9. Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 255/70R17/XL 116T (Set of 1 Tire Only)
Michelin’s modern on-road pickup and SUV tire, engineered for the tread life and quiet ride that full-size trucks demand.
For the buyer whose truck is a daily driver and occasional tow rig, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 is the top-of-lineup answer. Load index 116 with an XL load range gives up to 2755 pounds per tire — matching the KO3’s capacity without the LT-rated all-terrain trade-offs. T speed rating caps sustained speed at 118 mph, and the 60,000-mile warranty backs the tread-life claim. Michelin designed this revision specifically for the growing size and power of modern pickups and full-size SUVs — the tread is meant to go the distance.
The ride is where Michelins earn their reputation. A buyer who reached for a set said they’re the smoothest, quietest, great-grip tires they’ve ever bought — recommended to them by a Chevy 2500 HD owner who transports vehicles across the country. Another owner mounted them on a 4Runner and found only minor road noise, better than the tires they replaced, with a good ride and clean look. Durability comes through consistently — shoppers say the set rides and wears well, with the ride quality holding up over miles.
At 37.9 pounds each, the Defender is a mid-weight on-road tire — lighter than the LT-rated KO3 by a wide margin. The honest caveats: this is a paved-road-focused tire, so it’s not going to match an all-terrain on gravel or mud. And Michelin’s position in the market means you’re paying premium-tier money for the name — the value math is stronger for owners who run the tires to the end of their 60,000-mile coverage than for buyers who’ll trade them in at half life.
The premium pickup pitch: Load index 116, XL load range, 60,000-mile warranty, and Michelin’s quiet ride quality for pavement-first trucks.
Where it stops: this is an on-road tire — if your trucks see gravel or mud regularly, an all-terrain is the smarter layout to spend on.
The match for: full-size pickup and SUV owners who want a quiet, long-wearing tire and drive mostly on paved roads.
Choose the KO3 instead if: your truck regularly confronts mud, gravel, or unmaintained roads where all-terrain grip matters more than quiet.
Understanding the Specs
Load Index And Load Range
The load index is a numeric code for how much weight one tire can safely carry. On this page you’ll see 110 (up to 2337 pounds), 112 (up to 2469 pounds), and 116 (up to 2755 pounds). Load range, meanwhile, tells you how heavily the casing itself is built. SL (Standard Load) covers most passenger-truck and SUV duty, while LT (Light Truck) ratings like the BFGoodrich KO3’s D-range are for heavier loads and higher pressures. Match the index to your vehicle’s rated axle weight, not just to what fits the rim.
Speed Rating And UTQG
The speed rating letter (T, S, R, etc.) confirms the maximum sustained speed the tire is certified to handle. T covers up to 118 mph and appears on most tires in this guide; S covers slightly less and shows up on some highway-terrain models. UTQG numbers — appearing as something like 500AA on the sidewall — grade treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance on a manufacturer-tested scale. A higher treadwear number suggests a longer-wearing compound, though real-world results depend on alignment, rotation, and how heavy you load the truck.
FAQ
What vehicles does a 255/70R17 tire fit?
What does the load index number mean on a 255/70R17 tire?
Is a highway tire or an all-terrain tire better for a 255/70R17 pickup?
How long do 255/70R17 tires usually last?
Are winter tires worth buying for a 255/70R17 truck?
Can I mix a load index 112 tire with a load index 116 tire on the same truck?
What does the speed rating T mean on a 255/70R17 tire?
Should I buy tires online for a 255/70R17 fitment or from a tire shop?
What pressure should I run in 255/70R17 tires?
Do all-terrain tires hurt fuel economy on a 255/70R17 truck?
Can I run 255/70R17 tires on a lifted truck without clearance issues?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most buyers, the 255/70r17 tires winner is the Yokohama GEOLANDAR H/T G056 because it nails the everyday-pickup brief — a quiet cabin, strong wet and dry grip, and a compound that drivers push past 70,000 miles with tread to spare. If you want the best-value tourer with a 112 load index and honest all-season manners, grab the Arisun Aresta ZG02. And for real snow country, the studdable, Three-Peak-rated Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw is the one to reach for — nothing else in this lineup switches a truck’s winter confidence that dramatically. If heavy towing is your daily reality, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 is worth the step up for its 116 load index alone, and if you want maximum year-round refinement on pavement, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 remains the quietest, longest-wearing pick of the bunch.
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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