The Toyota Tacoma is a top-rated multipurpose pick-up truck. Nearly all models are capable of off-roading, but this activity can lead to worn-out tires. When this happens, owners may struggle to select the best off-road tires for their Toyota Tacoma, resulting in unsatisfying purchases and frustrating experiences.

The best off-road tires for the Toyota Tacoma have a thick tread pattern, are the right size, and are made of durable materials. They should also be the correct type of tire for the owner’s environment and purposes. For example, Floridians likely won’t need off-road tires that can handle snow.

This article will explore the best off-road tires for the Toyota Tacoma. Additionally, we’ll be discussing the most crucial factors to consider when purchasing a new set of off-road tires. We’ve divided our top picks via model to help you select the right-sized tires more quickly.

What Is Off-Roading?

To choose the best off-roading tires for the Toyota Tacoma, you must first be familiar with the concept of off-roading. Now, more than likely, you’re reading this because you already enjoy the spirit and adventure of off-roading. However, if you’re shopping for truck tires on behalf of a friend or loved one, you might be painfully unaware of the joys off-roading can bring. Let’s correct that. 

Off-roading is an activity that involves a tough all-terrain vehicle, tons of unpaved land, and a thirst for exploration. To go off-roading, you need only choose a capable car and an available plot of land. 

Several US National Parks feature off-roading trails for those daring enough to attempt them. Still, the best off-roading destinations vary depending on the year and the weather. After all, unless you’re driving an amphibious vehicle, you’re not going to be able to manage intense flash flooding or underwater excursions. Puddles may be far deeper than they appear.

Naturally, part of the excitement and thrill of off-roading is the potential for disaster and rough conditions. Off-roading is an activity that often attracts campers, hikers, survivalists, and adrenaline addicts. 

If you’ve got a massive pick-up truck, like a Toyota Tacoma, you might be more capable of off-roading than those with standard sedans. But your tires will need to be in excellent condition to withstand muddy, rocky, and treacherous off-roading conditions. 

Factors To Consider When Choosing the Best Off-Road Tires

While off-roading in your Toyota Tacoma can be a massive amount of fun, it can also do a number on your vehicle. To continue your off-roading adventures, you may need to perform regular full-body maintenance on your truck. This type of care extends to your tires as well.

Still, even the best and most consistent maintenance can’t permanently stave off the inevitable. Rubber, even the thickest and most resilient varieties, degrades over time. Even the hardiest tires can puncture, twist, and become dangerously thin. Consequently, it’s essential to plan and save for new truck tires.

But when the time to replace your tires arrives, will you know what to look for? Before you’re forced to choose from your local automotive shop’s limited selection, you may want to take a few moments to think about your Toyota Tacoma’s tires. 

What size are they? What type of tires do you currently have on there? What’s the tread pattern?

If you cannot quickly answer these questions, you may have some thinking to do. Some of the most vital factors to consider when choosing replacement tires include:

• Size
• Type
• Material
• Tread Pattern
• Speed Rating
• Price

Should you opt-out of mulling these aspects over, then you may pay a genuine price. Not only may you end up overpaying for a new set of tires, but you might also accidentally select a low-quality option. A few weeks or months after installing your new wheels, you might find them already wearing thin, becoming flat, or losing traction.

Consequently, failing to investigate your buying options properly could be dangerous to your wallet and your safety. No one wants to deal with a shredded tire when they’re speeding down the highway at more than 70mph. Inferior-quality tires may be more liable to burst or tear during use, which is hazardous.

Do yourself a favor and figure out your ideal tire size, type, material, tread, and price before you need to compromise your budget and personal safety. Your future self is bound to feel proud of your past self’s smart decision-making.

Tire Size

Figuring out your tire’s size might be easier than you think. Most tires feature their size on the outside wall, making it easy to replace them when necessary. However, not all tires have their size displayed so helpfully. When this happens, you may need to consider your vehicle make and model.

Depending on the specific type of Toyota Tacoma you own and drive, you may need anything from a 265/65R17 to a 245/75R16. These numbers indicate tire width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter, respectively. 

While it may be possible to figure out your vehicle’s tire size via measuring tape and a basic understanding of the tire size labeling system, it may be more helpful to look up your specific model’s correct tire size. 

Once you’ve confirmed the right tire size for your truck, you can begin to consider tire type. Generally, all-terrain tires do perform well during off-roading adventures. However, the optimal type depends on your intended usage and your environment.

Type

In addition to a wide array of tire sizes, there are also several tire types. Some of the most common tire types include:

• All-Season
• Touring
• Track
• Summer
• Performance
• Highway
• All-Terrain
• All-Purpose
• Sport
• Winter

Because there are so many types of tires, truck owners can quickly become confused or overwhelmed by the number of options. Still, if you’ve got a Toyota Tacoma, chances are you’ll only need to concern yourself with highway, all-terrain, all-purpose, and winter tires. 

If you’re planning on doing some serious off-roading with your pick-up, then you’ll likely want to choose a set of all-terrain tires. Naturally, if you’re off-roading in wintry conditions, a group of snow tires couldn’t hurt. 

Additionally, should you decide to retire from your off-roading ways, a set of highway tires will be an excellent option. Of course, after selecting the correct tire size and type, you’ll want to think about tire material. While most tires are made of rubber, some are thicker and more durable than others.

Material

Tires are made of several layers of rubber, each layer with a specific purpose and thickness. Most tires also contain steel and a combination of synthetic materials and polymers. While you may not have a wealth of options when it comes to tire material, it’s still crucial to consider it.

Passenger vehicles like four-door sedans typically feature tires with more synthetic materials than rubber ones. High-quality truck tires, on the other hand, are primarily made of rubber and steel. This composition allows them to endure more challenging conditions and more weight. 

That’s why it’s essential to choose a set of tires that are mostly rubber rather than select a set that contains a homogeneous mix of synthetic materials, fillers, and rubber. It’s also important to consider your off-roading tires’ tread pattern.

Tread Pattern

A bald tire is a terrifying thing. Tread is what gives a tire its friction, grip, and stability. A tire’s tread pattern often denotes what type of tire it is and on which surfaces it can perform. 

For example, the tread pattern on snow tires tends to resemble broken ice floes or interwoven arrows. This type of tread pattern is called directional. But the tread pattern on an all-season tire might be perfectly horizontal and quite orderly. 

Depending on the precise location of the grooves, this pattern might be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Each design interacts with road and terrain surfaces differently. Treat pattern may also influence a tire’s speed rating.

Speed Rating

When you’re choosing a tire, you’re likely going to examine each candidate’s specs and features. The speed rating may also make an appearance on the tire’s description or packaging. But what does speed rating mean? 

After all, a vehicle’s speed is determined by the engine, not the wheels, right? Well, that statement might be true (at least partially), but a tire’s speed rating determines how quickly a vehicle can travel while remaining safe.

Tires with impressive speed ratings are capable of carrying massive amounts of weight while traveling at high speeds. But understanding the rating system can be challenging.

Speed ratings equate to an alphabetic value, not a numerical one. So instead of having a speed rating of four, a set of tires might have a speeding rating of S or W. Understanding your future tire’s speed rating is crucial, particularly if you plan on using your Toyota Tacoma for off-roading and everyday errands.

The lowest possible speed rating is L. This rating denotes a maximum safe speed of 70mph. Most off-road truck tires fall into this category. These types of tires are typically sturdy but lightweight. Q, R, T, and S speed ratings are also common among off-road truck tires.

Price

Finally, it’s vital to consider the amount of money that you’re spending on tires. The average tire lasts between six and ten years, but off-roading can be hard on your wheels. You might find yourself replacing your Toyota Tacoma’s tires more frequently if you’re consistently driving across unpaved terrain.

The average price for an all-terrain pick-up truck tire is about $150, a whole new set of four is bound to set an owner back by approximately $600. If you’re using your vehicle every Traday for commuting to work, running errands, or taking vacations, you may need to replace your tires every two to three years.

That’s an investment of approximately $2,400 per decade that you own and use your Toyota Tacoma. Depending on your budget, income, and usage habits, you may want to invest in more affordable replacement tires or pricier ones.

The Best Off-Road Tires for Toyota Tacoma Pick-Up Trucks

Now that you’re familiar with some of the most common factors and features and to consider when choosing off-road tires for your truck, you can select the best possible option for your Toyota Tacoma. 

However, you’ll need your truck’s precise make and model to choose the best possible tires. If you’re not familiar with your truck’s specific model, you can use your VIN to discover the exact type of Toyota Tacoma you’re working with. 

Simply input the series of numbers and letters into a VIN lookup engine, and voilà! Be sure to write down your truck’s information for future reference, or you may need to repeat this process down the line. 

Once you know your vehicle’s model type, you can choose the right off-road tires for your future escapades and escapes.

4 Best Off-Road Tires for Toyota Tacoma (Sr Series)

The SR Series consists of four unique vehicles that conveniently share an identical tire size. The Toyota Tacoma SR is one of the most budget-friendly models within the Tacoma lineup, making it one of the most popular options.

The majority of Toyota Tacoma owners likely own a pick-up within the SR series. The tire size for this particular grouping is P245/75R16. An all-terrain tire is bound to function well in most off-roading conditions, though a snow option might be necessary for cold climates.

After plentiful research and comparison, we chose four high-performing tires that fit the Toyota Tacoma SR Series. If your vehicle is an SR, then your next set of off-roading tires could be just below!

Westlake SU318 All-Season Radial Tire

This all-season all-terrain tire could be an excellent option for your off-roading excursions. The Westlake SU318 can handle all but the snowiest weather, and its deep tread depth ensures that it’s tough enough to take on almost any unpaved route. 

With a section width of about 9.7 inches, this tire is thick enough to take a daily beating. Whether you’re aiming to cut loose on a mountainside or fetch groceries from the store, a set of these tires will have you covered. This truck tire has a T speed rating, which means that it can safely travel up to 118mph.

Pros

• It has a treadwear indicator
• Radial tread for maximum road contact
• Slightly superior speed rating
• Thick section width for extra tire strength
• It can support almost two tons of weight

Cons

• Not covered by a manufacturer warranty
• It could consist of thicker rubber throughout

Toyo Tires Open Country A/T II Radial Tire

As with the Toyota Tacoma SR Series’s remaining picks, this Toyo tire is covered by Amazon’s Professional Tire Installation Service. This feature means that buyers can enjoy professional installation at a fraction of the average cost.

To participate, select the installation option before check-out and select a local service provider. How easy is that? And when you consider this Toyo tire’s features and benefits, the deal gets even sweeter. 

While this tire might not travel as quickly as the Westlake option (it’s an S speed rating, meaning it can safely travel up to 112mph), it is a heftier, thicker, and more robust option. The radial treads spread out toward and against the sidewall, protecting it from unexpected punctures or tears. 

Overall, this is a great off-road tire for any SR Series Toyota Tacoma. You’ll still need to contact customer service representatives if you’re hoping to get a warranty with this tire. Additionally, this tire is an imported product manufactured in Japan. This feature may add to the cost.

Pros

• One of the thickest, heaviest, and most substantial rubber tires for trucks
• Universal fit ensures maximum compatibility for all models
• Superior tread depth for optimized surface gripping
• The radial tread pattern is one of the best off-roading

Cons

• It can be pricier than similarly-sized tires
• S speed rating is lackluster in comparison with competitors

Cooper Evolution H/T All-Season Tire

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a US-based organization that manufactures, distributes, and sells quality rubber tires. They’ve made a remarkable impression on millions of consumers across the country, and potentially, across the planet.

Consequently, it should come as no surprise that their all-season tire would make an appearance here. It’s one of the most affordable off-road tires available for the Toyota Tacoma SR Series, and it’s also one of the best for multipurpose usage. 

For example, you could kick up some mud with these tires, but you could also go to the mall for some shopping. Unfortunately, this tire’s lightweight design does make it slightly weaker than alternative options.

Pros

• Moderate tread depth
• Relatively impressive T speed rating
• One of the most affordable off-road tire options
• Lightweight enough for off-road action

Cons

• 4-ply layers of rubber aren’t as thick as one might hope
• Can’t handle heavier loads

Kumho Road Venture AT51 All-Terrain Tire

Are you looking for a high-performance all-terrain tire for your off-roading adventures? Look no further! The Kumho Road Venture AT51 tire can support more than a ton of weight, has some of the deepest treadings of any truck tire, and is uniquely patterned to grip wet, oily, hot, cold, and snowy surfaces.

While this tire can’t roll at high speeds (it has an R speed rating), it can support bulky pick-up trucks and a mess of passengers. If you enjoy gallivanting off into the wilderness with a Toyota Tacoma full of friends, these tires can keep everyone well-supported. Buyers are also bound to enjoy the included warranty.

Pros

• Features a unique tread pattern that can handle snowy weather
• It can support about 1.5 tons of weight
• A straightforward warranty protects each tire
• Exceptional tread depth that rivals all competitors

Cons

• It has a relatively low R speed rating
• The average price doesn’t offer much in the way of savings

4 Best Off-Road Tires for Toyota Tacoma (TRD Off-Road)

Should you happen to be an avid off-roading enthusiast, then you might have already selected the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road model. This pick-up truck requires P265/70R16 tires with an all-terrain tread. Naturally, chains or a snow type might work better in frigid, snowy conditions. 

To help you choose the best possible TRD Off-Road option, we’ve scoured the internet searching for correctly-sized tires with robust tread and thick rubber composition. Fortunately, we found four fantastic options, which you can also find directly below.

BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain T Radial Tire

Off-roading doesn’t always mean tackling a swamp or a muddy field. Sometimes it means exploring a forest or a jungle. When superior traction is less essential than ease of installation and lightweight design, it may be time to switch to this BFGoodrich tire.

While the tread depth may leave a little to be desired, this feature could be a non-issue if you’re accustomed to off-roading in dry conditions. Still, the relative lack of tread depth this tire provides could become problematic in sandy or oversaturated environments.

That said, this tire is an affordable, practical all-terrain off-road tire that’s covered by a limited warranty. It might be challenging to find a more budget-friendly and capable alternative. 

Pros

• A standard limited warranty covers every BFGoodrich tire
• Lightweight enough for easy movement through heavy brush
• It is made to fit a wide variety of vehicles
• Easy to install without assistance

Cons

• Has an inferior tread depth of 12 32nds of an inch
• Sidewall design may lead to a higher rate of punctures
• May not be safe on mud or saturated unpaved surfaces

Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Winter Tire

Some off-roaders live in cold climates that necessitate a different type of tire. If this applies to you, then you may want to investigate the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2. This winter-appropriate tire doesn’t have metal bolts like more extreme cold-weather tires, 

But it does have girth, superior rubber quality, and a fantastic tread pattern that holds onto all kinds of surfaces. This tire’s running surface is covered in small nubs that delve into snow and grip tightly onto icy surfaces. 

If you’re off-roading through a winter wonderland, you’ll want to have a set of these tires on hand. Should you ever find yourself trundling across a semi-frozen pond or lake, you’ll be glad for this tire’s exceptional snow-friendly features. But you may not be pleased about this tire’s R speed rating.

Pros

• An excellent option for wintry conditions
• Sports one of the best treads for ice and snow
• Functions decently in most terrains

Cons

• Features a disappointingly slow R speed rating
• Slightly pricier than the average all-terrain truck tire

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W All-Terrain Radial Tire

Not only are Falken tires covered by a limited warranty, but they’re also built to last. Each tire features a plunging sidewall that’s expertly crafted to reduce sidewall punctures, increasing tire structure and strength.

This tire is neither impressively affordable nor pricey, making it one of the best mid-tier selections for off-roading enthusiasts. And though it can only support about 1.2 tons of weight (slightly less than comparable tires), this is plenty for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road vehicle, which weighs about two tons (or 4,450lbs) on average. 

Remember, you’ll have four of these bad boys supporting your ride as you trek through unknown wildernesses. The all-terrain radial tread works well in various conditions and environments, keeping all passengers safe and sound.

Pros

• A heavier tire for more extreme off-roading adventures involving inclines and declines
• T speed rating makes for faster off-road travels
• Covered by a limited manufacturer warranty
• An average-priced solution

Cons

• It has an unimpressive tread depth of only 14 32nd of an inch
• Cannot support a large number of passengers or substantial weight

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac All-Season Radial Tire

Goodyear tires are often lauded as some of the most consistent and dependable rubber tires ever made. Most are also covered by competitive warranties, making them all the more alluring to buyers. 

While a set of these tires might set you back a little in terms of funds, what they won’t do is let you down. We mean that figuratively and literally. While these tires might not support two tons of weight, they are crafted of thick rubber and steel to help them retain their shape and rigidity. 

These off-road tires also sport a tread depth of about 16 32nds of an inch, which is slightly more than the average depth. At 43lbs (19.5kg) in weight, each of these tires might just be worth their weight in some peace of mind. After all, your truck is less likely to tip and flip if your tires act as anchors.

Pros

• All-season tire that can handle multiple terrains
• Moderate tread depth for reduced slipping and sliding
• Features sidewall protection for added durability

Cons

• An expensive tire when purchasing a whole new set
• Lackluster S speed rating
• May contribute to poor mileage

Conclusion

The Toyota Tacoma is a hard-working vehicle that can withstand daily chores and limitless off-roading adventures. Of course, you’ll want to have the right tires on your truck for muddy travels or snowy excursions. 

The best off-road tires for a Toyota Tacoma are those that are the right size and type, have a gripping tread pattern, and are priced affordably. We’ve presented a few options that may work for you to help you find and select the best possible replacement set for your vehicle.

Sources

• Amazon: BFGoodrich Rugged Terrain T Radial Tire
• Amazon: Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 Winter/Snow SUV Tire
• Amazon: Cooper Evolution H/T All-Season 245/75R16 111T Tire
• Amazon: Falken Wildpeak A/T3W all_ Terrain Radial Tire
• Amazon: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac All-Season Radial Tire
• Amazon: Kumho Road Venture AT51 All-Terrain Tire
• Amazon: Kumho Tires
• Amazon: Toyo Tires Open Country A/T II Radial Tire
• Amazon: Westlake SU318 All-Season Radial Tire
• Auto Zone: VEHICLE VIN LOOKUP
• BFGoodrich Tires: STANDARD LIMITED WARRANTY
• Car and Driver: 2021 Toyota Tacoma
• Car and Driver: How Long Should a New Set of Tires Last?
• Falken Tires: Tire Care Safety
• How Stuff Works: How Off-Roading Works
• Tire Buyer: How To Read Tire Speed Rating And Load Index
• Toyota: 2021 TACOMA Full Specs
• Travel Channel: Top US Off-Road Destinations
• Wheel Works: UNDERSTANDING TIRE SPEED RATINGS
• U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association: WHAT’S IN A TIRE