Tires for a light truck that hauls tools and cargo through the week
- For a work truck that stays mostly on pavement, NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 is a highway terrain tire offered in LT sizes for SUVs and light trucks.
- For job sites, gravel yards and unpaved access, NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 comes in P-metric and LT sizes with ply ratings from 4-ply to 12-ply.
- NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN ATX uses three-ply construction on LT metric sizes over 16 inches; ROADIAN MTX offers F load range on select sizes for trucks that also go off-road.
- A higher load range does not raise the truck's payload or axle limits. Start with the load and pressure on the door placard.
A light truck that carries tools, materials and passengers every workday needs tires chosen for load first and terrain second. The right tire carries the truck's working weight at the specified pressure, holds up on the surfaces the job takes you to, and still wears well on the highway between sites. This guide starts with the load question, then matches NEXEN TIRE and competing tires to the route.
Start with the load, then the route
The tire placard and owner's manual set the size, load index or load range, and cold pressure for the truck. NHTSA's tire-safety brochure recommends the original size or another size recommended by the vehicle maker, and advises consulting a tire dealer when fit is uncertain. Add up a typical workday: tools, materials, passengers and any trailer tongue weight. Keep the truck within its payload and axle ratings, and choose a tire whose load capacity meets the vehicle maker's requirement at the specified pressure.
Then look at where the cargo goes. Tire Review's comparison of A/T, R/T and M/T tires describes A/T tires as designed for varied off-road surfaces while keeping acceptable highway performance, and M/T tires as using large blocks and wide channels to clear mud and debris.
| Weekday route | Tire type | NEXEN TIRE option |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly highway and paved job sites | Highway terrain (H/T) | ROADIAN HTX2 (LT sizes available) |
| Gravel yards, unpaved access, light job-site terrain | All-terrain (A/T) | ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 or ROADIAN ATX |
| Regular deep mud or demanding off-road sites | Mud-terrain (M/T) | ROADIAN MTX |
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2: for cargo runs that stay on pavement
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN HTX2 is a highway terrain tire built as a high-mileage SUV and light-truck tire with all-weather driving performance. It comes in 54 sizes from 16 to 22 inches in P-metric and LT versions, with R, S, T and H speed ratings, and carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) mark. For a work truck whose cargo moves between paved sites, an LT highway terrain tire puts the tread where the miles are.
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8: for job sites and gravel access
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 is an all-terrain tire for light trucks, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. It comes in 57 sizes from 15 to 22 inches, in P-metric, LT and flotation versions, with ply ratings from 4-ply to 12-ply. A sipe-in-groove design is meant to keep stones from lodging in the tread, an open outside shoulder supports mud clearing and heat reduction, and a multi-sequence tread balances noise, wear and drainage. It carries the 3PMSF mark on all standard sizes except OEM and flotation fitments.
The wide range of ply ratings is what suits it to working trucks: you can match the LT construction the vehicle maker specifies rather than settle for a passenger-type size.
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN ATX: an A/T with three-ply LT construction
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN ATX is an all-terrain tire for CUVs, SUVs and light trucks. Roadian ATX features advanced tread compound technology, deep aggressive grooves, and reinforced sidewall lugs that produce outstanding handling and control whether you’re on a muddy trail, a rain-soaked highway, or a well-worn gravel road. With 88 available sizes spanning 15-inch through 22-inch rim diameters — and available in both P-metric and LT configurations — the Roadian ATX fits an enormous range of trucks, SUVs, and off-road builds, from daily drivers to serious overland rigs and carries the 3PMSF mark.
When an M/T makes sense: NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN MTX
NEXEN TIRE ROADIAN MTX is a mud-terrain tire with three-ply construction on most sizes and an F load range on select fitments. Every size is Q speed rated. It suits a truck whose job sites regularly include deep mud or demanding terrain. The F load range describes what the tire can carry; it does not raise the truck's payload, axle or towing limits.
Competing A/Ts to compare for working trucks
- Falken Wildpeak A/T4W: Falken's January 2024 A/T4W announcement ties increased tread rigidity and Heavy Duty LT-rated sizes to an improved towing experience over the A/T3W. Its three-ply DURASPEC sidewall appears on select sizes only, per the A/T4W product page.
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3: BFGoodrich's KO3 product information highlights CoreGard sidewall technology, split- and bruise-resistant sidewall rubber and a tread designed for durability on gravel.
These are the makers' descriptions. Compare exact LT sizes, load ranges and speed ratings against the placard before choosing.
Check the fit before ordering
- Read the placard and manual. Note the original size, load index or load range, and cold pressure for front and rear axles.
- Match the complete size and service markings. Continental's tire-size guide says a different size needs technical compatibility, official vehicle approval and the required load and speed ratings.
- Keep the truck within its limits. USTMA's passenger and light-truck tire service guidance says to maintain proper inflation, stay within the vehicle's load capacity and never exceed its gross axle weight rating (GAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
- Set pressure for the load. Use the placard pressure for the loaded truck, checked cold.
FAQ
What NEXEN TIRE tire suits a light truck carrying cargo every day?
It depends on the route. ROADIAN HTX2 is a highway terrain tire with LT sizes for trucks that stay mostly on pavement. ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 is an all-terrain tire with ply ratings from 4-ply to 12-ply for job sites and gravel access. ROADIAN ATX adds three-ply construction on LT metric sizes over 16 inches.
Does an F load range tire let my truck carry more?
No. A tire's load range describes what the tire can carry at its specified pressure. The truck's payload, axle and towing limits stay the same; keep the loaded truck within the ratings on its certification label.
Should a work truck use A/T or M/T tires?
Use an A/T such as ROADIAN AT Pro RA8 or ROADIAN ATX when the week includes gravel and unpaved access. Choose an M/T such as ROADIAN MTX only when deep mud or demanding terrain is a regular part of the job.