2005 Toyota Tacoma Pickup – Tire Recommendation

Reader Question: Hi,

Please advise as to what tires to purchase for a 2005 Toyota Tacoma Pickup. Ah? One thing to consider is that the vehicle is use in the tropical.

Thanks,

Blanca

Hey there Blanca,

That is not an easy question to answer. Why? It depends on where you live and what brands and models are available to you and at what cost.

It also depends on your driving habits and your main purpose for driving, i.e. does the vehicle spend most of its time on pavement? Is it 4-wheel drive? How many miles do you travel a year and are they mostly high speed freeway miles or short distance miles.

What is the terrain like where you live? Hilly? Muddy? Is it flooding with lots of rainwater on the road surface?

These are all questions you need to ask yourself and then talk to a tire store in your area once you have your answers to help them better determine what is best for you.

Personally, I only purchase tires from name brand manufacturers like Goodyear, Firestone, Michelin, Dunlop, Kumho, etc., etc. and avoid the real cheap discount tires.

What really matters most is tread pattern (for the kind of driving you will be doing most), speed rating, and the number of “plys” or thickness and density of the tread. The thicker the tread layer or more plys the tire has the longer the life you should expect out of the tire. Although too many plys, or too thick of tread layer can have an adverse affect on fuel mileage.

Also the more “aggressive” tread pattern you select can also work against you as the more aggressive the tread pattern is the greater likelihood of tire vibration on smooth pavement, and the rough pavement will wear down an aggressive tire faster than if it was on soft mud or if you had a general “highway tread pattern”.

I drive 90% of the time on concrete so my vehicles all have a well rounded highway radial tire tread pattern that works well to channel away standing water in the road, has a high speed rating to safely absorb heat from long distance driving.

Blessings,
Austin Davis