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Best tires for the Ford F-150 by year (2018-2026) — data-backed buyer guide

We tracked 4,051 OEM fitment records and 1,184 tire-related NHTSA complaints for the Ford F-150. Here's what fits, what holds up, and which tires the data says to avoid by model year.

The Ford F-150 has been the best-selling vehicle in the United States for more than four decades, which means the universe of "tires that fit an F-150" is one of the largest in the entire tire market. We currently track 4,051 fitment records for the F-150 across 47 model years, plus 1,184 NHTSA tire-related complaints tied to the F-150 specifically — a dataset that lets us be more concrete than the generic "best truck tires" lists you'll find elsewhere.

This guide is organized by generation because the OEM tire size, payload requirements, and intended use changed materially across the 12th, 13th, 14th, and current 15th-gen trucks. If you already know your year and size, jump straight to the TireIndex for cross-retailer pricing on whichever tire we recommend.

Step 1: confirm your OEM size by year

The F-150 has shipped from the factory on more than a dozen different sizes since 2009 depending on trim and wheel package. The most common sizes in our fitment data:

Always confirm against the door-jamb placard — Ford rotates spec mid-cycle. Use our F-150 fitment finder to look up by year and trim, and the placard guide if you're not sure which number to follow.

Step 2: pick the use case

The F-150 is one truck on paper, but four different vehicles in practice: a commuter, a tow rig, a job-site truck, and a weekend overlander. The "best" tire is the one matched to which version of the truck you actually use.

Commuters and light highway use (most F-150s)

If your truck spends 80% of its time on pavement and rarely sees more than a 5,000 lb trailer, prioritize a long-mileage highway-terrain tire with high UTQG treadwear. Our top three by UTQG rating across the dataset:

Heavy towers (5,000-13,000 lb routine)

Pay attention to load index, not just speed rating. The 14th-gen F-150 with the Max Trailer Tow package requires load index 117 minimum on most sizes. The Defender LTX is available in load-range E (10-ply equivalent) in 18" and 20" sizes; the Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3 is the favored A/T-with-load-range-E choice for buyers who want some all-terrain capability without compromising tow rating. See our towing load and pressure guide for the full math.

Off-pavement and overlanders

For the Tremor, FX4, or Raptor — or any owner who actually puts the truck on dirt — an all-terrain or hybrid pattern tire matters more than treadwear rating. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 remains the volume leader; Falken WildPeak AT3W is the value play that's earned strong long-term-wear reports.

Step 3: what the NHTSA complaint data says

Of the 1,184 NHTSA tire-related complaints filed against the F-150 in our database, the most common failure modes are: tread separation on highway-speed trucks past 35,000 miles, sidewall bulging from impact damage that wasn't road-hazard-claimed in time, and TPMS sensor failures (which the TPMS guide covers). Ford brand vehicles total 12,284 tire complaints across our dataset — the second-highest of any vehicle manufacturer — which reflects fleet size more than tire quality, but worth knowing.

The data does not suggest avoiding any one tire model; it suggests avoiding running past the wear-bar indicators and skipping rotation. The rotation schedule guide is especially relevant for the F-150's heavy front-end (the EcoBoost engine bias).

Step 4: where to buy

For the most common F-150 sizes (265/70R17, 275/65R18, 275/55R20), we typically see a 30-90% spread between the cheapest and most expensive listed retailer on the same tire model. Check the per-model index pages — for example Defender LTX M/S or All-Terrain T/A KO2 — to see today's spread before purchase. Installed cost (mounting, balancing, TPMS, disposal) typically adds $80-160 for a truck. Use our install cost calculator for state-by-state estimates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a smaller-diameter tire to save money on my F-150?
No. The F-150's payload and tow ratings on the door-jamb placard assume the OEM tire diameter. A smaller tire reduces sidewall and load capacity and will throw off ABS, traction control, and the speedometer.
What's the load index minimum for towing with a 2021+ F-150?
Most Max Trailer Tow F-150 configurations require load index 117 or higher in the OEM size. Verify against your door-jamb sticker — the number after the size (e.g., 'P275/65R18 116T' means load index 116).
Are E-rated tires worth it for daily driving?
Only if you regularly tow heavy or carry heavy loads. E-rated (10-ply) tires are stiffer, ride harsher, and weigh more — they cost fuel economy. Most F-150 commuters are better served by SL-rated highway-terrain tires.
How long should F-150 tires last?
On a typical commute with rotations every 5,000-7,000 miles, an OEM-grade highway-terrain tire on an F-150 will last 50,000-65,000 miles. All-terrains drop to 40,000-50,000. Heavy tow use cuts both numbers by 25-35%.
Do bigger wheels help my F-150's appearance without hurting tire life?
Only if you stay within the same overall diameter. Going from a 17" wheel to a 20" wheel using a lower-profile tire keeps the diameter the same but reduces sidewall — you get more curb impact damage and harsher ride. See our plus-sizing guide for the tradeoffs.

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By Mark Bishop · Updated 2026-05-20.