Wholesale Tire Buying Guide: Sizes and Load Ratings

This guide collects the specification and buying detail behind our tires catalogue. For wholesale quotations, browse the catalogue, send part numbers through a parts list upload or request product sourcing for items that are not listed online.

What this category covers

• Passenger and SUV tires for cars, crossovers and road-focused SUVs.
• 4x4 tires in highway-terrain (H/T), all-terrain (A/T), rugged-terrain (R/T) and mud-terrain (M/T) patterns.
• Pickup tires for work and lifestyle pickups, including passenger-metric and LT-metric sizes.
• Light truck tires for light trucks, minibuses and heavy vans, in radial and bias construction.
• Commercial van tires with C-type reinforced construction.
• Truck and bus tires (TBR and TBB) for medium and heavy trucks, buses and trailers.

Reading tire sizes

• Metric passenger: 265/65R17 112S – section width 265 mm, aspect ratio 65%, radial construction, 17-inch rim, load index 112, speed symbol S.
• LT-metric: LT265/75R16 123/120S 10PR – light truck construction with single and dual load indexes and a ply rating or load range.
• Euro commercial: 215/70R15C 109/107R – reinforced van tire with single/dual load indexes.
• Numeric light truck: 7.50R16LT 14PR or 7.50-16 14PR – radial or bias, measured in inches.
• Truck and bus: 11R22.5, 295/80R22.5, 12.00R20 – tubeless and tube-type sizes with load indexes for single and dual fitment.

Construction

Radial tires dominate passenger, pickup and most truck applications for fuel efficiency, heat resistance and tread life. Bias-ply tires remain in demand for some light trucks, minibuses and heavily loaded trucks on rough roads, where sidewall toughness, low price and repairability are valued. Tube-type tires with tubes and flaps are still common in parts of Africa, South Asia and the Middle East.

Market fit

Japanese pickups such as the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu D-Max are often fitted with passenger-metric tires from the factory, but work use and overloading call for LT construction. Trucks operating on mixed on/off-road routes need cut- and chip-resistant compounds. See pickup and 4x4 and truck parts for vehicle context.

Compliance and date codes

Many destinations require certification marks, such as DOT, ECE, GCC or national standards. Tires carry a production date code (week and year), and buyers and regulators in some markets restrict the age of tires at import or sale. Confirm local requirements before placing orders.

Logistics

Tires are volume-heavy: containers fill by volume long before weight. Loading methods such as interlacing tires increase the number per container, and loading plans differ by size. Tires combine well with dense parts in a mixed container.

Buying and specification checklist

Specify every tire line fully

• Size in full notation, including LT or C where applicable.
• Load index and speed symbol, including dual load index for LT, C and truck tires.
• Ply rating or load range for LT and truck tires.
• Construction: radial or bias; tubeless (TL) or tube-type (TT), and whether tubes and flaps are included.
• Pattern type: H/T, A/T, M/T, highway rib, mixed service, drive lug, and position (steer, drive, trailer, all-position) for trucks.
• Certification requirements for the destination market.

Match tires to real use

Ask customers about actual loads, road surfaces and speeds. A passenger-metric pickup tire on an overloaded work vehicle fails through heat and sidewall damage; an M/T tire on a highway-only SUV wears quickly and is noisy. For trucks, specify regional or on/off-road patterns when operating on unpaved or quarry routes.

Date codes and age

Request the production date range for each shipment and agree maximum age at shipment. Warehouse storage should be cool, dry, dark and away from ozone sources such as electric motors.

Container loading

Request loading quantities per container for each size from the supplier, and remember that mixed-size loads reduce total quantity. Interlaced loading increases capacity but should not deform tires. Truck tires may be stacked vertically and secured.

Quality and claims

Check sidewall markings, uniformity and any visible defects on arrival. Agree a claims procedure that distinguishes manufacturing defects from road hazards, overloading and underinflation.

Product types in detail

Passenger Car Tires

Passenger car tires cover sedans, hatchbacks, compact crossovers and MPVs. They are the highest-volume tire segment in most markets and are sold through retail tire shops, fitment centers and fleet channels such as taxi and ride-hailing operators. Browse passenger car tires in the catalogue.

Pattern and use categories

• Touring and comfort – quiet, balanced wet grip and tread life for everyday use.
• High-performance and ultra-high-performance – higher speed ratings, lower profiles and larger rim diameters.
• Eco or low rolling resistance – designed to reduce fuel consumption, often with silica compounds.
• All-season and wet-focused – tread designs with more sipes and wider grooves for tropical rain.

Reading specifications

A size such as 205/55R16 91V indicates 205 mm section width, 55% aspect ratio, radial, 16-inch rim, load index 91 and speed symbol V (up to 240 km/h). Extra load (XL) or reinforced tires carry a higher load index at higher inflation pressure. Speed symbols common in passenger tires include T (190 km/h), H (210 km/h), V (240 km/h) and W (270 km/h).

Additional markings

UTQG ratings (treadwear, traction, temperature) are used in some markets; EU-style labels grade rolling resistance, wet grip and noise. Tires carry DOT or ECE marks and a date code.

Market notes

Taxi and ride-hailing fleets prioritize tread life and price. Tropical markets place emphasis on wet grip and hydroplaning resistance. Heat and poorly maintained inflation shorten tire life. For crossover and SUV sizes see SUV tires, and for vehicle-based guidance see the resources section.

Ordering checklist

• Size, load index and speed symbol exactly as required by the vehicle placard or OE fitment.
• XL or standard load version where both exist.
• Pattern category: touring, eco, performance; align with customer segment.
• Certification: confirm the marks required by the destination market.
• Date codes: agree maximum tire age at shipment and warehouse rotation.
• Test data and labels: where markets use labeling schemes, obtain the relevant documentation.
• Container planning: passenger tires are volume-intensive; request loading quantities by size, and plan mixed-size loads carefully.
• Range depth: concentrate on the most common rim sizes and sizes in the local vehicle parc, typically 14- to 17-inch sizes in many emerging markets.
• Claims: agree procedures to distinguish manufacturing defects from road hazards and underinflation damage.
• Storage: stack passenger tires in limited heights or store upright on racks to avoid deformation, and keep them away from sunlight and ozone sources.

4x4 & All-Terrain Tires

4x4 tires balance on-road comfort and off-road traction for pickups and SUVs. The right choice depends on how much of the vehicle's use is on unpaved roads, rocks, mud or sand, and on the loads carried. Browse 4x4 & all-terrain tires in the catalogue.

Pattern categories

• Highway-terrain (H/T) – road-focused tread for quiet running and tread life, with light gravel capability. Common OE fitment on many pickups and SUVs.
• All-terrain (A/T) – more open tread blocks and tougher compounds for mixed use, the most popular category for work and lifestyle 4x4s.
• Rugged-terrain (R/T) or hybrid – between A/T and M/T, with aggressive shoulder blocks.
• Mud-terrain (M/T) – large tread voids and aggressive sidewall lugs for mud and rocks. Noisier and wear faster on pavement.

Construction

• P-metric or passenger-type 4x4 tires – lighter construction, more comfort, lower load capacity.
• LT construction – stronger carcass, higher load and pressure, better puncture resistance. Load ranges C, D and E correspond to 6, 8 and 10 ply ratings.
• Three-ply sidewalls – found on some A/T and M/T tires to resist sidewall cuts.
• 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) – marks severe snow capability, relevant in some highland and cold markets.

Sizes

Common 4x4 sizes include 265/65R17, 265/60R18, 265/70R16 and LT sizes such as LT265/75R16 or 33x12.50R15LT flotation sizes. Lifted pickups may run larger diameters, which affect speedometer readings, gearing and brake performance.

Applications

Pickups such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux are fitted with 4x4 tires across mining, agriculture, NGO and lifestyle segments. See lift kits for fitting larger tires.

Ordering checklist

• Full size notation, including LT prefix or flotation format.
• Load index, speed symbol and load range – LT load range should suit vehicle use.
• Pattern: H/T, A/T, R/T or M/T according to the customer's on-road/off-road split.
• Sidewall construction: two-ply or three-ply sidewall where cut resistance is important.
• Markings: white or black lettering options where applicable; 3PMSF where relevant.
• Certification for the destination market and maximum age at shipment.
• Container planning: 4x4 and LT tires are large; loading quantities are much lower than passenger tires. Request supplier loading plans by size.
• Customer information: oversize tires may require lift kits or wheel changes and can affect vehicle compliance; importers should check local rules.
• Balancing stock: A/T sizes for the dominant pickup platforms are the core volume; M/T and larger flotation sizes are niche lines.
• Appearance matters: in lifestyle segments, sidewall design influences sales as much as tread performance; review samples before ordering.

Pickup Tires

Pickup tires need to handle both empty running and heavy payloads, often on mixed road surfaces. Many Japanese pickups leave the factory on passenger-metric or light-load tires suited for private use, while work use calls for LT construction with higher load capacity. Browse pickup tires in the catalogue.

Usage segments

• Private and lifestyle pickups – highway-terrain or all-terrain tires with a focus on comfort and appearance, often in 17- and 18-inch sizes.
• Work pickups – LT tires in 15- and 16-inch sizes with higher ply ratings for load-carrying, common in agriculture, construction and delivery.
• Cab-chassis and tray pickups – regularly loaded to or beyond payload rating; load index and inflation pressure are critical.

Specifications

• Size: for example 245/70R16, 265/65R17 or LT215/75R15, and older numeric sizes on some work vehicles.
• Load index and speed symbol: LT tires show dual load indexes for single and dual rear fitment.
• Ply rating or load range: 6PR, 8PR and 10PR are common for work pickups.
• Pattern: highway rib, H/T, A/T; commercial patterns emphasize tread life and even wear.

Failure drivers

Overloading, underinflation, heat, rough roads and road hazards cause sidewall damage, heat separation and irregular wear. A passenger-type tire run overloaded is at particular risk. Workshops should inflate LT tires according to load, not passenger-car pressures.

Applications

Pickups such as the Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton and Toyota Hilux vary in OE tire sizes by grade, 2WD/4WD and market. See 4x4 tires for off-road patterns.

Ordering checklist

• Size notation, including LT prefix where required.
• Load index matched to vehicle use; for work pickups, prefer LT load ranges over passenger-metric tires.
• Ply rating: 6PR, 8PR or 10PR according to typical payload.
• Pattern: highway rib for high-mileage road use; A/T for mixed roads.
• Certification and maximum age at shipment.
• Tube-type options: some older numeric sizes are still used with tubes in certain markets; confirm TL or TT.
• Container planning: request loading quantities per size and plan mixed-size loads.
• Grade tiers: carry a commercial-grade LT line for fleets alongside a comfort-oriented line for private buyers.
• Communication: point-of-sale guidance on inflation by load reduces claims from overloaded vehicles.
• Sets of four or five: many pickup buyers replace all tires at once, including the spare. Plan stock depth per size in multiples that support full-set sales.
• Wheel compatibility: when customers change from OE 17- or 18-inch sizes to 15- or 16-inch LT sizes for work use, confirm brake caliper clearance and wheel load rating.

Light Truck Tires

Light truck tires serve vehicles such as light-duty trucks, minibuses, heavy vans and small tippers. These vehicles often carry heavy loads on poor roads, and tire choice has a large effect on operating cost and downtime. Browse light truck tires in the catalogue.

Sizes and construction

• Radial LT tires – such as 7.00R16LT, 7.50R16LT, 205/85R16 or 215/75R17.5. Better fuel economy, heat resistance and tread life on paved roads.
• Bias light truck tires – such as 7.00-16 or 7.50-16 in 12PR to 16PR, commonly tube-type with tubes and flaps. Tough sidewalls, simple repairs and lower price; common in markets with rough roads and heavy overloading.
• 17.5-inch tubeless tires – used on many light and medium trucks.

Specifications

Size, ply rating, single/dual load indexes, speed symbol, TT or TL construction, and pattern (rib for steer and highway, lug for drive and rough roads, mixed for all-position use). Tube-type tires require matching tubes and flaps of the correct size.

Applications

Light trucks such as the Isuzu NPR and similar cab-over trucks from Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso and others use 16-inch and 17.5-inch fitments, depending on model, GVW and market. Minibuses and vans in commercial use share several sizes.

Failure drivers

Overloading, underinflation, mismatched dual tires, heat build-up on long runs, and cuts from unpaved roads. Bias tires tolerate overloading better than radials, but heat build-up at speed is higher. See truck and bus tires for larger fitments.

Ordering checklist

• Full size, ply rating and load indexes for single and dual fitment.
• Construction: radial or bias; TL or TT. For tube-type tires, specify whether tubes and flaps are included and in what sizes.
• Pattern and position: rib for steer axles and highway use; lug for drive axles on rough roads.
• Speed symbol: check suitability for highway operation.
• Certification for the destination market and date code limits.
• Container planning: light truck tires with tubes and flaps take more handling; request supplier loading quantities.
• Fleet feedback: before committing to a new pattern, collect mileage and failure data from test vehicles.
• Dual matching: advise fleets to match dual tire diameter and pressure to avoid overloading one tire.
• Tube and flap quality: for tube-type fitments, poor tubes and flaps cause failures that are blamed on the tire. Source them with the same care and in matching sizes.
• Regional preferences: some markets strongly prefer specific ply ratings or patterns based on local experience; check with distributors before selecting the range.

Truck & Bus Tires

Truck and bus tires are a cost-per-kilometer business. Fleets evaluate tires by tread life, retreadability, fuel efficiency, damage resistance and downtime, not purchase price alone. Operating conditions such as regional haul, long haul, construction and quarry, or urban bus service determine the right product. Browse truck & bus tires in the catalogue.

Construction

• TBR (truck and bus radial) – all-steel radial construction; dominant in most markets for long haul and regional transport.
• TBB (truck and bus bias) – nylon bias construction; still used in some markets for heavily loaded trucks on rough roads, tipper operations and where repair and price are priorities.

Sizes

• Tubeless: 11R22.5, 12R22.5, 13R22.5, 295/80R22.5, 315/80R22.5, 385/65R22.5 (trailer and steer), 215/75R17.5 and 235/75R17.5.
• Tube-type: 8.25R16, 8.25R20, 9.00R20, 10.00R20, 11.00R20, 12.00R20 and bias equivalents, used with tubes and flaps.

Positions and patterns

• Steer – rib patterns for precise handling and even wear.
• Drive – lug or block patterns for traction.
• Trailer – rib patterns focused on low rolling resistance and scrub resistance.
• All-position and mixed service – for on/off-road use, with cut- and chip-resistant compounds.

Specifications

Load index for single and dual fitment, speed symbol, ply rating, tread depth, and retreadability. Retreading is widely practiced, so casing quality is part of product value.

Applications

Medium trucks such as the Hino 500 commonly use 22.5-inch tubeless or 20-inch tube-type fitments depending on market, while heavy trucks and buses use larger sizes. See the truck parts section for related components.

Ordering checklist

• Size, load indexes (single/dual), speed symbol and ply rating.
• Construction and type: TBR or TBB; TL or TT with tubes and flaps as required.
• Position and pattern: steer, drive, trailer or all-position; application such as long haul, regional, mixed service or urban bus.
• Compound: cut- and chip-resistant compounds for construction, mining and unpaved routes.
• Retreadability: ask for casing construction information if fleets retread.
• Certification and date codes for the destination market.
• Container loading: truck tires are heavy and bulky; loading quantities are far lower than light-vehicle tires. Request loading plans and securing methods.
• Fleet trials: run pattern trials on representative routes and record cost per kilometer before volume commitments.
• Claims: agree procedures for inspecting failed tires, since overload, underinflation and mechanical issues cause most failures.
• Mixed sizes: fleets often need steer and drive patterns in the same size; order both positions in proportion to axle configuration.