Towing changes everything about how a tire behaves. The moment you hitch up a loaded trailer, your truck asks far more of its rubber: stiffer sidewalls to fight trailer sway, deeper tread to grip a boat ramp or gravel campsite, and a load rating high enough to carry the tongue weight without squirming. A standard all-terrain tire can look the part and still feel vague and overheated under a 7,000 pound trailer. The right one stays planted, tracks straight, and holds pressure through a long highway pull.
We focused on all-terrain truck tires that earn their keep when towing, weighing real-world traits that matter under load: sidewall stiffness, load range and ply, tread compound durability, wet and ramp traction, and how composed each tire feels at highway speed with weight behind it. Every pick below is a genuine, widely available tire. Use the buttons to check current availability on Amazon, then match the size and load range to your truck and trailer.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Best Overall Load Range C to E, 3-Ply sidewall (CoreGard tech), 3PMSF rated |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Falken Wildpeak A/T3W Best Value Load Range C to E, 3PMSF rated, heat diffuser sidewall tech |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Toyo Open Country A/T III Most Durable Load Range C to F available, 3PMSF rated, reinforced tie bars |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT Best Heavy-Duty Load Range E and F, 3PMSF rated, Armor-Tek3 carcass |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Best Traction Load Range C to E, 3PMSF rated, TractiveGroove technology |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Continental TerrainContact A/T Best On-Road Comfort Load Range C to E, comfort-tuned carcass, 60,000 mile treadwear warranty |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Nitto Ridge Grappler Best Hybrid Tread Load Range C to F available, hybrid all-terrain / mud-terrain tread |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2: Best Overall
The KO2 has been the default answer for tow-capable all-terrain truck tires for years, and towing under load is exactly where it justifies the hype. Its CoreGard construction thickens the rubber on the upper sidewall, the area most likely to take a hit from a curb, ramp lip, or trailing edge of a trailer fender at full lock. Under a heavy load the carcass stays composed, so the truck does not wallow or wander when a trailer starts to push from behind. Spec it in Load Range D or E for a heavy tow setup and the difference in sidewall stability is immediately obvious compared to a passenger-rated all-terrain.
The honest weakness is ride quality when you are running empty. At the higher inflation pressures you want for towing, an unloaded truck on KO2s rides firm and can feel busy over expansion joints, and the stout carcass is not doing your fuel economy any favors. If most of your miles are commuting with the trailer in the garage, a lighter tire will feel plusher. But for a truck that exists to tow, the KO2 remains the most complete, confidence-inspiring choice on the list.
- CoreGard tougher sidewall rubber extends up onto the upper sidewall to resist splits and bruising under load
- Interlocking tread blocks and stone ejectors keep the contact patch stable on gravel and boat ramps
- Available in higher load ranges (D and E) suited to three-quarter and one-ton tow rigs
Pros: Genuinely stiff sidewall that resists squirm and trailer sway when loaded; Long, even tread life that holds up to highway tow miles; Strong reputation for bruise and puncture resistance off pavement
Cons: Noticeably firmer ride when running unloaded at full tow pressure; Heavier carcass can nudge fuel economy down versus lighter all-terrains
2. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W: Best Value
The Wildpeak A/T3W has become the go-to value all-terrain for tow-minded truck owners, and it is easy to see why. Falken built a lower sidewall heat diffuser into the design specifically to manage the heat that builds up when a tire is working hard under sustained load, which is precisely the condition you create when towing a heavy trailer for hours on a summer interstate. The shoulder blocks and stiff upper sidewall keep the truck tracking straight, and the wet traction is genuinely strong, a meaningful safety margin when you are stopping a loaded rig in the rain.
It is not flawless. In matched sizes the A/T3W tends to be on the heavier, firmer side, so the unladen ride can feel a touch stiff, and the aggressive tread does generate more noise as the tire wears into its second half of life. Those are fair tradeoffs for what you get: a tire that delivers tow-grade stability and foul-weather grip while remaining one of the smartest qualitative buys in the category.
- Lower sidewall heat diffuser channels heat away during sustained heavy-load highway pulls
- Stiff upper sidewall and aggressive shoulder blocks resist deformation when towing
- Full-depth 3D Canyon sipes keep wet and snow grip as the tread wears down
Pros: Excellent stability and wet traction under load for the value it offers; Heat diffuser design genuinely helps on long, hot tow days; Strong tread life and a quieter highway manner than its aggressive looks suggest
Cons: Slightly heavier and firmer than some rivals in the same size; Aggressive tread can throw a bit more road noise as it ages
3. Toyo Open Country A/T III: Most Durable
The Open Country A/T III is the tire to reach for when your towing is genuinely heavy and frequent. Toyo offers it in load ranges climbing up to F, which means you can match a one-ton truck pulling a fifth wheel or a loaded dump trailer to a tire with the ply rating to carry it properly. The tie bars bridging the tread blocks are the detail that matters under load: they limit how much each block can flex and squirm, which keeps the contact patch steady, reduces heat, and fights the irregular wear that comes from running a soft tire hard.
That toughness has a cost in comfort. In the heavier load ranges the A/T III rides firm and distinctly truck-like, and you feel more of the road than you would on a lighter all-terrain. Its winter grip is dependable rather than exceptional, so a snow-belt towing operation might still want dedicated winter rubber. For pure load-carrying durability over big mileage, though, this is one of the toughest casings you can bolt on.
- Available all the way up to Load Range F for serious one-ton tow and haul duty
- Tie bars across the tread blocks reduce flex and squirm under heavy load
- Strong compound and casing built for long mileage on work and tow trucks
Pros: Offered in very high load ranges for the heaviest tow setups; Tie bars keep the tread stable and reduce irregular wear when loaded; Long-wearing and tough, well suited to high-mileage tow rigs
Cons: Ride can feel firm and trucky, especially in the higher load ranges; Snow performance is solid but not class leading
4. Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT: Best Heavy-Duty
The Discoverer AT3 XLT is the dedicated heavy-duty member of Cooper’s all-terrain family, and the XLT designation is the tell: this is a tire engineered around load-carrying first. The Armor-Tek3 carcass layers in extra protection so the casing can shrug off the abuse of high tongue weights, gravel job sites, and the constant flex of towing. Offered mainly in E and F load ranges, it gives a heavy three-quarter or one-ton truck the ply rating it needs to keep the sidewalls from flexing into vagueness when a big trailer loads them up.
The flip side is that all of that strength is wasted, and even counterproductive, on a lighter truck. The ride is firm and the carcass is heavy, so a half-ton that rarely tows will feel the harshness and the dulled throttle response without ever using the load capacity. Match it to the duty cycle, though, and the AT3 XLT rewards you with a rock-solid, planted feel that holds composure under weights that make softer tires squirm.
- Armor-Tek3 construction adds a third protective ply layer for extra carcass strength
- Built primarily in E and F load ranges aimed at heavy hauling and towing
- Stone-resisting tread and durable compound geared toward work-truck duty
Pros: Genuinely heavy-duty carcass for high tongue and payload weights; Strong puncture and bruise resistance for job-site and tow use; Confident, planted feel with weight on the hitch
Cons: Firm, heavy-duty ride that is overkill for light-duty trucks; Adds rotational weight that can dull acceleration and economy
5. Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac: Best Traction
If your towing routinely ends on a slippery boat ramp, a muddy launch, or a snow-dusted mountain pass, the Wrangler DuraTrac is built for it. This is the most traction-focused tire on the list, sitting right at the edge of all-terrain and rugged-terrain. Its TractiveGroove technology and aggressive, self-cleaning blocks bite into loose surfaces that would leave a milder tire spinning, and the stiff shoulder design keeps the truck from feeling tippy or vague when you are hauling weight onto an uneven surface. For pulling a boat, a snowmobile trailer, or a camper into rough territory, the extra grip is a real advantage.
That capability comes with the usual rugged-terrain compromises. The DuraTrac hums louder on the highway than a smoother all-terrain, and its tread life does not stretch as far as the longest-wearing tow tires here. It is a deliberate trade: you give up some quiet and some mileage to get traction that the gentler tires simply cannot match. For mixed-surface towing where grip is the priority, it is the standout.
- TractiveGroove tread reaches enhanced grip in deep mud, snow, and on slick ramps
- Self-cleaning blocks and rim protector aimed at off-road and tow use
- Stable, aggressive shoulder design that resists rollover squirm under load
Pros: Outstanding traction on loose, wet, and snowy surfaces while towing; Aggressive design that still tracks confidently with a trailer attached; Tough construction with usable winter capability
Cons: Aggressive tread makes more road noise than milder all-terrains; Tread life trails the longest-wearing tires in this group
6. Continental TerrainContact A/T: Best On-Road Comfort
For the towing that happens mostly on pavement, long hauls to the lake house, the campground, or the job across the state, the TerrainContact A/T is the most refined choice here. Continental tuned it to ride quieter and smoother than the typical aggressive all-terrain, and that pays off on multi-hour tow days where road noise and harshness wear you down. It still puts down strong wet traction and stays composed and planted at highway speed with weight behind it, and the long treadwear warranty signals real confidence in how evenly it wears over big mileage.
The trade is that it is the most road-biased tire in this group. The off-road bite is modest next to the DuraTrac or the higher-spec KO2, and the sidewall, while perfectly capable in the right load range, is not as burly as the dedicated heavy-duty casings. If your trailer rarely leaves asphalt and you value a quiet, fatigue-free cabin on long pulls, that is a trade well worth making.
- Comfort-ride tuning delivers a quieter, smoother highway manner under load
- Traction grooves and stable tread keep wet grip strong while towing
- Long treadwear warranty backs its highway-focused durability
Pros: Smoothest, quietest tow ride of the all-terrains here; Strong wet traction and even, long wear for highway tow miles; Composed and stable at speed with a trailer behind
Cons: Less aggressive off-road bite than the mud-focused picks; Sidewall is not as burly as the dedicated heavy-duty tires
7. Nitto Ridge Grappler: Best Hybrid Tread
The Ridge Grappler sits in the hybrid space between all-terrain and mud-terrain, and for owners who want a more aggressive look without giving up tow capability, it threads that needle well. Nitto offers it in high load ranges climbing to F, so you can build a heavy tow rig on it, and the stiff, reinforced tread blocks keep the truck feeling stable and planted when a loaded trailer is pressing on the casing. It is more civilized on the road than its mud-terrain styling suggests, which is the whole appeal of a hybrid: a chunk of the off-road grip with a manageable daily and highway manner.
Being a hybrid, it does inherit some mud-terrain compromises. It is noticeably noisier and firmer on the highway than the smoother all-terrains here, and the aggressive tread gives up a measure of wet and snow refinement for its rugged bite. It lands lower on a towing-specific list for those reasons, but if you want the heavy load range, the stable feel, and the aggressive look in one tire, the Ridge Grappler delivers a genuinely capable package.
- Hybrid tread blends all-terrain manners with mud-terrain grip and looks
- Available in high load ranges up to F for heavy tow and haul trucks
- Reinforced shoulder grooves and stiff blocks resist squirm under load
Pros: Aggressive look and grip with surprisingly civil on-road behavior for the type; Offered in heavy load ranges suited to serious towing; Strong, stable feel under weight thanks to stiff tread design
Cons: Noisier and firmer than a true all-terrain on the highway; Hybrid tread trades some wet and snow refinement for its rugged bite
Frequently Asked Questions
What load range do I need for an all-terrain tire when towing?
Match the load range to your truck and trailer weight rather than just picking the highest number. Light-duty half-ton trucks towing modest loads are often fine on Load Range C, while three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks pulling heavy trailers should run Load Range D, E, or even F. The key figure is the tire’s maximum load capacity at a given pressure: it must comfortably exceed the weight on each axle with the trailer hitched and loaded, including tongue weight. Always check the door jamb placard and your trailer’s loaded weight, and when in doubt, step up a load range rather than down. A higher load range gives you stiffer sidewalls that resist sway and run cooler under sustained load.
Do I need to change tire pressure when towing?
Yes, in most cases you should increase tire pressure when towing to support the extra load, and many owners run at or near the maximum cold pressure listed on the sidewall during heavy tow days. Higher pressure firms up the sidewall, reduces flex and heat buildup, and improves stability so the truck tracks straight and the trailer is less likely to push it around. Always set pressure cold, before driving, and return to your normal everyday pressure once the trailer is unhitched so the unladen ride does not become harsh and the tread does not wear unevenly in the center. Consult your truck’s towing pressure guidance in the owner’s manual for the exact figures.
Are all-terrain tires good for towing, or should I use highway tires?
A good all-terrain tire in the correct load range is an excellent towing choice, especially if your towing involves any gravel, ramps, campsites, or loose surfaces. The deeper tread and stiffer shoulders give grip and stability that a smooth highway tire cannot match off pavement. The tradeoff is a little more road noise and slightly lower fuel economy than a dedicated highway tire. If you tow exclusively on smooth interstate and never leave asphalt, a touring or highway-rated tire can ride quieter, but for the mixed-surface reality most truck owners face, a load-rated all-terrain is the more flexible and confidence-inspiring pick.
What does the 3PMSF rating mean and does it matter for towing?
The 3PMSF marking, the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall, certifies that a tire meets a defined standard for severe snow traction. It matters for towing if you ever haul in cold or wintry conditions, because pulling a loaded trailer up a snowy grade or stopping it on an icy ramp demands far more grip than driving the truck alone. Most of the tires in this guide carry the 3PMSF rating, which gives you a meaningful safety margin in winter without needing a dedicated snow tire. That said, 3PMSF is not the same as a full winter tire, so for sustained ice and deep snow towing, dedicated winter rubber still wins.
How does sidewall stiffness affect towing stability?
Sidewall stiffness is among the most important and most overlooked factors in a towing tire. When a loaded trailer pushes and pulls on the back of your truck, a soft sidewall flexes and lets the contact patch move around, which the driver feels as vagueness, wandering, and amplified trailer sway. A stiffer sidewall, achieved through higher load range, extra plies, and reinforced construction like the KO2’s CoreGard or Cooper’s Armor-Tek3, keeps the tire’s footprint planted and resists that flex. The result is a truck that tracks straight, responds predictably, and stays composed when a gust of wind or a passing semi tries to upset the trailer. It is the single biggest reason to spec a proper load range.
Our Verdict
For the widest range of tow-truck owners, the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is our top pick: its reinforced CoreGard sidewall, availability in heavy load ranges, and proven durability make it the most complete towing all-terrain you can buy, as long as you accept a firmer unladen ride. Our runner up is the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, which delivers nearly the same tow-grade stability plus a clever heat diffuser and excellent wet traction, making it the smartest qualitative choice for most buyers. Whichever you choose, match the load range to your real trailer weight and set your tow pressures correctly, and any tire on this list will haul with confidence.
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