Are All Commercial Tires the Same?
What's the Difference Between Medium Truck, TBR, and Commercial Tires?
While the terms used to describe different types of commercial tires are often interchangeable, there are slight differences between each definition. Colloquially, there is no harm using “medium truck tires” to refer to all commercial tires for instance, but when speaking to customers, it’s important to know the difference. A lay person may see it as a misnomer since not all commercial and TBR tires are “medium” in size. And while a large portion of commercial tires do encompass medium truck tires, there are others under that umbrella. The main difference between medium truck, TBR, and commercial tires mainly comes down to their intended applications and construction, which we will breakdown below.
Commercial Tires
Commercial tires are the broader category that includes all tires designed for commercial use, including TBR and medium truck tires. This segment also includes LT (light truck) tires for vans, pickup trucks, small commercial vehicles, and OTR (off-the-road) tires for construction, mining, and industrial equipment. Hence, commercial tires are used on vehicles ranging from light-duty vans to heavy-duty trucks and industrial machines.
Medium Truck Tires
Medium tires are also referred to as medium-duty truck tires and are designed for vehicles like delivery trucks, light commercial vehicles, and smaller freight trucks. They typically fall within the Class 4 to Class 6 vehicle range, meaning they have a GVWR (gross vehicle weight range) of 14,001 to 26,000 lbs. These tires balance durability, fuel efficiency, and ride comfort for regional and urban use. Medium truck tires are commonly used for delivery trucks, box trucks, and vocational vehicles.
TBR (Truck & Bus Radial) Tires
TBR tires are specifically designed for heavy-duty commercial trucks and buses that operate under higher loads and longer distances. They are used in Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles (GVWR of above 26,000 lbs), such as long-haul trucks, buses, and heavy-duty vocational trucks. TBR tires are built with reinforced sidewalls, stronger casings, and retreadable designs to withstand high mileage, heavy loads, and rougher terrains.
Which Commercial Tires Should You Use?
If you're still not sure which type of commercial tires are right for your needs, view this quick summary below:
A guide to selecting commercial tires:
- If you need tires for a medium-duty delivery truck or utility vehicle → medium tires.
- If you operate a semi-truck, bus, or heavy-duty vocational truck → TBR Tires.
- If you're looking for tires for any commercial vehicle (light, medium, or heavy-duty) → commercial tires (which includes both medium and TBR tires).
So even though the terms commercial, TBR, and medium truck tires may be used interchangeably, it’s important to know the distinction between all three should you be researching options for yourself or advising a client on inventory needs.