Top 10 Best Tires for RAM 1500: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

The main battle in the pickup truck world has always been fought between the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. However, the dark horse in that story is the RAM 1500. This pickup truck often doesn’t follow the conventional things trucks are known for. Apart from the aggressive and muscular design, the Dodge RAM 1500 is also the only pickup truck that has air suspension as an option. That feature alone makes the ride of the RAM 1500 as plush as in a premium sedan. If you haven’t tried it yet, you really should. However, to maintain the smooth ride quality, you’ll need the best tires for RAM 1500. Luckily, you’re just at the right place to learn everything there is to know for pickup truck tires.

The thing is, finding the right tires for your Dodge RAM 1500 can prove to be very difficult. The reason is very simple – tires are divided into many categories today. The first and most obvious one is the climate. Every tire is made to operate in a specific temperature window and won’t work everywhere. Owners of the Dodge RAM 1500 in Canada will drive on a completely different set of tires when compared to those in Florida, for example.

Then, tires also differ according to the needs of the driver. There are tires for slower and leisurely driving and tires for fast driving through the corners. And that’s not everything! Tires for pickup trucks like the RAM 1500 differ according to the terrain you’re using them on. More precisely, some tires work better on the road, while others work better for off-roading.

To help you choose the right set of tires for Dodge RAM 1500, we created a sort of a buying guide, where we will discuss everything there is to know about truck tires. Then, with the knowledge acquired, we are going to jump to the section of the Top 10 best tires for RAM 1500. There you will be able to find Dodge Ram 1500 tires from different categories, so be sure that you read about all of them first!

Best Tires for RAM 1500: Buyer’s Guide

1. Highway and Touring tires are the Best Choices for Most RAM 1500 Owners

Highway and touring tires are by far the best-selling tire type for pickup trucks, and there’s a reason for that – they cover all the basics. RAM 1500 drivers will immediately notice the excellent ride quality the best highway and touring tires provide, and also the low amount of noise on the highway. When it comes to comfort, no other tire type can match touring or highway tires. This also makes them outstanding for long road trips, something that RAM 1500 drivers tend to do a lot with their vehicles.

Then comes strength. Touring and highway tires are designed to last a lot of miles. Their casing is strong enough to withstand the weight of the RAM 1500 easily, and that’s especially true for highway tires. While we’re talking about the matter, the main difference between highway and touring tires is how much load they can carry. Touring tires will work better for people that don’t tow big trailers with their RAM 1500 due to their lower load ratings. They are also better to drive when the truck is not loaded, and ultimately more comfortable. However, if you tow a big trailer with your RAM 1500 or use it for hauling every day, then you might consider highway tires. These tires have higher load ratings and can carry more weight on their shoulders then touring tires. They will also provide you with better stability when towing.

Apart from the strong casing, touring and highway tires also have the best treadlife of any other type of tire. The best touring and highway tires for RAM 1500 come with 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, a number that no other tire type can touch. Install a set of these tires on your truck, and you will forget about changing them in 5-6 years!

But what about on-road performance? Luckily, touring and highway tires deliver here as well. Sure, they may not be as responsive as some sporty tires, but for most people, the performance they offer will suffice. The best tires in these categories offer excellent highway stability, very good traction and side-to-side grip, and strong braking performance in dry conditions. They also work when it rains, better than most tires intended for pickup trucks. Due to the fact that most touring and highway tires are of the all-season variety, they will also work in colder weather, and some of them in light snow.

Well, are there any things that these Dodge Ram 1500 tires can’t do? Of course! They might be good for driving on gravel, but good luck finding traction in more demanding off-road conditions. These tires are made to be driven on the road, not for off-roading.

2. Okay, So What to Choose for Off-Road Driving?

There are several tire options suited for off-roading, including all-terrain, multi-terrain, and mud-terrain tires. The RAM 1500 isn’t an off-road focused vehicle, even though the AWD versions can drive through some demanding terrain. That’s why we recommend going for all-terrain tires. These tires are made to offer much more traction on slippery surfaces than touring or highway tires, and for off-roaders, they are the only tire they need. Also, they are designed for good on-road performance, both in dry and wet conditions.

Sure, multi-terrain and mud-terrain tires might offer much better off-road performance, but we think that their disadvantages might be big obstacles for RAM 1500 owners. Namely, these Dodge Ram tires are louder on the highway, and due to the stiffer sidewalls, also have worse ride quality. Ultimately, all-terrain tires also last more than the alternatives with a treadlife of around 40,000-miles.

3. But What If I Own a RAM 1500 V8 HEMI?

There are some touring and highway tires that will work with your particular model, but for the best possible performance on the road, we suggest going for Street/Sport truck tires. These tires are specifically designed to offer better driving dynamics. That includes better responsiveness, more traction during acceleration, better grip in the corners, and much better braking performance. Thanks to these qualities, Street/Sport tires can be driven faster and still offer a safe driving experience.

However, they also have some glaring disadvantages when compared to touring and highway tires. First of all, ride quality will be much worse, and there will be more noise on the highway. Even the best Street/Sport tires have much lower treadwear warranties, and shorter treadlife as well. Together with the higher price, this makes them much more expensive in the long run. To put it simply, you really need to drive your RAM 1500 V8 HEMI fast to make the most out of Street/Sport tires.

4. And What About the Climate?

Apart from choosing a set of tires according to your needs and the roads you are driving your RAM 1500 on, you also need to consider the climate. The main component of tires is the compound itself. This compound is designed to work in a specific temperature range, according to the category of the tire.

All-season tires, for example, have a tread compound that’s designed to work in wide temperature range, from cold winter nights to warm summer days. Of course, there will be compromises in both situations, but for most people, the performance these tires give will suffice. That said, most all-season tires are geared more towards warm weather than cold weather, which means that in the winter, a set of proper winter tires might be a better choice. All-season tires today are available as highway, touring, all-terrain, and Street/Sport tires, and are the most common tire type on the market.

Winter tires, as their name implies, are designed to work better in very cold weather. They have softer tread compound which doesn’t lose its qualities at the lowest possible temperatures. They also have a much more prominent and deeper tread pattern with a lot of sipes, which makes them much better on snow and ice than any other tire type. That said, winter tires don’t work at all in warmer conditions.

Summer tires, on the other hand, are designed to work only in warmer conditions. During the summer, these tires will give you absolutely the best driving experience. They are more responsive, have better traction, brake stronger, and provide a much better grip in the corners. That said, due to the fact that summer tires don’t work at all at lower temperatures, they are mainly offered as Street/Sport tires for enthusiasts who don’t mind replacing them when the temperature falls down.

Here’s our list of the Top 10 Best Tires for Dodge Ram 1500:

The 10 Best Tires for RAM 1500 that You Can Buy

1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

Best Highway Tires for RAM 1500

When it comes to truck tires that can do everything you throw at them, none can compare to the Defender LTX M/S. The successor to the already beloved LTX M/S2 brings several improvements to the table that makes it the best highway tire money can buy. This is a tire that will satisfy most RAM 1500 owners thanks to its ability to tow and haul, yet provide the driver with high levels of traction, grip, and stability.

There are several technologies that help the Defender LTX achieve outstanding performance. The chip-resistant EverTread compound works in very warm and cold conditions, giving the tire true all-season traction, grip, and braking performance. Thanks to the high-density 3-D Active Sipes and four wide circumferential channels, the Defender LTX also works in heavy rain, and even in light snow. However, when it comes to snow traction, some competitors are even better. In the end, the MaxTouch Construction ensures that the Michelin is stable at higher speeds, even with a trailer attached.

Like its predecessor, the Defender LTX M/S is also one of the quietest and most comfortable tires in the highway category. The 70,000-mile treadwear warranty for T- H- & V-Speed Rated models is also one of the best for highway tires (50,000-miles for W-Speed rated models).

2. Cooper Discoverer HTP

Best Highway Tires for RAM 1500

Cooper is a manufacturer that’s a staple in the truck community. Their tires are cheaper than premium alternatives, but still offer excellent performance in almost every category. The Discoverer HTP is a great example of that. Designed to offer balanced performance in every weather and comfortable driving experience, the Discoverer HTP might be the only tire you need for your RAM 1500.

On the road, the Cooper handles excellently. It is pretty responsive and gives a lot of feedback. Traction is also very good, even on more powerful RAM 1500 models, while grip and braking are among the best in the category. Thanks to the serpentine sipes and biting edges, the Cooper is very good in wet conditions, especially when it comes to traction and braking. Light snow traction is only average, though, so plan on replacing the Discoverer HTP with a winter tire.

On the positive side, this tire comes with an excellent 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is better than most competitors in the same price bracket.

3. General Grabber HTS60

Best Highway Tires for RAM 1500

General is another American manufacturer that really knows how to build a truck tire. The Grabber HTS60 is one of the best deals in the highway category right now. The price is much lower than the outstanding Defender LTX, yet the performance is only 10% worse. For most people, this is negligible. 

Unlike most highway tires, the Grabber HTS60 features a cut- and chip-resistant compound that makes it useful for driving on gravel. The vehicle-tuned tread patterns offer excellent on-road dynamics, on the other hand, while also improving wet traction, grip, and braking. Overall, this is one of the best highway tires for RAM 1500 when it comes to driving performance. However, the heavy-duty models meant for towing have less circumferential grooves, which makes them less reliable in heavy rain.

On the positive side, the Grabber HTS60 comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty for S- & T-Speed Rated models, and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty for LT Sizes & H-Speed Rated models.

4. Kumho Road Venture APT KL51

Best Highway Tires for RAM 1500

The Kumho Road Venture APT KL51 is another example that you don’t need to pay a lot of money to get a high-quality truck tire. The Korean model is close to American competitors when it comes to price and performance. However, the Kumho sadly isn’t available in load range E trim, which means that it isn’t the best choice for towing. Also, the 60,000-mile treadwear warranty is a bit lower, but we still consider it to be good for the price.

On a more positive note, the Road Venture offers a surprisingly high level of traction and grip on the road. Responsiveness and braking are also very good. In wet conditions, the Kumho resists hydroplaning very well, and it even works in light snow. The biggest advantage of the KL51 is comfort – ride quality and noise are better than almost any other highway tire.

5. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza Plus

Best Touring Tires for RAM 1500

Bridgestone might not be as competitive in the highway category, but their touring truck tire is the best in its class. The Dueler H/L Alenza Plus is the plushest and quietest truck tire you will find. That’s why, if you don’t tow very big trailers with your RAM 1500, we recommend it over any highway tire. Another great advantage of the Bridgestone is the durability – every model available comes with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, the best in the business.

Like most Bridgestone tires, the Dueler handles very well on the road, with excellent traction, grip, and braking. Wet performance is also among the best in the touring category, while high-speed stability is exemplary. That said, the Bridgestone isn’t the best choice for light snow traction.

6. Cooper Discoverer SRX

Best Touring Tires for RAM 1500

The second Discoverer tire on this list might not be intended for heavy-duty use, but it’s still a great tire for those that seek ultimate performance on the road. Handling with a set of these tires is excellent, with very high levels of grip, traction, and strong braking. Wet performance is also very good, almost on par with the premium competitors. That said, light snow traction isn’t nearly as good.

The SRX is also very comfortable over bumps, and pretty quiet at higher speeds. The 75,000-mile treadwear warranty for T-Rated models and 70,000-mile for H-Rated models is exemplary for a tire at this price point.

7. Falken Ziex S/TZ05

Best Street/Sport Tires for RAM 1500

If you own a RAM 1500 V8 HEMI and want to extract the best performance from it regardless of the climate conditions, then you need the Falken Ziex S/TZ05. This Street/Sport all-season tire brings excellent handling at a much lower price point than anyone would have guessed.

With a set of these tires, your RAM 1500 will be much more responsive in the corners and provide a much better feeling behind the steering wheel. Traction and grip will also be much better for harder cornering, and braking will be stronger too. The Falken also works in light and heavy rain and is surprisingly quiet for a sporty tire. We also can’t complain about the 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, one of the best for performance tires. That said, snow traction is below average.

8. Yokohama Parada Spec X

Best Street/Sport Tires for RAM 1500

The Yokohama Parada Spec X is an even more aggressive tire than the Kumho, designed for serious enthusiast drivers. Right now, it offers probably the most responsive drive in the category, providing the feeling of a go-kart. It also provides very high levels of traction and grip and outstanding high-speed stability. Braking is also very strong, better than almost every other competitor. The Parada Spec X offers reliable wet traction and braking, with excellent hydroplaning resistance. It is also very quiet and comfortable for a sporty tire.

That said, Yokohama offers no treadwear warranty, probably due to the aggressive all-season tread compound, and the light-snow traction is lackluster.

9. Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Best All-Terrain Tires for RAM 1500

The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a very popular tire in the off-road community, mainly due to the excellent off-road traction. It has the deepest tread in the category, which makes it one of the best all-terrain tires for driving on gravel, rocks, sand, and mud. It’s also very tough, thanks to the aggressive upper sidewall.

The Falken is surprisingly good on the road, too, even when a trailer is attached. The heat diffuser technology that keeps the tire cool is the one to “blame” here. Wet performance is also very good for the category, while light snow traction is exemplary. That said, the noise is higher than other all-season competitors.

10. Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2

Best Winter Tires for RAM 1500

Right now, the Michelin Latitude X-Ice Xi2 is the best winter tire for RAM 1500. It is a tire that works extremely well in colder conditions, both on dry and wet roads. Handling in wintry conditions with this tire is as close to a summer tire in warm conditions as ever. The 40,000-mile treadwear warranty is also the best in the category, and a great reason to turn a blind eye to the higher price. Oh, and the simply outstanding snow and ice traction and braking the Latitude provides. 

Final Words

You might not like the fact that we didn’t include very cheap tires on this list, but we have a perfect reason for that. Cheap tires that you find online are not only worse than premium tires, but some of them are unsafe! Well-known manufacturers charge more for their products because they do lot more R&D on the tires and test them for much longer. To ensure maximum safety, we strongly suggest always going for a high-quality set of the Dodge Ram 1500 tires from manufacturers that you fully trust.