Choosing the right tires for your dually truck is a critical decision that directly impacts safety, performance, and payload capacity. The correct 85R16 tires provide the necessary foundation for heavy towing and hauling, ensuring stability and control under immense weight. This is not an area for compromise; the right set of tires is your first line of defense on the road.
Our roundup focuses on durable, high-load-range options built to withstand the demands of serious work. We have evaluated tires based on their construction, load ratings, and specific design features for towing and commercial use. This guide will help you identify the best tire to match your truck’s requirements and your driving needs, providing confidence for every mile.
Our Top Picks for 85R16 Dually Tires
- Set of 4 Transeagle ST Radial All Steel Trailer Tires
- Roundrule Xtra All Steel Heavy Duty Premium Trailer Radial Tire
- Set of 2 Transeagle ST Radial All Steel Trailer Tires
- MICHELIN Agilis CrossClimate All-Season Radial Tire
- Continental CON VANCO 4 SEASON Commercial Van Tire
- Goodyear Endurance All Season Radial Trailer Tire
- Firestone TRANSFORCE HT 2 All Season Truck/SUV Tire
- BFGoodrich Radial T/A All Season Car Tire
- Cooper Discoverer SRX All-Season Luxury Touring Tire
- Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 All-Terrain Tire
Set of 4 Transeagle ST Radial All Steel Trailer Tires
This set of four Transeagle ST Radial tires offers a complete solution for heavy-duty trailer applications. Built with an all-steel construction, these tires are engineered for maximum durability and load-bearing capacity, featuring a Load Range G rating that signifies a robust 14-ply rating. The highway-focused performance and all-season design ensure reliable performance for your dually truck throughout the year.
The ST (Special Trailer) designation means the tire is specifically reinforced to handle the unique stresses of trailer use, including sway resistance and stability under heavy loads. The black sidewall design provides a clean, professional look, making this set a practical and strong choice for serious towing needs.
Roundrule Xtra All Steel Heavy Duty Premium Trailer Radial Tire
The Roundrule Xtra is a premium radial tire constructed entirely from steel, designed for the demands of heavy-duty trailer service. It shares the critical ST235/85R16 size and Load Range G (14-ply) rating, ensuring it can handle significant weight with a strong margin of safety. Its highway performance tread is made to provide steady, dependable mileage.
As a dedicated trailer tire, it is built to resist the wear and tear associated with constant load pressure and long-distance travel. The all-season capability means you can rely on this tire in various weather conditions, providing a dependable foundation for your towing setup.
Set of 2 Transeagle ST Radial All Steel Trailer Tires
For those needing to replace a pair of tires, this set of two Transeagle ST Radials offers the same quality in a smaller package. A key upgrade here is the Load Range H rating, which provides an even higher 16-ply load capacity. This makes them suitable for the most demanding towing applications where maximum weight capacity is non-negotiable.
The all-steel construction ensures longevity and puncture resistance, which is vital for maintaining safety on long hauls. Whether you are upgrading your existing tires or need a reliable spare set, these tires deliver top-tier performance and peace of mind for heavy loads.
MICHELIN Agilis CrossClimate All-Season Radial Tire
The MICHELIN Agilis CrossClimate is engineered for commercial vans and vehicles that require all-weather reliability. Its key benefit is a tread compound and design that provides improved treadlife, especially under heavy loads, making it a smart long-term investment for frequent use. The tire is built to offer dependable traction in various conditions.
While it is a vehicle-specific fit, its robust construction and focus on durability under load make it a contender for certain dually applications where all-season confidence is a priority. Michelin’s reputation for quality ensures a product focused on safety and performance.
Continental CON VANCO 4 SEASON Commercial Van Tire
Continental’s CON VANCO 4 SEASON tire is specifically tuned for original equipment applications, ensuring a precise fit and optimized performance for commercial vehicles. It features enhancements for traction in both wet and dry conditions, which is crucial for maintaining control with a heavy load. The tire is designed to deliver dependable stability and handling.
This focus on consistent performance under the stress of heavy cargo makes it a reliable option. The all-season designation means it is built to perform consistently throughout the year, providing a balanced combination of grip, comfort, and durability for your dually truck.
Goodyear Endurance All Season Radial Trailer Tire
The Goodyear Endurance is a premium trailer tire designed with enhanced construction materials for better durability and heat resistance. It includes features like scuff protection to help guard against damage from curbs and other obstacles. Its design is specifically intended for trailers and haulers, meaning it is built to manage the unique forces of towing.
This focus on trailer-specific engineering results in a tire that offers improved reliability and a reduced risk of failure. For dually owners who frequently tow heavy trailers, this tire provides the specialized performance needed for safety and long-term value.
Firestone TRANSFORCE HT 2 All Season Truck/SUV Tire
The Firestone TRANSFORCE HT 2 is a highway terrain tire developed for trucks and SUVs, offering reliable all-season performance. Its tread design aims to provide a smooth and quiet ride while maintaining the toughness required for heavier vehicles. The construction is made to handle the daily demands of work trucks.
While it is a multi-purpose tire, its robust build quality and focus on highway stability make it a potential candidate for dually trucks used in less extreme towing scenarios. It represents a balanced option for those who need a dependable tire for both work and daily driving.
BFGoodrich Radial T/A All Season Car Tire
The BFGoodrich Radial T/A is a classic tire known for its raised white-letter styling and smooth driving characteristics. It is engineered to provide exceptional wet and dry traction and control, contributing to safer driving in various conditions. The variable groove angle geometry is designed to promote long, even wear.
This tire offers superb lateral stability and steering response, which is beneficial for maintaining control of a heavy dually truck. Its all-season performance ensures that it can be used reliably throughout the year, providing a combination of style and substance.
Cooper Discoverer SRX All-Season Luxury Touring Tire
The Cooper Discoverer SRX is a premium luxury touring tire designed for a wide range of trucks and SUVs. A significant feature is its 75,000-mile treadwear warranty, which indicates a strong focus on long-term value and durability. The tire is engineered to maximize ride comfort without sacrificing performance.
For dually truck owners who use their vehicle for long-distance travel as well as towing, the combination of comfort and long tread life is a major advantage. It provides a quieter, smoother ride while still being capable of handling the demands of heavier loads.
Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 All-Terrain Tire
The Hankook Dynapro AT2 RF11 is an all-terrain tire designed for drivers who need capability beyond the pavement. It offers a rugged construction that can handle off-road conditions while still providing dependable on-road manners. This versatility is ideal for dually trucks that may encounter job sites or uneven terrain.
The all-terrain tread pattern is made to provide traction in a variety of conditions, including light mud and gravel. For the dually owner who requires a tire that can work hard on the highway and perform when the road ends, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 is a strong and adaptable choice.
What to Look For in the Best 10 85R16 Dually Tires for Towing Capacity
When I’m picking out tires for my dually, especially with towing heavy loads in mind, I don’t just grab the first set I see. It’s a serious decision that affects safety, performance, and my wallet. The key is understanding what makes a tire good for this specific job. The first thing I always check is the load rating. For a dually truck, you need a tire with a high load index. Look for a Load Range E or, even better, an F or G if available for your size. This number tells you how much weight each tire can carry, and since you have four tires on the rear axle sharing the load of a trailer, this is non-negotiable. A higher load range often means a stiffer sidewall, which is exactly what you want to resist sway and provide stability when you’ve got a few tons hooked up behind you.
Next, I pay close attention to the tread pattern. An all-terrain tire is a popular choice because it offers a good balance. It has aggressive enough tread blocks for decent traction on a gravelly campsite or a wet boat ramp, but it’s still designed with solid, continuous ribs on the shoulders. These ribs are crucial because they increase the tire’s contact patch with the road, which translates to better stability and handling when you’re under load. A pure mud-terrain tire might look tough, but its large, independent tread blocks can sometimes feel a bit squirmy and less planted on the highway with a trailer. For pure, dedicated highway towing, a commercial truck tire or a highway-terrain pattern is often the most stable and long-lasting option.
Finally, I think about the tire’s construction and compound. Many tires designed for towing use a tougher casing material and maybe even steel belts reinforced with other materials like nylon or Kevlar. This helps prevent punctures and withstands the higher heat buildup that comes from running at high pressures with heavy loads. The rubber compound is also important; you want something that’s built to resist wear. Towing puts extra stress on the tread, so a long-lasting compound means you won’t be replacing these expensive tires every other year. Getting the right set of the best 10 85R16 dually tires for towing capacity is about matching these features—high load rating, stable tread design, and robust construction—to how you actually use your truck. It’s the difference between a white-knuckle drive and a confident, controlled journey.
FAQ
What is the main difference between Load Range E and F for my dually?
The main difference comes down to weight capacity and tire stiffness. A Load Range E tire in the 85R16 size is common and perfectly capable, but a Load Range F is built to handle even more weight. This means it has a higher load index number and a higher maximum inflation pressure (often 95 psi vs 80 psi for an E). In practice, the F-range tire will have a stronger, stiffer sidewall. This extra stiffness is a huge benefit for towing, as it dramatically reduces side-to-side sway and improves stability with a heavy trailer. If you frequently tow at or near your truck’s maximum capacity, stepping up to an F-range tire is a smart move for both safety and control.
How often should I rotate the tires on my dually truck?
I make it a habit to rotate my dually tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. It’s even more critical on a dually than on a standard pickup because the four rear tires wear differently than the two front tires. The front tires handle all the steering and braking forces, so they tend to wear on the edges. The rear tires, which carry the bulk of the load, often wear more evenly but faster. By rotating them regularly—typically moving the front tires straight back to the rear positions and crossing the rear tires to the front—you promote even wear across all six tires. This extends the life of your entire set and ensures you get the most value out of your investment.
Can I mix different tire brands or models on my dually?
I strongly advise against this. On a dually setup, the two tires on the same axle are meant to work as a pair, sharing the load and providing a stable contact patch. If you mix tires with different tread patterns, construction, or even slightly different overall diameters, you can create serious problems. One tire might end up carrying more weight than the other, leading to premature wear and potential failure. It can also cause handling issues, especially when towing, as the tires may not respond to steering inputs or road forces in the same way. For safety and performance, always replace dually tires in pairs on the same axle, and ideally, use the same model and brand for all six positions.
What is the ideal tire pressure for towing with my dually?
This is one of the most important questions, and the answer isn’t a single number. The ideal pressure is the one listed on your truck’s tire information placard (usually on the driver’s door jamb) for the loaded condition. Do not use the pressure listed on the tire’s sidewall; that’s the maximum pressure the tire can hold, not the recommended pressure for your vehicle. For towing heavy loads, you will almost always need to inflate your rear tires to a higher pressure than you use for daily driving—often the maximum pressure recommended on the placard for a heavy load. Always check your pressures when the tires are cold (before driving) and adjust them based on the weight you’re carrying. Properly inflated tires are essential for maximizing the towing capacity, handling, and lifespan of your tires.
Are all-terrain tires a good choice for towing, or should I stick with highway tires?
This depends entirely on your usage. Modern all-terrain tires are an excellent compromise and a very popular choice for the best 10 85R16 dually tires for towing capacity. They offer very good on-road manners and stability for towing, while still providing the off-road capability to handle a muddy job site or a grassy field. If you never leave the pavement and your primary concern is maximum stability and the longest possible treadlife, a dedicated highway or commercial tire is the best tool for the job. However, for most people who use their truck for a mix of highway towing and occasional light off-road duty, a high-quality all-terrain tire is a fantastic and versatile option that won’t let you down.