Van tires often face challenges that are a combination of pickup duty and passenger car duty. That makes it a little bit of a trick when it comes to choosing tires. Now likely your tire dealer will steer you in the right direction, but here are 4 tips to consider when choosing van tires.

Minivans As Cars Or Trucks

Certainly many minivans fit right with passenger cars when it comes to choosing tires. That's so because of the weight of the vehicles and the loads they will be expected to carry. But that may not always be so. Some minivans are indeed used more like trucks and the loads carried should be considered when picking a tire.

Consider too that even some minivans are built n truck frames and ride and carry cargo like small to mid-size trucks.

Heavier Vans

Full size vans certainly take on the character of pickup trucks. Most full size vans are in the weight range and the load carrying capacity of full size pickups. That often suggests a light truck tire would be best for a bigger van. Some larger vans may even need more than a light truck tire.

Lightly loaded large vans may still work well wit passenger car tires, but often loads on these vans are marginal with passenger car tires.

Trade-Offs With Truck Tires

The switch from passenger car tires to light truck tires often happens because of load carrying capacity. The trade-off to get more load capacity is often ride quality and noise.

The light truck tires sport a heavier and stiffer construction specifically to handle more weight on the tire. All other things equal, that produces a harsher ride and less comfort. Also the stiffer construction coupled with aggressive tread pattern often produces more noise as well. Not always, but often truck tires ride harsher and make more noise.

How Do You Use It?

Many vans used like cars can use passenger car tires. However, for hauling and towing trailers the car tires may not be the best or safest choice. What sometimes happens is the vehicle begins to be used more and more like a truck as the capabilities of the vehicle are learned. You may not buy a van to use as a truck. But over time it becomes more of a truck as you realize how handy that capability is. That's where light truck tires fit.

Discount Tires For Vans

Online tire dealers open up chances to save on tires. The online tire dealers survive based on at least three factors. They must have very informative, easy to use websites. They must have relatively low prices. They have to ship fast.

What that can do for you when you shop for van tires is give you an easy way to learn about tires available and an easy way to find a low price. Take that information with you when local shopping and you see how local selection and price compare to what you could get online.

Van tires must often deal with challenges that are somewhat unique. Often vans end up with roles more like a light truck than a passenger car. In many cases truck tires work well on certain types of vans. Al Bullington writes about his pickup truck and van projects. Check out his newest website about the underrated option for protecting pickup beds: truck bed mats.

See our tips about rubber truck bed mats at one of our newest websites.