What are Medium Truck Tires?
Culture, Product Information | 03/21/2025
When talking about Commercial or TBR tires in the U.S., tire terms can vary according to State, region, and even use. For instance, the terms “Medium Truck Tires”, “Commercial Tires” and “TBR tires” may often be used to communicate the same type of commercial tire. Although there is a lot of overlap in these terms, there are also some differences between them that are worth knowing.
Are Medium Truck Tires, Commercial Tires, and TBR Tires the same?
While in many places, “Medium Tires” are synonymous with Commercial and TBR tires, it’s important to note that common terms can be different across regions, industries, and even when talking to customers. For example, not all Commercial/TBR tires are “medium” when it comes to size, and even though the term “Commercial Tires” does encompass medium truck tires, there are other types of tires that also fall under that definition.
What Are Medium Truck Tires?
While there is a lot of overlap between them, the main difference between Medium truck tires, TBR tires, and Commercial tires is in their intended uses and construction.
Commercial Tires
Commercial tires is the overall category that covers all tires that are designated for commercial use. This includes both TBR and Medium truck tires. "Commercial Tires" can also refer to light truck tires for vans, pickup trucks, and small commercial vehicles, as well as off-the-road tires, used for construction, mining, and industrial equipment.
Medium Tires
Medium tires, also sometimes called Medium-Duty truck tires, are designed for vehicles like delivery trucks, light commercial vehicles, and smaller freight trucks that are used mostly regionally. They typically fall within the Class 4 to Class 6 vehicle range and are constructed to balance durability, fuel efficiency, and ride comfort for both regional and urban use. Medium-duty truck tires are often found on delivery trucks, box trucks, and similar types of commercial vehicles.
TBR (Truck & Bus Radial) Tires
TBR tires are specifically designed for higher loads and longer distances driven by heavy-duty commercial trucks and buses. They are used in Class 7 and Class 8 vehicles like long-haul trucks, buses, and heavy-duty vehicles. TBR tires are built with reinforced sidewalls and stronger casings to withstand these heavier loads and are retreadable to yield higher mileage and handle rougher terrains.
Who Should Use Medium Truck Tires?
With those similarities and differences in mind, here are a few ways to help decide which type of commercial tire is the best fit. If you need tires for a medium-duty delivery truck or utility vehicle, you should consider Medium Tires. If the tires are for a heavy-duty vehicle, such as a semi-truck or bus, or heavy-duty vocational vehicle, TBR Tires are the better choice. Tires for any commercial vehicle, whether light, medium, or heavy-duty, will be called Commercial Tires.
Check out the entire Delinte Commercial tire lineup here and keep on truckin’!