Cybertruck Tire Prices

[cvalue13]

I searched all the big online tire sellers and couldn't find and E or 125 rated tire with a 130 mph speed rating. Maybe Tesla has contracted a manufacturer to build one, but for some reason they haven't been able to do so, therefore we've only seen the 123/D tires in use.

I do think they’ll have some tire tricks up their sleeve not yet seen publicly

but I won’t be surprised to learn that the load/speed tension remains if only from a cost perspective

Where payload is concerned, I’d be equally surprised by it being lower or equal to the originally stated 3,500lb. Just no clue.

what will be interesting is towing

the unveiling specs had the dual motor at 10Klb, equivalent to the Lightning (also dual) towing. Dual motor CT 0-60 was 4.5sec, a few clicks slower than the Lightning 0-60 (in Lariat or below trim at least). Dual motor as “300+” seeming in range of ER Lightning’s 320mi.

Payload is where the CT could really differentiate, with Lightning Lariat being 2,235 in SR, and 1,952 in ER

obviously CT has lots of other differentiators compared to a Lightning (eg air suspension, 4WS, just for starters)

but in typical headline “truck” specs the dual motor CT unveil stats are most equiv to dual motor Lightning stats, save for that nutty payload

we’ll see!

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[HaulingAss]

I bought 10-ply tires for my Tacoma to make sure the sidewalls didn't blow out with any kind of load. The CT is not going to be light so getting a 10-ply tire should help in the long run.

The tire is the only contact you have with the road or ground so the importance of good tires cannot be over-stated. However, there is much more to what makes a tire good or great than whether or not it goes flat. In many years of being a tire aficionado, first on motorcycles and later on 4 wheeled vehicles, I've learned the hard way that choosing too high of a load range for the application comes with serious disadvantages (besides cost and efficiency/range).

The least of these disadvantages is poor ride quality and second (for me) is range. To me, the one property I really care about is traction (and the resulting safety and performance this brings).

Higher than necessary load range tires stiffen the carcass and reduce their ability to conform to the road and trail. This is very important for excellent climbing ability, on loose surfaces especially.

At higher speeds, a stiff carcass can also reduce traction over pavement imperfections (for example, travelling around a cold, wet corner at a high speed and crossing a pavement seam). A tread that is too stiff becomes wooden and performs poorly. It would be like wearing a condom made from a bicycle inner tube. Sure, you're never going to get your date pregnant, assuming it's been well vulcanized, but at what cost? Sensitivity matters! And a regular condom (or a properly specified tire), used properly, is very effective and very unlikely to fail . The primary problem is people don't use them properly all the time (tires and condoms), and accidents happen.

That said, it's true that the cheapest tires are sometimes inadequate for their rated loads. Always stick with premium tires, just close your eyes and open your wallet. And this advice is coming from someone who has a long history of not wanting to waste my money. But I learned at a relatively early age that tires are not the place to cut costs.

Over time, certain situations have continually reinforced this belief (the OEM tires on my 2010 F-150 as one small example). They had the appropriate load rating (obviously) but they were just cheap tires. They were on a truck that sold in the millions and Ford, in all their infinite wisdom, decided to equip the XLT trim with really cheap tires so they could keep that trim level more affordable (or make higher profit margins on that high-volume trim level).

At best, a truck that will be operated at or near it's full GVWR a high percentage of the time might be well served by using a tire with a bit higher weight rating than specified but, if the Cybertruck really does have a 3,500 payload capacity, not many owners will be at or near that limit much of the time and will be best served by a high quality tire that is not over-specified in terms of weight rating. A quality tire meeting the minimum GVWR weight requirements will reliably handle the occasional job at the full GVWR of the truck just fine and perform much better when carrying only a fraction of the full load limit. 3,500 lbs. is a lot of cargo, unless the cargo is dense like sand and gravel or liquid in a tank, you will be hard pressed to fit that much cargo inside.

A vehicle like the Hummer EV, assuming anyone is stupid enough to pay such high prices for complete crap, might be better served by a higher weight rated tire. Because it only has a payload capacity of around 1250 lbs. (last time I checked) and this could be exceeded by five big guys and zero cargo in the bed. In other words, the Hummer EV is fully loaded on a simple weekend adventure with four people and some basic food and camp gear so it's likely to be near it's GVWR a much higher percentage of the time.

There is something special that happens to a vehicle when it's equipped with tires that suit the application, you don't want to reduce the capabilities and safety of the truck because you are afraid of getting a flat tire. Just buy high quality tires and maintain appropriate pressures. Air up to the higher end when carrying big loads and travelling at higher speeds and enjoy the way the truck handles, performs and climbs when equipped with good tires.

 

[HaulingAss]

I bought 10-ply tires for my Tacoma to make sure the sidewalls didn't blow out with any kind of load. The CT is not going to be light so getting a 10-ply tire should help in the long run.

The best way to prevent blowouts when heavily loaded is to air up for the higher loads.

Cybertruck comes with an air compressor for a reason, use it.

 

[Dusty]

The tire is the only contact you have with the road or ground so the importance of good tires cannot be over-stated. However, there is much more to what makes a tire good or great than whether or not it goes flat. In many years of being a tire aficionado . . . Just buy high quality tires and maintain appropriate pressures. Air up to the higher end when carrying big loads and travelling at higher speeds and enjoy the way the truck handles, performs and climbs when equipped with good tires.

I think the unnoticed variable that we haven't speculated on at length is vehicle weight. It comes into play with so many attributes it's crazy. I couldn't agree more with your sentiment. I think it would do every CT owner good to geek out over replacement tires when the time comes, and when we know critical specs.

I have a suspicion that the CT may use specially designed OEM tires to address attribute combinations that aren't like anything needed before, specifically a tire that can handle speed + agility + weight + offroad (AT/MT/MTR).

Check the specs, and buy a good, tested, and appropriate tire. If cost is an issue save up $50 a month or something, so by the time you need to buy tires you'll have more than half of the cash already. Do. Not. Cheap. Out. A heavy truck with good specs and capabilities isn't like a Toyota Corolla*. The situation a budget tire can put you in just isn't worth saving $300 every 3-4 years.

Note*: Not a dig at the Corolla. I'm just using it as an example of a vehicle that doesn't possess any attributes or abilities that can cause it to approach the structural limits of any tire you stick on it.

 

[HaulingAss]

I think the unnoticed variable that we haven't speculated on at length is vehicle weight. It comes into play with so many attributes it's crazy. I couldn't agree more with your sentiment. I think it would do every CT owner good to geek out over replacement tires when the time comes, and when we know critical specs.

I have a suspicion that the CT may use specially designed OEM tires to address attribute combinations that aren't like anything needed before, specifically a tire that can handle speed + agility + weight + offroad (AT/MT/MTR).

Check the specs, and buy a good, tested, and appropriate tire. If cost is an issue save up $50 a month or something, so by the time you need to buy tires you'll have more than half of the cash already. Do. Not. Cheap. Out. A heavy truck with good specs and capabilities isn't like a Toyota Corolla*. The situation a budget tire can put you in just isn't worth saving $300 every 3-4 years.

Note*: Not a dig at the Corolla. I'm just using it as an example of a vehicle that doesn't possess any attributes or abilities that can cause it to approach the structural limits of any tire you stick on it.

I agree, and Tesla has a history of equipping their vehicles with high quality tires that suit the vehicle and never skimping on tire quality to save a few bucks.

I do disagree with their practice of sometimes equipping their vehicles with summer (only) tires, even when delivering in cool climates and in the winter. I think it's irresponsible to equip them with tires that can actually be damaged by driving them at temps around freezing. These summer tires are very good performance tires, they are just unsuitable to all climates and seasons. I do buy separate tire sets for summer and winter use, but the tires I buy for summer use never have a warning to not use them below 40 degrees F!

 

[CyberGus]

It would be like wearing a condom made from a bicycle inner tube. Sure, you're never going to get your date pregnant, assuming it's been well vulcanized, but at what cost? Sensitivity matters! And a regular condom (or a properly specified tire), used properly, is very effective and very unlikely to fail. The primary problem is people don't use them properly all the time (tires and condoms), and accidents happen.

I'm just impressed that you're able to have sex on a bicycle

 

[wtibbit]

The tire is the only contact you have with the road or ground so the importance of good tires cannot be over-stated. However, there is much more to what makes a tire good or great than whether or not it goes flat. In many years of being a tire aficionado, first on motorcycles and later on 4 wheeled vehicles, I've learned the hard way that choosing too high of a load range for the application comes with serious disadvantages (besides cost and efficiency/range).

The least of these disadvantages is poor ride quality and second (for me) is range. To me, the one property I really care about is traction (and the resulting safety and performance this brings).

....

That said, it's true that the cheapest tires are sometimes inadequate for their rated loads. Always stick with premium tires, just close your eyes and open your wallet. And this advice is coming from someone who has a long history of not wanting to waste my money. But I learned at a relatively early age that tires are not the place to cut costs.

...

At best, a truck that will be operated at or near it's full GVWR a high percentage of the time might be well served by using a tire with a bit higher weight rating than specified but, if the Cybertruck really does have a 3,500 payload capacity, not many owners will be at or near that limit much of the time and will be best served by a high quality tire that is not over-specified in terms of weight rating.

...

That makes a lot of sense and applies to me, as I'm sure I'll never haul sand or gravel in my CT. I'll hire someone to deliver that sort of material to me. When my OEM tires wear out I'll look for some comfortable riding, relatively low rolling resistance M+S rated highway tires with an H speed rating and a 121 or better load index if I can find them. But I suspect that only the OEM tires will meet those criteria for a good while.

 

[reiner8]

I would say even though they sound expensive, compared to the cheap quality and price tires they are more worthy. A cheap tire might not last for a year, if you drive in extreme off-road conditions, unlike this BFGoodrich tire. I would suggest that you go with T/A K02 or Wildpeak at3w, these two are top tires in the current market for all-terrain rides.

 

[HaulingAss]

That makes a lot of sense and applies to me, as I'm sure I'll never haul sand or gravel in my CT. I'll hire someone to deliver that sort of material to me. When my OEM tires wear out I'll look for some comfortable riding, relatively low rolling resistance M+S rated highway tires with an H speed rating and a 121 or better load index if I can find them. But I suspect that only the OEM tires will meet those criteria for a good while.

I'm hoping, with the planned high-volume production of Cybertruck, Tesla will get tire suppliers to produce two tires, plus a good winter tire. All of them will, by the nature of the performance and capacity of the Cybertruck, be premium tires.

I really don't think there will be any other tires on the market that will meet or beat those tires tailored specifically for the Cybertruck. In time, tire makers not under contract to produce OEM tires will come out with other suitable tires to try to get a peice of the market, but they are not likely to satisfy many Cybertruck owners unless it is due to lower cost, longevity or aesthetics by those who value low cost, longevity, or aesthetics over actual performance, safety and good drivability.

Currently, many motorists seem convinced there is always a better tire for their vehicle than the tires that came on the vehicle. This mindset is common, anything but OEM tires, but that perspective is born out of legacy automakers tendencies to pinch pennies on OEM tires at the expense of providing the customer with a great tire. Tesla, with their desire to churn out the best driving experience possible, has shattered that rule of thumb, that there is always something better. I think with the Cybertruck's unique capabilities, that rule of thumb is more likely than ever to be proven wrong.

 

[Sirfun]

Currently, many motorists seem convinced there is always a better tire for their vehicle than the tires that came on the vehicle. This mindset is common, anything but OEM tires, but that perspective is born out of legacy automakers tendencies to pinch pennies on OEM tires at the expense of providing the customer with a great tire. Tesla, with their desire to churn out the best driving experience possible, has shattered that rule of thumb, that there is always something better. I think with the Cybertruck's unique capabilities, that rule of thumb is more likely than ever to be proven wrong.

That is a different mindset than I have about OEM tires.
I think lots of people just blindly buy new tires that match the OEM tires. Especially on high performance vehicles, I think the tire manufacturers give the OEM a good deal on tires, to open the door to customers buying the same tires. Instead of spending time doing some research on what is available, the customers avoid change and just pay the price for the same tires.

 

[HaulingAss]

That is a different mindset than I have about OEM tires.
I think lots of people just blindly buy new tires that match the OEM tires. Especially on high performance vehicles, I think the tire manufacturers give the OEM a good deal on tires, to open the door to customers buying the same tires. Instead of spending time doing some research on what is available, the customers avoid change and just pay the price for the same tires.

That's true, manufacturers buy in huge volumes and pay less, even on super inexpensive tires, than the best price we could ever get on that same tire. When a car buyer is not knowledgable enough to know which other tires might be a better tire for the money, then they are just wasting their money by blindly sticking with OEM tires. That's the other side of the situation I was addressing when I said some buyers are convinced there is always a better choice than OEM, because manufacturers have trained us to believe it's always true. And it's a bad thing when the OEM tires are selected by the vehicle manufacturer primarily for their low cost. The fact that tire makers know they can add a premium to those tires when sold to normal retail channels, just makes the OEM tire a worse value.

But with a vehicle that has as unique specifications as the Cybertruck, you are unlikely to find better tires already on the market at any price. A tire designed for such a unique vehicle is pretty much guaranteed to be better than one that merely meets the required specifications. Tires are highly engineered products, one might be surprised by the amount of engineering that goes into a tire to make it especially suitable to one vehicle over another. And this can affect reliability as well as handling.

 

[tidmutt]

If it's about $2K for the set then it's about the same price as a set of OEM tires for my Model Y Perf. I'm about 17K miles in and the car is already telling me the rears need replacement/rotation. I recently had one repaired and the guy in the shop pointed out the bubble in the sidewall on the front right tire and said it technically needs to be replaced. It was caused by a pothole, I remember hitting it, also damaged the rim slightly. I probably am a bit of a lead foot, but I'm not that bad.

I'm going to start trying to find cheaper replacements as $450 a corner is just insane. I don't want to sacrifice safety though.

So if the truck is around that price I'm surprised because I figured those tires would be substantially more.

 

[Sirfun]

That's true, manufacturers buy in huge volumes and pay less, even on super inexpensive tires, than the best price we could ever get on that same tire. When a car buyer is not knowledgable enough to know which other tires might be a better tire for the money, then they are just wasting their money by blindly sticking with OEM tires. That's the other side of the situation I was addressing when I said some buyers are convinced there is always a better choice than OEM, because manufacturers have trained us to believe it's always true. And it's a bad thing when the OEM tires are selected by the vehicle manufacturer primarily for their low cost. The fact that tire makers know they can add a premium to those tires when sold to normal retail channels, just makes the OEM tire a worse value.

But with a vehicle that has as unique specifications as the Cybertruck, you are unlikely to find better tires already on the market at any price. A tire designed for such a unique vehicle is pretty much guaranteed to be better than one that merely meets the required specifications. Tires are highly engineered products, one might be surprised by the amount of engineering that goes into a tire to make it especially suitable to one vehicle over another. And this can affect reliability as well as handling.

Yes & no. The Cybertruck is a unique vehicle, with unique challenges. One of them being the fact that as an EV, customers could be very unhappy with tire noise. Another being it's a pickup truck with an extreme amount of HP and acceleration.
On the no side of the equation. Tesla has to choose a tire that "most" customers will be satisfied with. But, lots of customers will have specific needs that an all around tire, may not satisfy. That's why it's good to have a forum with discussions like this.

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