The foundation of any truck’s capability lies quite literally where rubber meets the road. Ford has refined its wheel and tire offerings across the truck lineup to optimize performance, capability, and aesthetic appeal for a wide range of applications, from daily driving to heavy-duty work tasks and specialized off-road adventures.
F-150: Versatile Ford Trucks for Every Application
The F-150 offers the most diverse wheel and tire combinations in the Ford trucks portfolio, with options tailored to each trim level and intended use case.
Base XL models start with 17-inch steel wheels paired with 245/70R17 all-season tires. These functional wheel/tire combinations prioritize durability and load-carrying capability for work-focused applications. The steel construction provides maximum resistance to damage from job site hazards while maintaining a cost-effective replacement option if damage does occur.
Moving up to XLT and Lariat trims, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels become standard, wrapped in 265/70R18 all-season tires. The increased wheel diameter enhances braking performance and provides a more refined on-road driving experience, while the wider tire footprint improves stability when carrying heavy loads.
King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited models feature 20-inch premium aluminum wheels with 275/60R20 all-season tires as standard equipment. These larger diameter wheels not only enhance the premium appearance of these high-end trims but also provide increased brake cooling through improved airflow to the rotors.
The F-150 Tremor package features distinctive 18-inch dark-finished aluminum wheels with 33-inch (275/70R18) all-terrain tires. These specialized wheels feature a unique offset that increases track width by 25 mm for improved stability during off-road driving. The all-terrain tires feature reinforced sidewalls and an aggressive tread pattern optimized for traction across varied surfaces, including mud, gravel, and light snow conditions.
F-150: Off-Road Ford Trucks
The off-road-focused Raptor comes standard with 17-inch forged aluminum beadlock-capable wheels paired with 35-inch (315/70R17) all-terrain tires. The beadlock-capable design allows owners to secure the tire bead to the wheel rim using an optional beadlock ring, enabling very low tire pressures for extreme off-road conditions without risking the tire dismounting from the wheel.
The Raptor R raises the bar further with standard 37-inch (37×12.5R17) all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch forged aluminum wheels. These massive tires increase ground clearance to 333 mm and provide enhanced off-road capability across all terrain types. The specialized wheel design features reinforced construction to handle the increased loads associated with aggressive off-road driving.
F-150: Electric Ford Trucks
The F-150 Lightning features model-specific 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with 275/60R20 all-season tires designed to balance range efficiency with load-carrying capability. These wheels feature a unique aerodynamic design that reduces turbulence around the wheel openings, contributing to the Lightning’s impressive range figures.
Several specialized tire options are available across the F-150 lineup, including LT265/70R17C all-terrain tires for XL and XLT models that require enhanced off-road capability without upgrading to a dedicated off-road package.
Ranger: Mid-Size Ford Trucks
The Ranger offers wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches across its trim lineup, with tire options tailored for both on-road comfort and off-road capability.
Base XL models come equipped with 17-inch steel wheels paired with 255/65R17 all-season tires, providing a durable foundation for work-focused applications. The XLT upgrades to 17-inch aluminum wheels with the same tire size, enhancing appearance while maintaining proper load rating for towing and hauling.
The Lariat trim features 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with 265/60R18 all-season tires, providing a more premium appearance and slightly improved on-road handling characteristics.
For off-road enthusiasts, the FX4 Off-Road Package adds unique 17-inch aluminum wheels with 265/70R17 all-terrain tires. These tires feature a more aggressive tread pattern with larger voids between tread blocks to improve performance in mud, sand, and loose soil conditions.
The Ranger Tremor enhances off-road capability further with 17-inch dark magnetic-painted aluminum wheels wrapped in 32-inch diameter (265/75R17) all-terrain tires. These tires provide additional ground clearance and sidewall protection for navigating challenging terrain.
The Ranger Raptor stands apart with standard 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels wrapped in 33-inch (285/70R17) all-terrain tires. These specialized tires feature reinforced sidewalls and a unique tread compound engineered to withstand the high-speed impacts associated with desert running while providing exceptional traction across varied terrain types.
Maverick: Compact Ford Trucks
Despite its compact dimensions, the Maverick offers thoughtfully selected wheel and tire combinations that balance efficiency with capability.
The base Maverick Hybrid comes standard with 17-inch steel wheels and 225/65R17 all-season tires, optimized for maximum fuel efficiency and comfortable on-road driving dynamics.
XLT models upgrade to 17-inch aluminum wheels with the same tire size, while the Lariat features 18-inch aluminum wheels with 225/60R18 all-season tires. These larger wheels enhance the vehicle’s appearance while maintaining the efficiency-focused tire dimensions critical to the impressive fuel economy ratings.
The Maverick Tremor package adds unique 17-inch aluminum wheels with 235/65R17 all-terrain tires. While modest compared to larger Ford trucks, this tire upgrade significantly improves off-road capability by providing increased sidewall protection and traction in light off-road conditions.
The recently introduced Maverick FX4 Off-Road Package offers an intermediate option between standard models and the Tremor, featuring 17-inch painted aluminum wheels with 235/65R17 all-terrain tires that provide enhanced capability without the more extensive mechanical modifications of the Tremor package.
Super Duty: Maximum Capability in Ford Trucks
The Super Duty lineup features wheel and tire combinations specifically engineered to handle extreme loads while providing reasonable comfort during unloaded driving.
Base F-250 and F-350 models come with 17-inch steel wheels paired with LT245/75R17E all-season tires on single rear wheel models. These heavy-duty tires feature load range E (10-ply rating) construction to handle the substantial payload and towing capabilities of the Super Duty platform.
Higher trims offer 18-inch aluminum wheels with LT275/65R18E all-season tires, providing improved appearance while maintaining the necessary load ratings for heavy work applications.
Dual rear wheel models (F-350 DRW and F-450) feature 17-inch steel wheels with LT245/75R17F tires at the front and dual LT245/75R17F tires at each rear corner. The F rating indicates an even higher load capacity needed for maximum towing configurations.
Platinum and Limited trims offer 20-inch aluminum wheel options, maintaining appropriate heavy-duty tire specifications with load ratings matching the vehicle’s capabilities. The 20-inch wheel option requires a lower profile LT275/65R20 tire while maintaining required load capacities.
The Super Duty Tremor Off-Road Package features 18-inch matte-black aluminum wheels with 35-inch (LT285/75R18E) all-terrain tires. These massive tires provide 267 mm of ground clearance, enabling the heavy-duty truck to navigate challenging off-road terrain despite its substantial size and weight.
All Super Duty Ford trucks include a tire pressure monitoring system specifically calibrated for heavy-duty applications, with the ability to monitor and display pressures even when towing a trailer with compatible tire sensors.
E-Transit: Commercial Ford Trucks
The E-Transit electric van features 16-inch steel wheels with 235/65R16C tires as standard equipment. These commercial-grade tires are designed for durability in delivery applications while maintaining the load ratings necessary for cargo-carrying capabilities.
An optional 16-inch aluminum wheel package is available, maintaining the same tire specification but enhancing appearance for client-facing business applications.
Transit: Versatile Capability
The conventional Transit offers 16-inch steel wheels as standard equipment across most configurations, paired with 235/65R16C tires on lower GVWR models and LT245/75R16E tires on higher capacity variants.
For passenger wagon applications, 16-inch aluminum wheels are available as an option, enhancing appearance while maintaining the proper load ratings for people-moving applications.
Technical Considerations in Wheel and Tire Selection
The Ford engineering team balances numerous factors when developing wheel and tire specifications for Ford trucks:
- Load Rating: Each tire must be capable of supporting the vehicle’s maximum loaded weight with an appropriate safety margin. This is especially critical for heavy-duty applications where payload and towing capacities are substantial.
- Speed Rating: Tires must be rated for speeds beyond the vehicle’s maximum capability, especially for performance-oriented models like the Raptor series.
- Rolling Resistance: Lower rolling resistance improves fuel efficiency, but must be balanced against traction requirements, especially for work-focused trucks.
- Unsprung Weight: Larger wheels increase unsprung weight, potentially degrading ride quality and increasing stress on suspension components. Engineers balance aesthetic desires for larger wheels against practical considerations.
- Braking Performance: Wheel diameter affects brake cooling and overall braking performance, with larger wheels generally providing improved thermal management for the braking system.
- Ground Clearance: Tire diameter directly impacts ground clearance, approach/departure angles, and overall off-road capability.
- Speedometer Accuracy: Tire diameter affects rotations per kilometer, requiring speedometer calibration to maintain accuracy across different wheel/tire packages.
Ford has incorporated TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) technology across all truck models, with advanced systems on higher trims that display individual tire pressures and provide alerts for both over-inflation and under-inflation conditions.
Specialty Packages and Their Wheel/Tire Specifications
F-150 Tremor
- 18-inch dark-finished aluminum wheels
- 33-inch (275/70R18) all-terrain tires
- 25 mm wider track than standard F-150
- Ground clearance: 244 mm
F-150 Raptor
- 17-inch forged aluminum beadlock-capable wheels
- 35-inch (315/70R17) all-terrain tires
- Ground clearance: 305 mm
F-150 Raptor R
- 17-inch forged aluminum beadlock-capable wheels
- 37-inch (37×12.5R17) all-terrain tires
- Ground clearance: 333 mm
Ranger Raptor
- 17-inch beadlock-capable aluminum wheels
- 33-inch (285/70R17) all-terrain tires
- Ground clearance: 272 mm
Super Duty Tremor
- 18-inch matte-black aluminum wheels
- 35-inch (LT285/75R18E) all-terrain tires
- Ground clearance: 267 mm
Wheel Technology Evolution
Ford continues to advance wheel technology across its truck lineup, with development focused in several key areas:
- Weight Reduction: Flow-forming and other advanced manufacturing techniques allow for stronger wheels with reduced weight, improving both performance and efficiency.
- Aerodynamic Optimization: Especially critical for electric models, wheel designs now incorporate airflow management features to reduce turbulence and extend range.
- Sustainable Materials: Research into recycled aluminum and composite materials aims to reduce the environmental impact of wheel production while maintaining or improving performance characteristics.
- Advanced Monitoring: Next-generation TPMS systems are being developed to monitor not just pressure but also tire temperature, tread depth, and overall condition, providing predictive maintenance notifications before issues affect performance or safety.
Questions and Answers About Ford Trucks
What is the largest tire size available from the factory on the Ford trucks lineup?
The largest factory tire option is the 37-inch (37×12.5R17) all-terrain tires available on the F-150 Raptor R, providing 333 mm of ground clearance for extreme off-road capability.
What are beadlock-capable wheels, and how do they enhance off-road performance?
Beadlock-capable wheels allow the installation of optional beadlock rings that physically clamp the tire bead to the wheel rim, preventing the tire from dismounting during extreme off-road driving with very low tire pressures, which improves traction in soft terrain like sand and mud.
What tire size comes standard on the Ranger Raptor?
This trim comes standard with 33-inch (285/70R17) all-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, optimized for high-speed off-road performance.
How do dual rear wheel configurations on Super Duty trucks affect tire specifications?
Dual rear wheel configurations on F-350 DRW and F-450 models use specialized LT245/75R17F tires with higher load ratings (F indicates higher than E) to handle the increased weight capacity enabled by the dual wheel setup.
What wheel and tire combination is standard on the F-150 Lightning electric truck?
This EV truck comes standard with 20-inch machined aluminum wheels featuring an aerodynamic design, paired with 275/60R20 all-season tires specifically selected to balance range efficiency with load-carrying capability.
