The Road Tripper’s Guide to 255/50R20 Tires

The vast majority of drivers are looking for that perfect set of tires for their vehicle. What they should be looking for is the perfect tire size. After all, there are numerous brands that produce various tire models, and any one of those can suit your needs. 

However, the right size makes all the difference. In fact, every dimension, such as diameter, height, and width, directly dictates how your car performs, handles corners, and how much fuel it burns, among other things. Let’s take the 255/50R20 as an example. 

This size is considered a “sweet spot” for road trips, mostly because tires in this size are performance and touring variants, which means they guarantee excellent handling, traction, and driving comfort. That said, let’s have a look at how such tires can make your road trip even better.

Is Your Vehicle on the List?

There are plenty of road trip-style vehicles that utilize 255/50R20 tire size. Some are premium while others are more budget-friendly. Either way, all of these cars benefit from proper tires, and together, they make any road trip that much more enjoyable. So, is your car on the list?

Family Haulers

• Ford Explorer
• Volkswagen Atlas
• Mazda CX-9

These vehicles are ideal for family road trips. Not only can you fit your entire family inside, alongside all the luggage, but you’ll probably have room left over for a couple of hikers.

Luxury Explorers

• Audi E-Tron
• Jaguar F-Pace
• Range Rover

If you’re going on a road trip, why not do so in style? Luxury explorers provide all the comfort you need to make one such journey as seamless and comfortable as possible.

Sporty Adventurers

• Chevrolet Trailblazer SS
• Cadillac SRX

Want to go on a road trip, but you want to get there faster and with less hassle? Sporty cars with performance or high performance tires are the perfect choice for you then. 

Choosing Your “Tread Personality”

As you may already know, tires come in many models and sizes, and each one varies based on the manufacturer and specific features it has. That means you can pick the tire that best suits your vehicle. 

Therefore, you can choose the brand, model, size, and so on. But, what you can also choose is a tread pattern that will suit your driving habits and the road conditions you usually drive on. That said, let’s examine some of those treads right now.

Symmetrical Tread Pattern

The most common tread pattern is the symmetrical one, and it’s most suited for passenger cars. This pattern provides enhanced flexibility for tire rotation without affecting performance. The key features of this pattern include:

• Comfortable and quiet driving experience.
• Low rolling resistance.
• Improved grip on dry roads.

Asymmetrical Tread Pattern

Designed for high performance vehicles, the asymmetrical tread pattern actually incorporates two tread designs – one for the inner half and one for the outer half of the tire. 

The inner design eliminates hydroplaning, while the other provides high lateral stiffness for better grip and cornering capabilities. The key features of an asymmetrical tread pattern include:

• Exceptional handling.
• Improved curve stability.
• Excellent grip in wet road conditions.

Directional Tread Pattern

Shaped like an arrowhead, the directional tread pattern has lateral grooves that meet in the middle of the tire tread. It’s designed to roll forward in only one direction. The purpose of this design is to resist hydroplaning at high speeds and provide better traction on snow or mud. The key features of directional tread pattern include:

• Excellent gripping at high speeds.
• Exceptional hydroplaning resistance.
• Improved handling on snow and mud.

Extended Tire Life for Budget-Conscious Road Trippers

The top-quality tires designed to make every road trip as enjoyable as possible tend to cost more than alternatives. However, you have to look at the whole picture in order to make a more informed purchasing decision. 

Sure, quality tire models cost more, but they often outlast competitors by 15,000 miles, making them a more logical choice. After all, an additional 15,000 miles roughly translates to 6 more months of driving before you have to replace your tires altogether. 

That’s actually a better deal than buying cheaper tires that you’ll have to replace much sooner. Be that as it may, if you want to equip your vehicle with the right tires and ensure your road trip adventures are truly gratifying, you’ll have to consider all the factors, even the less obvious ones. 

Final Thoughts

A road trip is something that you should enjoy to the fullest. However, a road trip without a vehicle that can get you to your destination and back isn’t really a road trip, is it? That said, every vehicle needs proper tires, as they play a crucial role in how your vehicle performs on the road. 

If you have the right type and size, like the 255/50R20, you can be sure that your road trip will be a success. You just have to plan accordingly and make sure you have everything you need for the journey ahead.