The Best Tires for a Ford Expedition

At 17 feet long and about 6,000 pounds, Ford's massive Expedition SUV is anything but dainty, and requires some serious tires to make it a competent and safe performer. Like any other car or truck, the Expedition's tires play a crucial role in its handling, both on-road and off. The key to making your truck everything you want it to be is to be realistic about your needs.

General Grabber HTS

According to ConsumerSearch.com, Grabbers are the most popular replacement tire for Expeditions. These all-season tires are rated to handle the truck's weight, and are engineered with it in mind, with thick sidewalls and heavy-duty construction. Being an all-season tire, the Grabber is designed primarily for use on the road, and does well in snow and rain. These tires offer great value for the money, but don't kid yourself: no all-season tire is going to give you the off-road performance of more purpose-oriented, off-road rubber. If you have more to spend and want a bit more off-road competence, take a look at the Michelin LTX M/S.

Pirelli Scorpion ATR

If you spend 90 percent of your time on the highway but need a tire that will take you up rutted driveways and over gravel roads, then consider an all-terrain tire such as the Scorpion ATR. The Scorpion has a more aggressive tread compound and flexible rubber compound that make it far better suited to off-roading than an all-season. However, that flexible and aggressive tread (combined with its size) make for a high rolling resistance, which hurts fuel economy. Still, it's a great tire for the money, and a very popular upgrade over the stock Firestones or Conti-Tracs.

Firestone Destination M/T

Considering that it costs about $100 less than other dedicated mud tires, the Destination is a very competent performer. Although they're noisy, rough and don't wear very well, the Destinations have a very aggressive tread pattern for traction in mud and over rock, and are studdable for winter driving. Better yet, these tires come in sizes to fit your Expedition without resorting to a lift kit and offer 90 percent of the performance of larger tires without the on-road handling compromises that come with them.

Nitto Mud Grappler

You probably bought the Expedition specifically because of its impressive stature so why not use a tire to match? Thirty-five to 36 inches is the limit for a stock suspension, but there's just something about 40-inchers that looks right on a truck this big. One of the best on the market today is the Nitto Mud Grappler, which strongly resembles an old-school Super Swamper but performs better off-road, wears better on pavement and has a more advanced tread compound. Loud and obnoxious on the pavement, these tires will never let you forget they're there, but their off-road traction over rocks and through sand and mud is outstanding. If you're committed enough that you're willing to install a 5-inch lift to fit them, then you probably don't care that 40-inch tires will increase the likelihood of a rollover, but it's worth remembering anyway.