What is the difference between TBR, PCR, and OTR tyres?

You often hear certain technical terms about your car and its parts that you don’t know the meaning of. TBR, PCR, and OTR are some of the most common terms that you might hear at a mechanic’s shop. These terms are mostly used for different types of vehicle tires. It might prove to be helpful for you the next time you are at the mechanic’s or you are talking to a friend about your car.

Here is what you need to know about different types of vehicle tires.

TBR Tires

Truck and Bus Radial tires or otherwise known as TBR tires are the types of tires that are most commonly used for trucks and buses. These vehicles often pull a lot of weight and they are used for commercial purposes. This is the reason why TBR tires are also known as commercial tires.

Commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses usually transport goods and they run on plain, well-laid-out, and long roads. TBR tires have steel bodies which makes them more appropriate for major weight-pulling. The tread pattern and thickness are also important for the performance of tires and they vary with circumstances and use cases.

TBR Tires Sizes

TBR tires come in different sizes which include but are not limited to:

·         6.50R16LT

·         7.00R16LT & 7.50R16LT

·         8.25R16LT & 9.00R20

·         10.00R20

·         11.00R20 & 12.00R20

·         11R22.5 & 12R22.5

·         13R22.5

·         315/80R22.5

·         12.00R24

·         325/95R24

·         295/80R22.5

·         11R24.5 & 12R24.5

·         425/65R22.5 & 445/65R22.5

PCR & PLT Tires

PCR & PLT are two different terms that may be used interchangeably. PCR is short for Passenger Car Radial tires. This indicates that these tires are most commonly used for our everyday use cars. Because PCR tires are used for cars, they are also called car tires. These tires are not built for pulling a lot of weight and their performance may be compromised when they have to pull more than their weight range.

PLT, short for PCR and Light Truck tires is another term that includes car tires as well as other tires for light truck vehicles. Light trucks are not meant for pulling as much weight as other trucks with TBR tires discussed above. The difference between the two is the content of steel in their bodies. Unlike TBR tires, PLT tires have semi-steel bodies.

PCR tires sizes

PCR tires come in different sizes including:

·         185/65R14

·         195/70R15

·         235/75R15

·         215/60R16

·         225/65R17 & 225/45R18

·         255/60R19

·         275/55R20

PLT tires sizes

In addition to the above PCR sizes, PLT tires sizes include:

·         6.50R16LT

·         7.00R16LT

·         7.50R16LT

·         8.25R16LT

OTR Tires

OTR tires are designed for larger trucks that are used for transportation purposes on paths other than roads. This is why they are called Off The Road (OTR) tires. These tires have tread thicknesses and patterns that complement their performance in off-the-road terrains.

OTR Tires Sizes

Just like the other tires types, OTR tires also come in different sizes. The sizes of OTR tires include:

·         16.00R24 & 16.00R25

·         14.00-24

·         14.9-24

·         17.5R25

·         18.00R33

·         20.5R25

·         23.5R25

·         26.5R25

·         29.5R25

·         11L-16

·        16.9/28

·        3.00-8

·       4.00-8

·      12.5/80-18

Giant Tires :

·         21.00R33 & 21.00R35

·         24.00R35

·         

·         

·         27.00R49

·         30.00R51 & 33.00R51 & 36.00R51

·         40.00R57

·         35/65R33

Forklift Tire:

·  650-10

·  815-15

So, in conclusion, TBR tires are used for commercial vehicles, PCR & PLT for cars and light trucks, and OTR tires are used for giant truck vehicles that run off the road.