Decoding “180 15”: Understanding Truck Tire Sizes

“May heaven and earth bless me, may this trip be smooth and safe.” This is the familiar prayer of Uncle Ba, a long-time truck driver in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, before each departure. In the trucking world, besides prayers for good luck, there’s a whole “underground world” with numbers and secrets only insiders understand. And “180 15” is one of them. So, what is “180 15”? What does it mean for trucks, especially for drivers who consider their vehicles as “companions” on every road?

1. “180 15”: Unveiling the Mystery

“180 15” may sound like a code, but it’s actually quite simple. It represents the tire size of a truck, expressed through technical specifications. Here’s the breakdown:

• 180: Tire width (in millimeters).
• 15: Rim diameter (in inches).

The “180 15” specification is commonly found on light trucks with a load capacity of 1.5 to 3.5 tons, such as the Dongfeng B180 7.35-ton box truck and the Suzuki Carry Van. This tire size is considered suitable for urban driving, ensuring both cargo capacity and maneuverability in crowded streets.

A close-up of a 180/15 truck tire mounted on a wheel.

So, what are the advantages of “180 15” tires that make them so popular?

A Dongfeng B180 box truck driving on a paved road.

Light trucks with “180 15” tires are often used for transporting goods within the city, on short routes, and are suitable for navigating narrow, crowded streets.