Like most elements of automotive and
truck performance, tires play a key
role in traction and in the slippery,
rocky and sometimes muddy 4x4
environment in our local Big Bear
mountains, traction is always
important. In fact, nearly everything
we do to modify a trail-capable 4x4 rig
is to improve traction for hill climbing,
rock crawling and to generally avoid
trouble – or at least be able to
extricate ourselves from a slippery
situation when trouble bogs us down.
Over the years, I have spent many
hours, even days testing and racing
on Toyo Tires. Toyo’s work! On the
track, on the road , and any other
place I’ve tried them. Ironically, I’ve
never tried Toyo’s highly regarded off
road offering, the Open Country M/T. It’
s a mud terrain radial tire that features
hook-shaped tread blocks, scalloped
shoulder blocks and a high
performance cap ply construction for
excellent off road traction. Computer-
Aided Simulator for Pattern Noise
technology, results in the Open
Country M/T™ being one of the
quietest mud terrain tires on the
market.
Its cap ply construction enhances belt
endurance, while its new technology
design provides a more durable
sidewall and more consistent balance
properties for smooth operation and
longevity. Hardcore off-road
enthusiasts also benefit from the
same overall tire construction as this
translates into durability in the
harshest conditions. The “Attack”
tread design of the Open Country M/T
uses hook-shaped center blocks to
“grab-then-eject” rocks, gravel, dirt
and sand. A bold transition from the
tread onto the side wall helps to
provide the ultimate in traction and
damage resistance. More traditional
fitments from 15-inches on up, also
makes this the ideal tire for true
hardcore wheelers.
But enough techno-babble. Let’s jump
right to the bottom line. When you are
20 miles away from civilization,
crawling over boulders and climbing
some narly grades, you want two
things, traction in any conditions and
reliability. Changing a tire is a pain on
the trail, and have a tough tires
minimizes the possibility breaking out
the Hi-Lift and muscling a large wheel
and tire on a 30% grade. The Toyo
Open Country M/T has excellent
traction and is tough as nails, or at
least the sharp, pointy boulders we
often encounter in Big Bear. When you
leave the road, it’s a comforting
feeling knowing that it is very likely
you will return home on the same four
tires you started on.
We tested a set of Open Country M/Ts
on our Land Rover Discovery Series 1
project, using the LT265/75R16. These
tires are 31.8 inches tall and have an
overall width of 10.8 inches. They
weight 58 pounds each. We mounted
the tires on 7” rims, and they fit
perfectly. This tire is slightly tall for
the Disco, but with minor body
trimming they fit nicely, and added
ground clearance is always welcomed
off road.
We have tested the Toyo Open
Country M/Ts on several difficult trails,
including Tip Top Mountain and
Frustration Hill on White Mountain, all
without diff lockers (which is part of
the final phase of the project). While
the lack of lockers allowed some
wheelspin, the traction of the Open
Country M/Ts allowed us to complete
the trails successfully. We ran tire
pressures as low as 17 PSI with no
issues. The sidewall construction of
these tires is exceptionally tough,
allowing fairly low pressures without
bead locks, though 17 PSI is
approaching the limit for this size on a
7” wide rim. With lockers, these tires
will go just about anywhere.
While we are much less concerned
than most about highway performance
from an M/T tire, most people need to
drive much farther to get to great 4x4
trail than we do here in Big Bear.
Keeping that in mind, we tested the
Toyo Open Country M/Ts up and down
the mountain and they perform better
than most M/T tires on the twistys. And
most important if you spend
considerable time at speed on the
highway or interstate, the Open
Country M/Ts are quiet, a nice touch
for long commutes to work or the
trailhead.
Toyo Tires has long held a reputation
for quality and durability. The design
of the Open Country M/T provides
outstanding traction of the most
difficult trails, and the durability get
you home on-time. And while Toyo
Tires are on the pricey side, their
durability offers peace-of-mind when
you tackle four wheeling’s toughest,
most demanding trails.
truck performance, tires play a key
role in traction and in the slippery,
rocky and sometimes muddy 4x4
environment in our local Big Bear
mountains, traction is always
important. In fact, nearly everything
we do to modify a trail-capable 4x4 rig
is to improve traction for hill climbing,
rock crawling and to generally avoid
trouble – or at least be able to
extricate ourselves from a slippery
situation when trouble bogs us down.
Over the years, I have spent many
hours, even days testing and racing
on Toyo Tires. Toyo’s work! On the
track, on the road , and any other
place I’ve tried them. Ironically, I’ve
never tried Toyo’s highly regarded off
road offering, the Open Country M/T. It’
s a mud terrain radial tire that features
hook-shaped tread blocks, scalloped
shoulder blocks and a high
performance cap ply construction for
excellent off road traction. Computer-
Aided Simulator for Pattern Noise
technology, results in the Open
Country M/T™ being one of the
quietest mud terrain tires on the
market.
Its cap ply construction enhances belt
endurance, while its new technology
design provides a more durable
sidewall and more consistent balance
properties for smooth operation and
longevity. Hardcore off-road
enthusiasts also benefit from the
same overall tire construction as this
translates into durability in the
harshest conditions. The “Attack”
tread design of the Open Country M/T
uses hook-shaped center blocks to
“grab-then-eject” rocks, gravel, dirt
and sand. A bold transition from the
tread onto the side wall helps to
provide the ultimate in traction and
damage resistance. More traditional
fitments from 15-inches on up, also
makes this the ideal tire for true
hardcore wheelers.
But enough techno-babble. Let’s jump
right to the bottom line. When you are
20 miles away from civilization,
crawling over boulders and climbing
some narly grades, you want two
things, traction in any conditions and
reliability. Changing a tire is a pain on
the trail, and have a tough tires
minimizes the possibility breaking out
the Hi-Lift and muscling a large wheel
and tire on a 30% grade. The Toyo
Open Country M/T has excellent
traction and is tough as nails, or at
least the sharp, pointy boulders we
often encounter in Big Bear. When you
leave the road, it’s a comforting
feeling knowing that it is very likely
you will return home on the same four
tires you started on.
We tested a set of Open Country M/Ts
on our Land Rover Discovery Series 1
project, using the LT265/75R16. These
tires are 31.8 inches tall and have an
overall width of 10.8 inches. They
weight 58 pounds each. We mounted
the tires on 7” rims, and they fit
perfectly. This tire is slightly tall for
the Disco, but with minor body
trimming they fit nicely, and added
ground clearance is always welcomed
off road.
We have tested the Toyo Open
Country M/Ts on several difficult trails,
including Tip Top Mountain and
Frustration Hill on White Mountain, all
without diff lockers (which is part of
the final phase of the project). While
the lack of lockers allowed some
wheelspin, the traction of the Open
Country M/Ts allowed us to complete
the trails successfully. We ran tire
pressures as low as 17 PSI with no
issues. The sidewall construction of
these tires is exceptionally tough,
allowing fairly low pressures without
bead locks, though 17 PSI is
approaching the limit for this size on a
7” wide rim. With lockers, these tires
will go just about anywhere.
While we are much less concerned
than most about highway performance
from an M/T tire, most people need to
drive much farther to get to great 4x4
trail than we do here in Big Bear.
Keeping that in mind, we tested the
Toyo Open Country M/Ts up and down
the mountain and they perform better
than most M/T tires on the twistys. And
most important if you spend
considerable time at speed on the
highway or interstate, the Open
Country M/Ts are quiet, a nice touch
for long commutes to work or the
trailhead.
Toyo Tires has long held a reputation
for quality and durability. The design
of the Open Country M/T provides
outstanding traction of the most
difficult trails, and the durability get
you home on-time. And while Toyo
Tires are on the pricey side, their
durability offers peace-of-mind when
you tackle four wheeling’s toughest,
most demanding trails.
PRODUCT EVALUATION
PRODUCT EVALUATION
Copyright (C) 2007 Don Alexander All RIghts Reserved
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OPEN COUNTRY M/T
OPEN COUNTRY M/T
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