When we set out to find the perfect mud tire for our 3/4-ton and 1-ton trucks, most of us are looking for a quiet, comfortable, on-road tire with an aggressive, off-road-capable tread pattern. And for those of us who tow and haul on a regular basis, we also need a tire with a heavy-duty load range.
| toyo Open Country M T Tires dodge Ram Truck
Project 24-valve, our '02 Dodge Ram 3500, does everything a 1-ton dualie should-it hauls everything the owner needs it to, pulls a 10,000-pound trailer on a regular basis, and finds its way off the beaten path every now and then for recreational purposes. So we contacted Toyo for six of its Open Country M/Ts. After extensive highway, mud, and snow testing, they easily met all of our required criteria, and then some. Our conclusion: Toyo's Open Country M/Ts are very capable off-road tires that feel like all-terrains on the pavement.
Street
On the highway, road noise was almost non-existent, and we began to realize why they're so popular in the diesel truck segment. A slight whine was observed at speeds from 35 to 40 mph-but nothing earplug-worthy, or reason enough to crank up the stereo. Even though we had gone with a much taller, wider tire, a soft, plush ride was retained as well. And, with an E-load range, we're more than confident this tire can handle the heavy-duty tasks a diesel pickup is asked to perform on a daily basis.
Mud
While not a rockcrawling tire or an all-out bogger, the Toyos excelled off-road. And in our test mud hole, their hook-shaped tread lugs dug deep and easily propelled our 7,500-pound Dodge through even the sloppiest of sections. The Open Country M/Ts can definitely find something to grab in the goo. When attempting to lug the truck through the muck, they never had a problem finding traction. And once out of the mud, the tread lugs cleaned out quickly.
Snow
Following a Midwestern snowstorm in which we were graced with 6 inches of snowfall, we put the Open Country M/Ts to the test. And they had no problem motivating our Dodge through foot-high snowdrifts or down abandoned country roads. In larger drifts (and much like in the mud), they never failed to dig, start biting, and gain traction again.
TOYO OPEN COUNTRY M/T TIRES
Tire Type: Radial
Tire Size: 265/70R17
Overall Diameter: 32 inches
Tread: 3-ply polyester + 2-ply steel + 3-ply nylon
Sidewall: 3-ply
Load Index: 126Q
Tread Depth: 19/32 inch
Overall Width: 10.8 inches
Approved Rim Width: 7 to 8 1/2 inches
Weight (per tire): 62.8 pounds
Maximum Load (tire): 3,195 pounds
Maximum PSI: 80 psi
Load Range Rating: E
