TireTerrain

Comparisons

Nitto Terra vs Ridge vs Trail Grappler

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Nitto Terra and Ridge Grappler are tires that serve the same intention. Both have very satisfying on and off-road manners. On the other hand, Nitto Trail Grappler is a mud-terrain tire. It overperforms Terra and Ridge Grappler due to off-road performance. Yet, it doesn’t have good on-road manners as its brothers have. Let’s see how Nitto classifies these tires!

Nitto Ridge Grappler on Tacoma
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 All-TerrainNitto Ridge Grappler Rugged-TerrainNitto Trail Grappler Mud-Terrain
Better forSquishy and snowy regions,
working trucks,
hauling & towing,
mostly highway driving		Lifted vehicles and wider aftermarket wheels,
appearance,
mild & severe off-road traction		Off-road lovers,
if you need long-lasting mud-terrain tire
ProsInsane wet and snow traction,
long-lasting rubber		Satisfying wet and dry traction,
can handle mild and severe off-road,
quiet for its design		Satisfying wet and dry traction,
great off-road traction,
long-lasting rubber,
decent snow performance
ConsCan’t handle off-road very wellThe ride is a bit stiff,
P-Metric sizes are providing average tread life		Can be noisy if you’re not used to mud-terrain tires

As a former Bridgestone engineer, Nitto Ridge Grappler is my favorite pick of these three. It’s quiet on the road and aggressive off the road. Moreover, the application range overwhelms others. However, Nitto Trail Grappler is extremely quiet for a mud-terrain tire. It has one of the best on-road manners among competitors. Let’s say it is a mud-terrain that can perform like an all-terrain.

As a bonus pick, I strongly recommend Nitto Terra Grappler for those who have a limited budget and need a tire that can perform on mild off-road applications as well as under on-road conditions.

Table of Contents

General Comparison Table

Mud-terrain and rugged-terrain tires have different pattern designs. I recommend reading this article before start to reading this article –> https://tireterrain.com/highway-tires-vs-all-terrain-vs-mud-terrain/

Mud-terrain tires mostly have bigger lugs and wider void areas. Hence, their design is significantly more aggressive than on-road all-terrain or rugged terrain tires.

On the other hand, due to achieving better on-road manners; rugged-terrain tires have narrower void areas and less aggressive tread patterns.

In fact, these features bring some advantages and disadvantages to themself. Let’s check the below table to make it clear!

Nitto Terra GrapplerNitto Ridge GrapplerNitto Trail Grappler M/T
SegmentAll-TerrainRugged-TerrainMud-Terrain
DesignLess AggressiveAggressiveMore Aggressive
Tread LifeAverageGoodPerfect
Dry TractionGoodGoodGood
ComfortGoodGoodAverage
Noise ReductionGoodGoodPoor
Fuel-EfficiencyGoodGoodPoor
DurabilityAverageGoodGood
Wet PerformanceGoodGoodGood
Winter PerformanceAverageGoodGood
Off-Road TractionAverageAbove AverageGood
Air-Down PerformanceAverageAbove AverageGood

According to the above table, Nitto Ridge Grappler is slightly better than Nitto Terra Grappler. Worth reminding that, this difference reflects to price tag. 

I like to call Nitto Terra Grappler an Immature Ridge Grappler.

Please note that the above ratings describe their status within their segments.

On-Road Comparison

On-road manners are crucial for all-terrain and rugged-terrain tires. Well, I can’t say the same thing for mud terrains. I see customer expectations are beyond this comment. Yet, in real life, it is almost impossible to reach this level.

The battle is between Ridge  Grappler and Terra Grappler in this section. Yet, I would like to give Trail Grappler credit for its good manners. It is way ahead of most of its competitors.

Comfort

Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler are very close rated due to comfort. Yet, the price difference is getting into the game again. Ridge Grappler is the most smooth tire in this competition.

Terra Grappler is slightly behind Ridge Grappler. Nevertheless, this gap is quite acceptable if you put the price in the equation.

The surprising fact is Trail Grappler is also very smooth. It is almost as comfy as Terra Grappler.

If I have to sort them out, 

  1. Nitto Ridge Grappler (comparison)
  2. Nitto Terra Grappler (comparison)
  3. Nitto Trail Grappler (comparison)

Noise Reduction

Nitto Terra Grappler G2

Noise reduction comparison is similar to comfort. The take-home point is Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler are equal.

Noise reduction is mostly about the void area. The wider void area is always noisier. I can hear you say ‘ Emre, Terra Grappler has the narrowest center gaps. Why it is equal to Ridge Grappler?’. Well, the answer is solid. Compound. Ridge Grappler has a soft compound that is going to help it to reduce noise.

About Trail Grappler…. Let’s not put too much pressure on the mud-terrain tire. It’s good for mud terrain but there is no way it can compete with rugged terrains.

Dry Traction Comparison

All of our tires perform perfectly on dry grounds. You can confidently choose either of them. Don’t even hesitate.

If you want me to sort them out, here is the deal;

Trail Grappler has been built for only one purpose. Traction! It leads this segment. Ridge Grappler is slightly behind. And the last place belongs to our budget-friendly tire Terra Grappler.

Tread Life

This part is a bit sliding depending on your driving habits, vehicle, and operation. More importantly, these kinds of comparisons can be made between the same segment tires.

In our comparison, Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler are members of the rugged-terrain tires family. On the other hand, Trail Grappler has been released as a mud-terrain tire.

Due to these reasons, I am going to compare Trail Grappler individually. Yet, I will sort all three at the end of this section.

Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler are both known for long tread lives on the market. Yet, in my point of view, you can get a 10-15% better tread life with Ridge Grappler. I have a reason to support this claim. Ridge Grappler has an average of 2 millimeters thicker tread depth in each size.

I’d like to give another paragraph for Trail Grappler. Why? Cause it is an exceptional mud-terrain tire due to tread life. In general, 50000-60000 miles with a mud-terrain tire is highly acceptable. Some customers even reach 100,000 miles with Trail Grappler. It’s incredible. I’ve studied this tire a lot. It has one of the best tread life among the competitors.

Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,

If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:

https://tireterrain.com/how-to-make-tires-last-longer/

Fuel Efficiency

In that section, rolling resistance and tire weight will be our decision-makers.

Nitto Trail Grapper is the top-heavy tire. It has also higher rolling resistance due to its larger footprint. So, it is the less fuel-efficient tire in this comparison.

Here is the perfect explanation of rolling resistance!

Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler are almost equal due to weight. They have a 3-8 lbs difference in each size(Ridge Grappler is superior). That’s not a big gap for huge tires like these ones. Although the rolling resistances are quite similar, Nitto Terra Grappler is the winner of this section.

Wet Performance

3 dimensions state the tire’s water evacuation. Circumferential grooves, compound, and tire footprint.

Let’s start with the tire footprint. So, in that case, Terra Grappler is the narrowest one as expected. Hence, it can combine a smooth riding experience with better fuel consumption and less road noise. On the other hand, this feature increases its hydroplaning resistance but decreases the wet traction. Therefore, Terra Grappler G2 is a better option for high-speed vehicles.

Please note that the footprint is the part of the tire that touches the road. So, less void area reduces the risk of hydroplaning.

As tires spin on wet surfaces, circumferential grooves channel water away to maintain good traction. All three of our tire’s grooves connected perfectly to the shoulders. With this feature, you can confidently trust all of them.

About rubber, a softer compound means better performance on wet. Nitto Ridge Grappler is our winner.

Lastly, full-depth sipes have a significant positive effect on wet performance. While Ridge Grappler and Trail Grappler have full-depth sipes, Terra Grappler’s sipes stop halfway through. Yet, it covers this deficiency with a high density of sipes through the pattern.

All three options are reliable. You can confidently use either one of them.

Winter Performance

Nitto Trail Grapper is the only of our Grapper tires with a 3-peak mountain snowflake marking. So, it is superior on snow.

Between Terra Grappler and Ridge Grappler, Ridge Grappler is the better one snowy surfaces. Tread depth and staggered shoulder lugs ensure to best grip in deep snow.

Ridge Grappler and Trail Grappler are trustworthy options. On the other hand, I don’t recommend Terra Grappler unless light snow is the only snow you’ve faced with.

A side note here: Understanding the snow performance of all-terrain tires can be quite challenging. For those who find it perplexing, I’d like to direct your attention to a helpful resource: “6 Best All-Terrain Tires for Snow by AT Tire Category“ This article is specifically designed to assist you in making informed decisions regarding all-terrain tires in snowy conditions.

Off-Road Traction

Nitto Trail Grappler on Jeep

This time, instead of comparing these three, I am going to share the best application to use one by one.

Let’s start with Terra Grappler.

Terra Grappler is not a tire for use on all off-road applications. Weak sidewalls are limited to mild operation usage. They are the best ones on the sand. Yet, rock and mud performances are poor. 

Ridge Grappler has a wide range of applications. It can handle dirt, gravel, and rock very well. Moreover, unlike other rugged terrain tires, it has decent performance on mud.

Lastly, Trail Grappler. This tire was built with mud traction intention. It is performing smoothly on any off-road surface but gravel. Wide lugs are struggling to bite smaller stones and as a result, it causes traction loss.

In summary,

I recommend Ridge Grappler for mild and average-severe applications.

Trail Grappler is your tire if your operation is tough. Yet, gravel is not their expertise.

Terra Grappler can be used for daily-basis off-roads. The take-home point is weak sidewall durability. You should avoid the sidewall impacts due to achieve high-quality off-road performance.

Specs

Nitto Terra Grappler G2Nitto Ridge GrapplerNitto Trail Grappler
CategoryAll-Terrain TireRugged -Terrain TireMud-Terrain Tire
VehicleLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”, 24”15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”, 24”
Weight30-81 lbs40 – 95 lbs59 – 111 lbs
Made InWhite, GA, USAN/AWhite, GA, USA
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)No (M+S)No (M+S)No (M+S)
Warranty (P-metric)65,000 MilesN/AN/A
Warranty (LT Sizes)50,000 MilesN/AN/A
PricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible prices

Price

The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.

Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.

Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,

SimpleTire

  • Free shipping
  • Delivered in 2 days
  • Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
  • Mobile installation option
  • 7 million customers since 2021
  • 4.7/5 points on Google rate
  • Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match

Nitto Ridge Grappler: https://simpletire.com/brands/nitto-tires/ridge-grappler

Nitto Terra Grappler G2: https://simpletire.com/brands/nitto-tires/terra-grappler-g2

Nitto Trail Grappler: https://simpletire.com/brands/nitto-tires/trail-grappler-m-t

Conclusion

Although Grappler tires seem to perform in a similar usage, in deep they are separated but their expertise.

Nitto Terra Grappler G2 All-TerrainNitto Ridge Grappler Rugged-TerrainNitto Trail Grappler Mud-Terrain
Better forSquishy and snowy regions,
working trucks,
hauling & towing,
mostly highway driving		Lifted vehicles and wider aftermarket wheels,
appearance,
mild & severe off-road traction		Off-road lovers,
if you need long-lasting mud-terrain tire
ProsInsane wet and snow traction,
long-lasting rubber		Satisfying wet and dry traction,
can handle mild and severe off-road,
quiet for its design		Satisfying wet and dry traction,
great off-road traction,
long-lasting rubber,
decent snow performance
ConsCan’t handle off-road very wellThe ride is a bit stiff,
P-Metric sizes are providing average tread life		Can be noisy if you’re not used to mud-terrain tires

Nitto Ridge Grappler is a trustworthy pick for either mild or severe applications. Yet, mud performance is not their priority.

Nitto Trail Grappler covers Ridge Grappler’s shortcomings. It performs perfectly on mud. Moreover, it’s surprisingly quiet on the highways.

Nitto Terra Grappler is our budget-friendly option. It is not as durable as Ridge Grappler. Yet, on-road and mild operation performance will cover all of your expectations.

I hope this article will help you to pick the best one for yourself. If you have any further questions, kindly leave them below! Have safe ride folks!

General Grabber ATX vs General Grabber AT2 vs General Grabber AT3

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General Grabber ATX, AT2, and AT3 are all-terrain tires that can perform every month of the year. While Grabber ATX is mostly built for heavy-duty usage, AT2 has a wide product range and can be used on almost any application. On the other hand, AT3 offers satisfying on-road manners but has some issues in severe conditions.

Due to its wide product range, General Grabber AT2 is a safe side pick. Yet, it's discontinued
General Grabber AT3General Grabber ATXGeneral Grabber AT2
Better forMostly highway driving
Aggressive appearance for SUV		Off-road lovers, 3/4 ton or above light-truck owners, working trucks, hauling and towingDiscontinued
ProsInsane wet and snow traction,
mild off-road traction,
responsiveness		Insane wet and snow traction,
mild & severe off-road traction,
responsiveness		Discontinued
ConsCan’t handle severe off-roadA bit noisyDiscontinued

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, General decided to discontinue AT2 due to their marketing strategy. It was an all-around tire that could perform equally well on and off-road conditions. Instead of General Grabber AT2, they’ve released two different tires. While General Grabber AT3 is a more smooth and quiet tire that primarily focuses on satisfying on-road manners, General Grabber ATX is a more durable and tough tire that offers extreme and mild off-road performance. Hence, it might feel a bit stiff if you’re not an overlander.

Table of Contents

On-Road Comparison

Evaluating on-road performance due to traction is kinda pointless. These tires have the ability to grip loose grounds. For sure, they will grip smooth surfaces. In that case; cornering, stopping, and starting performance is more valuable.

          Ranking

  1. General Grabber AT3
  2. General Grabber AT2
  3. General Grabber ATX

Starting

The void area ratio is the main decision-maker on starting.

General Grabber ATX‘s void area ratio is higher than AT2 and AT3. So, AT3 might spin on harsh starting movements. Though worth remembering, it is a chance in a million scenario.

Between AT3 and AT2 battle is tight. They have almost even void areas. In that case, our second indicator sipe density is steps ahead. AT3 has a bit more sipes through to the pattern. So, AT3 is the best for on-road starting.

Cornering

Cornering is the combination of steering response and cornering stability.

In that case, all three are trustworthy and perform very well.

AT3 steps ahead again with a tire bar between the center block and shoulder lugs. It stays more stable than others.

Stopping

Softer compounds stop at lower distances.

Well, the winner is AT3 again. ATX and AT2 have stiffer compounds.

Comfort and Road Noise

General Grabber AT3 can handle occasional off-road. Yet, it's not a tire for a severe off-roading

Most people think that comfort and road noise is related. Totally, wrong.

Road noise is all about the center block void area. If the distance is more, it is louder.

Comfort is a bit more complicated. It is related to compound stiffness as well as tire construction. Moreover, bigger lugs mean more vibration most of the time.

The battle is between AT2 and AT3. I think the low road noise and comfort are not what you have to expect from ATXs.

AT2 and AT3 have equally low road noise. They are both quiet as church mice. 

In the case of comfort, AT3 is a slightly more smooth tire due to the softer compound selection.

That one is my favorite tire for this section.

          Ranking

  1. General Grabber AT3
  2. General Grabber AT2
  3. General Grabber ATX

Durability and Tread Life

Well, the table turned in that section as expected.

Let’s start with durability.

ATX is the more durable tire due to stronger sidewalls and construction. AT2 follows it up closely. Sidewall durability is slightly less than ATX. Yet, it is reliable. AT3 is taking the last place but it is all about design intention. I believe that these tires serve different ranges of applications.

About tread life,

This part is cheeky. Depending on your application, rankings might change. Therefore, I want to give the first-place seat to AT2. It has an elegant tread life no matter what application.

Note: I do not recommend any of these tires for hauling or heavy diesel trucks like RAM 2500 or F250. 

Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,

If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:

https://tireterrain.com/how-to-make-tires-last-longer/

Warranty

General Grabber ATX has 60000 miles treadwear warranty.

General Grabber AT2 has 60000 miles treadwear warranty. It is not shown on any retailer websites. Yet, the manufacturer’s customer services say that it is available. AT2 is discontinued. The company might use it as a marketing strategy. Be careful, anyway.

Unfortunately, General Grabber AT3 does not have a treadwear warranty.

Wet Performance

All-terrain tires generally fail on wet grounds. Surprisingly, none of these tires has a traction problem on wet.

General focused on siping really well and made a great job. It is expected for AT2 and AT3 but ATX. This kind of pattern design is a hard one to reach good wet performance. I can just say well done.

All of them are trustworthy options. I personally prefer AT3 on wet. It got A-grade on EU labeling.

Winter Performance

M+S grade is easy to get. But 3 severe snow-rated tires on the same segment… General engineers deserve respect. 

Again all three options are dependable. I individually prefer ATX. Bigger lugs are working better on deep snow.

If you are living in icy conditions, you should go with AT2. AT2 is the only studdable one among these three.

A side note here: Understanding the snow performance of all-terrain tires can be quite challenging. For those who find it perplexing, I’d like to direct your attention to a helpful resource: “6 Best All-Terrain Tires for Snow by AT Tire Category“ This article is specifically designed to assist you in making informed decisions regarding all-terrain tires in snowy conditions.

Off-Road Comparison

General Grabber ATX is my favorite among these three

I prefer to separate the off-road section into 3 different dimensions. Dirt and gravel, rock and mud. Sand is all about your tire’s footprint. A filled footprint always works better on sand which is AT3 in this comparison.

Dirt and Gravel Traction

General Grapper AT3 has one of the best traction on gravel. Due to South African magazine, it is leading this category with Continental CrossContact AT(Discontinued).

In fact, AT2 can perform as well as AT3 on gravel. The only difference is AT3 is able to grip smaller gravels a bit better. On the other hand, ATX is good on gravel but wider grooves can’t grip small stones from time to time.

About dirt, none of them will let you down. They have great traction. They are like magnets to the road. Yet, due to less aggressive tread design and more siping, AT3 is leading this section too.

           Ranking

  1. General Grabber AT3
  2. General Grabber AT2
  3. General Grabber ATX
As you can see Grabber AT3 is an expert on mild off-road

Rock Traction

Air-down performance is mainly about durability and sidewall design. Well, I am sorry to say that but I don’t recommend cheap brands for rock crawling. These brands have weak construction. They have to decrease prices. The easiest way to do it is by using slim construction elements.

Among the General Grabber Tires, Grabber A/TX is the superior one regarding rock crawling. However, my favorite rock crawling tire is BF Goodrich KO2. If you would like to see how it stands against General Grabber A/TX –> https://tireterrain.com/general-grabber-atx-vs-ko2/

Mud Traction

This section is between ATX and AT2. AT3 has a satisfying performance on light mud. Its design promises a lot of evacuation I have to admit that. Yet, these narrow block gaps can not throw the mud out easily when faced with compact mud.

You can choose either AT2 or ATX for better mud performances.

Specs

General Grabber ATXGeneral Grabber AT2General Grabber AT3
CategoryAll-Terrain TireAll-Terrain TireAll-Terrain Tire
VehicleLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)14”, 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”14”, 15”, 16”, 17” 18”, 20”15”,16”,17”, 18”, 19”, 20”, 21”, 22”
Weight28 – 75 lbs27 – 65 lbs–
Made InMt. Vernon, Illinois, USAMt. Vernon, Illinois, USAMt. Vernon, Illinois, USA
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)YesYesYes
Warranty (P-metric)50,000 Miles60,000 MilesN/A
Warranty (LT Sizes)50,000 MilesN/AN/A
PricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible prices

Price

The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.

Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.

Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,

TireRack

  • Fast and Free shipping
  • Usually delivered in 1 day
  • Joint venture with DiscountTire(their installers and dealers are on your service)
  • Tons of installer options, they also help you to choose the best one
  • Mobile installers in many areas, your tires will be replaced while you’re working in the office
  • Tire test results and comparisons can be found on the most product page
  • 4.6/5 points on Google rate

General Grabber ATX: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/general-grabber-a-tx

General Grabber AT2: Not available

General Grabber AT3: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/general-grabber-at3

DiscountTire

  • Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
  • 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
  • Free rotation and balancing
  • 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchase
  • Highest rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
  • Almost all brands are available
  • Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
  • Frequent discounts and promotions

General Grabber ATX: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/general-grabber-atx

General Grabber AT2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/general-grabber-at2

General Grabber AT3: Not available

SimpleTire

  • Free shipping
  • Delivered in 2 days
  • Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
  • Mobile installation option
  • 7 million customers since 2021
  • 4.7/5 points on Google rate
  • Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match

General Grabber ATX: https://simpletire.com/brands/general-tires/grabber-a-tx

General Grabber AT2: Not available

General Grabber AT3: https://simpletire.com/brands/general-tires/grabber-at3

While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.

Conclusion

I hope this article will help you to pick the best option due to your application range.

In summary, General Grabber AT2 has a wider application range in all aspects. Yet, it is discontinued. For better on-road manners, I recommend General Grabber AT3. For better off-road manners, I recommend General Grabber ATX.

General Grabber AT3General Grabber ATXGeneral Grabber AT2
Better forMostly highway driving
Aggressive appearance for SUV		Off-road lovers, 3/4 ton or above light-truck owners, working trucks, hauling and towingDiscontinued
ProsInsane wet and snow traction,
mild off-road traction,
responsiveness		Insane wet and snow traction,
mild & severe off-road traction,
responsiveness		Discontinued
ConsCan’t handle severe off-roadA bit noisyDiscontinued

If you have any further questions, please indicate your operation in the below section. I will do my best to choose the right one for you.

Toyo M55 vs Open Country

Updated: by 10 Comments

Toyo’s light truck product line-up consists of 3 different names. Open Country, M-Line, and Proxes. While Open Country consists of 7 different products; others only have one each. Today, I will compare Toyo M55 with Open Country CT, MT, and AT. Though, the real competition will be between Open Country CT and Toyo M-55. Let’s see which one is better for your usage!

Toyo M55 is a commercial grade tire. Its sidewalls are extremly durable
Toyo Open Country C/TToyo M-55
Better forWorking trucks that mostly spend their time on the highway,
hauling and towing,
1/2 ton light trucks		Working trucks that mostly spend their time off- the road,
3/4-ton or 1-ton heavy-duty work trucks
ProsWet and snow traction,
responsiveness,
comfortable and quiet ride		Dry and wet traction,
loose ground traction,
sidewall durability
ConsNot a tire for severe off-road conditionsCan be disturbing on the highway

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Toyo Open Country CT and Toyo M-55 are solid commercial tires. The only difference is they work under different circumstances. In this case, if you work under mild conditions (little dirt, mud, or snow), Toyo Open Country C/T is a better option for you. It also offers the most smooth ride among these. If you have a heavy-loaded application, need long tread life, and have huge traction you should definitely go with Toyo M-55.

Table of Contents

Toyo M55 vs Open Country MT vs CT vs AT

Toyo’s Open Country line-up is met with different customer expectations.

  • Toyo Open Country M/T: MT is a maximum traction tire. Hence, its limited tread life will not cover commercial intent.
  • Toyo Open Country C/T: CT is a commercial-grade tire. Yet, it has limited traction ability compared to MT.
  • Toyo Open Country AT:  AT is on-road tires that have off-road manners. Comfort is one of its priorities.

Now, I would like to talk about M55 a bit. M55 is a combination of MT and CT. While it can provide maximum traction, it also has a satisfying tread life. It is gold for individuals, small, even massive businesses. I will not put AT to the rest of the comparison. These have completely different intents. If you want to see where AT places between Open Country’s, you can check this article!

Tread Appearance

Let’s start with the tread depth. 

Toyo Open Country MT has the deepest tread depth between these three. Tread depths for the size of LT255/85R16,

  • Toyo Open Country MT: 18.9mm
  • Toyo M-Line M55: 18.1mm
  • Toyo Open Country CT: Not available but tread depths are the same with M55

Tread depth can help to traction. Though, it is also strongly related to compound and tread design. 

MT has the most aggressive tread design among them. It has wider shoulders and bigger lugs that are going to help it a lot on severe off-road surfaces. Yet, inadequate sipes are kinda prof of poor wet traction.

CT and M-55 have similar patterns. The sharpest difference is the sidewall. M-55 has flat and stiff sidewalls. It is designed to work under heavy loads. So, stiff sidewalls are a must. These are not the tire for air-down driving. Pay attention to this.

If you need low inflation pressure driving, you should go with MT or CT. In that case, your intent will be the decider. CT for commercials, MT for off-road cats.

Lastly, M-55 and CT are studdable tires of this comparison. They will perform better than others on the ice.

Tread Life

As we all expected, commercial-grade tires tend to last more than mud or all-terrains. 

While CT and M-55 are getting 5-stars due to tread life, MT is getting 4 at maximum. If you will use them on the road too much, the star rating most probably will decrease to 3.

Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,

If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:

https://tireterrain.com/how-to-make-tires-last-longer/

Durabilty

Normally, I evaluate durability with to resistance of the sidewall impacts. In that case, we are comparing commercial tires. So, sidewall impact is not your main concern.

M-55 has flat sidewalls. That might seem a bit weak at first sight. Wrong! These tires have the strongest sidewalls I have ever seen. Exceptional, definitely exceptional. May be as strong as 14-ply.

On the other hand, MT and CT have trustworthy sidewalls. These two also have sidewall protectors that M-55 does not even need.

Comfort and Noise

If you are looking for comfort and less road noise, you are at the wrong place. Let me guide you to the proper one!

If I have to choose one of them, I would definitely go with Toyo Open Country CT.

Surprisingly, M-55 is the loudest one. Even, MT has less road noise no matter how wide its void area is.

About comfort, I have talked about how stiff is M-55. It’s placed at the bottom again.

Toyo Open County CT is the true ruler in this section.

Off-Road Performance

The off-road performance of these tires depends on different variables. In that case, I would like to evaluate them with two different approaches. Commercial and air-down.

While commercial off-road contains gravel and dirt performance; mud, rock, and sand will be regular off-road performance indicators.

Commercial

If you have are a commercial intended user, you are mostly facing gravel and dirt. These are the surfaces you need traction most.

All of our tires are very successful on these surfaces.

Nevertheless, well-placed sipes increase dirt traction a lot for CT and M-55. MT is not bad but not good as others.

Gravel is a bit cheeky. In that case, you should put groove width under the consideration. MT with the extensive grooves sometimes struggling on gravel depending on stone diameter. If the stones are too small, creating a biting age becomes a huge challenge. Well, you lose traction.

CT and M-55 do not have this problem. Stone holding is where these two separated. CT is holding a bit much more stone. These stones might cause damage in further time.

For the commercial off-road my ranking is,

M-55>CT>MT

Air-Down

Toyo Open Country M/T is your tire if you're looking for a weekend adventure

Air-down situations are mud, rock, and sand. I will put M-55 out of this section. M-55’s sidewall is not usable for air-down conditions. It will crack if you will decrease your inflation pressure.

On rock, I like CT very much. It is not as good as MT. Yet, lugs are capable to move in different ways. That increases gripping ability significantly. On the other hand, MT’s rock performance is not questionable.

On the sand, softer designs always work better on the sand. So, CT is my pick.

On mud, no surprise. MT is a winner as a mud-terrain tire. Evacuation capability is exceptional.

Wet Performance

Wet performance is where these tires place very closely. Either of them has its own advantages.

  • Toyo Open Country MT: Soft compound
  • Toyo Open Country CT: Normal compound, average siping
  • Toyo M-55: Perfect siping

MT has a perfect compound for wet grounds. Yet, siping is not providing enough biting.

CT has the optimal design. Average siping and middling compound

M-55: Perfect siping, stiff compound

The battle is close. Yet,

CT>MT=M-55

Winter Performance

Toyo Open Country C/T has a sidewall protectores that also increase its grip capability on loose grounds.

It’s time to put MT aside. Winter is not MT’s priority. It has an average winter performance. But not rated with 3-peak mountain snowflake marking. It can not compete with M-55 and CT.

M-55 and CT both have 3-peak mountain snowflake marking. That means we are safe in harsh winters. Moreover, both are studdable. Frozen grounds will not be a problem anymore.

The only advantage CT has is compound toughness. A softer compound always works better on snow or ice.

Specs

Toyo M-55Toyo Open Country C/T
CategoryCommercial All-Terrain TireCommercial All-Terrain Tire
VehicleLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
Weight30 – 60 lbs45 – 79 lbs
Made InWhite, GA, USAWhite, GA, USA
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)YesYes
Warranty (P-metric)N/AN/A
Warranty (LT Sizes)N/AN/A
PricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible prices

Conclusion

On tire selection, defining your operation is a factor. It is even more crucial if you are commercial intended.

Toyo Open Country C/TToyo M-55
Better forWorking trucks that mostly spend their time on the highway,
hauling and towing,
1/2 ton light trucks		Working trucks that mostly spend their time off- the road,
3/4-ton or 1-ton heavy-duty work trucks
ProsWet and snow traction,
responsiveness,
comfortable and quiet ride		Dry and wet traction,
loose ground traction,
sidewall durability
ConsNot a tire for severe off-road conditionsCan be disturbing on the highway

Hope I can help you with your selection. If you need any further support, contact me via the comment section below!

Nitto Ridge Grappler vs Toyo Open Country AT3 — Off-Road Performance Showdown 2025

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If you're changing from the H/T tires, Toyo AT3 can provide aggressive look. Still, I prefer Ridge Grappler

Toyo Open Country A/T III, AKA the Toyo AT3, and the Nitto Ridge Grappler, AKA the Ridge Grappler, are both top-rated contenders, massively popular with SUV and LT owners, and that is exactly why we need to look beyond the reputation. While the Toyo is known for its balanced, classic Off-Road A/T blueprint, offering superior wet and winter pavement performance, the Rugged-Terrain Nitto surprises users with its decent comfort rating despite a blockier, reinforced structure built to maximize deep-terrain traction. The ultimate choice comes down to where you want the compromise to be; pavement safety and overall balance, or flat-out trail ruggedness with surprisingly good on-road manners.

I’m a former Bridgestone engineer, and we’re cracking open Tire Rack’s raw data right now to translate those numbers into real-world performance for your rig.

Quick Verdict – Who Wins What?

Nitto Ridge Grappler

Nitto Ridge Grappler tire
Tested Rating: 8.2/10

Toyo Open Country A/T III

Toyo Open Country A/T III tire
Tested Rating: 8.5/10

The Nitto Ridge Grappler feels sportier on pavement, biting quicker with a ~130-ft dry stop and 0.75 g grip, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 is calmer and steadier (131.5 ft, 0.78 g) — especially when towing. In the rain, Toyo is the safer choice, stopping at 185 ft (0.50) versus Ridge’s longer ~203 ft (0.47). In winter, Toyo hooks up earlier with a 74-ft snow stop, 44-ft launch, and ~50-ft ice stop, while Ridge needs more space (~78 ft / 47.7-ft launch, ~55.7 ft ice). Off-road, the story flips: Ridge dominates with 9.0 dirt, 8.5 sand, 9.3 mud, and 9.2 rock, while Toyo leans toward highway manners with light-trail grip. On the highway, Toyo rides quieter (~8/10 comfort) and steadier under load, while Ridge hums louder (~6.8/10). Both deliver ~45–50k miles, but Toyo tends to wear more evenly, while Ridge can cup and grow louder late in life.

Let’s clear up a couple of common questions before starting

I often get asked about these — and Tire Rack has some great quick reads that explain them better than any post could:

Raw Test Data

Construction & Tech Breakdown: Why the Two Tires Feel So Different

Let’s talk specs and design goals. Every single decision a tire engineer makes, from the type of silica in the rubber blend to the angle of the polyester plies, is a trade-off. Breaking down the construction helps explain why the AT3 is king in the rain and the Ridge Grappler feels so tight in the dry.

Toyo Open Country AT3: The All-Season Technician

The Toyo AT3 is built to deliver comfort and versatility. This means the engineers prioritized a flexible, compound-driven approach:

  • Tread Design: Features balanced siping and a flexible casing, available in both lighter P-metric (Passenger) and heavier LT (Light Truck) sizes.

  • Engineering Goal: Focus on compound flexibility and water evacuation to deliver stellar wet and winter performance.

  • Root Cause Insight: This design approach is the reason the AT3 crushes the competition in severe conditions, like its 42.7 second Snow Acceleration time (a 5.0-second advantage over the Nitto) and its dramatically safer 164.0 feet Wet Stopping distance. This tire is the perfect choice for the daily driver who needs year-round confidence.

What the Truck Owners Say: “The AT3s are quieter on the highway and still grip well in snow. Perfect for city and light trail.” This sentiment is spot-on; the data backs the grip and compliance claim.

Nitto Ridge Grappler: The Rugged Structuralist

The Ridge Grappler’s mission is brute-force performance and durability. It’s a structure-driven design, prioritizing stability and puncture resistance above all else:

  • Tread Design: Features a unique hybrid tread pattern with thicker, staggered shoulder blocks and a reinforced carcass.

  • Engineering Goal: Maximize resistance to cuts and chunks off-road, and provide maximum tread-block stability on pavement.

  • Root Cause Insight: The aggressive shoulder and reinforced construction are the reason the Ridge Grappler provides such a tight feel, earning it a 0.75 g Dry Cornering figure, which actually beats the more road-focused AT3. However, that stiff structure is what increases the on-road compromise, leading to a much longer 193.0 feet wet stop.

What the Engineer Noticed (Debunking the Myth!): The common wisdom is that R/T tires hum like a beast, but the data showed the Ridge Grappler was actually slightly quieter than the AT3 (6.17 vs 6.00 on the Noise/Comfort index). This is a shout-out to Nitto’s engineers for using advanced pitch sequencing: it randomizes the tread block size enough to break up the harsh noise frequency, giving you a remarkably quiet ride for such a dope-looking tread pattern.

Dry Performance: The Ridge Grappler Takes the Asphalt Title

Beefy sidewalls of Toyo AT3

You would expect the road-biased Toyo AT3 to win here, but this is a classic surprise! The rugged design of the Ridge Grappler pays an immediate dividend on dry pavement. That stiffness we talked about earlier translates directly into shorter braking and sharper handling for your rig.

MetricToyo Open Country AT3 (The Smoother Choice)Nitto Ridge Grappler (The Structural Winner)What the Engineer Sees
Dry Stopping (60–0 mph)134.0 feet130.0 feetThe Ridge Grappler stops 4.0 feet shorter! Its reinforced structure prevents the tread blocks from rolling over under heavy pedal pressure, maximizing rubber-to-road contact.
Dry Cornering (g-force)0.72 g0.75 gA clear handling win. The R/T’s tough, stiff casing resists side-load “squat,” giving you a sharper 0.75 g of lateral grip and a much more direct, responsive steering feel.

The Engineering Breakdown on Dry Roads

The data validates exactly what drivers feel: the Ridge Grappler feels “sportier” and has that quick “bite” because its blocky, reinforced structure (the R/T DNA) handles braking and cornering forces with minimal flex. If you like steering feedback and a taut feel on your truck, the Nitto delivers.

The Toyo AT3, conversely, is built for compliance. Its relatively softer compound and more flexible sidewall mean it doesn’t slam the brakes or carve corners quite as sharply. However, this compliance is an asset when you’re towing or hauling heavy weight. That little bit of give helps the tire track straighter and feels much more composed at highway speeds, making the AT3 the calmer, more composed daily driver, especially under load.

The Verdict: The Ridge Grappler is sharper and stops shorter in the dry; the Toyo AT3 is the steadier, more comfortable choice, especially for work rigs and towing.

Wet Performance — Toyo More Predictable, Ridge Needs Room

Nitto Ridge Grappler looks dope on lifted trucks!

Wet tests show Ridge Grappler stopping in 203 ft with 0.47 g traction, while Toyo AT3 comes in at 185 ft with 0.50 g. Ridge needs more space to slow down, and that difference shows in real rain driving.

On forums, F-150 owners often call Ridge “a handful in heavy downpours,” while Toyo users mention “safe as long as you give margin.” I side with that: Ridge feels looser when pushed, while Toyo doesn’t grip aggressively but stays steady and predictable.

Technically, Ridge trades wet grip for durability and off-road bite, with fewer sipes and a firmer compound. Toyo uses more siping and a balanced rubber blend, which means shorter wet stops and smoother control. For HD trucks, Toyo’s stiffer casing also resists squirm when braking under load — Ridge tends to wander more with weight.

👉 Verdict: Toyo is safer and steadier in the rain; Ridge demands more caution but rewards with toughness off-road.

Note from the Expert: When it comes to rain, I always emphasize two things: compound grip and water evacuation. You can see the full details in my analysis, but if you take just one thing away, remember that an AT tire’s stiff nature makes achieving top-tier wet performance a constant battle. This is why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Good in Rain?, requires a nuanced answer that balances tread design against rubber stiffness.

Winter & Snow — Toyo Reliable, Ridge Struggles More

Toyo AT3 handles snow with a 74 ft stop and 44 ft launch, while Ridge stretches to 78 ft stop / 47.7 ft launch. On real roads, that margin is clear — Toyo hooks up earlier, Ridge feels like it hunts for grip.

Community chatter reflects that: Ridge owners on Colorado forums often admit “great off-road, but dicey on ice and snow,” while Toyo drivers praise it as “fine in plowed routes, stable in slush.” My own take? Toyo doesn’t dig as aggressively as Falken A/T3W, but it’s consistent. Ridge is out of its depth unless you’re mixing in dirt or gravel.

From design, Toyo’s 3PMSF rating + balanced siping give it credibility in snow-belt states. Ridge, built as a rugged hybrid, isn’t tuned for snow and feels it. For ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks, Toyo again holds steadier — less slip when hauling, and braking stays straighter.

👉 Verdict: Toyo is the safer winter tire; Ridge is for drivers who avoid heavy snow duty.

Note from the Expert: Our discussions often boil down to the core tradeoff. On one hand, you must understand why all-terrain tires are truly effective in deep snow, but not on ice. On the other hand, you face the 3PMSF Paradox—the hidden cost of that badge. The short answer is: The 3PMSF badge certifies traction, but it costs you durability. Dive into our full analysis on the critical 3PMSF rating for severe winter and off-road service, and its hidden costs, before you risk your rig on the trail.

Ice — Neither Perfect, Toyo More Forgiving

On ice, Toyo stops in 50 ft while Ridge takes 55.7 ft. Both need margin, but Toyo feels calmer as grip fades — Ridge tends to let go sharper.

Truck forums back this up. Ridge owners often say, “on ice, you gotta baby it,” while Toyo users note “predictable and easy to correct.” As a driver, I agree: Ridge snaps earlier, Toyo eases you into the slide.

That comes from compound — Ridge’s tougher rubber hardens more in sub-freezing temps, while Toyo stays pliable longer. For HD rigs, Toyo again feels steadier, though neither is a true ice tire.

👉 Verdict: Toyo takes the edge for predictability; Ridge slips earlier and requires careful throttle.

Off-Road — Ridge Grappler’s Playground, Toyo More Balanced

Guys, look how clean it is!

Here’s where Ridge shows its teeth: scoring 9.0 dirt / 8.5 sand / 9.3 mud / 9.2 rock, compared to Toyo’s 7.2 / 7.3 / 6.8 / 7.0. On dirt and rock, Ridge digs harder, clears mud better, and climbs more confidently.

Off-roaders echo this — Jeep and Tacoma forums are full of Ridge praise for “digging like an MT but behaving better on-road.” Toyo isn’t weak; it just isn’t in Ridge’s class once the trail gets rough. What I’ve seen is that Toyo feels more predictable on mixed trails and holds up better on long gravel runs, especially under tow.

From a technical lens, Ridge is a rugged-terrain hybrid, built with deeper voids and chunkier tread, so traction jumps. Toyo’s tighter pattern balances wear, noise, and mild trail grip. On ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks, Ridge grips harder but also transmits more shake; Toyo stays calmer for long gravel hauls.

👉 Verdict: Ridge Grappler is the off-road pick, especially for mud and rock. Toyo is steadier for blended highway + trail use.

Note from the Expert: Every successful day on the trail is about preparation and physics, because tire longevity is earned, not given. Before you even start, you must master the critical link between tire pressure and load range for every rig to maximize your contact patch. Once moving, remember your ultimate off-road armor is your sidewall protection against the inevitable pinch flat. And finally, your traction on the obstacle is dictated by choosing the right aggressive vs hybrid tread pattern for your terrain. Master those three steps, and your rig will be ready for anything.

Comfort & Noise — Toyo Wins on Highway, Ridge Adds Hum

Comfort scores put Toyo at 8.0/10 and Ridge at 6.8/10 — and that matches what you feel. Ridge adds a low growl at 65+ mph, while Toyo blends in like a quieter A/T.

Owners say the same. On Tundra forums, Ridge fans admit, “it’s louder than stock, but worth it for the look,” while Toyo owners often write, “quiet enough that family doesn’t notice.” I’d agree — Ridge hums more, Toyo disappears easier into highway background noise.

The difference sharpens in heavy trucks. Ridge resonates more on ¾-ton/1-ton rigs, while Toyo’s casing damps vibration. For daily commuting and long drives, Toyo is simply more livable.

👉 Verdict: Ridge sacrifices noise for off-road bite and looks; Toyo keeps the cabin calmer.

Note from the Expert: For years, choosing all-terrain meant accepting noise—a true compromise for off-road grip. That’s why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Louder than Highway Tires?, used to have a simple “yes” answer. Now, with the rise of on-road models, the core issue has shifted from noise to overall refinement. To fully understand which side of the comfort spectrum you’re buying into, you need to determine Are All-Terrain Tires Good for Daily Driving?—a question that depends entirely on the tire’s construction, not just the name.

Tread Life & Longevity — Both Durable, Toyo More Even

Mileage reports show both around 45–50k miles with rotations. Ridge holds tread deep, but owners mention edge cupping and noise rise over time. Toyo, by contrast, wears more evenly and stays quieter as it ages.

Forum feedback backs it: Ridge owners on Silverado boards note, “great life, but louder by 20k,” while Toyo owners say, “still even and quiet at 40k.” From my seat, Ridge will last, but Toyo’s tread pattern + compound blend make for steadier wear.

On ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks, Toyo again has the advantage — resisting irregular wear under tow/haul, while Ridge shows more vibration and hum.

👉 Verdict: Both last, but Toyo’s even wear makes it a stronger long-haul tire.

Where They Fit Best

If your use is trail-heavy and you want aggressive hybrid styling with more off-road bite on weekends — and don’t mind extra road noise or on-road trade-offs — the Nitto Ridge Grappler makes sense. But if you’re after one tire that’s balanced, calm on the highway, capable off-road, and predictable under load, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is the more versatile pick.

For SUVs & crossovers: Ridge adds style and weekend trail pop, while Toyo AT3 is the smarter call for long commutes and mixed-weather daily use.
For ½-ton trucks: Toyo edges it with comfort and predictable wear, while Ridge gives more steering feedback and grip if you push harder.
For ¾-ton & 1-ton HD duty: Toyo AT3 stands out with better hauling stability, more uniform aging, and lower highway noise under load.

👉 Bottom line: Ridge Grappler is for drivers who want off-road aggression and visual punch. Toyo AT3 is for those who need one tire that won’t punish them in daily use, towing, or long-term wear.

Tire Size Selection: The Basics You Can’t Skip

Even the best tread design can’t rescue a tire that’s built too weak. Back when I was testing tires at Bridgestone, I saw all-terrain models that should’ve performed but fell short — simply because the basics (size, load strength, and speed rating) weren’t matched to the vehicle.

P-Metric vs. LT (Light Truck) Tires

The first step is knowing whether you need LT or passenger tires. LT (Light Truck) tires are built with extra reinforcement and stiff sidewalls, designed for towing, hauling, or off-road use. Passenger (P-metric) tires are lighter, smoother, and tuned for daily comfort and fuel efficiency — but they’ll flex more under load.

Understanding Tire Load Range: XL vs. E-Load

Then comes the tire load index and load range — essentially your tire’s strength rating. Here’s where things split between passenger XL and LT E:

  • XL (Extra Load) is a passenger tire with reinforced sidewalls. It can handle a bit more pressure (~41 PSI) than a standard SL tire and is perfect for SUVs, crossovers, or light trucks that carry extra gear, passengers, or small trailers. XL tires ride softer and quieter than LT options, making them ideal for daily use.

  • E Load Range is an LT tire class built with a much thicker casing. E-rated tires can handle far more pressure (up to ~80 PSI) and heavier loads, which makes them essential for ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks towing trailers or hauling close to max capacity. The trade-off is weight, stiffer ride, more road noise, and a small drop in fuel efficiency.

Put simply: XL is for “extra luggage and family,” while E is for “truck bed full of bricks or a car trailer.”

Why the Tire Speed Rating Matters for Safety

Finally, don’t overlook the tire speed rating. It’s not just about top speed — it measures how well a tire handles heat and stress at highway pace. Lower ratings (like S) tend to ride softer and last longer, while higher ratings (H, T) feel more stable and responsive under sharp maneuvers. Heat build-up is the silent killer of tires, and speed rating is your safeguard.

Bottom line: Match your tire’s construction (LT vs P-metric), load range (XL vs E), and speed rating to your vehicle’s demands. Get those right, and everything else — off-road grip, winter traction, comfort — will finally perform the way it was designed to.

🏁 Final Verdict: Which Tire Should You Choose?

If you want aggressive hybrid looks and real off-road bite for weekends, the Nitto Ridge Grappler delivers—just budget extra braking distance in rain and accept more cabin hum. If you need one tire to do it all—calm on highways, predictable in weather, and stable under tow—the Toyo Open Country AT3 is the safer, more livable choice, especially for ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks.

Toyo Open Country AT3 Related Articles

Nitto Ridge Grappler Related Articles

Frequently Asked Questions: Nitto Ridge Grappler vs Toyo Open Country AT3

  • Which feels better on dry pavement?
    The Ridge Grappler feels sportier and grabs sooner (~130-ft stop, 0.75 g). The Toyo AT3 is smoother and more composed (131.5-ft, 0.78 g), especially if you’re carrying weight or towing.

  • Which is safer in heavy rain?
    Toyo AT3. It stops shorter (~185 ft, 0.50) versus Ridge’s longer ~203 ft (0.47). Ridge trades wet grip for durability and off-road bite.

  • How do they compare in snow and on ice?
    Toyo AT3 hooks up earlier (74-ft snow stop / 44-ft launch; ~50-ft ice). Ridge needs more room (~78-ft / 47.7-ft; ~55.7-ft ice) and feels out of its element in winter commutes.

  • Which is better off-road?
    Ridge Grappler. It digs harder in dirt/mud and climbs rock with more authority (~9.0/8.5/9.3/9.2). Toyo is better for mixed highway + light trails.

  • Which rides quieter and smoother day-to-day?
    Toyo AT3. It has a lower highway hum (~8/10 comfort). Ridge hums more (~6.8/10), especially above 65 mph.

  • What about towing and heavy loads (¾-ton/1-ton)?
    Toyo AT3. Its LT build tracks straighter and resists squirm when braking under load; Ridge can wander more with tongue weight.

  • How long do they last?
    Both typically see ~45–50k miles with rotations. Toyo tends to wear more evenly and stay quieter; Ridge keeps depth but may cup and get louder late in life.

Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme vs AT2

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Toyo Open Country AT2 and AT2 Extreme are on-road all-terrain tires that are designed for different conditions. While Toyo Open Country AT2 can perform best on the mild off-road and has relatively better on-road manners, Open Country AT2 Extreme can also perfrom very well on severe off-road. Well, it’s a more durable version of Toyo AT2. Yet, its size range is limited to big ones. Does this big guy overperform Open Country AT2? Let’s see!

Open Country AT2 Extreme looks like a beast!

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme has better durability and wear life. That makes it a more commercial tire. Moreover, snow and wet performance are significantly better than regular Open Country AT2. On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT2 offers a smoother ride. Besides that, it’s a less vocal tire. It can serve better on highways.

Note: Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme is the different constructed version of Toyo Open Country AT2. Hence, some dealers (Simpletire, DiscountTire, etc.) sell it under the Toyo Open Country AT2 title. You can check this out the see Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme sizes.

What Application is Best Fit?

Toyo Open Country AT2

  • Mostly spend your time on the road
  • If you living in a dry region
  • Comfort is what are you looking for
  • Mild off-road is enough for you

Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme

  • Commercial usage is your need
  • Durability
  • More aggressive look
  • Better off-road traction
  • Better tread life

Available Sizes

Toyo targets unique traction with the Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme. Therefore, it has a limited size range. You can find it on any rim size but, it is available for over 295-millimeter width. Worth remembering, it is only available in LT sizes.

On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT2 has a wider size range. It is procurable for smaller sizes. You can also find it on passenger metric sizes.

I’ve prepared a comparison table to get a better understanding. You can find it below,

Toyo Open Country AT2 Sizes(P-metric)

16 Inch17 Inch18 Inch20 Inch22 Inch
245/75R16245/70R17255/70R18275/60R20285/45R22 XL
265/70R16265/70R17265/65R18275/55R20
265/65R17275/65R18
265/60R18

Toyo Open Country AT2 Sizes(LT)

16 Inch17 Inch18 Inch20 Inch
LT245/75R16LT245/75R17LT275/70R18LT265/60R20
LT225/75R16LT245/70R17LT275/65R18LT285/60R20
LT265/70R17LT265/70R18LT275/65R20
LT285/70R17
LT235/80R17

Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme Sizes

16 Inch17 Inch18 Inch20 Inch22 Inch
LT295/75R16LT285/75R17LT285/75R18LT295/65R20LT325/50R22
LT315/75R16LT305/70R17LT295/70R18LT295/60R2033X12.50R22LT
LT305/70R1635X12.50R17LTLT285/65R18LT325/60R2035X12.50R22LT
LT325/65R18LT285/55R2037X12.50R22LT
LT325/60R18LT295/55R20
33X12.50R18LTLT305/55R20
35X12.50R18LT35X13.50R20LT
33X12.50R20LT

You can find more detailed information with click the below links.

Tread Appearance

Before I begin, I would like to emphasize one point. These tires serve different purposes. You can consider Toyo Open Country AT2 as all-terrain and Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme as rugged-terrain.

I am totally in love with Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme’s design. Very well placed and big enough center lugs can provide tons of traction. Moreover, its tread depth is deeper than regular Open Country AT2. That’s an advantage on harsh terrains.

Open Country Extreme enhances this advantage with the more aggressive sidewall design. More beefy sidewalls prevent horizontal impacts better than Open Country AT2. Furthermore, it will increase your traction on deep mud, snow, etc.

The only better feature of Open Country AT2 is siping. Siping intensity is well enough to handle wet surfaces(Is it??). That also increases biting capability. 

Toyo Open Country AT2 has a 65000 miles treadlife warranty.

Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme has a 50000 miles treadlife warranty.

Wet Performance

I’ve mentioned it in my previous articles. Toyo Open Country AT2 has some gripping issues on wet. I know this tire has a bunch of sipes on every inch of it. Nevertheless, the stiff compound decrease biting ability. Moreover, center sipes are not going full-depth. That means you will lose traction day after day.

On the other hand, Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme has less siping. But, it covers it with good compound selection.

In summary, I would prefer Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme on wet. Though, if you want to stay on the safe side, I recommend Toyo Open Country AT3(review).

Winter Performance

Due to its wide product range, Toyo Open Country AT2 can be used on smaller vehicles.

Open Country AT2 and AT2 Extreme are not snow-rated tires. Therefore, they will not perform as well as winter tires.

In that case, tread depth and sidewall design will be our deciding points. Well, it is an easy one. Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme the whole day long!

If you are insisting on 3-PMFS marking, you can go with a new-generation tire Toyo Open Country AT3.

Riding Comfort and Noise

Reducing road noise is what Toyo really good at. They generally narrow the void ratio of the center section and sacrifice some off-road traction to get a quieter ride. Well, it works.

Both tires are noticeably quieter than their competitors. You can confidently go with both of them.

Regarding riding comfort, I will go with Toyo Open Country AT2 all the time. A softer compound provides a smoother ride.

Off-Road Performance

Low profile AT2 Exreme's are available on flotation sizes

There is not a big competition in this section. Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme is overperforming Toyo Open Country AT2 on every surface.

Stronger sidewalls, deeper tread, bigger lugs… This tire is designed to work in extreme conditions. Yet, let’s give Toyo Open Country AT2 credit for mild off-road. It does its job.

Towing

I’m gonna be honest. Towing is not the best part of these tires. You might want to check that one as a trustworthy option.

Anyway, Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme is made with a bit more commercial intent. It will work better while towing.

Price

The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.

Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.

Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,

SimpleTire

  • Free shipping
  • Delivered in 2 days
  • Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
  • Mobile installation option
  • 7 million customers since 2021
  • 4.7/5 points on Google rate
  • Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match

Toyo Open Country AT2: https://simpletire.com/brands/toyo-tires/open-country-a-t-ii

Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme: Use the above link and select Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme sizes. The website will show Toyo AT2 Extreme Specs.

DiscountTire

  • Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
  • 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
  • Free rotation and balancing
  • 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchase
  • Highest rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
  • Almost all brands are available
  • Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
  • Frequent discounts and promotions

Toyo Open Country AT2: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/toyo-tire-open-country-a-t-ii

Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme: Use the above link and select Toyo Open Country AT2 Extreme sizes. The website will show Toyo AT2 Extreme Specs.

While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.

Conclusion

If you hover between these two, you should define your operation first. These tires might seem close but they are different indeed.  Open Country Extreme is more commercial and Open Country AT2 is better on the road.

I hope that the comparison was helpful. If you have any further questions, please leave them below. Have a safe ride!