Toyo Open Country AT3 and Toyo Open Country R/T Trail are both well-regarded all-terrain tire choices designed for light trucks and SUVs. While the Toyo Open Country AT3 has already established its reputation for versatility in various driving conditions, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is a newer entrant into this category, promising enhanced off-road performance. In this article, we’ll delve into the distinctions between these two Toyo tire models, shedding light on their unique features and characteristics. Let’s get started!
At a Glance
| Toyo Open Country AT3 | Toyo Open Country R/T Trail | |
|---|---|---|
| Better for | the regions see snow often, daily driving, 1/2 ton pickups and SUVs | Dry regions, 3/4 ton or above trucks, Towing or hauling in warm regions |
| Pros | Wet performance, Road noise, Reliable towing on wet or snow | Extended off-road capability, Year-round performance for 3/4 ton or above trucks, Towing capability |
| Cons | Mud performance could be better | Doesn’t have 3PMSF (It’s more important for SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks), Wear quicker |
| Available on | DiscountTire: Check Price TireRack: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price | DiscountTire: Check Price SimpleTire: Check Price Amazon: Check Price |
In summary, both the Toyo Open Country AT3 and Toyo Open Country R/T Trail share similar tire construction, offering a smooth driving experience. However, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is slightly quieter and boasts better longevity due to its stiffer compound. In contrast, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail excels in mud and snow traction thanks to its outstanding evacuating capability, making it a good option for 3/4 ton or larger trucks in snowy conditions, despite lacking the 3PMSF marking. Both tires provide reliable wet performance, but drivers should exercise caution with hydroplaning when using the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail.
Dry Performance
Dry performance is a critical aspect of all-terrain tires, and it primarily hinges on their handling capabilities rather than just dry traction. Therefore, it’s essential to assess factors like steering response and cornering stability to gauge their performance.
It’s worth noting that both of these tires offer excellent grip on dry roads, thanks to their abundance of biting edges. However, when we delve deeper into factors like responsiveness and stability, we begin to see distinctions between them.
Cornering Stability
Cornering stability in all-terrain tires is closely tied to the load-carrying capability of the sidewalls. Strong sidewalls and robust shoulder blocks play a pivotal role in achieving stability.
Both the Toyo Open Country AT3 and the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail come equipped with 3-ply sidewalls for E and F-rated sizes, which is a testament to their durability. However, there’s a notable distinction to consider.
The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail, designed for more demanding conditions and heavier vehicles, boasts stiff sidewalls. Additionally, it’s almost 0.5 inches wider compared to the Open Country AT3, which further enhances its stability, particularly for 3/4 ton or larger vehicles.
While both tires deliver an excellent level of cornering stability, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail emerges as the superior choice for 3/4 ton or larger vehicles.
Steering Response
Steering response in all-terrain tires can be influenced by multiple factors. While robust sidewalls can contribute to quicker response, wider tires tend to offer a slower steering response.
In comparing the Toyo Open Country AT3 and the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail, the AT3 takes a narrower stance. Additionally, the center section of the AT3 features a more compact and interlocked design. In contrast, the R/T Trail boasts a variable pitch design that prioritizes riding comfort over responsiveness.
In summary, for drivers who favor an aggressive driving style, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is the recommended choice, particularly for owners of 1/2-ton trucks and SUVs. On the other hand, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail caters to those seeking enhanced off-road traction.
Wet Performance
Wet performance in off-road tires can be a multifaceted consideration, with hydroplaning resistance being a key factor. Hydroplaning, often experienced as a floating sensation while driving through puddles, occurs when water becomes trapped within the tire’s tread, causing a loss of contact with the road. To mitigate this, tires must effectively evacuate water as they roll.
While the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is slightly wider for most sizes compared to the Toyo Open Country AT3, the difference is relatively minor. Therefore, in terms of hydroplaning resistance, the width of the tires is not a significant factor. Instead, effective water evacuation is crucial.
Circumferential grooves play a crucial role in directing water away from the tire’s path. Both tires feature such grooves, which is advantageous. However, the variable pitch design of the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail incorporates large lugs, and while it has well-placed deep and wide notches, this design can make the tire more prone to hydroplaning at high speeds. This is one reason why the Toyo Open Country AT3 is available with higher-speed ratings.
In terms of hydroplaning resistance, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is slightly superior. Wet traction is another vital aspect, influenced by sipe density and compound stiffness. The Toyo Open Country AT3’s tread is well-siped, while the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail boasts a slightly softer compound, striking a balance between the two.
Overall, both the Toyo Open Country AT3 and the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail deliver satisfactory wet performance. If wet traction is a top priority, P-metric sizes are recommended. For those requiring LT tires and residing in harsh winter conditions, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is the preferable choice.
Note: Hydroplaning is vital for a safe ride under the pouring rain. However, it might occur even with the best tire. Maybe you can’t prevent it but if you know what it is and how to deal with it, you can easily stay on the safe side.
Here is an extremely efficient guide about ‘How to Deal with Hydroplaning?‘ –> https://www.discounttire.com/learn/hydroplaning
Snow/Winter Performance
Snow and winter performance can be quite complex, especially when considering ice traction. Achieving effective ice traction with all-terrain or rugged-terrain tires can be challenging due to limited contact surface and stiffer tire compounds.
The 3PMSF symbol, which signifies performance on medium-packed snow, is highly recommended for winter tires. However, it’s important to note that deep snow performance is a different challenge.
The Toyo Open Country AT3 holds an advantage in mild winter conditions because of its 3PMSF marking. However, the design of the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail, with its excellent self-cleaning capabilities and relatively soft compound, brings it closer to the AT3’s performance.
Both tires excel in deep snow conditions, thanks to their self-cleaning abilities, aggressive patterns, and sidewall biters. They offer reliable traction in such conditions.
When it comes to ice, the Toyo Open Country AT3 shines, particularly for SUVs and half-ton trucks. It features more siping and greater contact patch coverage. The fluffier compound of the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail can handle icy conditions well, especially for three-quarter-ton or one-ton trucks.
Overall, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is the superior winter and snow tire. However, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail could be a viable option for three-quarter-ton or heavier pickup trucks.
Riding Comfort
Riding comfort is closely tied to the uniformity of a tire, and wide and large mud-terrain tires often sacrifice comfort for other performance attributes.
In this regard, both the Toyo Open Country AT3 and Toyo Open Country R/T Trail, with their similar construction, offer decent options for riding comfort. The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail benefits from its three-variable pitch pattern, contributing to a smoother ride. On the other hand, the Toyo Open Country AT3 provides comfort through its relatively more flexible sidewalls and evenly distributed void area.
Overall, both tires offer a high level of riding comfort.
Road Noise
The lug-type pattern of all-terrain tires often contributes to increased road noise compared to all-season or highway terrain tires. Transitioning from these quieter tire types, you should expect some increase in noise.
However, there are ways to mitigate road noise caused by these tires, primarily by reducing the void area in the center section of the tread. In this regard, the interlocked center section of the Toyo Open Country AT3 offers a slight advantage.
Additionally, road noise can result from the lugs contacting the road surface. To minimize this, the tire should maintain consistent contact with the road, and the variable pitch design of the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail helps in this aspect. While this may not significantly impact SUVs or 1/2 ton trucks, it can be more noticeable on larger vehicles, giving Toyo Open Country R/T Trail a slight edge in this context.
Overall, both tires generate some noise, with the Toyo Open Country AT3 being recommended for SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks, while the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail offers a slight advantage for larger vehicles in terms of noise reduction.
A side note here: Even though some tires tend to make noise because of their tread patterns, it’s still possible to keep your tire noise down.
I’m leaving a perfect explanation below from DiscountTire for those who need it;
How to Keep Tire Noise Down? –>
https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-noise
Tread Life
Tread life can vary depending on the vehicle and driving conditions. While it’s challenging to provide specific figures, I can offer guidance on the best usage scenarios and what to expect from these tires.
Toyo Open Country AT3, with its stiffer compound and evenly distributed void area, has an advantage when it comes to longevity. This makes it an excellent choice, especially for SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks. However, for larger vehicles, the presence of more sipes can lead to increased wear on the highway, so Toyo Open Country AT3 might have a slight disadvantage in this context.
In summary, Toyo Open Country AT3 generally offers longer tread life. On the other hand, Toyo Open Country R/T Trail could be a good option for Jeeps and pickup trucks seeking a more aggressive tread pattern.
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:
Warranty
Toyo provides a 500-mile/45-day trial period for both of its products, allowing customers to test their performance. Additionally, Toyo Open Country AT3 comes with a treadwear warranty, offering coverage for:
- P/Euro-Metric Sizes: 65,000 miles
- LT and Flotation Sizes: 50,000 miles
Fuel Efficiency
Toyo Open Country AT3 and Toyo Open Country R/T Trail have a similar carcass design, resulting in nearly identical weights for shared sizes. When it comes to fuel efficiency, several factors come into play, including weight, compound stiffness, and tread pattern, which collectively contribute to rolling resistance.
In the context of rolling resistance, Toyo Open Country AT3 is a better choice for smaller vehicles. However, the siped pattern of Toyo Open Country AT3 could potentially provide a slight increase in MPG for 3/4 ton or above pickup trucks. Nevertheless, the difference in fuel efficiency between the two tires isn’t substantial.
Off-Road Performance
Toyo Open Country R/T Trail excels in off-road performance, making it the clear winner in this category. Both tires offer excellent gravel traction, thanks to their cut-and-chip resistant compounds, aggressive patterns, and sturdy sidewalls that resist external damage. Additionally, they both feature stone ejector blocks that protect the tread and maintain consistent gravel traction.
When it comes to dirt, the self-cleaning capability of the Toyo R/T Trail is impressive. However, the higher sipe density of the Toyo Open Country AT3 provides an advantage, especially in mild dirt conditions. In conclusion, both tires perform well on dirt terrain.
Mud is where the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail outperforms the Toyo Open Country AT3. Its wider void area and variable pitch design work together to effectively handle muddy conditions. While the Toyo Open Country AT3 performs decently in mud, it may wear more quickly.
Lastly, on rocky terrains, the more aggressive pattern of the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is particularly beneficial, especially on sloping surfaces. However, it’s worth noting that the Toyo Open Country AT3 still performs well in rocky conditions, although it may experience faster wear.
In summary, if you want to enhance your off-road capability, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is an excellent choice. On the other hand, the Toyo Open Country AT3 remains a solid option for occasional off-road adventures.
Conclusion
Toyo Open Country AT3 and Toyo Open Country R/T Trail both exhibit excellent on-road performance characteristics. While the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is primarily recommended for 3/4 ton or larger vehicles, owners of 1/2 ton trucks and SUVs can opt for the Toyo Open Country AT3 if they don’t engage in severe off-roading activities.
Take-Home Points,
- LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
- XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
- Please pay attention to the load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
- There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires
A side note here: If you’d like to get local advice and find the best fit for your driving habits, location, and road conditions DiscountTire – Treadwell Tire Guide can give you masterpiece recommendations.
I hope the article was helpful. If you have any further questions, please leave a comment below. Have a safe ride folks!
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