Stock OT Toyo Open Countrys

Clack

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Nov 21, 2024
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Why is the tread depth so shallow? It's like 3/16" off the showroom floor. New ATs are about double.

I'd think most of the tire expense is in the sidewalls and treads. This can't save any real money. Just curious if anyone has an explanation.
 
Why is the tread depth so shallow? It's like 3/16" off the showroom floor. New ATs are about double.

I'd think most of the tire expense is in the sidewalls and treads. This can't save any real money. Just curious if anyone has an explanation.
I might be wrong, but I have heard that the tires they put on new cars from the manufacturer are often softer rubber to improve ride quality and lower tread to decrease road noise in an effort to sell more. I have no idea if that is actually true. Also if you are buying 100,000's of tires maybe less rubber can make a real cost savings?

 
Why is the tread depth so shallow? It's like 3/16" off the showroom floor. New ATs are about double.

I'd think most of the tire expense is in the sidewalls and treads. This can't save any real money. Just curious if anyone has an explanation.
I have 1500 miles on my GX OT+ and they have 3/8", not 3/16. Spec on the Toyo website for the 265/70r18s is 13.3/32.
 
Funny to find this thread: I have 8500 miles on my truck, just left dealership for service/brake pad replace and rotation, driver rear tire blew. My tow truck driver said not uncommon with toyos. I’m going to be ordering duratracs today, I trust those ones more.
 
The GX comes with OEM-spec Toyo AT3 tires that are softer and have shallower tread depths than the standard versions. While this aims for quieter riding and better fuel economy, it gets you poor tread wear (can't remember the exact number, around 300-400 rating compared to 600 for regular AT3s) and questionable durability. (At 11k, I already blew up 2 on some mild trails so I swapped them with Falken Wildpeak AT4ws)
 
The GX comes with OEM-spec Toyo AT3 tires that are softer and have shallower tread depths than the standard versions. While this aims for quieter riding and better fuel economy, it gets you poor tread wear (can't remember the exact number, around 300-400 rating compared to 600 for regular AT3s) and questionable durability. (At 11k, I already blew up 2 on some mild trails so I swapped them with Falken Wildpeak AT4ws)
Mine is not coming in for another few weeks but I'm already looking at other tires. The Wildpeak is highly rated. How do you like them so far?
 
The GX comes with OEM-spec Toyo AT3 tires that are softer and have shallower tread depths than the standard versions. While this aims for quieter riding and better fuel economy, it gets you poor tread wear (can't remember the exact number, around 300-400 rating compared to 600 for regular AT3s) and questionable durability. (At 11k, I already blew up 2 on some mild trails so I swapped them with Falken Wildpeak AT4ws)
Where did you get this information?
 
Where did you get this information?
I can't find the video, but I remember during an interview the chief designer saying that they worked with Toyo to get a special tire for GX that is quieter than the regular ones. Tread depths just measure it, mine was 10/32" when new whereas the regular one on the Toyo website is 13.3/32". The treadwear rating is also written on the sidewall of the tire.

I ran a set of regular Toyo AT3s before on my 4Runner. They were great tires, with good traction on all surfaces except mud (few AT tires do well on mud). Handling was very predictable, once you start losing traction it behaves very progressively and predictably. Also, never got a flat on the trails.

For the AT3s on the GX though, I just don't have confidence in them. Unlike the regular AT3s, on sand wash, they don't have a good on-center feel, possibly due to a softer tire and shallower tread. Also, 2 flats on not even intermediate trails did not feel impressive. The first flat was on the white mountain road, Big Pine, CA. I did not air down but Subarus also made it all the way through without airing down. The second time was on Racetrack Road, Death Valley. I was more careful and aired down to 25psi, still got a flat. Guess what, an Audi Q7 with 20" wheels and KO2s made it without any issue and he did not air down. I wouldn't trust these tires on any extended offroad driving anymore so I got rid of them. That's just my experience with these tires, but YMMV
 
Mine is not coming in for another few weeks but I'm already looking at other tires. The Wildpeak is highly rated. How do you like them so far?
I just got them last week, so could not speak too much. Compared to the stock tires, they have much more beefy treads and sidewalls. On-road handling and dry grip are as good, but they run slightly louder. I think one major complaint is that the Wildpeaks are quite heavy tires, so that may impact the MPG.
 
I had no idea that the stock Toyo Open Country AT3s on the GX550 were a special tire!

I'm running regular Toyo AT3s sized 35 x 12.5 x 17 on my GX. Tread depth when new is a nice 17/32".
 
I can't find the video, but I remember during an interview the chief designer saying that they worked with Toyo to get a special tire for GX that is quieter than the regular ones. Tread depths just measure it, mine was 10/32" when new whereas the regular one on the Toyo website is 13.3/32". The treadwear rating is also written on the sidewall of the tire.

I ran a set of regular Toyo AT3s before on my 4Runner. They were great tires, with good traction on all surfaces except mud (few AT tires do well on mud). Handling was very predictable, once you start losing traction it behaves very progressively and predictably. Also, never got a flat on the trails.

For the AT3s on the GX though, I just don't have confidence in them. Unlike the regular AT3s, on sand wash, they don't have a good on-center feel, possibly due to a softer tire and shallower tread. Also, 2 flats on not even intermediate trails did not feel impressive. The first flat was on the white mountain road, Big Pine, CA. I did not air down but Subarus also made it all the way through without airing down. The second time was on Racetrack Road, Death Valley. I was more careful and aired down to 25psi, still got a flat. Guess what, an Audi Q7 with 20" wheels and KO2s made it without any issue and he did not air down. I wouldn't trust these tires on any extended offroad driving anymore so I got rid of them. That's just my experience with these tires, but YMMV
This is exactly in line w/ my experience. It should be a heavier 10 ply/LT rated tire especially with towing. I got a blow out on the highway without hitting anything. I am so happy overall with this truck, but will be putting duratracs on next year, I can’t justify getting rid of these tires with only 8k miles on them…
 
Toyota did the same thing with the Dunlop Grandtrek tires on my Rav4. Sumitomo Tires created that "special compound rubber" especially for Rav4. They lasted about 28K before they needed replacement. Sounds like Lexus followed suit.
 
I looked on Tire Rack's site at the Toyo Open Country III. Two different tires are available - the OE tire and the regular tire. OE tire has less tread depth, less weight, more siping, higher speed and temperature rating, and lower treadwear rating. And the OE is only available in the one size.

Lotus does the same thing with their OE tires. They have their chosen tire created to their specific specs and even brand them with a special LTS suffix.
 
I looked on Tire Rack's site at the Toyo Open Country III. Two different tires are available - the OE tire and the regular tire. OE tire has less tread depth, less weight, more siping, higher speed and temperature rating, and lower treadwear rating. And the OE is only available in the one size.

Lotus does the same thing with their OE tires. They have their chosen tire created to their specific specs and even brand them with a special LTS suffix.
My complaint aside, I have noticed the siping and pretty darn good handling on ice with the stock toyos (here in VT). Full AT tires will not be AS soft/good on ice, it’s a trade off but getting a blowout on “overtrail” driving is not ideal.
 
I'll put some miles on the OE's and then probably move to a more durable tire. Not excited about a blowout off road. It almost sounds like the OE tire should be more of an on-road/all-terrain tire for light non-pavement work.
 
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