Toyo Open Country Tire Post-Mortem

[mdoyle]

I've been running Toyo Open Country MT 35/12.5/17 tires since I posted about them a couple of years ago; well here's the final verdict:

Not happy! Initially they looked really cool and while the road noise was not as bad as it could have been with other aggressive MT tires, what finally failed really hacked me off.

One tire developed a crack that ran between the tread blocks in a consistent ring that was inset from the sidewall about 2 inches. There were plenty of other cracks between tread blocks, but this one was almost like a belt inside was misaligned and worse yet- IT LEAKED, badly.

I did the regular tire rotation, and kept them at rated pressure (65 psi) which wasn't a problem since they didn't leak, until that one started. Then it was a daily battle while I looked for the best deal on a new set of tires.

Now I'm back to the stock TA/KO's and what a difference- incredibly smooth ride and so quiet. I really didn't realize how much I'd sacrificed to have a cooler looking tire.

Take it my opinion for what it's worth, aside from the personal preference at what you'll tolerate with road noise and ride, the Toyo's were a major disappointment when they started to crumble and crack all to hell. In the end they were like an old tractor tire that's been in the field for a dozen years, which shouldn't have happened over the span of several months.

[Scarsman]

Do you have any pictures? SOunds like an isolated problem. When I worked in tires I probably saw close to 1000 of these tires go from new to worn smooth and I never saw one do what you are describing. Did you try to take to a dealer and see if they would give you any credit under warranty?

No disrespect, I am not challenging your opinion, just comparing your experience to wht I have seen myself.

And you are right, no matter how quiet the Toyo runs for a traction tire, the TA/KO is way smoother and quieter. It's all in what you want. I have actually been quite impressed with the stock tires on mine offroad. Granted so far it has been dry when I have been out. I know they will suffer when it gets wet and muddy.

[mdoyle]

Good re: documenting the failure. I figured since they were worn, they would be pro-rated out to nothing, so I didn't bother.

Also, it seems like Toyo's have been drying up around here supply-wise. Two of the independent dealers I spoke to in town said they weren't available from their source. I also noticed Tirerack.com doesn't carry them anymore.

In the end, I figured I'd gotten enough service out of them to be done with them and didn't want the hassle of going through a claim.

As for the perimeter crack, it was really odd and I can't point to a single event that would have caused such an even failure. There was never any over-speed, road hazard, or neglect, especially one that would cause such an even failure around the entire circumference of the tire.

It was bad enough that as a last resort I put Tire Slime in, and it leaked out at several points along the crack, coating the inside of the wheel well.

[OrangeCrush]

Having had lifted vehicles for at least the last 10 years, I've gone through my share of different brand tires.

You must have gotten a bad set. I'm on my 4-5th set of toyos and rotate them every 5K miles. I've never had any issues.

I don't know if it makes a difference but not in any of my lifted vehicles have I run 65psi. I run about 45psi and the tires wear evenly till they're wasted.

Like I said, not sure if you got a bad set or perhaps the air pressure may have had something to do with it.

Mark

[Scarsman]

Yes, I forgot the air pressure. The rating listed on the side is the maximum pressure for tire if it is carrying the maximum weight the tire is capable of carrying, which the Hummer is not. Running 65 psi would surely cause some wear and ride issues. It shouldn't cause the tire to split though. I would pretty much guarantee that tire had a defect.

[HumminNBoatin']

65 is way too high. This is a MUD tire not a road tire.

[seventwozero]

Originally Posted by HumminNBoatin'

65 is way too high. This is a MUD tire not a road tire.

What PSI do you run on yours?

[NJ H2]

Originally Posted by mdoyle

I've been running Toyo Open Country MT 35/12.5/17 tires since I posted about them a couple of years ago; well here's the final verdict:

Not happy! .

x2
The TOYO OC MT's on my rig will be my last set

[Scarsman]

Originally Posted by seventwozero

What PSI do you run on yours?

I would run 40 psi. The other thing with the Toyo MTs is they have really stiff sidewalls so they can actually run a little lower than a comparable tire. You could probably run 35 psi and be fine.

[mdoyle]

I ran mine at 65 psi which probably accounted for the road noise and ride issues to a point. As for the set, only one tire had the circumference failure, the other three were just fine.

[Kuuner]

I have well over 20,000 on my Toyo's on my H2 and didn't get more than 10,000 off my Nitto Mud Grapplers on my F250...and they cost more!

I like the look of the Nitto's better but, am pleased with what my Toyo's have given me.