From Rugged to Refined: Toyo Fills In Open Country Line With 2 New Tires

Sept. 12, 2016

Open Country light truck tires account for more than half of Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp.’s consumer tire sales. They may account for even more following the introduction of the Open Country Q/T and C/T.

The Open Country Q/T is a touring all-season tire specially designed for CUVs and SUVs. The Open Country C/T is an on-/off-road commercial grade tire designed to fit 1/2-ton to 1-ton pickups. Toyo says the two new tires fit into the Open Country offerings from “rugged to refined” as follows: M/T to R/T to C/T to A/TII to H/T to Q/T.

Open Country Q/T

The Toyo Open Country Q/T (for Quiet Terrain) offers a quiet, comfortable ride; impressive tread life; and attractive design, according to Toyo. Built for a wide range of vehicles, from CUVs to luxury SUVs, this premium all-season tire also provides confident handling and stability.

Contributing to the quiet ride and all-season performance is a unique tread design with several key features.

  • Silent Wall technology provides a quieter ride by reducing pipe resonance.
  • Four wide circumferential tread grooves improve wet traction by evacuating water.
  • Open lateral slits in the tread also improve water drainage for better wet performance.
  • Multi-wave sipes in the tread blocks minimize irregular wear for a smooth, quiet ride. They also are designed to improve braking on wet and dry roads and they improve light snow traction.

Toyo is backing the Open Country Q/T with a 65,000-mile tread wear warranty and a “45 Days/500 Miles No Regrets” trial offer.

The tire is available in 35 S-, T-, H- and V-rated sizes that fit popular CUVs and SUVs. They range from 215/70R16 100H to P285/45R22 110H.

Toyo Open Country C/T

Toyo says the Open Country C/T (for Commercial Terrain) has all-terrain commercial grade durability, plus a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake, which qualifies it for severe snow conditions. Developed for balanced on- and off-road work, its unique tread design and tough construction deliver long tread life and traction in gravel, mud and snow.

Contrary to its aggressive appearance, the Open Country C/T also provides a quiet, comfortable highway ride.

Durable, three-ply construction and all-weather traction make this tire “ideal for year-round service on work and ranch trucks,” according to the company.

Its innovative tread compound contains high levels of natural rubber and was specifically designed for rough roads and no roads. It helps resist cutting, chipping and stone drilling; at the same time, it remains flexible in lower temperatures.

Tread design features include dual-angle shoulder blocks, which improve traction in snow, mud and rutted roads; and a pinned tread that accepts TSMI #15 studs to aid in ice traction. The Open Country C/T size lineup includes 15 Load Range E OE replacement and flotation sizes ranging from LT235/80R17 120/116Q to LT285/55R20 122/119Q. There is also one Load Range D size, LT275/55R20 115/112Q.

“Our Open Country tires are well known for durability, long tread life, and performance,” says Roy Bromfield, president, Toyo Tire U.S.A. Corp. “The new Open Country Q/T adds refinement to the lineup, while the Open Country C/T expands our commercial grade offerings for light truck owners.

“With this expansion we have a tire for every truck, SUV and CUV owner — and every terrain.”   

About the Author

Bob Ulrich

Bob Ulrich was named Modern Tire Dealer editor in August 2000 and retired in January 2020. He joined the magazine in 1985 as assistant editor, and had been responsible for gathering statistical information for MTD's "Facts Issue" since 1993. He won numerous awards for editorial and feature writing, including five gold medals from the International Automotive Media Association. Bob earned a B.A. in English literature from Ohio Northern University and has a law degree from the University of Akron.