Continental TerrainContact A/T

[Couvi]

Keep in mind pressures will need to be much higher with LT rated tires. On a 200 series LC, recommended pressure goes from 33 psi on P rated to 45 psi for LT rated in 265/65R18. I would expect a similar increase in recommended pressure for your 100. Your ride quality will suffer meaningfully from the pressures, in addition to the unsprung weight.

If you think you need LT tires for dealing with sharp rocks, go for it. But there are plenty of well reviewed, more aggressive tires in a P rating, like Toyo Open County III, Cooper Discoverer AT3, Nitto Ridge Grappler, etc. Personally I wouldn’t move to LT rated AT tires for occasional “mild off roading”.

All good points, I appreciate the info.

 

[Josh06LX]

I've been digging for days trying to gather all this information, and here it is all buttoned up in one thread! Thanks for the tedious documentation! Unfortunate about the blow out but glad you made it out in one piece. I'm going with the Continentals!

 

[Couvi]

I've been digging for days trying to gather all this information, and here it is all buttoned up in one thread! Thanks for the tedious documentation! Unfortunate about the blow out but glad you made it out in one piece. I'm going with the Continentals!

I’m glad this thread was helpful. The Terrain Contacts were great tires. If not for the blowout, I’d have been able to get 60/65k out of them I believe.

 

[vjpkrmnc]

I’m glad this thread was helpful. The Terrain Contacts were great tires. If not for the blowout, I’d have been able to get 60/65k out of them I believe.

Thanks for the long term test. Did you end up with Firestones then?

 

[Couvi]

Thanks for the long term test. Did you end up with Firestones then?

My pleasure. I’m still running my spare and trying to decide what to get. Right now, I’m leaning on the Toyo Open Country AT IIIs in the 265/70R18s, p metric weight.

 

[Couvi]

Ok, I think my thread here is coming to an end. I ordered a set of Toyo Open Country AT IIIs, having them installed tomorrow. Got the 265/70R18s, a little taller and narrower than what I’ve been using, I may start another thread and review them, we’ll see.

 

[kevin2i]

Ok, I think my thread here is coming to an end. I ordered a set of Toyo Open Country AT IIIs, having them installed tomorrow. Got the 265/70R18s, a little taller and narrower than what I’ve been using, I may start another thread and review them, we’ll see.

Great thread. Thinking about these - currently running Michelin LTX Defenders - LT265/70/18. Might want to go 275/65’s. I like the ride of the LT’s but they are harsh on rough roads and slow the vehicle down. Driving mode has changed from mostly flat (Florida to New Orleans) to mountain driving (Florida to North Carolina). I blew out several BFG P rated tires, so moved to LT’s (on warranty - Michelin owns BFG). Motorcycle on a hitch carrier adds extra stress on the tires so debating if I should stick with LT’s.

Toyo Open Country AT III’s are on my list, but to be honest usage 98% pavement miles - the motorcycle is for off-road stuff. More important is performance in mountain driving. And mileage, interstate traffic is 75-80 in the southeast - (85 or 8mph thru atlanta ) Getting about 14mpg’s if I hold it just under 80, 10mpg over 85

Curious how the ATIII’s compare to the Conti’s.

110k on the Michelin - which are just approaching the wear bar. Overall great tire, a little slippery in the rain, seems ok in snow, but not snow rated and don’t like Ice. That said, for a passenger tire, the Defender’s have been pretty amazing in rocks/gravel/light mud.

 

[Couvi]

Great thread. Thinking about these - currently running Michelin LTX Defenders - LT265/70/18. Might want to go 275/65’s. I like the ride of the LT’s but they are harsh on rough roads and slow the vehicle down. Driving mode has changed from mostly flat (Florida to New Orleans) to mountain driving (Florida to North Carolina). I blew out several BFG P rated tires, so moved to LT’s (on warranty - Michelin owns BFG). Motorcycle on a hitch carrier adds extra stress on the tires so debating if I should stick with LT’s.

Toyo Open Country AT III’s are on my list, but to be honest usage 98% pavement miles - the motorcycle is for off-road stuff. More important is performance in mountain driving. And mileage, interstate traffic is 75-80 in the southeast - (85 or 8mph thru atlanta ) Getting about 14mpg’s if I hold it just under 80, 10mpg over 85

Curious how the ATIII’s compare to the Conti’s.

110k on the Michelin - which are just approaching the wear bar. Overall great tire, a little slippery in the rain, seems ok in snow, but not snow rated and don’t like Ice. That said, for a passenger tire, the Defender’s have been pretty amazing in rocks/gravel/light mud.

The Continentals are great tires. I had no issues with them, and they performed very well over the 55k I had them on the Land Cruiser. My use, as stated, is mostly road/highway with some gravel roads in there as well. They were also very sure-footed in the rain and on some of the moderate amount of ice and snow I tested them on.

The new Toyos I put on are passenger rated as well, 265/70/18s (32.5") – about 44 lbs per tire compared to 40lbs on the Terrain Contacts. They do ride well on the road, noise is minimal, there's a slight hum but not too noticeable (can't hear at all with music on) and the ride is smooth – not quite as smooth as the Continentals, but it's a nice ride. Gas mileage has taken a little hit (maybe the way I'm calculating since tire is taller). Overall, I'm liking them. Curious why you're thinking of going to the 275/65's.

 

[Cetus]

The Continentals are great tires. I had no issues with them, and they performed very well over the 55k I had them on the Land Cruiser. My use, as stated, is mostly road/highway with some gravel roads in there as well. They were also very sure-footed in the rain and on some of the moderate amount of ice and snow I tested them on.

The new Toyos I put on are passenger rated as well, 265/70/18s (32.5") – about 44 lbs per tire compared to 40lbs on the Terrain Contacts. They do ride well on the road, noise is minimal, there's a slight hum but not too noticeable (can't hear at all with music on) and the ride is smooth – not quite as smooth as the Continentals, but it's a nice ride. Gas mileage has taken a little hit (maybe the way I'm calculating since tire is taller). Overall, I'm liking them. Curious why you're thinking of going to the 275/65's.

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How would you compare the Toyos to the Continentals? Which one you like more?

 

[Couvi]

How would you compare the Toyos to the Continentals? Which one you like more?

I’d say the Continentals are a mild AT tire, whereas the Toyos are a true AT tire — they have a much more aggressive, deeper tread pattern.

 

[thammer62]

I love these long-term tests and honest feedback threads. Link the Toyo follow along thread here if you start one. I anticipate these being my next set but tbd.

And If I haven’t said before, I love your truck. Understated yet clearly fully capable. Very clean look. Respect.

What cross bars are those and did you notice wind noise increase after install?

 

[Couvi]

I love these long-term tests and honest feedback threads. Link the Toyo follow along thread here if you start one. I anticipate these being my next set but tbd.

And If I haven’t said before, I love your truck. Understated yet clearly fully capable. Very clean look. Respect.

What cross bars are those and did you notice wind noise increase after install?

Thank you, I really appreciate your comments and have enjoyed keeping this thread updated the last few years. If I had to say, the Continentals are probably a better fit for the type of driving I do, but I like to change things up.

I got the crossbars off of Amazon, they’re a fairly inexpensive set, but pretty sturdy. Last summer I hauled a couple hundred pounds of landscape timbers up there and they did fine. There was wind noise when I first installed them, but after wrapping the front one with a piece of paracord, it’s pretty much silent, no whistling.

 

[hustlinflip]

Hey guys, long time lurker and I appreciate informative posts like this!

If anyone is looking for a good deal on these in LT285/70/17, found these locally here in Maryland:

New Continental Terrian Contact A/T Tires 285/70/17 Load E - auto...

For sale is a set of brand new Continental Terrain Contact A/T tires in size 285/70/17 Load E. $850 cash (retails for over $1k). Located in Upper Marlboro.

washingtondc.craigslist.org

Want to grab them for my rig, but debating on going with a 18” wheel setup.

 

[JohnPW]

Hey guys, long time lurker and I appreciate informative posts like this!

If anyone is looking for a good deal on these in LT285/70/17, found these locally here in Maryland:

New Continental Terrian Contact A/T Tires 285/70/17 Load E - auto...

For sale is a set of brand new Continental Terrain Contact A/T tires in size 285/70/17 Load E. $850 cash (retails for over $1k). Located in Upper Marlboro.

washingtondc.craigslist.org

Want to grab them for my rig, but debating on going with a 18” wheel setup.

Be aware that they are a heavy tire with high rolling resistance in the LT version. They may have a bigger mileage hit than other choices, or versus the P rated version of the TerrainContact.

 

[kevin2i]

Curious why you're thinking of going to the 275/65's.

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[/QUOTE]
More options in the 275/65 options. Mountain road handling is first priority (not helped with mild lift and 350 lbs on bumper carrier) My 98 is under-geared with the 265/70’s, it slows down on shift. I like the taller tire, but want some performance back. Trying to find lower weight than LT’s. Just got a 2004 with stock 275/60’s - sure does drive nice compared to the 98. Might mix it up with new 17” rims, but that is another story . . . The conti’s or toyo’s will be on one of them (265/70’s).