In November 2019 I had the Continential TerrainContact (P-rated) tires (size 275/65 R18) installed on my mostly stock 2014 Land Cruiser (only addition is King Shocks, that's it).
I wrote about how I really liked them here in this post. I would buy them again except that they failed off-road after 22 months.
I replaced them with the Toyo Open Country AT3 (E-rated) tires (size 275/70 R18). I thought I would share my thoughts about the two tires.
Weight
The P-rated TerrainContacts weigh 41 pounds per tire. I like how light they were. They felt great off-the-line accelerating. That being said, I don't mind the weight of the E-rated Open Country AT3s that weigh 53 pounds per tire. Yes I can tell they are a heavier and I have lost some off-the-line punch, but the weight doesn't bother me and I am picky about weight. Before the TerrainContacts I had E-rated General Grabber ATX tires installed that weighed 61 pounds per tire and that weight felt too heavy for my taste and I returned them.
Road Handling
The TerrainContacts feel better on-road than the Open Country AT3s in about every way. However, the Open Country AT3s still do well on-road and I am happy with them.
Road Noise
The TerrainContacts are quiet while the Open Country AT3s have a hum to them. This hum is probably the biggest con for the AT3s in my opinion.
Off Road
The Open Country AT3s have better grip off-road but I never minded the TerrainContacts off-road, except that they failed eventually in the middle of nowhere. With the AT3s the vehicle doesn't slide around as much on dirt road corners at speed. And I have more confidence the AT3s won't leave me stranded - but that is yet to be determined I suppose.
Rain/Snow
It hasn't rained or snowed here yet, so no comments at this point. I will provide an update this winter.
Looks
I think the AT3s look better.
Final Thoughts
I am happy that I got the E-rated Toyo Open Country AT3s. No regrets, I really like them.
For my own learning and experience, I think my next tire will be something like the E-rated Continental TerrainContact or E-rated Yokohoma Geolandar A/T G015 or something comparable with an on-road tread pattern instead of off-road tread pattern. I know that would sacrifice a bit of off-road traction, but I am curious whether that will get me the E-rated durability off-road that I want along with an on-road tread pattern that offers better on-road handling and quietness that I like and where I spend most of my time.
I wrote about how I really liked them here in this post. I would buy them again except that they failed off-road after 22 months.
I replaced them with the Toyo Open Country AT3 (E-rated) tires (size 275/70 R18). I thought I would share my thoughts about the two tires.
Weight
The P-rated TerrainContacts weigh 41 pounds per tire. I like how light they were. They felt great off-the-line accelerating. That being said, I don't mind the weight of the E-rated Open Country AT3s that weigh 53 pounds per tire. Yes I can tell they are a heavier and I have lost some off-the-line punch, but the weight doesn't bother me and I am picky about weight. Before the TerrainContacts I had E-rated General Grabber ATX tires installed that weighed 61 pounds per tire and that weight felt too heavy for my taste and I returned them.
Road Handling
The TerrainContacts feel better on-road than the Open Country AT3s in about every way. However, the Open Country AT3s still do well on-road and I am happy with them.
Road Noise
The TerrainContacts are quiet while the Open Country AT3s have a hum to them. This hum is probably the biggest con for the AT3s in my opinion.
Off Road
The Open Country AT3s have better grip off-road but I never minded the TerrainContacts off-road, except that they failed eventually in the middle of nowhere. With the AT3s the vehicle doesn't slide around as much on dirt road corners at speed. And I have more confidence the AT3s won't leave me stranded - but that is yet to be determined I suppose.
Rain/Snow
It hasn't rained or snowed here yet, so no comments at this point. I will provide an update this winter.
Looks
I think the AT3s look better.
Final Thoughts
I am happy that I got the E-rated Toyo Open Country AT3s. No regrets, I really like them.
For my own learning and experience, I think my next tire will be something like the E-rated Continental TerrainContact or E-rated Yokohoma Geolandar A/T G015 or something comparable with an on-road tread pattern instead of off-road tread pattern. I know that would sacrifice a bit of off-road traction, but I am curious whether that will get me the E-rated durability off-road that I want along with an on-road tread pattern that offers better on-road handling and quietness that I like and where I spend most of my time.