Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Toyo MT vs Toyo AT2

Anyone want to chime in on their experience with either tire? I am considering one of them to go on a 2500HD diesel that tows a travel trailer around 5,000 miles per year. I like the looks of the MT but am concerned about noise and longevity.

I have the MT on my 2500 GMC. So far so good although they are noisier than any AT I have tried so far, but not bad. I have used them while towing as 26' trailer though shallow mud. Never experianced a slip. It was like I was on solid ground. My brother talked me in the MTs and the owner of the garage where I had them put on was skeptical until he tried them. He said they are on his tow rig now and he likes them very much.

With the new milage rating on the ATs I am tempted to try them, but I have had such good luck with Firestone Destination ATs I have a hard time switching.

Thanks for the feedback.

Not interested in the M55?

I am but my truck came with 20x8.5 inch stock wheels. Factory size is 265/60r20's load range E. I can run either 285/55r20's, 295/55r20's, or 285/60r20's without cutting major sheet metal on the truck. The M55's don't come in 20's, and most MT's that do come in 20's don't come in my size. 35x12.5r20's are too big.

My buddy's Ford is the same way, he loves the M55 as much as I do but his F150 4x4 came from the factory with ghetto lo-rider wheels in a size that won't take an M55.

I got 3 flats with Goodyear Wranglers on gravel and switched to the M55. No problems with that rig since and the M55 were great. This year got a 2500 GMC 4x4 with new Kelly tires and thought I could wear them down without needing the M55 for awhile since I'm hunting off nice gravel roads, not rough trails. Nope... got a flat a few weeks ago. M55 tires were put on. Very popular tire around here for ranching, hunting, logging, surveying, etc. Everyone I talk to that uses them wouldn't switch to any other tire including the M/T. The M/T looks cool, but I don't like mudders in snow. Most people that have tried both have said the same... the M55 is better in snow and ice.

When the GMC got its flat, I put the M55 on right away. This was in rural NE Oregon. What tires did the tow truck driver use? M55! After he dropped us off, he bought some used M55 for his rigs. What did the guy at the tire shop use for his 4x4? M55. When I asked if they had them in-stock, he said "I'm positive." I wasn't confident, but then again if they didn't have them the loggers, ranchers, etc. would be going elsewhere for tires!

If I bought a rig that wouldn't fit an M55, I'd sell those wheels and get ones that did! I haven't done much tire research lately, but the only other tire I considered was the Cooper Discoverer. Whichever one has similar construction to the M55 (7-ply tread, 3-ply sidewall).

Forgot to mention that OR, WA, and ID seem a little unique in terms of the gravel roads here. I've heard that the crushed gravel is sharper. I'm not a geologist but people claim that its some type of volcanic, granite, whatever, but it slices tires. I think the gravel gets stuck between the tread, then another rock literally punches it through.

Even dudes that don't hunt but go sightseeing or towing their ATVs have gotten flats. I think everyone at my work that has ventured off pavement has a gravel road story that ended with a flat.

There are probably other tires just as good as an M55, and maybe the M55 is overkill but I don't like flats in the boonies. I hammer the gravel roads and trails, so I'm extra hard on my tires too. Where you live it might not require really tough tires since there are downsides to them (cost, weight, noise, etc.).

Yes, the m55's look great. I HAVE to run 17's or above, and there is only one M55 size that would fit (I don't want to go smaller). Snow is not really an issue for me. General gravel, dirt, and very occasional mud is. Truthfully, I spend most of my time on the road, and I know the AT is better than the MT, but lots of guys report good mileage and low noise out of the MT.

Thanks for the input and I welcome any additional input on the above two.

Not the above two tires, but I'm approaching 5000 miles on my Cooper ST Maxx tires. I really am impressed so far. I am really looking forward to winter and heading up the snowy Montana mountains. mtmuley

Yep, cooper doesn't make 20's in my size.

I thought the HD trucks came with 17" or 18" wheels. Are these 20" wheels aftermarket and something you can sell and go back to a more "normal" size? You can find factory wheels pretty cheap at times.

They are factory stock. It is a 2011 Chevy 2500HD LTZ Duramax with the "20 inch option". It was the only option on the truck I didn't really want, but the rest of the truck was what I wanted. All the other trucks near me at the time that were setup the way I wanted had the 20" option on them. I will give them this, the wheels are very good looking...5 star polished aluminum. Everyone that sees them just loves them, including the wife.

Given my druthers, I would prefer 17 or 18 inch wheels for the cheaper tires and a bit more sidewall, but I don't really want to buy new wheels AND new tires. I suppose I could sell the old wheels, as they are really in demand on some of the forums, but that is a PITA to me.

There are a fairly good selection of 20" tires that fit, Toyo AT2 and MT, Michelin, Mickey Thompson, Dick Cepek, Goodyear, Hankook and BFG all make a size that fits. It's a shame that 35" tires don't fit without extensive sheet metal mods, as there are a bunch of tires in that size. It is more of a tow rig and dirt road runner than a true off road truck for me, so I am not too concerned about beating up the 20's.

A friend of mine just put a set of Cooper AT3s on his truck. I know they are 20s. Another one to look at maybe. mtmuley

I know a lot of local guys debate the M55 vs Toyo M/T. Most other tires rate second tier to them. But we have a local dealer in every part of the state that sells a lot of both, so that might skew the opinions compared to other brands.

If I couldn't run the M55, I'd consider the M/T based on what others have told me. I'd also look at the Goodyears with Kevlar, but they are newer and somewhat less proven I suppose.

From 4Wheeler (remember they are trail biased):

Toyo Open Country M/T
They�re as quiet as a set of aggressive all-terrain tires and they roll smooth, round, and true. After a couple thousand miles the noise level increased slightly. Wet weather performance was very good, as predictable and grippy as the Toyo Open Country A/T, but with better standing-water performance. You can successfully hit dirt trails, hills, climbs, mud, and very moderate rock at street pressure. The treads have a lot of siping that opens up the blocks and really helps the tires pull without breaking loose and spinning. They�re a good tow rig tire if you want traction without the hassle of airing down when rolling into an off-road campsite. The Toyo M/T has good lateral grip on loose soils and even in mud. On a lighter vehicle you�ll find that you need to air the tires down into the single digits in serious rocky terrain.
Rating
Street: 3 stars
Heavy Rock: 4 stars
Sand: 3 stars
Snow: 3 stars
Mud: 3 stars
Ice: 3 stars

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/wheels-tires/129-1204-4x4-tire-guide/

I have the Toyo ATs and after almost 50k mi in just a year and a half I still have 50% tread left. They checked it at my last rotation. I have a 1/2ton 4wd that I use as my work truck, always loaded down heavy. Also pull a 22ft Blue Wave fairly often. Been more than pleased with these tires.

Forgot to mention mine are 285/17's, 8 ply, drive a lot of oilfield roads for work. Big chunk rock that's tough on tires. Toyos have held up.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate t.