As of this writing, trucks and SUVs make up almost 70% of American passenger vehicle sales–and that’s not just crossovers and mommy mobiles, either. That substantial boom in popularity includes traditional, body-on-frame rigs like Jeeps, the beloved Ford Bronco, and a swath of pickups, like my Silverado Z71 Trail Boss, that are designed to mix good on-road manners with real off-road capability. It’s truly incredible how popular trucks, SUVs, and crossovers have become over the past 10 years. Or is it?
The Last American Hero?
I grew up in the Appalachian Mountains, where trucks have always been a primary means of transportation. Despite that, I never fancied myself a truck guy, spending most of my life building fast cars. A few years ago, I decided to pick up this Silverado and caught the 4×4 bug. There are so many things to love about a truck that most modern vehicles simply don’t offer. The comfort, the capability, the status, the personality, and, quite frankly, the aftermarket support that is becoming second to none.
Like most folks who own these things, my truck, designed for off-road use, rarely leaves the pavement. I spend most of my time tooling it around as a comfortable daily driver, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want it to be prepared for when I do go off-road. Luckily, there are companies like Toyo Tires that don’t spend most of their time in grocery store parking lots. Proving that Open Roads Await is more than a slogan, Toyo has spent decades specializing in awesome kit, like these sweet Open Country R/T Pro tires, to make sure any off-road adventure I want to take is sure to be an excellent adventure.
Toyo Open Country R/T Pro
Introduced in the Spring of 2025, the Open Country R/T Pro is a hybrid tire that’s designed to provide a class-leading combination of off-road traction and on-road performance. The term ‘hybrid’ refers to the tire being a mix between the brand’s milder Open Country A/Ts, designed more for the street, and the brand’s more extreme Open Country M/Ts, designed to maximize trail performance. Positioned right in the middle of the family, the Open Country R/T Pro certainly has the ability to get dirty while at the same time offering a livable alternative for vehicles that might not see any kind of severe use on a daily basis. In other words, it was the perfect choice for my daily-driven Silverado.
Now, before you start thinking the Open Country R/T Pro is just fodder for pavement princesses, know that these tires are engineered to perform well in dirt, sand, and rocks. Both mud and snow-rated, they mix an aggressive tread pattern with an omni-directional tread design that features self-cleaning blocks and large, durable shoulder lugs. Every Open Country R/T Pro features a three-ply sidewall, and the tires can be spec-ed in either Load Range E or Load Range F, depending on size. Since this set is just one size up from my Silverado’s factory equipment, they are the more common Load Range E units, which is still a healthy upgrade for a ½-ton truck. Toyo is also kind enough to throw in a 45K-mile warranty, which is a direct testament to the product’s quality since we all know how quickly off-road tires can wear.
What A Difference A Drive Makes
On the day of install, I got plenty of seat time in the truck. The Toyos were mounted up by my old friends at Tire Connection Tire Pros in Black Mountain, North Carolina. By the time I fought traffic there and back, it was a solid four to five-hour trip. On the trip there, the truck still had its factory Goodyear Wrangler Territory MTs, which were harsh, loud, and basically worn out. What I immediately noticed on the drive back was a much smoother ride and much less road noise.
Yes, the Open Country R/T Pros are off-road tires, so you’re going to have a bit of road noise. I tend to think of it in much the same way I think of gloriously loud exhaust: a charming ode to the true believers. But overall, the Toyos are much quieter than the Goodyears ever were, and that says a lot considering their increased size and aggressive tread.
Overall, the truck feels much more composed, shrugging off even severe bumps with just a thud. No doubt some of that stability comes at a price, since the Open Country R/T Pros, measuring in at 275/65R20, are a bigger and heavier tire than the Goodyears. But, being an enthusiast who already spends a lot of time feeding V8s at gas stations, I’ll take the small tradeoff in efficiency.
The traction advantages are a no-brainer. So far, the Toyos have felt planted on every surface I’ve hit. While the Goodyears were worn out, they had always experienced traction issues on wet pavement. That said, since the south is currently suffering one of the worst droughts on record, I really haven’t had that much of a chance to play with the Toyos in the rain.
The Biggest And Best Differences
Given that the Open Country R/T Pros are bigger and heavier, you’re probably going to call me out for this one. But, here goes: the biggest difference I feel in the truck is much lighter steering. I know that seems crazy, but it just feels like the truck turns better after we installed the Toyos. Maybe it’s because the Goodyears were very worn and certainly ready to be replaced. Maybe it’s because I’m running 50 psi cold pressure, which isn’t uncommon for Load Range E tires. Maybe it’s because I’ve added a level kit. Or maybe it’s just a simple difference in tread patterns. Whatever the case may be, it’s a welcome change.
In addition to the added performance, the tires look great and achieved the exact presence I envisioned for my Silverado with minimal investment. My goal was to max out the truck’s stance and ability without performing any serious suspension modifications. Why, you ask? Because I build cars. This is a fun daily driver, not a project, and that’s something I think most truck owners can relate to.
With a simple level kit and a set of premium Toyo Tires, I have a very stylish truck that sits a solid three inches higher than a factory 4×4 and doesn’t rub at all–not even at full lock. That’s in addition to towing well, hauling well, and having some pretty serious chops in the dirt. It’s really the perfect compromise, and a testament to why these vehicles and companies like Toyo Tires, continue to explode in popularity.
Most trucks will spend their lives on the street. That’s just reality. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be ready for more. With the right setup, you can have something that’s comfortable, capable, and looks exactly the way you want it to.
The Open Country R/T Pro proves that you don’t need to go full build, tear into the suspension, or turn your daily driver into a science project to get something that looks right, drives better, and is actually more capable. The tire brings real off-road credibility without turning your rig into something you hate driving every day. The tires clean up the ride, improve the feel, and add a level of confidence that makes you actually want to take the long way home, or at least not think twice about where the pavement ends.
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