Hi All

Saturday we had some very heavy rain in the Bay Area. Multiple times during the day I the back end of my vehicle sliding/fishtailing when making normal left or right corner turn. It even occurs when I stop first and then make a turn. The first time it happened I was coming off a freeway ramp while turning left on a bend. I almost lost control and I wasn’t going that fast. Obviously this has me very concerned. I never expected to have the problem with my 2016 4Runner TRD pro. The last time I experienced this problem is when I had a R-X7.

So let me give you more info.

I’m running Nitto Terra Graplers on a 17 inch rim. The tires are a little worn but still has decent thread depth. Way more that the head of a quarter. It happens on about 20% of the turns. Even after stopping before a turn. This is the first time I experienced this when it was raining. I did noticed the Slip Traction activating. I could feel the brakes pulsing. Also a couple of times I believe I felt the rear wheels slip when accelerating after being at a complete stop at a red light.

My only guess at this point is that I may have problems with the tires or the 4Runner has a heavy rear end.

Has anyone else had problems with their 4Runner doing this. Any help to resolve this problem would be appreciated.

Thanks

Lay off the gas.

There was more water than the tires could evacuate. It’s not unique to you.

A heavy rear-end would promote traction, not wheel slip.

I was uneasy about the rear end sliding out with only a little throttle when wet but sort of enjoy it now and found my self letting it drift a little on occasion.

It's your tires. Terra Grapplers are notoriously bad in wet conditions. Seems like it's about time for new ones anyway I'd look at something better rated for wet traction.

Going slower in the corners is a good idea too. At least until you get some new rubber.

Terra Grapplers are shit in the rain, and compounded further w/ built up road oil/crud that may have been spread about w/ the rain if it hadn't rained in awhile.

Exactly. I notice that when it hasn't rained in a while and we get a hard rain that the roads get super slick with oil and such coming to the surface. Have definitely lost traction and fish tailed my 4Runners before, especially on hills

Mash the gas, counter steer, and make sure someone is recording you.

Surprised that an AT would suck in rain. Then again my Blizzaks were also crap in the rain, which seems counterintuitive... but I guess siping and water channels aren't the same thing.

I agree it's surprising to me too. Nitto's as a whole aren't rated real well in wet/snow/ice. Something with the rubber compound I think. With all the choices now in AT's many seem to be mediocre performers. It's hard to get a tire to be good off road, on road, in the rain, snow, ice, light in weight, durable, easy balancing, and get 60,000 miles per set. Oh and cheap too. Seems like something always has to give in the effort to balance all those things.

I drove on the freeway (70-75mph) in the Bay Area during the rain this weekend. I have new (2k mi. on them) Duratracs. My truck was very stable. Had Duratracs on my Jeep LJ and never once (in 13 years) broke traction on the asphalt (wet or dry).

Pick up some Wildpeak AT3s SL. Best tire I’ve ever had in the rain, and I’ve ran a lot.

Second this.