Nitto Ridge Grappler?

[Decipher]

Why did you go away from the K02?

If you’re between the two and snow performance isn’t a high priority I’d say go with the RG.

I have friends still running the KO2 and they have all the issues reported by others...an extreme drop in wet and snow performance at around the 20,000 mile mark. The rubber gets super hard.

I got rid of the KO2 because I was never fully impressed by their performance. They did okay in all conditions but they never impressed me. I decided to sell them and get some money back before they got bad, so I ditched them at 5,000 miles. I really wish the RGs did better in the snow but they just don’t.

There’s a video on YouTube of a guy who is unable to climb a small off-road hill that’s snow covered. The RGs also measures smaller than advertised in height and width. I wanted to love the RG and I still feel like they’re a better tire than the KO2. The KO2 does better in snow but that’s it. The RG was better under every other condition and you also get better long term performance per reports.


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[Yota Inc.]

If you’re between the two and snow performance isn’t a high priority I’d say go with the RG.

I have friends still running the KO2 and they have all the issues reported by others...an extreme drop in wet and snow performance at around the 20,000 mile mark. The rubber gets super hard.

I got rid of the KO2 because I was never fully impressed by their performance. They did okay in all conditions but they never impressed me. I decided to sell them and get some money back before they got bad, so I ditched them at 5,000 miles. I really wish the RGs did better in the snow but they just don’t.

There’s a video on YouTube of a guy who is unable to climb a small off-road hill that’s snow covered. The RGs also measures smaller than advertised in height and width. I wanted to love the RG and I still feel like they’re a better tire than the KO2. The KO2 does better in snow but that’s it. The RG was better under every other condition and you also get better long term performance per reports.


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I live in NC and we typically get a few good snows every year, so I need a tire that will at least perform well in some snow. Its not Colorado by no means but some snow capabilities would be nice for those rare occasion. I mean who wants to be the guy in the good looking rig stuck in the snow? I did see that video of the guy not making it up that hill but his tires were new. I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

 

[SlickTRD]

I live in NC and we typically get a few good snows every year, so I need a tire that will at least perform well in some snow. Its not Colorado by no means but some snow capabilities would be nice for those rare occasion. I mean who wants to be the guy in the good looking rig stuck in the snow? I did see that video of the guy not making it up that hill but his tires were new. I wonder if that had anything to do with it?

I'm in NYC with RG stock size load C and the RG is not great in heavy snow but it can handle a few inches of snow. If you find your roads are not plowed often then you may want to go with a tire that has the 3PMSF symbol like the A/T3W.

 

[Greybeardviking]

You are proving my assumptions correct. Nice to read. Were your 285s Grapplers? Last but not least. Did you have to body mount chop? Were the Spidertrax spacers a look thing or needed to prevent rubbing and/or help the ride?
Thanks again!

I have a 2017 SR5 with Bilsteins 5100s and OME medium springs all the way around Approx 2.5" lifted front and rear.

I just installed 285/70R17s C load RGs on the Offroad/trail wheels last week along with the 1 1/4" blue Spider trax. I got little to no rubbing before the spacers, adding the spacers of course made it rub on the front bumper more and it would have definitely rubbed on the mudflaps. I did very little cutting to where you would think its still stock.

I am coming from the Pathfinder ATs at 265/70r17s on stock SR5 wheels so that is all I can compare it to. it sits wider and I feel more of the bumps in the road with some added road noise but not enough to bother me.

I am going out to UWharrie National Forest this weekend to give the RGs a solid test.


I have attached some photos for reference... Mind you Im parked up hill in most of them.

 

[Yota Inc.]

I have a 2017 SR5 with Bilsteins 5100s and OME medium springs all the way around Approx 2.5" lifted front and rear.

I just installed 285/70R17s C load RGs on the Offroad/trail wheels last week along with the 1 1/4" blue Spider trax. I got little to no rubbing before the spacers, adding the spacers of course made it rub on the front bumper more and it would have definitely rubbed on the mudflaps. I did very little cutting to where you would think its still stock.

I am coming from the Pathfinder ATs at 265/70r17s on stock SR5 wheels so that is all I can compare it to. it sits wider and I feel more of the bumps in the road with some added road noise but not enough to bother me.

I am going out to UWharrie National Forest this weekend to give the RGs a solid test.


I have attached some photos for reference... Mind you Im parked up hill in most of them.

During my research over the past 48 house I have decided to go from K02 Load Range E to a Nitto Ridge Grappler Load Range SL. The guy at Discount Tire kept trying to push me towards the Pathfinder, so I'm curios as to your experience with the tire?

 

[Yota Inc.]

Has anyone ever used an SL load tire? Considering I don't do a ton of off roading and if I do its dirt roads and such. I was gong to get the Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/r17 Load C, but the guy at Discount Tire advised I get the SL Load Range to save on gas, give a better ride and overall easier to balance. I have a few more hours to change my order so any help would be much appreciated!

 

[MAST4R]

Anyone ever? LOL.

I use P265 Wildpeaks offroad all the time, 2500+ miles in 18 months.

The weight of Nitto and Falken LT tires is a no go for me. If you like LT, there are other options sub 50lb per tire.

When offroad with P, you do NOT have to air down unless it is deep sand.

 

[Yota Inc.]

Anyone ever? LOL.

I use P265 Wildpeaks offroad all the time, 2500+ miles in 18 months.

The weight of Nitto and Falken LT tires is a no go for me. If you like LT, there are other options sub 50lb per tire.

When offroad with P, you do NOT have to air down unless it is deep sand.

The weight is a huge concern of mine as well but the Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/17 Load Range SL is only 44lbs, rather than 55 lbs on the Load Range C. I just want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot by going with the SL over the C? You also lose some tread depth with the SL from 17 to 14

 

[MAST4R]

The weight is a huge concern of mine as well but the Nitto Ridge Grappler 285/70/17 Load Range SL is only 44lbs, rather than 55 lbs on the Load Range C. I just want to make sure I'm not shooting myself in the foot by going with the SL over the C? You also lose some tread depth with the SL from 17 to 14

Ok, first, strength and then wear.

We offroad in AZ, UT, CO, and MT. Have not been to CO in the 4R yet but for the rest my only concerns with P are in the sharp granite of Southern Arizona. I have had one puncture (at speed) and one sidewall burst (the one time I aired down for rocks) in southern Arizona, but zero issues in Utah, Montana, and northern AZ at street pressures.

My use is heavy duty when it comes to the tires. We don't do crazy trails but we do drive difficult trails. And lots of the easy stuff in AZ is very tough on the tires.

Personally, I would rather have one puncture occasionally than a sub-par tire every day.

Wear:

This is very much about personal use. With my use, I don't expect more than 30,000 miles from any AT tires. I am at 26,000 with the Wildpeaks and I see 30-32 tops. With KO2s I see 35-37 in my use. I replace at 6/32nds. No interest in bald tires offfroad. I cannot comment for Ridge Grapplers.

In most cases, deeper LT tread wears faster than shallower P tread but I don't think that's always true these days.

As always, it is all about trade offs. Also, a P that is wheeled at street pressures gives you an extra 0.5" clearance over an LT that is aired down.

Maybe if you want LTC, consider the KO2 at 50. They have two 285 versions. The Q rated is light and the S rated is heavy.

 

[MAST4R]

At the end, there is no perfect tire. I am not sure myself which way I will go come next summer, but I do know I want a tire that is no heavier than 50.

 

[Yota Inc.]

Ok, first, strength and then wear.

We offroad in AZ, UT, CO, and MT. Have not been to CO in the 4R yet but for the rest my only concerns with P are in the sharp granite of Southern Arizona. I have had one puncture (at speed) and one sidewall burst (the one time I aired down for rocks) in southern Arizona, but zero issues in Utah, Montana, and northern AZ at street pressures.

My use is heavy duty when it comes to the tires. We don't do crazy trails but we do drive difficult trails. And lots of the easy stuff in AZ is very tough on the tires.

Personally, I would rather have one puncture occasionally than a sub-par tire every day.

Wear:

This is very much about personal use. With my use, I don't expect more than 30,000 miles from any AT tires. I am at 26,000 with the Wildpeaks and I see 30-32 tops. With KO2s I see 35-37 in my use. I replace at 6/32nds. No interest in bald tires offfroad. I cannot comment for Ridge Grapplers.

In most cases, deeper LT tread wears faster than shallower P tread but I don't think that's always true these days.

As always, it is all about trade offs. Also, a P that is wheeled at street pressures gives you an extra 0.5" clearance over an LT that is aired down.

Maybe if you want LTC, consider the KO2 at 50. They have two 285 versions. The Q rated is light and the S rated is heavy.

I appreciate the information! I pulled the trigger on the Nitto Ridge Grappler Load Range SL. After talking about all the rough terrain you travel on with little to no issues, I'm sure I will be fine in NC with this tire. It also addressed the major weight and gas mileage drop using these tires as they are much lighter along with a cushier ride.

 

[MAST4R]

I appreciate the information! I pulled the trigger on the Nitto Ridge Grappler Load Range SL. After talking about all the rough terrain you travel on with little to no issues, I'm sure I will be fine in NC with this tire. It also addressed the major weight and gas mileage drop using these tires as they are much lighter along with a cushier ride.

Good luck, hope you like them. I do prefer P personally. Hope you don't throw rotten eggs at me if you sour on them

But yeah they are so much better on road while holding up nicely offroad that it is hard for me, too, to go back to LT even though I could use LT in Arizona.

The last real trail we drove was Medicine Lake in Montana and my Wildpeaks on the rear axle had 7/32 at 32 psi and I had no issues. That is a classic moderate mountain trail with rocks and loose dirt and it climbed for a long time where there are plenty of fallen branches on the trail.

Last week we did an easy big AZ dirt road where a forum member said he had punctured two street tires (or where they milder AT tires?). We were not the slowest either.

How long the aging P tires will last in the desert is TBD but I do appreciate not airing down and having a good ride on pavement. Here in the west with many interstates having 75-80 speed limits, SL tires are also safer at comfortable pressures for long trips.

 

[Yota Inc.]

Good luck, hope you like them. I do prefer P personally. Hope you don't throw rotten eggs at me if you sour on them

But yeah they are so much better on road while holding up nicely offroad that it is hard for me, too, to go back to LT even though I could use LT in Arizona.

The last real trail we drove was Medicine Lake in Montana and my Wildpeaks on the rear axle had 7/32 at 32 psi and I had no issues. That is a classic moderate mountain trail with rocks and loose dirt and it climbed for a long time where there are plenty of fallen branches on the trail.

Last week we did an easy big AZ dirt road where a forum member said he had punctured two street tires (or where they milder AT tires?). We were not the slowest either.

How long the aging P tires will last in the desert is TBD but I do appreciate not airing down and having a good ride on pavement. Here in the west with many interstates having 75-80 speed limits, SL tires are also safer at comfortable pressures for long trips.

Right on man! I wish I lived closer your way, I would love to join in on some trails. I think I'm going to really enjoy this tire in the SL and have received nothing but praises on them from Discount Tire over the C. I will post some pictures Friday once I get them installed. I'm 85% pavement so I'm sure I will be more than happy with the saved fuel mileage and weight.

 

[Greybeardviking]

During my research over the past 48 house I have decided to go from K02 Load Range E to a Nitto Ridge Grappler Load Range SL. The guy at Discount Tire kept trying to push me towards the Pathfinder, so I'm curios as to your experience with the tire?

I too have been told to go with KO2 for a great all around AT tires. Between that and the Falkens, I have been told those two are the best.

When given the option, I went with Ridge Grapplers over KO2 for two reasons, I could have them same day installed and I got them for $165 a tire when normally they are well over $200.

I also wouldn't run anything over 6 ply (C rated) unless you are doing some heavy duty off roading (King of the Hammers).

Side wall flex is more important when it comes to being trail and crawling when being able to air down rather than having a stiffer side wall.

I will be out in UWharrie all weekend running my Ridge Grapplers so I will be able to provide my experience with them against the Pathfinders. I ran Pathfinders for 6 months at 265/70R17 and I have no issues trail and offroading but when upgrading to a larger tire 285/70R17, I wanted something more aggressive.

 

[Decipher]

I think you’ll be impressed with the RG off road. They were incredible for me. I was really happy with their performance. I loved the peace of mind of having a load range C tire, but like M4ster, my off road experience with a standard load tire has far exceeded my expectations. So if anyone is worried about off roading on SLs I really wouldn’t. The weight savings play a massive role in your daily driving and I’ve ran my SLs through their paces off road with no complaints at all.

Plus the not airing down thing is such a convenience. While I do air down from 35 to 30, I could easily drive at 30 on the streets to get home if I wanted to. Just another bonus.


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[seth401]

I appreciate the information! I pulled the trigger on the Nitto Ridge Grappler Load Range SL. After talking about all the rough terrain you travel on with little to no issues, I'm sure I will be fine in NC with this tire. It also addressed the major weight and gas mileage drop using these tires as they are much lighter along with a cushier ride.

I got the RG's in 285 in SL a few months back. Think you will be very happy. My gas mileage actually improved from a 265 SL duratrac. Way less rolling resistance. I haven't had them in major mud yet but they easily ripped through some fairly deep mud a month back. I was originally planning to get 285 KO2, wildpeaks, or duratracs and two different off road stores locally said no way on duratrac and KO2...and gave the nod to RG's over the Wildpeak. Both stores saying they are having so many balance issues with KO2 and duratrac that don't even want to sell them. It's a shame! I think duratracs are like bear claws but I'm not interested in wasting my time with tires that won't balance without putting weight all over the wheels

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[MAST4R]

Can someone with Ridge Grapples in P please provide detailed wear observations?

And can someone verify that the P Ridge Grapplers actually start at 13/32nds? and not 12?

The Wildpeaks start at 13 and not 14 as claimed. They wear great after the first 2/32nds are gone. But those first 2/32nds go in no time, under 4000 miles. That's so far what irritates me with the Wildpeaks especially since they remain excellent traction wise thereafter. Maybe the first 2/32nds allow for crazy performance, but what does that for me? I don't think they make WRX sizes anyway.

 

[Signal]

The Ridge Grapplers were on my list of tires to get when I upgrade, but I got a deal on Falken Wildpeak M/T01 for 150 a tire in the 285/70/17 size. I will continue to read this thread and maybe they will be my next tire unless General comes out with a new and improved X3. I will say it all came down to price I even looked at Yokohama's because I have been reading that their rubber lasts longer. Nitto is a great tire for sure I just wish they weren't so expensive.

 

[fernie]

Finally after 4 years or so got rid of the stock tires. Installed Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 265/70/17 115T SL and added spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers. 4runner looks much better. Thought about 285s, but then I would have had to look forward to more expensive tires, buying a spare in 285, and poorer gas mileage. Maybe next time.

Before spacers:


After spacers:


With spacers:

 

[GunnerRunner13]

Finally after 4 years or so got rid of the stock tires. Installed Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 265/70/17 115T SL and added spidertrax 1.25" wheel spacers. 4runner looks much better. Thought about 285s, but then I would have had to look forward to more expensive tires, buying a spare in 285, and poorer gas mileage. Maybe next time.



Before spacers:

View attachment 345926



After spacers:

View attachment 345927



With spacers:

View attachment 345928

Have you noticed a difference in mileage with the spacers? I’ve read some people have after install..