Going to give a long term update, since I've worn out a set of 285/75R17 C rated Ridge Grapplers over a variety of terrains. I've since gone one to try a set of 295/70R17 Cooper STT Pros, just got them and they are a very aggressive tire, I've run a lot of tires in and done a lot of wheeling so interested to see how these do. Probably a little too aggressive but I'll see over the coming miles how they hold up.
Anyways back to the RG, for a variety of terrains like how I run I wouldn't get them again. Where these tires worked well was in the dry areas, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, sandy areas. I'll break down the different categories so people can have an idea of what to expect.
Rocks- They held up well, the more boulder type stuff they did good. I wouldn't say they were bad by any means. They did chunk a little on slick rock but not losing full lugs but they did lose a bit. Northern pacific rock terrain they definitely left something to be desired. There is one large rock slab on the Whipsaw that I just couldn't do, even running around 15 psi of pressure and having massive flex. Took multiple attempts and even gave them some spinning on the rock to heat them up to get a little extra grip, and even so it was a no go. Eventually after multiple attempts instead of potentially rolling I took the bypass. I've made this obstacle easily in the past in a Tacoma (Very different truck but also have seen other vehicles in my group make it without as much struggle) For the northern type of terrain it was kind inconsistent what to expect, sometimes a tricky obstacle wouldn't be a problem, the next it was interesting to wonder why it was such a struggle. One minute looking like a hero the next a zero pulling cable.
Sand- They were awesome in sand. Had good traction and flotation. Never really dug down unless being silly but they worked well here.
Desert- Never had a tire failure or any problems going through the harsh desert roads and sharp rock terrain. In fact my only puncture was from a nail that I pulled out and plugged. No sidewall slices or anything like that. I was impressed.
Snow/Ice- Well... lets just say this is where they fall straight flat on their face. In the snow even when new they were terrible, it wasn't that they clogged they just wouldn't dig in the snow, powder, heavy wet snow, crusty snow they were just absolutely terrible. Rather than keep chewing forward they would stop and polish and that would be it. Even running around 10 psi. Different driving techniques from full on rev limiter second gear limit assaults to crawling to try and stay on top of the snow. They were just bad. And as far as ice goes they weren't the best. They seemed to handle a lot like a full blown mud tire and missed the mark with the hybrid tire and ended up closer to mud terrain tire handling than all terrain on ice. If you're looking at this tire as a compromise for winter conditions from a full on mud tire don't, you give up the benefits of the added mud tire traction for nothing when it comes to ice and snow.
Mud- They worked okay, the outer lugs were what kept the vehicle moving forward. The center plugs up quickly, the outers will as well however can give them a little spin and they clean. It's obviously not a mud tire so don't expect it to be one, but it was okay.
Highway- I really have no complaints about these on the highway, I didn't notice them being overly noisy and they didn't have bad vibrations. Didn't hydroplane in Texas/Oklahoma downpours. I also took it a little easier knowing that they are terrible on ice.
I think I put roughly 80,000 kms on these tires. But they were done, some cracking between the lugs and near bald. I normally don't run tires to the point that I ran these. So hopefully this helps those looking into the Nitto Ridge Grapplers.
