Nitto Trail Grappler Tire Review | Inside Line
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- As an automotive journalist, I’ve spent well over a decade testing a wide array of parts and vehicles. By a seemingly large margin, tires have been the most common automotive component I have reviewed. Given my specialty rest more in the world of off-road trucks (hence the title Senior Off-Road Editor), I’ve had the opportunity to test an assortment of all-terrains, mud-terrains, and in recent years, hybrid terrain tires.
While I have developed a small list of those I like (and those I avoid), there is one tire that has been a go-to for genuine dual-purpose vehicles over the years- the Nitto Trail Grappler. Since first reviewing the mud-terrain radial nearly a decade ago, my positive experience with that tire both on-road and off has drawn me back to it. From Moab, Utah, and the famed Glamis sand dunes to mud-lined trails in the southeast, I’ve logged tens of thousands of miles on the Trail Grappler all across the United States. Throughout my long run with the tires under an assortment of vehicles, I never experienced a single flat tire or had balancing issues- two huge factors that are always at the forefront of my mind when buying tires.
So, when it was time to get a new set of treads for my 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the Trail Grapplers were at the top of my list. Over the past eight months, I have put my 37x12.50R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers to work. In this video, I am breaking down the pros and cons of this modern mud-terrain.
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We have had Trail Grapplers on 3 of our Jeeps(37's on a JK and 40's on our JK and JL right now). Couldnt be happier!!
Glad I found your channel......Liked & Subscribed. I’ve got a Bronco Badlands Sasquatch on order and plan on immediately changing out the OEM tires. I’m seriously considering both the Trail Grappler and Ridge Grappler, as my driving will be mostly highway. I don’t want to sacrifice the on-road performance, but when I go off-road (and I’m planning on trips to Moab, Colorado, etc) I want to know my tires have some grip. Thanks for posting this.......exactly what I was looking for.
great, great review one best around. thanks for sharing your experience.
Thank you.
I just got these tires on my Gladiator today. I can't wait to see how they perform on the beach next month.
I live just down the road from URE National Forrest where you filmed some of this video. Great advice, we loved you on the JK exp.
Awesome! Thank you.
Good review! I am looking at these. I currently run KO2's 35's E-rated on stock 2020 JLU Rubi wheels. I go down to 16lbs and only rock crawl here in AZ, serious rocks (on my channel) to these as a D-rated would possibly be softer. I don't want/need beadlocks for these and add a ton of that weight. I am going to go w/ trail grappler 37's, they are $450ea now anywhere you look. I have heard ppl getting 40k miles on these before replacing.
Great content as always Ali, would like to see more of it on a regular basis!
Thank you!
Good honest review. Ty
Thank you.
Says a lot for a Jeep owner to say that a tire is not loud. I am looking to put a set on the 4Runner. Thank you for the video.
I love my Trail Graps but they get progressively louder as they age, getting my next set soon
Just ordered mine for my rubicon!
Is there any swaying on the highway with the Nitto's? Local shop recommended me Pro Comp MT2 because they said Nitto's sway your steering wheel depending on the pattern and the road you're driving on.
Never heard of that. I've had this tire on multiple rigs and never had an issue with handling on the highway.
Thank you for the review, i am looking into this tire for my diesel rubicon. Do you still recommend them??
Also do you have the KMC XD231 or 232?? It looks like they are sticking out so i thought you are running the 232 with -38mm offset!
Thank again
I would still recommend this setup for sure. These are the XD231's with 4.75 inches of backspacing.
Were some of these clips at Hard Rock Off-Road Park in Ocala? I recognize that climb.
No, everything was shot here in North Carolina.
Nice video...what lift are you running and how many bumpstops?
Thank you. I am running the Dynatrac EnduroSport lift. You can see my full install and review on it here: ua-cam.com/video/lZdxph-6ysY/v-deo.html
How is the expedition one rear bumper? Any flex into the 1/4 panels?
I never had an issue with it hitting the body. Worked great and didn't rattle with the 37.
I've been a sub for couple years and find your reviews very helpful. On your 18 JL and the Hemi jeep do you need any spacers for clearance on the chassis. I want to run the trail grappler 38x13.50r17 but am a little worried about clearance. Any advice would be appreciated. I have a factory Hemi jl by the way. Thanks
Thank you. I know you can run stock XR Wheels on the 392 with a 37x12.50 without the need of any sort of wheel spacers. The 38x13.50 will likely need a wheel with 4.75 to 5 inches of back spacing. Any higher backspacing number and the tire will likely rub the lower control arms and front bumper skid plate.
@@DrivingLine Thanks.
Wilmington! I used to live there. I’m in Raleigh now. I love the trail grapplers look. I want them but I’m in a limbo. Do you think they’re practical for everyday use?
Small world! I’ve been daily driving on Trail Grapplers for years. I’d have no issue recommending for that.
what backspace and rim width are you running with those tires?
It’s a 17x8.5 with 4.75 inches of backspacing It’s the Robby Gordon beadlock from KMC. XD231.
Love the Nitto's but the weight is to much sometimes
Given your comments about wet traction would you think the Toyo Open Country MTs would be better in rain and snow?
I haven’t driven on a Toyo M/T in some time, so I really can’t say. I don’t think the Trail Grappler’s wet weather performance is a deal breaker. If you wanted something with the similar off-road performance, but more sips, I’d recommend the Mud Grappler. It’s only drawback is that it’s a good bit louder than the Trail.
@@Ali_Mansour_Editor Thanks for the quick reply! I will likely stick with the Nitto Trail Grapplers though I need to consider where I am moving to in 2021 (Utah). Snow and rain will be a thing.
Have you had any problems with the tread chunking off?
Thankfully, no.
Is it really louder on the road with these tires? They says sound like airplane when slowing down.
Compared to other mud terrain tires, it’s very quiet. They are still louder than most all-terrain tires, but not by much. If you keep them rotated and aired correctly, you shouldn’t have an issue with noise.
Just ordered these tires! Do they ride comfy on the highway? I usually run 30 psi, will do chalk test first.
I love how they ride. I’m usually around 28 psi.
How many miles do you have an the trail grapps
In this video, I had around 5,000 miles on them. Maybe a little more.
Had you ever measured these tires to get an idea of what they measure to with the weight of the Jeep on them? Curious to how close to 37 they get...
Yes. When they were new I did to calibrate the speedo. They were just over 36 inches on my beadlock wheels with 28psi under weight.
@@DrivingLine Nice! Been a little bit since I watched the video. Do you mention the brand of beadlock you're running?
How is the rubber hardness? I heard that an AT has a harder rubber for a longer lifespan. Comparing this tire to an AT, how is it?
Nitto offers a tread-wear warranty on it's all-terrain tires, often up to 55k miles for tires such as the Recon Grappler A/T. They don't offer the same for the Trail Grappler. If you are looking for longevity, an A/T is going to last longer. That being said, I've personally put over 45k miles on a set of Trail Grapplers under a 3/4-ton Cummins Ram, which is much heavier than the Jeep. With proper inflation and rotation, the Trails can last a very long time.
@@DrivingLine awesome! I’m looking at the trail grappler and the ridge grappler. I’ve been seeing a bunch on jeeps run nitto recently and figured I’d hop on! I live in SLC Utah and would have to do a decent commute for a SWEET offroad spot, would it be better to get the ridge grappler? Any suggestions about which one would be aweosme!
Uwharrie and ft fisher 🤘
They say not recommended in sand, what’s your experience?
Like most mud-terrains, they are pretty aggressive in the sand. With a 37 under a Jeep Wrangler, it's not an issue. If it was a stock-sized tire, it would be more of a concern. Airing down will balance out the bite of the tire with it's tendency to dig. If sand was the only place I went off-road, I would opt for an all-terrain tire like a Recon Grappler A/T. I live in coastal NC and drive on the beach regularly. I've never had an issue with the Trail Grappler, but I've also been driving on the beach for 25 years.
What front bumper are you running?
It's from Expedition One. I did a video on it on our channel. Here's the link : ua-cam.com/video/XHbinMTuNUU/v-deo.html
@@DrivingLine thank you! I’ll check it out! Is there a way to put the factory fogs in?
Would these be decent for mostly road use
I daily drive on them. Keep them rotated and aired properly and they will last a long time.
What wheels are those
KMC XD231 Robby Gordon Beadlocks
What trail is that at 3:28?
The Daniel trail in Uwharrie National Forest.
How did you find out what psi to run on the front and rear for highway use?
I just kept adjusting pressure until I was happy with the contact patch and ride quality. I tend to run a little lower than some. I’d rather have a smooth ride and take a slight fuel economy hit.
@@Ali_Mansour_Editor thank you!
I actually like road noise…
You need 5.13 for 37" tires
I'm finding 4.88 is working great in my Gladiator. I think if you live at a higher elevation, 5.13 is the right choice. I however live in the coastal plains of North Carolina.
not expensive? ha just ordered a set of 33s almost 400 each
Tires were a good bit cheaper when I got these in 2019.
Thought I found a good honest review till he threw out the bs mpg numbers 🤣
I live in the coastal plains. It’s extremely flat with an average speed limit of 45 mph. I don’t know why you would think I would lie about fuel economy.