General Grabber HTS

mljenkins · January 1, 2013

Has anyone else had any experience with General Grabber HTS tires, especially on the HD trucks?

I just got a set of them, LT245/75R17 for my 2011 2500HD (4wd crew vortec). They are load range E of course, same weight limit, etc. I ordered them from Wal-Mart and had them install them (that's another story to be told that I wish hadn't happened).

I've only driven out a couple times on them now and the back end feels pretty slick compared to the Firestone Transforce HT tires that were on it from the dealer. I got 26K out of the Firestones, and probably could have made it to 30K, but I wanted some deeper tread for the snow this year.

Our road is pretty icy and rutted right now so the truck bounces and then the back end kicks out. However, it seems these General's are doing it more than the Firestones were. I am wondering if our road is really that icy or if I am going to get stuck in with these Generals if it is the tire. Maybe I should go walk the road today and see how many times I fall? :-)

It feels like I am driving sideways for the mile of gravel rutted road I come home on. The traction control/stabilitrak light lights up which probably saves me the whole way in, and I'm only going ~10mph. I hope I don't have to contend with this on the pavement when the snow starts to fall heavy.

Our other car is a Subaru Forester and nothing out here seems to phase it so I've got nothing else to compare to. I wish I knew my neighbor at the end of the road with a 1500 Z71 to get his opinion on the road.

Has anyone else had any experience in snow/ice with these tires? Thanks for your thoughts.

kstruckcountry · January 1, 2013

When reading reviews of the Grabbers, it was my impression was they aren't as well suited to the snow as some tires. I think you should base your opinion on your own experience, which doesn't seem very good. Either live with these or get a set that will treat you better.

mljenkins · January 1, 2013

I had the Grabber AT 2's on my '06 1500 4wd. It went like a tank in the winter after putting those on. However, the HTS is an all-season tire. I couldn't find the AT2 in the size that came on the truck and didn't want to change the size.

I'll be living with them; Wal-Mart has a no return policy on tires according to their site and I sure don't have an extra $1K sitting around for tires. If they do last the 45K warranty, they'll be worth the money in the long run, but I might have to take it easy in the winter.