Nitto Recon Grapplers any good?

03blackz71 · November 11, 2023

I am looking at a set of 20" fuel wheels with 295/55/20 Nitto Recon Grapplers on them that is on facebook market place. Price is good but never used the nitto recons before. Question is are these good tires? Snow traction? Any issues with them?

CamGTP · November 11, 2023

My work sells a ton of them to many different "chain" clients, just think any large tire dealer and we sell to them. Overall it's just an okay tire, nothing really that great about them. I was pretty close with a few of Managers at some of these stores and for winter applications, they pretty much suck if it roads start to glaze over or there is any hard pack snow. One guy had them on his 2500HD Chevy, worst tire he ever had in the winter according to him, switched back to BFG's.

The recon grapplers and ridge grapplers aren't that good in the winter, the terra grapplers are much better because of the tread pattern and sipping. I would skip them.

Edited November 11, 2023 by CamGTP

Gangly · November 13, 2023

I'm curious about this as well.

I am not a fan of the Ridge Grapplers which seem to be the most popular of the Nittos, but I have a lot of interest in the Recon Grapplers which are a much newer design. The people I have talked to that have purchased Nittos all seem to have the same general consensus though, that they are great general off road tires, but horrible in the snow and rain. A co-worker of mine purchased the second generation Terra Grappler and he says he will never purchase another set because they scare him in the rain, even in 4x4.

03blackz71 · November 14, 2023

I ended up passing on them because of the reviews I read about being bad in the snow and rain.

Currently deciding on either BFG KO2 or Falken wildpeak at3w.

I am looking for a second set of wheels and tires mainly for the Tahoe for the winter. I will also use them on the Trailboss during the summer for road trips.

Edited November 14, 2023 by 03blackz71

CamGTP · November 14, 2023

My other suggesting is the Toyo Open Country AT3, I put those on my moms 2021 Silverado. They are great in the snow.

The BFG's in my opinion cost to much for what you get. They work well for the first half of the tread life but then kinda turn into hockey pucks. Plus they only come in LT load range, you can't get them in standard P rated, so they are much heavier per tire and usually want more air run in them.

gemarsh · November 14, 2023

I can add to the Nitto tires question but not to the ridge grapplers. The Exo Grapplers are a great tire in the rain and snow. 3 peak and have accommodations for studs.

I am a convert from the KO2's. I don't know why it seems like no one askes about or is running this tire.

Zeker · November 14, 2023

I have had horrible luck with the Ridge Grappler and wouldn't get them again. I have had two sets on two different trucks. Both sets had at least one "bad" tire that wouldn't balance (or stay balanced). I had to replace the bad ones under warranty which was a huge pain on the first set. They said it was something like "excessive road force balance".

To troubleshoot the problem when you have to rely on a tire shop to balance and scheduling appointments sucks. Plus not knowing if it is the tire or the new rims or something with the truck. Then the local authorized Nitto dealer didn't want to replace it so had to battle with them. I know that's not a Nitto thing but just added to the experience.

Thinking it was just bad luck I got a set for my Trail Boss and had the same issue. The dealer that installed them did replace the one but they either replaced the wrong one or there was two bad ones because I still have an issue. I have had them balanced multiple times at different shops.

When you rotate the tires and the back two are on the front everything is perfect. So I ruled out anything with the truck.

They ride quiet and smooth but I don't think they are the best in snow.

So that's my experience with Ridge Grapplers.

Edited November 14, 2023 by Zeker