Nitto Terra Grappler AT's

[Greg B]

If for some reason you ever lose 2 tires and you have to go to a store or garage you'll be far more likely to get a 285 off the shelf vs. a 295. If you're running 34" swampers you're really screwed.

I've been thinking about this for a while today. The three tires you mention are all around a half inch of each other in diameter. The 285 is 32.8 or 33.00 depending on the load range you choose. The 295 is 33.2, the 285x55 is 33.3, and the 34x10.50 Swamper LTB is 33.6. You could use any of these tires as a spare for the others in a pinch. Width isn't an issue because they are all so close together.

The only issue is the heighth of the tires. At a half inch of difference, you could adjust air pressure to get the same height on both tires. As long as you have an unlocked diff, you wouldn't have a problem doing this. Heck, look at all of the cars that run around with tiny temporary spares. Don't get me wrong though, I am not advocating driving on different tire sizes all of the time, only in short term situations.

I just don't see this to be a big issue if you couldn't find a 295 available, a 285 would work fine until you could. And that's only if you had two tires blow out, not just one. I would put the different sizes on the rear though so that the fronts were the same to make it easier on the steering.

I am actually going to run 295 AT's on the 4 main tires and then use a 255x85 BFG MT for the spare (They are almost exactly the same diameter). Then I'm going to run 34x10.50 LTB's like yours as an offroad only option. This way, I have a spare that is the same diameter as my AT's, but will have a more aggressive tread to use as a spare for my LTB's. And, the spare will be narrower so that it doesn't hang down as much underneath.

I know this is not the solution for a lot of people, but for me, it makes the most sense. Still haven't decided on the BFG's or the Nitto's yet though.

 

[hoser]

The only issue is the heighth of the tires. At a half inch of difference, you could adjust air pressure to get the same height on both tires. As long as you have an unlocked diff, you wouldn't have a problem doing this.

Even if you deflate a tire, the tires "revolutions per mile" will be the same. Whether the tire is round or oval, it's the circumference that counts. No?

Or were you just talking about deflating one tire so you don't get that "gangsta lean?"

 

[Greg B]

Even if you deflate a tire, the tires "revolutions per mile" will be the same. Whether the tire is round or oval, it's the circumference that counts. No?

Or were you just talking about deflating one tire so you don't get that "gangsta lean?"

Not the way I understand it. The tire is only as tall as the distance from the ground to the bottom of the wheel. The weight of the vehicle squishes the tire and that changes the overall diameter of the tire. Kind of like when you air down your tires on the trail, you lose ground clearance because the tire gets shorter as the sidewall bulges out. Sorry I can't explain this better, some here on this board explain things in a much more eloquent way.

Edit: After reading your post again, I missed the last part. Let me clarify, I was talking about lowering the pressure in the taller tire until it measured the same height as the shorter tire from the ground to the bottom of the wheel.

 

[tabraha]

Underinflated TSL's will just about knock the wheel out of your hand. At least on the LTB's. I told the tire shop to start with 38psi and I got 34 and thought all hell was breaking loose. Put it up to over 40 and those big lugs (LTB= larger tread block) weren't smacking the ground any longer. I thought about the underinflating too before I bought the swampers and will probably pick up a new spare but I figure at the rate a swamper wears (I hear) they'll be a 33 in no time flat!

 

[Jukelemon]

I have 32k on my Nittos and they have a lot of tread left and 0 issues in terms of performance.

 

[hoser]

Not the way I understand it. The tire is only as tall as the distance from the ground to the bottom of the wheel. The weight of the vehicle squishes the tire and that changes the overall diameter of the tire. Kind of like when you air down your tires on the trail, you lose ground clearance because the tire gets shorter as the sidewall bulges out. Sorry I can't explain this better, some here on this board explain things in a much more eloquent way.

Greg, the more I think about it, the more I think you're right. It's the same way with drag race tires, after the first few feet after the light, the tires change the overall gearing as the sidewall height between the wheel rim and the asphalt increases.

 

[rockclmbr]

Greg,

How do you like your Nitto's? The stock tire tread is too shallow for my liking with all this rain and I'm ready to upgrade to new tires. I was 100% set on the BFG ATs , can't decide on 285 vs 315. Now you've got me thinking about the Nittos. Please post current miles and your opinion on these.

Thanks!

 

[Greg B]

Greg,

How do you like your Nitto's? The stock tire tread is too shallow for my liking with all this rain and I'm ready to upgrade to new tires. I was 100% set on the BFG ATs , can't decide on 285 vs 315. Now you've got me thinking about the Nittos. Please post current miles and your opinion on these.

Thanks!

I didn't get the Nitto's. I went with BFG AT's in 295x75. The more I thought about it, I just decided to get what I really wanted. I was trying to talk myself into the cheaper Nitto's, but I really like the BFG AT's so I bought them.

They do OK off-road except when it's muddy. I plan on running a second set of wheels with dedicated mud tires for off-roading in the future. I like the looks and the street manners of the BFG's and they are my favorite for moderate off-roading.

I don't think you can go wrong with either tire (Nitto's or BFG). Tire preference is very subjective and opinions vary greatly on this board. I have had good success with BFG AT's and MT's in the past and so far this round of AT's is no exception.

Bottom line; any of them are better than the stock Michelins for off-roading.

 

[spressomon]

If it matters to anyone considering larger tires than 285/75-16's: Anything larger/wider makes fitting traction/recovery chains all but impossible...

 

[turboale]

I'm sort-of surprised nobody has mentioned the DullerAT Revos...

I had a set on my 4Runner and for a truck thats primarily on the street, I won't use anything else. Yes, they only go up to a 285/75/16 but for all those that are running 33s then they have you covered. The 285s are D load ratings, will that cover the 100? I loved these tires so much on my Runner that was going to be one of my first mods, but I hope they will work! The on-road performance was not touched by the BFG (from what I have experienced!) and they were just as good, if not better off road. I made it through uwharrie during wet season on 265s with maybe 30% tread left. I couldn't believe it!

I even made it out of this mud hole after being dug out with 305 BFG MTs twice, and thats good ol' wet southern clay!

there is my vote for something that hasn't been mentioned... I'm also curious to see about the load rating. Thanks!!

 

[Greg B]

I even made it out of this mud hole after being dug out with 305 BFG MTs twice, and thats good ol' wet southern clay!

The Revo's may be a fine tire, there are several here that run them and like them. I won't debate its merits compared to the other AT models available. But, there is no way that you can convince me that any AT will outperform an MT in that type of mud with all else being equal. I've been in too much mud with both AT and MT to buy that.

 

[Greg B]

I'm sort-of surprised nobody has mentioned the DullerAT Revos...

Nobody mentioned them because I started the thread to compare the Nitto's to the BFG's. I had narrowed my selection down to the two tires and was looking for feedback on them.

There have been several other threads where the Revo's were discussed/compared to the other AT's out there.

 

[turboale]

I'm not saying I out preformed him, just saying I was keeping up with 30% of the tread left over. (The runner behind me did not make it and had to drive around). The first runner was locked and had an extra inch of suspension lift too. I agree with you in all out mud situation the MTs are better, but after having the runner I'm not too into mud nearly as much as rocks, and that is anotehr debate.

edit:
ah, I see... want me to make another thread asking about the load rating?

 

[Greg B]

ah, I see... want me to make another thread asking about the load rating?

No problem with the D load rating on the 100. Most of the others in the 33" sizes are also D including the BFG's and Nitto's. They work great on the 100.

 

[turboale]

Alrightey,
Good to know, Thanks!

 

[rockclmbr]

It finally stopped raining today, so I took a few pics.
















This was the wife's xmas gift

285/75R16 Nitto Terra Grapplers

 

[rockclmbr]

They are extremely quiet, handle well on wet pavement and were very cost effective. I was going to go the BFG route, but these were very appealing with similar ratings.

 

[flyfish4life]

Consumer Reports recently ranked the Nittos #1 A/T in their 2006 SUV issue. The Revos were also highly rated (#3, I believe).

 

[e9999]

I believe this business about lowering the pressure to match diameter to avoid problems when locked to be incorrect...

 

[hoser]

I believe this business about lowering the pressure to match diameter to avoid problems when locked to be incorrect...

I think Greg said "unlocked." Or did I miss something in another post?

The only issue is the heighth of the tires. At a half inch of difference, you could adjust air pressure to get the same height on both tires. As long as you have an unlocked diff, you wouldn't have a problem doing this. Heck, look at all of the cars that run around with tiny temporary spares. Don't get me wrong though, I am not advocating driving on different tire sizes all of the time, only in short term situations.