Nitto’s Ridge Grappler Tire Showcased at Off-Road Expo

Nitto Tire showcased its new Ridge Grappler all-terrain/mud-terrain tire at last weekend’s Off-Road Expo at the Westworld complex in Scottsdale, Arizona. Featuring “a revolutionary dynamic hybrid tread pattern,” Nitto claims the tire bridges the gap between its all-terrain and mud-terrain offerings by providing a tire that performs equally well on pavement and off-road. This is quite a claim. I thought Nitto’s Terra Grappler G2 AT tires performed exceptionally well in both environments. That’s what we use on the Truck Camper Adventure Rig. But according to the initial feedback and reviews, the Ridge Grappler performs even better.

What makes Nitto’s Ridge Grappler special and how was it created? Advanced sound equipment was employed by Nitto engineers to create a tread pattern with deep voids that provides a smooth and quiet highway ride. To improve off-road performance, shoulder lugs are arranged in alternating widths and lengths to clear mud and maintain traction. Lateral Z-grooves in the thread are set in a zig-zag pattern to provide biting edges for traction. The hybrid design even features stone ejectors to protect the bottom of voids from stone drilling. For added stiffness, Nitto reinforces the tread blocks at the foundation of the tire to reduce unwanted tread flex. This is especially important for heavy-duty trucks hauling truck campers.

Like all Nitto Grappler tires, the Ridge Grappler features two sidewall designs. One side features a more traditional pattern while the other side features a more aggressive block design.

For sizing, the Ridge Grappler is available for SUVs, and half-ton, three-quarter-ton, and one-ton trucks. In terms of the all-important load range, options include C, D, E and F. The Ridge Grappler for my 2013 Ram 3500, LT 295/70R18E, offers a weight rating of 4,080 pounds at 80 psi. This is pretty comparable to the Terra Grappler G2’s currently on my rig. Ridge Grappler diameters being offered include 17, 18, 20, and 22 inches, with size 37 tires being the largest tire size offered.