Nitto Dura Grappler's good as Michelin?

[WalterJ]

I'm considering switching from Michelin LT265/70R17's to Nitto Dura Grappler LT285/75R17 P/N 205-370, to improve load rating from 3195# to 3970# @ 80psig. Looking for experienced input to help with decision. Thanks.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I don't have experience with that brand of tire. However, you will not improve the load rating of your truck. Wheels, axles, suspension, etc. are rated in coordination with the stock tires. For example, the wheels are probably rated for 3200 lb, and the single wheel differential is rated at 6150 lb. Material strength and thickness won't be readily visible, even though the differential may look similar to that used on dual rear wheel Turbo Diesels.

 

[goodguys75]

I dont think anything is as good as michelin tires... and i run bfgs... . I would run bfgs before nittos... just my input

 

[seafish]

I agree that Michelins are a top choice for tires... . pretty much you get what you pay for.

That being said, I have heard GOOD things about the Dura Grappler, in terms of road handling and wear.

One thing to note, for some reason the "Dura" compound is avaialable only in the smaller, oem size 265/75/17 E, not the larger size that you are looking at.

Another thing to note, is that it seems while the larger diameter tires LOOK really good on our trucks, many people report a slight drop in MPG likely due to the much heavier rotating mass of the larger diameter.

A few people do report a gain in MPG based on lower highway rpms with the older G56 gear ratios, but these seem to be the exception rather then the rule.

 

[WalterJ]

Joseph Donnelly: I appreciate your mentioning I'm not increasing load rating of running gear, I know I was not. I'm just looking for a slightly higher load rating for the tires. We pull our RV about 6K miles/year, so it's not really full time loaded. Could be that this batch of Michelin's is slightly different than previous 2 sets? Mayhaps I should contact them and offer them a rubber compund sample biopsy?

 

[ktb]

i have a set of duras on my truck right now they are the 285 75 17 size i have had 2 sets of michelins and 1 set of coopers. The last set of tires was michelins 285 70 17 an the at2 tread pattern i feel ( my opinion ) like the 285 70 17 size is a better size for my truck then the 285 75 17 but i like the nittos better. I think next time i will stick with the nittos and go back to the 285 70 17 the nittos so far have been the smoothest quietest tires on my truck i only have 5000 miles on them so not sure on tread life handling seems to be comparable but i really don't push it to hard so i don't know how they compare for traction at the limits. I will say that they feel more stable with a load of firewood in the corners then the other tires i have tried hope this helps

 

[AEdelheit]

Nitto is made by Toyo, everyone I know that has them really likes them. I dont know about the truck tires but It seems Michelins car tires are not nearly as good as they used to be.

 

[MChrist]

I really like my Dura Grapplers ( 285/70/17). Nitto now has a new tire that I'll probably get next. I think it's called Crossteks HD. Slightly more highway biased with even better tread life, according to them.

 

[RMecum]

I've got about 5 or 6K on a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers and I'm very happy with them. They hold the road nice, have a moderately aggressive tread, not noisy (but I can hear them a little) and I think they're a perfect on/off road design. I'm going to sell the truck early next year so I won't wear them out but at this point I'd buy them again.

Mike

 

[MChrist]

I've got about 5 or 6K on a set of Nitto Terra Grapplers and I'm very happy with them. They hold the road nice, have a moderately aggressive tread, not noisy (but I can hear them a little) and I think they're a perfect on/off road design. I'm going to sell the truck early next year so I won't wear them out but at this point I'd buy them again.

Mike

Dura Grapplers are very different than Terra Grapplers, though.



The only reason I went to a tire other than Michelin is because Michelin doesn't make a 285/70/17 in load range E. I wonder how important that really is, though, since I've never run my tires at pressures over 70 anyway. I usually run mine at 60 front and 55 rear, which gives me a nice ride and perfect tread wear.

Anybody running 285/70/17 Michelins?

 

[MChrist]

OK, in just went to Tire Rack and found that Michelin makes a 285/70/17 in load range D, which has the same weight carrying capacity as 265s in load range E. They are only available in LTX M/S2 model, though.

I wonder how they compare.

 

[Regcabguy]

OK, in just went to Tire Rack and found that Michelin makes a 285/70/17 in load range D, which has the same weight carrying capacity as 265s in load range E. They are only available in LTX M/S2 model, though.



I wonder how they compare.

Like every D rated tire,the sidewalls will have less stability. If you don't use your truck for heavy towing or carry a slide in,they might work well for you. Costco won't mount anything but a stock rated tire on a vehicle. I believe Sam's and Walmart have the same policy now.

 

[MChrist]

If I never towed, I would probably go lower load range for comfort, but I'll stick with LRE.

 

[JGamble]

Just my HO here, but I bought a set last year, probably put on about 20k on them, rotated when service interval arrived, and the wear was decent. However they dont like holding air up front. I havent found a leak yet, around tread or sidewall, valve stem, but they dont hold air as well. I bought my truck with Michelins on them, LOVED THEM. I went with the Nitto's cause I was short on money the time that I needed new tires. I would def. go with the Michelins.

Regards,
J

 

[MChrist]

However they dont like holding air up front. I havent found a leak yet, around tread or sidewall, valve stem, but they dont hold air as well.

They don't hold air????? You, my friend, have a problem other than your tires. Spray soapy water between your tires and your rim (both sides) and wait for bubbles/foam.

My Nittos have been on my truck for 3 years, now, and never lose air. I adjust my pressure throughout the year and by load, and my fronts are both always equal, and my rears are always equal, and always seem to be right at the pressure that I left them.

Check your tire/rim seal. That is where your problem is most likely.

 

[JGamble]

I have checked them with soapy mist solution. All over the dang things..... lol. I tried it after its been sitting, after towing, driving, off roading (once), and nothing. Probably doesnt help me that I bought these from a less then respectable tire dealer out of a Marine town, but nonetheless, I have looked into this before. Its a couple months before tax season, so personally, I am not worrying about it. Soon it will be time for 5 new Michelins and a 2. 5" level up front.

Regards,
J

 

[MChrist]

Try removing the valve cap and spraying them. I've noticed that if a tire company throws those little balance beads into the tire before mounting, that they will get caught in the valve. That way, when you check pressure, they can get caught there and the only way to get the valve to seal again is to pop more air in. We've had this happen many times at work.
Also, I've heard of porous aluminum causing leaks. Try spraying the wheels. New Michelins won't cure that problem!!
Just trying to help.

 

[MQuirin]

...

One thing to note, for some reason the "Dura" compound is avaialable only in the smaller, oem size 265/75/17 E, not the larger size that you are looking at...

I'm not sure where you got your info, but it's incorrect. The Duras have come in 285/70-17E, 285/75-17E and bigger for some time. I'm at 58k on mine and they are nearing the wear bars.

 

[seafish]

I'm not sure where you got your info, but it's incorrect. The Duras have come in 285/70-17E, 285/75-17E and bigger for some time. I'm at 58k on mine and they are nearing the wear bars.

You are right that the Dura Grapplers DO come in larger sizes, but what I was saying is that NOT all of the Dura Grapplers use the "Dura Belt" technology that makes for a better tire. In fact, the 45k mileage warranty is limited to ONLY those tires sizes that use the "dura belt. "

I am getting my info directly from Nitto Tires website.
You can check it out for yourself--

Dura Grappler

Dura Grappler

On the first link, the warranty is explained.

On the second link, note that the tires marked with a ** are the only sizes available with "dura belt" technology.

While I know that Nitto makes a decent tire, and while I am actually interested in this particular tire, I also like to run a 285/75/17 LRE, and I feel that it is disingenuous of Nitto to market a tire that uses a better technology and has a better warranty only in SOME sizes.

 

[seafish]

On the OTHER hand, that IS some excellent wear and mileage that you have gotten out of your Nitto Dura Grapplers 285/75/17 E tires!!!

I may well have to reconsider them, "dura belt technology" or not or even mileage warrantied or not !!

Can you give us some feedback on road handling and stability in different conditions ??

Also curious what constitutes most of your driving miles ?