Nitto Ridge Grappler Review

Written & researched by Dakota Reyes Recovery & Trail Systems Editor

Published Sep 29, 2026

Nitto

Nitto Ridge Grappler

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Tire sizes, load ranges and speed ratings vary by listing — confirm with the seller for your exact year/trim and the size on your door-jamb placard.

Source: www.nittotire.com — manufacturer spec page, not Amazon.

Verified Size Chart (104 sizes)

What Nitto Says the Tread Does

Nitto's feature list is specific:

• A variable-pitch tread pattern, which Nitto says was created using advanced sound equipment for a quiet, smooth highway ride.
• Shoulder grooves in alternating widths and lengths to clear mud, plus zig-zag lateral "Z" grooves for biting edges.
• Staggered shoulder lugs and step-block edges for off-road traction.
• A reinforced block foundation that stiffens the tread blocks to reduce flex.
• Stone ejectors that protect the groove bottoms from stone drilling.
• Two different sidewall designs, one traditional and one with aggressive blocks, so the owner chooses which side faces out.

These are Nitto's descriptions. No public test rates tire noise or off-road traction across brands, so the published size data below is the firmer basis for comparing tires.

Three Kinds of Size in One Tire Line

The 104 rows split into three construction types, and they behave like different tires:

By wheel size, Nitto lists 7 sizes on 16-inch wheels, 21 on 17-inch, 27 on 18-inch, 31 on 20-inch, 14 on 22-inch and 4 on 24-inch.

Passenger Versus LT in the Same Size

Nitto's table shows how much the construction changes a nominally identical size. The 265/70R17 passenger tire is rated 115T, carries 2,679 lb at 44 psi and weighs 43.41 lb. The LT265/70R17 is a Load Range E at 121/118Q, carries 3,195 lb at 80 psi and weighs 54.48 lb, with 16.4/32in of tread against 13.5/32in.

On a truck or SUV, FMVSS 110 requires the tires on each axle to add up to at least the axle's GAWR, and a passenger tire's rating is divided by 1.10 first. The 265/70R17 then counts as about 2,435 lb, or 4,871 lb per axle, against 6,390 lb for two LT265/70R17 E tires. Check the GAWR on your door-jamb certification label before choosing the passenger version for a truck.

Load range matters within LT sizes too. The LT285/70R17 comes as a Load Range C at 116/113Q (2,755 lb at 50 psi) and as an E at 121/118Q (3,195 lb at 80 psi). Nitto lists both at 57.89 lb.

The Big Flotation Sizes

A taller tire doesn't always carry more. The 38x12.50R17LT is a Load Range C rated 118Q, 2,910 lb at 35 psi. The shorter 35x11.50R17LT is a Load Range E at 128Q, 3,970 lb at 80 psi. Flotation sizes also measure under their nominal height: Nitto lists the 35x12.50R17LT at 34.76in inflated and the 37x12.50R17LT at 36.77in. Weight climbs quickly, from 69.32 lb for the 33x12.50R17LT to 81.90 lb for the 38x12.50R17LT.

Warranty Without a Mileage Figure

Nitto offers treadwear mileage warranties only on models it lists as eligible, and its product page gives the Ridge Grappler none. The tire is covered by Nitto's workmanship-and-materials warranty. Nitto replaces a tire free for uniformity problems such as out-of-round or pulling within the first 1/32in of wear. For other covered conditions it replaces free while the tire is 25% worn or less and within 60 months of purchase. After that it charges the share of usable tread worn times the current dealer price. Replacement is due at 2/32in, where the treadwear indicators sit.

How It Compares Within Nitto's Own Line

Nitto sells three tires in LT265/70R17 Load Range E, all rated 121/118 and 3,195 lb at 80 psi:

The Trail Grappler adds a 3-ply sidewall on its non-15-inch sizes, and Nitto claims it is 34% quieter at street speeds than its Mud Grappler. See every rugged-terrain/hybrid tire in this library to compare the Ridge Grappler with the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac and Toyo Open Country R/T, or the all-terrain and mud-tire hub for the category decision.

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