Nitto Dune Grappler Reviews

If Evil made a tire, the Nitto Dune Grappler would be it. Like it's cousin the Nitto Mud Grappler extreme terrain, the Nitto Dune Grappler packs as much attitude as it does performance in it's domain. The most impressive thing about this tire is it's evil profile. The tread pattern consists of spiked flames that run laterally through it's tread pattern and down onto the sidewalls. Even the Nitto Dune Grappler logo embedded in the sidewall has attitude. As long as this tire handled somewhat ok in it's preferred terrain, the tire would still be worth consideration, just on appearance alone. But the tire does more than look good. Offroad in it's element the Dune Grappler does very well. Make no mistake though, this tire is specifically built for sand and not mud. In sand it's reported by those who have tested these tires, that they handle well, getting a moderate amount non-directional bite in sandy zones. On the rocks, even though they are designed to take a beating with their three ply polyester high turn up construction which would improve bruise and puncture resistance, they don't flex well enough to offer good grip on rocks. In the mud, they are on the low side of average when compared to typical All Terrain tires and quickly clog with mud in the voids. But again, these are tires specifically designed to perform in desert conditions. On the street, the do surprisingly well with strong cornering performance and decent grip in dry conditions as well as a quiet ride. However their lack of sipes reduces their wet surface performance. But did we mention they look downright evil?

Nitto Tire Takes Two Podiums at Best in the Desert Parker 425 with the Nitto Dune Grappler Tire

Nitto Dune Grappler

Manufacturers description of this tire:

Nitto Dune Grappler

The Dune Grappler satisfies the enthusiast who wants an aggressive tread for off road capabilities, while providing a more comfortable and quieter ride on the road. By utilizing advanced computer simulation technology, the Dune Grappler's tread block arrangement reduces high levels of noise commonly associated with aggressive tires, while still providing a traction-oriented tread for off road use.

The Dune Grappler Desert Terrain tire is offered in higher load range ratings of "D" and "E" in certain sizes. These higher load ratings make the Nitto Dune Grappler Desert Terrain capable for use with heavyweight trucks, such as Ford Super Duty and GM Heavy Duty, as well as other large and mid-sized trucks on the road today. "LT" sizes will be available with a 3-ply sidewall construction for increased puncture resistance.

Features:

M&S-rated for all season performance
3 ply polyester high turn up construction improves bruise and puncture resistance and increases sidewall strength and durability*
Intermediate void-ratio for optimal performance in loose gravel and sandy terrains
Flare “taper and bridge” design reduces flex for longer tread life along with better traction and steering on and off road
Innovative design allows for tread and shoulder integration, ensuring a flatter, wider contact patch optimal for on and off road performance.
Side lugs provide puncture resistance and off-road traction
Flare “taper and bridge” design reduces flex for longer tread life along with better traction and steering on and off-road
Sound absorbing blocks and a balanced void ratio provides offroad traction while reducing road noise

“Bead Block” technology gives added protection to your valuable wheels

*Compared to Terra Grappler. Only available in LT sizes.

Nitto Press Releases:
Desert Terrain Light Truck Radial

Nitto Tire North America, Inc. introduces the new Dune Grappler Desert Terrain tire, an exciting addition to Nitto's popular Grappler series. The Dune Grappler satisfies the enthusiast who wants an aggressive tread for off road capabilities, while providing a more comfortable and quieter ride on the road. By utilizing advanced computer simulation technology, the Dune Grappler's tread block arrangement reduces high levels of noise commonly associated with aggressive tires, while still providing a traction-oriented tread for off road use.

The new Dune Grappler Desert Terrain tire will be offered in higher load range ratings of ‘D’ and ‘E' in certain sizes. These higher load ratings make the Nitto Dune Grappler Desert Terrain capable for use with heavyweight trucks, such as Ford Super Duty and GM Heavy Duty, as well as other large and mid-sized trucks on the road today. "LT" sizes will be available with a 3-ply sidewall construction for increased puncture resistance.

Nitto Dune Grappler All Terrain tires will also feature Nitto's "Bead Block" technology, a rim protector feature designed to offer increased protection to your valuable wheels. The Dune Grappler will be available from 15- to 22-inch wheel sizes, with additional sizes becoming available later this year.

Nitto Tire Introduces the New Dune Grappler Desert Terrain Tire

Nitto Tire introduces the new Dune Grappler Desert Terrain tire, an exciting addition to Nitto's popular Grappler series. The Dune Grappler satisfies the enthusiast who wants an aggressive tread for off-road capabilities, while providing a more comfortable and quieter ride on the road. By utilizing advanced computer simulation technology, the tread block arrangement reduces high levels of noise commonly associated with aggressive tires, while still providing a traction-oriented tread for off-road use. The Nitto Dune Grappler will be offered with a three-ply sidewall construction for increased puncture resistance in certain popular sizes.

Features:

M&S-rated for all season performance
3 ply polyester high turn up construction improves bruise and puncture resistance and increases sidewall strength and durability*
Intermediate void-ratio for optimal performance in loose gravel and sandy terrains
Flare “taper and bridge” design reduces flex for longer tread life along with better traction and steering on and off road
Innovative design allows for tread and shoulder integration, ensuring a flatter, wider contact patch optimal for on and off road performance.
Side lugs provide puncture resistance and off-road traction
Flare “taper and bridge” design reduces flex for longer tread life along with better traction and steering on and off-road
Sound absorbing blocks and a balanced void ratio provides offroad traction while reducing road noise

“Bead Block” technology gives added protection to your valuable wheels

*Compared to Terra Grappler. Only available in LT sizes.

Sizes:

LT31X10.50R15 C
LT33X12.50R15 C
LT285/75R16 E
LT305/70R16 E
LT315/75R16 E
LT285/70R17 E
LT315/70R17 D
285/60R18
LT285/65R18 E
LT285/55R20 E
305/40R22

The Dune Grappler became available at the end of the third quarter in 2006.

Nitto Dune Grappler Desert Terrain Tires
Available in the following sizes:

Tire Size	Tread Depth (1/32”)	Inflated Dimensions		Approved Rim (Measuring Rim) Width (in.)	Max Max Load @ Press (lbs) (psi)
Tire Size	Tread Depth (1/32”)	Overall Dia. (in)	Overall Width (in.)	Approved Rim (Measuring Rim) Width (in.)	Max Max Load @ Press (lbs) (psi)
31X10.50R15LT C 109S	TBA	TBA	TBA	7.0- (8.5)-9.0	2250 @ 50
33X12.50R15LTC 108S	TBA	TBA	TBA	8.0- (10.0)-11.0	2225 @ 35
LT285/75R16 E 126R	TBA	TBA	TBA	7.5- (8.0)-9.0	3750 @ 80
LT305/70R16 E 124R	TBA	TBA	TBA	8.0- (9.0)-9.5	3525 @ 65
LT315/75R16 E 127T	TBA	TBA	TBA	8.0- (8.5)-10.0	3860 @ 65
LT285/70R17 E 126R	TBA	TBA	TBA	7.5- (8.5)-9.0	3750 @ 80
LT315/70R17 D 121T	14.0	TBA	TBA	8.5- (9.5)-10.0	3195 @ 50
* 285/60R18 120T	TBA	TBA	11.65	8.0- (8.5)-10.0	3086 @ 50
LT285/65R18 E 125R	14.0	31.30	TBA	8.0- (8.5)-10.0	3640 @ 80
* 265/50R20 111T	14.0	TBA	11.02	7.5- (8.5)-9.5	2403 @ 50
* 285/50R20 116T	16.0	30.47	11.61	8.0- (9.0)-10.0	2756 @ 50
LT285/55R20 E 122R	14.0	31.30	11.77	8.0- (9.0)-10.0	3305 @ 80
* 285/45R22 114T	14.0	32.36	11.30	9.0- (9.5)-10.5	2601 @ 50
* 305/40R22 114T	14.0	31.73	12.36	10.0- (11.0)-12.0	2601 @ 50
* 305/45R22 118T	14.0	32.72	12.05	9.5- (10.0)-11.5	2910 @ 50

* Indicates reinforced

Manufacturer Contact Info:

Nitto Tire N. America Inc.
	6021 Katella Ave. Suite 250 Cypress, CA 90630
	www.nittotire.com

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User Reviews

Below are reviews submitted by people who have had experience with this tire. Opinions below are not necessarily that of Offroaders.com. If you'd like to submit a review of your own, please use the form below to review this tire. Please restrict your comments to only tires you have had experience with.

Rating Key - The star rating keys are specific to the terrain being rated in the review. To the Top

	Don't even consider it if this is your main terrain. This tire will not perform well at all in this terrain.

	Its trying but not doing too well. You'd be better off choosing another for this terrain.

	Average. Its doing ok, not great but its holding its own. A decent choice if you're compromising.

	This tire does very well in this terrain but its not the best tire available however still a very good choice.

	This tire performs exceptionally well in this terrain. Among the best suited for this terrain.

	Size Availability - This is a one to three thumbs up snapshot rating where one mean poor selection, two means ok and three means great. Check with suppliers or manufacturers for actual available sizes. While this rating system is vague, we couldn't possibly list all available sizes with size selection changing over time. Please see manufacturer for list of sizes in production.

	Money Bags - This is an average cost scale based on an averaged advertised cost of this tire when compared to other tires. One money bag represents the tire is typically one of the cheapest available while 5 money bags indicates that this tire is one of the most expensive. Averages are based on the tires reviewed.