Snow/ice traction Nitto Terra Grappler LT

bschram · 11-14-2008, 02:44 PM

I just drove in the snow for the first time with my new Nitto Terra Grapplers and was a little disappointed. They seemed to have worse traction than my stock Rugged Trails. The one difference is that the Nittos are a LT tire therefore I'm running them at 50 psi. Is this the problem?

-Brian

vilim12 · 11-14-2008, 03:10 PM

50 psi is pretty stiff, try lowering it and check back with us

yscty · 11-14-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bschram

I'm running them at 50 psi. Is this the problem?

yes, big problem......

bschram · 11-18-2008, 10:58 AM

I'd do that except that I'm under the impression that you need to run LT's at 50 psi to be equivalent to P-metrics in load capacity. I'm hearing this from the tire installers as well as from Nitto:

http://www.nittotire.com/assets/safe...t%20Trucks.pdf.

I'm starting to think that the LT's were a mistake, and I should have opted for P-metrics.

Pops · 11-18-2008, 11:01 AM

I don't run mine above 40-psi. There shouldn't be any problem airing them down to 35-40 to try out. I'm surprised your traction is that bad though, that doesn't seem right. Unfortunately, I've only had mine in a light few inches of snow.

grnTitan04 · 11-18-2008, 11:19 AM

Do you have any weight in the back? I usually run 150-200 lbs back there in the snow. I have trouble believing anything could possibly be worse than the ragged trails.
I am running 45psi in mine to get the right tread wear pattern, you would be safe to go as low as 32 for sure, and that will help. Also, what is your width? Did you stay at 285, or go wider? Wider = floats = less traction.

**DeadRiver** · 11-18-2008, 11:45 AM

mine are coming off before the snow flies... i won't get to test this.

sounds like you have a lot of air in those nittos...

bschram · 11-18-2008, 11:46 AM

The tire size is the stock 285 70 17 that comes w/ the Offroad package.

I think I'll take them down to 40 and see how that works. As far as weight, I don't have any now. Although as soon as I put my ARE fiberglass bed cover back on I'll have a little. I forgot that I've always had that on in the winter.

So to be clear, your Grapplers are LT's and sub 50 psi hasn't had issues?

Pops · 11-18-2008, 11:53 AM

Nope.... My max rated PSI is 60-psi I think. I aired them down to 32 & 35 & backup to 40 and 38-40 psi seems to be the best so far.

grnTitan04 · 11-18-2008, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bschram

So to be clear, your Grapplers are LT's and sub 50 psi hasn't had issues?

I have had them as high as 48psi, no issues. They are the LT version, rated 80psi max.
As pops said, they are the happiest in the low 40's, based on tread wear. I have been running higher pressure for mileage reasons. You can put more air in them at the times you will highly load the truck, when you really want the capacity, but there is no reason to leave them that high all the time, and it will lead to uneven tread wear in the center of the tire.

I really think you just need to load that boy up a little.

bschram · 11-18-2008, 04:31 PM

Certainly did ride nicer when I had 25 sheets of Durock in the bed.

Pops · 11-18-2008, 09:52 PM

25 sheets??? How many Showers and tubs are you walling??? Or is it gonna be in another area?? I'm finishing up rebuilding the last wall in my Dining Room right now. Only 1/2 of it left to texture before I ran out of joint compound a few mins ago. I'm hoping to have it all painted before Friday and finish up the wood trim and hang up the curtains this Saturday.

bschram · 11-19-2008, 11:56 AM

I guess it was actually 22. The shower is pretty good sized (5'x6'x8') and is taking 12 sheets. The bathroom and closet floors need 10. They're just the 3x5 sheets, and luckily the floor only needs the thinner 1/4" stuff.

I suspect that you're going to finish your project well ahead of me. Enjoy.

Pops · 11-19-2008, 12:05 PM

Ahhhh, gotcha. I only have 4x8 Durarock in the showers and around the tubs. The other 4' above 8' and the other walls of the bathrooms and closets are drywall. I hauled 6 - 4x12 sheets of 1/2" gypsum board on my last trip a few weeks ago. I left my tailgate open and tied tow ropes to the luggage rack to support the sections hanging out the back. I was wishing I had a pickup bed with dropped tailgate but I managed to get it home anyway.

bschram · 12-05-2008, 02:56 PM

Taking the pressure down to 40 psi seemed to help a bunch. Maybe when the pavement warms in May I'll pop them back up a little to keep the Nittos happy