How do you like your Nitto Terra Grapplers on-road? Noise? Packed snow? Wet? Slush? Ice? The off-road driving I do is logging trails, mostly, no rock crawling or mudding.

I've been wrestling with tire choices (now that I've finally got a VIN number, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel). I intend to keep the stock 18" Sahara wheels, and other than levelling the front end I don't want to modify the suspension or handling. I'd prefer not to use wheel spacers.

I was looking at the BFG All Terrain in a 285/65 18, but I have read over and over again that they rub and I would be better with spacers. I'd prefer not to use spacers, as I said.

But then I found that some All Terrain tires are available as 275/70 18, for example the Cooper STT (more of a mud tire, I know) and Nitto Terra Grappler, meaning that they are taller but narrower than the BFG All Terrain in 285/65 18. (The Coopers are very expensive in Canada; the Nittos are less expensive than the Coopers, and not much more expensive than the BFG All Terrains.) Here's the tale of the tape:
I assume for my purposes any of these tires would perform to my satisfaction off-road. Which will make the happiest on-road? And am I correct in my assumption that the 275/70 18 will not rub at full turn (remember, height's not an issue once I level the front)?

Thx for your help.

 

I had them on my old Tow rig (2003 Chevy 1500 HD) before getting the JK, and can tell you that they are an excellent tire. I can't tell you how they perform in snow or ice though, but handle great in the rain and wet roads. They will also last a long time. I had about 40K mile on mine before trading in my truck, and still had about 50% tread left. And this is on a heavy truck. They have no noticeable road noise either.

I would recommend them

 

The Nitto TG's are fantastic tires. I ran them on my 97 Landcruiser in a 295/75 as I rarely run into mud but constantly drive in snowy/slushy/icey conditions. The big suprise about the tires is that they are fantastic in Moab conditions.

 

I have the Nitto TG's in 285/75R16 on stock suspension, no problems here. This tire has performed quite well in Florida conditions so far (3000 mi on them).

On road they are tight handling, keeping the feel of stock wheels and tires. There is slight tire noise with the top down, but can barely be heard over the wind noise. Rain tracking is very good, my JK always feels well planted on the road.

Although I have not had a true mud event yet (mudding has become a no no in the State and National Forests here), I have done some great trail rides and I have found the Nitto's to perform great in various enviroments. I was actually surprised how well they did in some thick sugar sand during a club ride in the Ocala National Forest about a month ago.

Another plus is the $60 per tire I saved over the BFG AT's, which allowed me to get a set of steel rims to match my JK. Price and performance! Thats whats it all about!

 

35" Nitto Terra Graplers on my TJ, and They are awesome tires! On the road there is no noise, They work excelent in Snow and Rain. My only complaint on them is they are not as great on the Rocks. We had them aired down to about 10 pounds and they did allright, but if you are not worried about the rocks, I would get them above the BFG allterrains!