Stock 265 vs 285 tires, is it really worth all the trouble?

My local dealer has a great Buy 3, Get 1 Free sale. Prices have not increased since sale began.
The only issue is that Ridge Grappler or Terra Grappler are about the best you can get.
My question: are other tires (AT4W, KO3, Open Country) worth paying that much more for considering the sale?

 

The Ridge Grapplers (to me anyway) were horrible in the rain. I mean outright sketchy, and they were new. I switched to Wildpeaks and they were a huge improvement.

 

I have heard similar results.
What is everyone’s experience with Discount Tire?
I have a local shop with better reviews (University Tire in Athens, GA), but the cost is about $150 more in total.

 

I remember when I was getting new KO2’s on my last 4R so many people said they suck in the rain and that they were down right dangerous in wet weather. I never experienced anything like that with those .
The only thing I hated about them was at around 20k+ miles they got really loud .

 

[QUOTE="kmeeg, post: 739735, member: 5853] So far I'm very happy with Toyo Open Country AT3 P285/70R17 SL. They almost feel like running stock size tires. But the con is they are not strong as some thing like BFG KO2 I used in the past. When I drive on a a trail with sharp rocks I pray that I don't get a puncture.

As for my next set I would also conside tires like: nokian outpost nat, cooper discoverer at34s. Even mickey thompson baja boss (slightly heavy).[/QUOTE]

This is my dilemma. For 99% of my driving, SL is perfectly adequate for my needs. It's the other 1% I worry about.

I don't off-road often, but when I do there are usually lots of rocks, logs, stumps etc. The last time I was out, the trail was pretty much all rocks. Between wincing every time I smashed a skid plate, I was worrying about my SL sidewalls.

As much as I don't want to add the weight, I'm seriously considering a heavier duty tire next time around, which basically means an E. I'm trying to keep the weight to a max of around 50lbs, which may be difficult. A front runner right now is the 255/80 Toyota AT3.

E Rated 285s seem mostly ridiculously heavy, so I don't think I'll do a 285.

Other contender is 275/70, I believe the new Cooper Stronghold is 50#, and 3Peak rated.

 

Whenever I see people complain about tires in the rain, I always assume they drive like a jackass.

I ran Nitto summer tires all year on my old Trans Am and never had an issue in the rain.

 

I have run a lot of different AT tires on 4 gens of 4Runners and found Terra Grapplers to be worst in the rain at what ever pressure. BF's were much better, Nittos better too. I've been running Goodyear Ultra Terrains and they have been excellent in the rain as well.

 

Discount Tire has been top notch. Fast, reliable in schedule times, clean place and you can watch them do the work through the viewing area in air conditioning.

 

But we’re talking about Ridge Grapplers. Totally different from Terra Grapplers.

 

i only run Falken Wildpeaks on my 4runners. IMO I feel they have amazing grip in the rain. Ive driven through some bad storms at hwy speeds 60+ mph and had complete confidence in them.

 

And another guy mentioned Terra Grapplers. Post #121. That is why I mentioned the lack of wet traction with the Terra's. Someone else mentioned how bad the Ridge Grapplers were in the wet. All I know is that Terra Grapplers would be great for drifting........ lol

 

Drifting LOL . I have read though that the 3rd generation Terra Grappler G3 is much better than the original generation that Toyota supplied on the TRD Pro up into mid 2024 .

 

According to Nitto the G3 was released in late 2024 .

 

Yeah I had them years ago and never considered them again after my first experience. They may be excellent now. I have been very happy with the Goodyear Ultra Terrains. Ran BF's on all 4 previous 4Runners for the most part, like these better. They may not have the same side wall toughness but they do have excellent grip on and off road, weigh a lot less and are very comfortable around town.