Tired of tire prices

Southern_Transplant

Southern_Transplant

Comic Relief
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Location
Fayetteville, NC
So, it's about time to swap two out of my four Nitto Ridge Grapplers. The $$$ I paid @tobaccoroad4wd for these and the rims went a long way. But there are signs of dry rot that scare me when I drive at road speeds.

The price of Ridge Grapplers seems to be doing better than the stock market. They are around $420+ per tire.

For that money, I could be getting 4 from some other "off brands". Does anyone have any experience with Atlas, Arroyo, or any of the other Asian made tires that come in around $200 for a 35x12.50r17?
 
Following for the info but I will say that both Toyo and Nitto tires I have had the last few years show “micro” cracks in the tread block area while the sidewall stays clean. I have alway wondered WTF given the oldest date code on either mine or the wives truck tires date to 2023. In my mind NOWHERE near when I tire should be showing UV wear…. Is this a thing??


Also to OP @Southern_Transplant , no recommendations on Chinese a wan tires…. Sorry…


Also, to OP. I’ve heard cut thornbirds are the rage…..
 
No experience, but keep seeing folks in FB groups saying they didn't balance well and didn't last..but others saying they're getting just as many miles out of them as the big names...so hell, who knows
 
skyhighZJ said:
Following for the info but I will say that both Toyo and Nitto tires I have had the last few years show “micro” cracks in the tread block area while the sidewall stays clean. I have alway wondered WTF given the oldest date code on either mine or the wives truck tires date to 2023. In my mind NOWHERE near when I tire should be showing UV wear…. Is this a thing??


Also to OP @Southern_Transplant , no recommendations on Chinese a wan tires…. Sorry…


Also, to OP. I’ve heard cut thornbirds are the rage…..
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That's what these are looking like. They are also getting to the bottom 30% of tread. So, I figured now would be a good time to look at swapping them out.

As for "buy quality". I'm good with paying a reasonable price for a reasonable product. But as shown from the post above, I'm not sure paying the name brand premium is getting you anything other than a lighter wallet.

I took a chance on buying a new Thailand brand tire a few years ago. It turned out Wildpeaks were a hidden gem. Unfortunately, their prices went up with their reputation.
 
Biggest issue I’ve heard about the “over there” tires is they are usually WAY heavier (causing MPG issues), and balance issues ( see: poor construction and being heavier causing bad balancing effects).

YMMV
 
Went to Cooper Stronghold AT’s on the dually after my last set of Yokohama’s were pure ass. Didn’t feel like paying the Nitto/Toyo tax this time around. 10k miles so far mixed towing heavy and unloaded they’re great. Wearing well, quiet, not too picky on air pressure like others. If I get 40k miles out of them I’ll be happy considering the truck is about to be parked unless it’s being used to pull or run around the farm.
 
I switched to Falken WPs a couple years ago. Quieter and smoother than old Toyos…mileage tbd only got 55k on them so far
 
Ron said:
I switched to Falken WPs a couple years ago. Quieter and smoother than old Toyos…mileage tbd only got 55k on them so far
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Yep, when I got them back in 2017 folks on the off-road forums were talking down on them. I got a set of 33s for $130 a piece when the Jeep was still my DD. When I went to 35s, they were still in great shape.

I'm liking the looks of the Atlas tires. They seem to be a decent weight (69 lbs) based on the spec sheet and carry a 50k mile tread wear warranty. They are also out of Thailand.
 
benXJ said:
Do you need such large tires to drive around town?

They only charge what people will pay

'ridge' and 'grappler' for the mall?!
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Not sure who the comment was aimed at, but for me I don’t just ride around town.

I’m on job sites and farm daily. Haven’t been to a mall in…over a decade that I can recall.

But 4wd is used in my truck 2-3tines every week.

And yeah, all terrain tires make a difference. Street treads just slide.

But beyond that who needs anything?
Do you need Internet and this forum?
Do you need a house? Think of how much better the planet would be if we didn’t chop down trees to build houses. Just sleep in the forest. You start I’ll follow.
 
I have been running 2 sets of Arisun tires and been really happy with them. I've only ran straight tread stock size tires but the next set of 10 plys will defiantly be the A/T's. I'm interested in trying them out. I'm just curious how the tariffs have effected them.
 
utires.com

United Tires has rotating stock of new, nearly new, and used tires. I bought a couple Ridge Grapplers from them half-used to replaced ones on my truck. Nearly every day they mark down the tires again to get them to move, so if you see a deal do not wait or it will be gone tomorrow. Shipping is included. I was not disappointed in my purchases.
 
Like @Ron, my DD tires have to commute 60 miles a day, dig into jobsite mud, handle tow duties (10-12k), do reasonably well in the snow and ice.
Falken ATs have been great, as have Toyos in the past. Currently on Nittos on my Super Duty and happy so far.
For the OP, the off brand AT/MT I see on JKs and JLs in my shop all wear like crap. They are also noticeably heavier than similar more mainstream brands.
 
Ron said:
Not sure who the comment was aimed at, but for me I don’t just ride around town.

I’m on job sites and farm daily. Haven’t been to a mall in…over a decade that I can recall.

But 4wd is used in my truck 2-3tines every week.

And yeah, all terrain tires make a difference. Street treads just slide.

But beyond that who needs anything?
Do you need Internet and this forum?
Do you need a house? Think of how much better the planet would be if we didn’t chop down trees to build houses. Just sleep in the forest. You start I’ll follow.
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You want Grapples in a huge size for the farm?! Gotta pay!

yes, I understand luxuries vs. needs
 
Ron said:
Not sure who the comment was aimed at, but for me I don’t just ride around town.
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Pretty sure it was for my brother who has to have fancy wheels and tires on everything but other than dealing with some snow up North all he does is wear them out on the street. LOL
 
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OnlyOneDR said:
utires.com

United Tires has rotating stock of new, nearly new, and used tires. I bought a couple Ridge Grapplers from them half-used to replaced ones on my truck. Nearly every day they mark down the tires again to get them to move, so if you see a deal do not wait or it will be gone tomorrow. Shipping is included. I was not disappointed in my purchases.
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Bebop said:
I am convinced by Sailun tires.
Have them on my trailer, on my daily 1500 and soon on my 2500HD.
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Checked out United Tires. No joy on Nitto Ridge Grapplers in my size. If these things aren't ready to explode like I've been worried about due to the surface cracking, I'm might run them the rest of the season.

Thanks for the tip on Sailuns. They do look like a decent option. Both them and the Atlas tires come with a tread warranty and come in at about the same weight. By comparison some other brands are coming in 10 lbs heavier.
 
No offroad experience, but our tire guys gets us 4 tires for 200 mounted and balance and out the door for our Kia Soul.
No complaints for tires I have never heard of ... exactly what I expected for a 200 dollar set of tires.
 
I’ve got a set of 40” razors on my Toyota and have been pleased with how they have held up to a lot of driving around town with a welded rear. They were surprisingly affordable compared to other options when I bought them. It’s been several years though.

I tend to be afraid of off brand tires. Not worth the gamble when more money gets the peace of mind. Cheaper trash is a waste of money.
 
OnlyOneDR said:
Just keep an eye out, they have new listings constantly.
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To whit: I was able to snag a matching spare for my Ram yesterday on there; one popped up and was $67 shipped with half tread. I also use Ridge Grapplers, but in the diminutive LT265/70R17 size in E load range. Also not cheap.
 
the last time i thought i would save some money on chinese 35s for a truck a barely ever drive, i regretted the decision. paid about half of a "good set" and got about 1/3 of the mileage off of the Kendas compared to nittos.
 
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