In for Review: NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T Tires

By Michael S. Palmer - July 2, 2021

Have any questions about the all-new NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T? Post them in the forum linked below!

We’ve got a TON of reviews in the works for all you Ford Truck Enthusiasts… 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum, Mustang GT Premium, Bronco Sport, and Mustang Mach-E California Route 1, to name a few. But I’m also stoked to let everyone know that we just snagged a set of NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T All-Terrain Light Truck Tires from our friends at NITTO Tire (an FTE sponsor). And we’re going to test them out this month with our friends over at South Bay Ford (not a sponsor) on a beautiful white-on-white F-150 Lariat (pictured).

You’ve probably already heard about the Recon Grappler™ A/T tires. They’re brand new and already flying off the shelves. But for folks not in the know, here’s the quick version: many truck owners prefer the road manners of all-terrain truck tires while also adoring the muscular looks and versatility of mud-terrain tires. The NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T aims to split the difference, offering the longevity and manners of an A/T with the rugged looks and performance of an M/T.

To paraphrase an old cliché, these babies are quiet on the streets and devils in the shee– er, off-road.

Looking through the specs, NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T tires boast a 55,000-mile limited treadwear warranty (for LT-metric and flotation sizes). NITTO Tire engineers also paid special attention to road-noise, given the tires both a wide and narrow groove tread pattern. This not only reduces noise but also improves traction. They also added large tread and reinforced shoulder blocks to improve dry and wet stability.

Last, but perhaps most exciting, are the shoulder lugs. First, there are two unique designs from which to choose. (Basically, pick the style that fits you and your truck best.) Second, they aren’t just for show. They’re also functional, providing added off-roading traction. From what I understand, shoulder lugs are what give M/T tires their badass aesthetic. And now we get to enjoy them on an A/T.

As I write this, there’s not much to report from an experience perspective. BUT my new friend Adolfo (the truck’s owner) and I were both blown away by the truck’s visual transformation. (Seriously, it’s massive.)

We ended up with a slightly wider 285/55R20 Recon Grappler size (factory spec is 275-55R20), which probably helps the looks a little. But, still, these things are so mean and muscular compared to the OEM all-terrains. It’s a big aesthetic upgrade with, hopefully, the performance to back it up.

And we’re excited to test them out! Our goal is to drive the F-150 about an hour or so north of Los Angeles to the Angeles Crest National Forest for some light mountaintop off-roading (as featured in THIS REVIEW). But we also need your help! I’m going to set up an FTE FORUM THREAD RIGHT HERE and we’d love to know if you have any questions about the NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T or our experience. And make sure to CLICK HERE to learn more about the NITTO Recon Grappler™ A/T.