Nitto Recon Grappler 30,000 Mile Tire Review: Trail & Street Tested on a Ford F-250 Tremor

As an owner of a modern 4WD heavy duty truck, tire choice can make or break your experience. While there’s always the temptation to outfit the most aggressive terrain possible for that hypothetical off-road adventure, most modern trucks will spend the majority of their time on asphalt if owners are honest with themselves. Finding the right tire to strike the balance is crucial. We're taking a deep dive into Nitto’s Recon Grappler all terrain tire, as we review its performance on our Ford F-250 Tremor over the course of 30,000 miles to see how it performed.

The Recon Grappler is an all terrain tire specifically engineered for those who demand versatility. Its design aims to provide a balance between rugged off-road capability and on-road comfort and handling. With this in mind, we chose a set of LT285/75R18s that were the perfect OEM alternative for an off-road focused heavy-duty truck like the F-250 Tremor.

Off-Road Prowess

When it came to off-road performance, our Recon Grappler tires excelled in everything it was tasked to do. The aggressive tread pattern, featuring large, chunky blocks with alternating shoulder and sidewall reinforcements, provided exceptional grip on a wide range of surfaces.

Over the course of our 30,000-mile journey, these tires tackled the rocky trails of North Carolina and the sandy paths of coastal Florida with ease.

One specific challenge that we faced often was towing an RV in and out of the slick Georgia red clay. Navigating through mud on a trail is one thing, but pulling a camper out of outdoor storage after a long rain is another. Despite the clay doing its best to fill the deep treads, the Recon Grappler never failed to find enough grip to pull both the truck and camper out of a potentially sticky situation. 

Traction in All Conditions

Whether we were navigating through muddy trails or driving on rainy Georgia roads, the Recon Grappler tires always exhibited reliable traction. The siping on the tread blocks enhances grip on slippery surfaces, and the large, open voids between the blocks effectively evacuate water and mud, preventing hydroplaning.

On-Road Comfort and Handling

One of the standout features of the Recon Grappler tires is their impressive on-road performance. While aggressive off-road tread can often be a handful on the pavement, the Nittos are surprisingly well-mannered. Whether we were cruising on the highway or tackling twisty mountain roads, the Recon Grapplers always provided a reassuring level of grip and stability.

On top of that, the ride quality is surprisingly comfortable for a heavy duty truck. The thick sidewall construction helps dampen impacts, and the tires maintain a predictable ride even on rough roads. This is a significant benefit for those who spend a lot of time driving their truck on pavement, because it minimizes driver fatigue during long journeys.

We’ve made two long trips with these tires, from Georgia to Montana, and Georgia to West Virginia. Even with 10+ hour driving days, the F-250 remained a pleasant place to soak up miles. 

Durability and Longevity

Over the 30,000 miles we've put on the Recon Grapplers, they've shown minimal signs of wear. The tread depth remains consistent, which is impressive given the variety of terrain these tires have tackled.

This longevity is a testament to Nitto's quality and construction, as it can be challenging to find tires that provide both excellent off-road performance and a long lifespan. And Nitto is proud of their tires, and stand behind the Recon Grappler with a 55k limited treadwear warranty on LT Metric and flotation sizes and 65,000-mile treadwear warranty on Hard Metric sizes.

Nitto has managed to create a tire that combines off-road tenacity with on-road comfort and durability. Whether you're an avid off-roader, an overland enthusiast, or simply a daily driver, these tires offer a compelling blend of performance.

So, if you're considering upgrading your F-250 Tremor's tires, the Recon Grappler tires deserve a closer look. Our 30,000-mile experience has convinced us of the quality and performance, and they've certainly earned their place as the ideal OEM replacement tire for our F-250 Tremor.

Double Mint: A Dual Purpose, Slammed ’78 GMC Jimmy Showstopper that Seats the Whole Family

Though we love custom vintage trucks, they have one problem: seating is limited for passengers. For Cody McKelvy of Dallas, Texas, GM SUVs have been popular with his family and when he had the opportunity to have Hill’s Hot Rods build this one, he jumped at the opportunity. 

When completed, Cody had this to say about the reveal, “My two little girls were freaking out and immediately walked over the seats to sit in the back. I can’t wait to take them to school in it!” This is exactly why builds like this have been such a hit!

Under the Hood

Supporting Gear

Rollers

Between the Doors

Exterior

Subaru Debuts Next-Gen 2025 Forester: Are the Updates Enough to Fend off RAV4 & Ford Bronco Sport?

For many years Subaru was one of the more quirky automakers out there. Known for their capable AWD tech and unusual flat-four engines, the Subaru of old went outside the box with cars like the Brat, the WRX and the Baja. 

And while they still sell the WRX, as well unique offerings like the Crosstrek, the bread and butter for the brand are its larger, CUVs like the Forester.

Subtle Changes

So when it came time to debut the next-generation 2025 Forester, it comes as no surprise that they've taken a pretty conservative approach.

In fact, the new sixth-generation version isn't all that different from the out-going fifth-gen model. It rides on an updated version of the same platform and has nearly the same dimensions all around.

The styling, however, has been updated with a new look, enhanced aerodynamics and a bit of influence from the WRX.

Inside, the Forester now gets the same, large vertical screen used in most other Subaru models. And of course gets a full set of available safety tech. 

There are a few improvements under the skin, including a chassis Subaru says is 10% more rigid than before and a steering rack adapted from the aforementioned WRX.

More Power, Please

Unfortunately, those improvements don't expand to the engine. All 2025 Foresters will be powered by the same 2.5L, naturally aspirated boxer four-cylinder that makes 180hp and 178 pound-feet of torque, mated exclusively to a CVT automatic.

While many enthusiasts were hoping Subaru would bring back the Forester XT with the 2.4L turbo engine from the WRX and Outback, it doesn't look like that's the case for now.

The Forester has been a favorite of weekend off-roaders and entry-level overlanders. And while its off-road capability will be there, it's hard to ignore its lack of power and fuel economy when compared to many rivals. 

For example, when compared against a Toyota RAV4 which offers hybrid and PHEV versions, or something like a Ford Bronco Sport with its EcoBoost power, the Subaru boxer is significantly down on power. 

There is some hope though, because not only should there be a ruggedized next-gen Forester Wilderness coming soon (perhaps with that turbo engine finally?), and supposedly a hybrid model in the works as well.

The 2025 Forester will hit dealerships next spring.