Recon Grappler and Open Country AT3

I want to get a set of 35x11.5R17's and there are only a handful of option in this size. Any one have experience with one or both of these tires?

They both seem to be reviewed really well, but I am leaning toward the Recon's just because they are almost $400 cheaper for a set of 5.

 

I was looking at the the recons but they ain’t 3 peak snow rated . I’m in snow a good amount of time

 

No Nittos are and my guess is that they don't pay whatever subscription fee they need to the Rubber manufacturers association or whatever.

I also am not super impressed with the 3PMS thing. I think its a pretty low bar to fall into that category. For example, my KO2's(on two vehicles) have been pretty disappointing in snow so far but are 3PMS. The 4 sets of Duratracs I had before were far superior.

I also am in snow a lot.

 

We have Toyo Open Country A/T III tires on both my Tundra and my wife's 4Runner. They've performed well on and off road on the Tundra the last 2 years. We recently moved to Colorado from California and they've also been doing well on snowy roads. Not sure about the Recons but the Open Country tires came with a good mileage warranty.

 

My wife's 4R has the Toyo OC AT3 for about 30-40k miles now. They're a fantastic tire. (265/70r17 size - so not the direct tire you're asking about, but I cant imagine much difference). Great in NE winters, mud seasons, and summers. She doesn't go wheelin' or anything but has taken them off pavement (as have I) and they are just fine for a mild/moderate adventure beyond the asphalt. I will be putting them on my Tundra in 285/70r18 this fall.

 

They are made by the same company. Both are good tires. The AT3 will have a little better traction in the rain.

 

I have the AT3 in the 35x11.5. I really, really like this size. Tires have done great in PA weather and just fine out in CO when we went there last summer. They do better than ko2s for sure in rain and snow, maybe a touch less than the falkens.

 

KO2’s are not good in the snow. Idk who decided they were. Ive got two sets now because i got em super cheap as takeoffs(Raptor and Wrangler Rubicon takeoffs) but if I gotta spend full price on tires its not gunna be KO2’s

 

Haha, yeah I have had the same experience. Ridge grapplers got really hard and turned into ko2s. I also had km3s and besides being loud I thought they were better than the ko2s. But ultimately I wanted the 11.5 width to cut down on weight so my choices were limited. You may want to check out the Maxxis razr at…they have a 35x11.5 but it’s a hair wider than the toyos.

 

Just got the nitto recons...very smooth and quiet compared to coopers st maxx that I just took off.

 

Bumping this older thread as I’m hunting in the same tire size.

Any input from those who have owned both the Recon Grapplers and AT3s and can comment on their relative strengths and drawbacks?

Looks like the Wildpeak R/T01 is another option in this size. It’s a hybrid so more aggressive than these two A/Ts. Anyone have direct experience with it?

@mass-hole - what did you end up going with and how you liking them so far?

@dkrou - how you liking the Recons now that you’ve run them for 6 months?

 

Love them. Have done some extensive highway driving.

 

Thanks @dkrou . Went to my local Discount Tire and ordered a set only to receive a call from them a few hours later to tell me they couldn’t get them. Turns out Nitto has discontinued the Recon Grapplers in 35x11.5r17. Guess I’ll be going with the AT3…

 

Due to OOS with the AT3 in 285/70r18 and no timeline on getting them in, I went with the recon grappler in that size back in June. More aggressive sidewall than the at3 and has been great on the highway, parking lots, and some off the grid roads I take to go fish or ride MTB. I really should take more pics of "getting there" but I just never think about it as I'm using the truck and its capabilities to get to the activity that I want, rather than "getting there" being the activity. Oh well.

Can't speak for snow traction yet obviously but I will be able to sooner than later. As mentioned above Toyo owns Nitto and it is probably a matter of just not wanting to spend money twice on certifications for the 3 peak snowflake. Having experience with the AT3 on my wife's 4R and their impressive performance in the snow, I can only imagine that the recon grappler will fare as well if not better just based on how they already performed in some slick spots for me. Will update.

 

Just an update on snow performance. Tires are still relatively new (about 3k on them). We haven't had any real blowers in my area yet, though the Tug Hill got slammed a week or so ago. I had no reason to be down there so I wasn't. We've gotten a couple of 3-4" dustings that I've managed to drive in and I must say these Recon Grapplers still track like sled skis. LT285/70r18 size. Very happy so far. Will update with some deep stuff usage when we get it.

 

Any further update on the Recon Grapplers in deep snow? Looking at these to be my next tire but we get some snow and slush in the Northeast especially when I track up to Vermont to snowboard. Thank you!

 

I have had 4 sets of Toyo AT2 Extremes and I could have gotten the AT3s last time around.

I went with the AT3 this time around and it is a fantastic tire. Made me wish I would have done the AT3s last year on the old truck. FWIW I am running a slightly lower pressure this time around than I usually do and I’ve gotta say the tire is great, handles well, and so far no complaints.

 

yeah as of right now the AT3 are top on my list but I just like the look of the recons but smart decision would be at3 just for all the siping - coming from mickey Thompson Baja boss AT which are great but I just like trying new things

 

The AT3s are definitely better in the rain. Honestly the pics online made them look less aggressive than the AT2 but in person I think they look just as good. The Wildpeaks were my other choice but a couple hundred thousand miles of Toyo has done me good so I went with them.

 

Yeah I'll probably ending up with the AT3 like you said better in wet conditions and I like the look of them too. I do like the Wildpeaks and I have been like the Cooper Discover Stronghold AT that just dropped so waiting until those get more reviews in. I still got some time before I get new tires - aiming for November before snowboard season.

 

They’re up to the challenge