Head to head
Nitto Trail Grappler vs Mud Grappler
Every page on this site that mentions the Trail Grappler’s noise figure says the same thing: it is measured against the Mud Grappler. This page puts the baseline next to the tire. Nitto also rates both tires on the same published scale, which lets the maker’s own numbers do the comparing.
By Bill Belcamino · Last verified 17 September 2026
What the published data supports
Nitto scores its own tires out of five. It places the Mud Grappler at 5 for off-road performance against the Trail Grappler’s 4.5 — and at 1 for quietness against the Trail Grappler’s 2.5. On every on-road measure Nitto publishes, the Trail Grappler scores higher; on off-road performance, the Mud Grappler does.
The Trail Grappler’s 34% street and 36% highway noise reductions are measured against this tire. That is useful context for the claim: the baseline is the tire Nitto itself rates 1 out of 5 for quietness.
Side by side
Specification
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T
Nitto Mud Grappler
Nitto rating: off-road performance
4.5 / 5
5 / 5
Nitto rating: dry performance
3 / 5
2.5 / 5
Nitto rating: wet performance
3 / 5
2.5 / 5
Nitto rating: quietness
2.5 / 5
1 / 5
Nitto rating: ride comfort
2.5 / 5
1.5 / 5
Published noise claim
34% quieter street, 36% highway — measured against the Mud Grappler
None — it is the baseline
Sidewall construction
3-ply with high turn-up
Three-ply polyester, high-strength steel belts
LT285/70R17
66.4 lb · 18.9/32″ · Load Range E
Not listed in this size
33×12.50R17
68.5 lb · 21/32″ · 3,085 lb at 65 psi (E)
72.3 lb · 21/32″ · 3,085 lb at 65 psi (E)
35×12.50R17
79.9 lb · 21/32″ · 3,195 lb at 65 psi (E)
79.0 lb · 21/32″ · 3,640 lb at 65 psi (E)
37×12.50R17
87.3 lb · 21/32″ · 3,525 lb at 50 psi (D)
97.0 lb · 21/32″ · 4,300 lb at 65 psi (E)
Measured diameter (37×12.50R17)
36.85″
37.05″
3PMSF certification
Not stated
Not stated
Treadwear warranty
None found
None found
Ratings and construction are Nitto’s, from its own product pages. Size rows are from the tiresize specification pages — the same source as our specification database — so weights and depths are comparable across both tires.
Where the published data favours the Trail Grappler
On pavement, by Nitto’s own scoring: 3 against 2.5 for dry and wet performance, 2.5 against 1 for quietness, 2.5 against 1.5 for ride comfort. These are a manufacturer rating its own products, which makes them useful for placing two tires within one brand’s range, and not comparable with any other brand’s scale.
In 37×12.50R17 the Trail Grappler is 9.7 lb lighter per tire — 87.3 lb against 97.0 lb, or nearly 39 lb of unsprung, rotating mass across a set of four. That shows up in steering effort, braking and the gearing conversation.
It is also offered in far more fitments — 63 sizes from 15 to 26 inch wheels, including LT285/70R17, where the source lists no Mud Grappler at all.
Where the published data favours the Mud Grappler
Off-road, by Nitto’s scoring: 5 against 4.5. Nitto describes it as an extreme mud-terrain, with a high void ratio, dual sidewall designs and aggressive sidewall lugs.
Load capacity in the large sizes. In 37×12.50R17 the Mud Grappler is listed in Load Range E at 4,300 lb and 65 psi, where the Trail Grappler is Load Range D at 3,525 lb and 50 psi. In 35×12.50R17 both are Load Range E, and the Mud Grappler is still listed higher — 3,640 lb against 3,195 lb.
It is also the only tire in our data that measures past its nominal 37 inches, at 37.05″. Every other 37×12.50R17 we have recorded measures under.
What the evidence does not establish
No independent test has measured the two for noise, traction or wear. Nitto’s percentages and its 1-to-5 ratings are both Nitto’s own work, and neither has been reproduced in public.
The two noise statements are not the same kind of figure. The 34% and 36% are measured reductions; the quietness ratings are scores. A 2.5 is not 150% quieter than a 1 in any physical sense.
Neither carries three-peak mountain snowflake certification, and neither publishes a treadwear warranty.
What they cost
Tire
LT285/70R17, per tire
Read
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T
$367.00
11 Sep 2026
Nitto Mud Grappler
Not listed in this size
—
The Mud Grappler is not in the price tracker, and the source lists it in no LT285/70R17 fitment to compare against.
Which matters for your use case
If most of your miles are on pavement, Nitto’s own ratings favour the Trail Grappler on every on-road measure it publishes.
If you are building a dedicated off-road truck on 37s and need load capacity, the Mud Grappler is listed a load range higher — at the cost of 9.7 lb more per corner.
If you are weighing the Trail Grappler’s noise claim, this is what it is measured against: a tire Nitto rates 1 out of 5 for quietness. See how loud mud tires are.
If you need LT285/70R17, only the Trail Grappler is listed.
Model pages and data
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T · specification database
Related
Trail Grappler vs Ridge Grappler · how loud mud tires are · 37-inch mud tires · load range explained · KM3 vs Trail Grappler
Sources
Nitto Tire, Trail Grappler M/T and Mud Grappler product pages, including performance ratings (nittotire.com), read 17 September 2026 · Tire Size (tiresize.com), model specification pages, read 17 September 2026 · Mud Tires price tracker.
How these figures are gathered and what we refuse to estimate: our method.