Work and Play, Part 2: Towing Heavy with the Nitto Terra Grappler G2

• June 30, 2020
• Story By
  Mike McGlothlin

It was only a matter of time before we put Nitto’s F load range Terra Grappler G2 all-terrains to the test. After mounting the 35x12.50R20LT tires to 20x10-inch Krank wheels and balancing each combination in Part 1, it was time for our ’18 Ford F-250 Super Duty to get back to work. Over the past 1,700-plus miles of use, the truck has gone virtually everywhere with a trailer on its back. From towing a mini excavator or skid steer to the jobsite to toting a tandem axle dump trailer around at max GVWR, we’ve been busy since our last installment. All along the way, the G2’s haven’t given an inch. They’re stable, the sidewall surrenders nothing with 15,000 pounds in tow, tread wear is nearly non-existent so far and road noise is a complete non-issue.

If, like us, your personal vehicle is also your workhorse, the Terra Grappler G2 is a great investment in all-around performance, stability, longevity and safety. You’ll see what we mean below.

The Perfect Tire For Towing at GCWR

Grossing 22,500 pounds combined (exactly what the truck is rated for), the late-model Super Duty pulls like a champ. Sure the tuned 6.7L Power Stroke builds a healthy dose of steam, but ultimately the Terra Grappler G2’s out back are responsible for getting its 540 ponies to the rear wheels (along with 1,100 lb-ft of torque). To date, the rigid sidewall of the load range F Terra Grappler G2 tread has had zero problems handling our spirited driving methods when empty or our max GCWR towing efforts.

1,700 Miles, Zero Signs of Wear

After a little more than 1,700 miles (and as you might’ve expected), the Terra Grappler G2 all-terrains are virtually absent of tread wear—at least to the naked eye. As you can see here, the stepped edges are still present on the tread blocks. Luckily, due to the G2’s design the full depth sipes will ensure the appearance of each tire looks the exact same way throughout the duration of its service life.

Logging Tread Depth

For more specific data regarding wear, we put our color-coded Godeson tread depth gauge to work on each tire. If you remember, our specific 35x12.50R20LT’s tread depth measured 16.8/32” from the manufacturer. Now, tread depth reads a smidge over 16/32” (16.2/32” to be exact). If this is any indication of things to come, the G2’s will be under our Super Duty for years to come.

Wider, More Stable and (Best of All) Total Overkill

The added stability gained by upgrading from the stock, 10.8-inch wide 275/70R18’s to the 12.52-inch wide 35x12.50R20LT Terra Grappler G2 has been extremely noticeable. The sure-footed feel the G2’s afforded us is appreciated most when 15,000 pounds worth of equipment is trailing right behind us. Even loaded at max GCWR, we’re still running the 65-psi we initially inflated the rear tires to. No bulging or sagging sidewalls here! This is exactly the kind of overkill we were looking for in an all-terrain tire.

B&W Turnoverball Gooseneck Hitch

Shortly after acquiring the Terra Grappler G2’s and Krank wheels, we did something else to help improve productivity: we installed B&W’s Turnoverball underbed gooseneck trailer hitch, one of the most proven and popular gooseneck hitches on the market. Installed below the bed and with the 2-5/16-inch ball removable, the B&W hitch allows for full bed space when we’re hooked to our bumper tow toy hauler and not the PJ dump trailer. The B&W’s 30,000-pound gross towing weight capacity and 7,500-pound vertical load limit is similar to the Terra Grappler G2 tires in that it provides plenty of overkill for the jobs our Super Duty is typically tasked with.

PJ Low-Pro Dump Trailer

A 16-foot tandem axle dump trailer from PJ Trailers does most of our hauling. The low-profile, gooseneck trailer makes use of 7,000-pound Dexter axles, features a 40-degree dump angle, an adjustable 2-5/16-inch ball Bulldog coupler, a roll-up tarp, two-way barn doors and a spread gate. Empty, the PJ tips the scales at 5,400 pounds, while its GVWR checks in at 15,680 pounds.

CAT Power

For small-scale digging operations, the Super Duty, PJ Trailer and this 304E2 CR CAT mini-excavator make for a pretty solid combination. It might be one of CAT’s smaller mini excavators, but it still registers 8,996 pounds when rolled across the scales—which brings the PJ close to its gross vehicle rating. The 304E2 CR employs a 146 ci, 40.2hp C2.4 engine and a hydraulic system that provides a bucket digging force of 8,498 pounds.

The Right Tools For the Job

Whether we’re digging footings, a crawl space, trenching for drainage, removing muck or building an approach to a structure, the mini excavator, dump trailer, skid steer and certainly the Super Duty used in this small operation are the cornerstones to its functionality. Though the 20-inch matte black wheels certainly add to the tow-rig’s curb appeal, the Terra Grappler G2 tread is what helps make this machine a well-oil one.

Missed Part 1 of our Work and Play series? Click here for everything you need to know about Nitto’s F load range Terra Grappler G2’s.