Nitto Dune Grappler

In the 1970s dune buggies were a popular vehicle to be seen plowing over the dunes at some out-of-the-way beaches. This sport was extremely popular in New Zealand at the time and most of the vehicles were home made. Consisting of a Volkswagen engine mounted into a steel chassis with a fiberglass body, each weekend would see hundreds of these vehicles careering across empty sand dunes.

The tires, at the time, were standard road tires, as the boom in off road driving had not yet happened. Thus tire companies weren’t producing any other tire except truck and car tires. In retrospect, if everyone had had a set of Nitto Dune Grappler tires on their home made beach buggy, the sport or enjoyment would have been even more popular. It was a time when tire production was evolving as well as technology was improving within the industry. When the dune buggy craze hit, tire companies sat up and took note. Innovative managers saw a potential in producing a tire for desert or dune driving.

 One such tire dune or desert tire comes from the Nitto tire company and it is the Nitto Dune Grappler, Desert Terrain tire. The tire has been designed for drivers who spend their free time careering across the flat plains of a desert or bouncing over the dunes at a beach. The tire has a unique blocked tread ideal for sandy conditions. The sidewalls are strengthened to prevent puncturing and the “face” or contact point of the tire, has balanced traction. The tread is also designed to give a smooth ride while driving on a highway and the design also cuts down on road noise. It appears this particular Nitto Dune Grappler is an all-round tire for off road vehicles.

Reviews for this tire have been favorable with most stating that the tire lives up to its hype. It, is of course, not a good idea to put these tires on the family sedan, to do so would seriously damage the steering and braking systems of the car. Someone once said, “There’s a place for everything and everything should be in its place”. Nitto Dune Grappler tires don’t belong on a standard vehicle.

 It must be apparent, after reading the above, that if you’re thinking of investing in an off road vehicle that where you intend to drive depicts what tires you need to have on your vehicle. If you’re thinking of driving over mountains, fording rivers, or driving through rain forest, then you’re not going to want to put Nitto Dune Grappler tires on you vehicle. Be wise and shopping wisely.